Virtual 19th Hole

16-Man Team 

As last reported by The Virtual 19^th Hole, our 16 Man and Senior 8-Man Teams had each played their initial matches of the year.  The 16-Man Team had lost a nail-biter to Keller and the 8-Man Team had pitched a shutout against Theodore Wirth, winning 12 – 0.  Follow-up matches, pitting the same opponents against each other, but at the other team’s home course, were expected to be challenging contests. 

The 16 Man Team’s loss to Keller was at Keller, so the rematch on June 2 was played at Braemar.  And, as predicted by undaunted captain Bryan Francis, Braemar turned the tide in a match even more exciting than the original showdown. Down 11-13 at the start of the rematch, Braemar got standout performances from several players, including 3-0 shutouts from the teams of Michael Kraft/ Coss Barnette, Nick Neudigate/ Tim Lambrecht, and Drew Gumlia/ Bryan Francis. But notwithstanding those stellar performances, the overall result was hanging in the balance until the final hole played by the final pairing of Ronin Burns and Chris Eckes. Facing elimination, Ronin needed to make an eight-foot putt to force a playoff. He rolled in the putt and so the resulting playoff would determine which of the two teams would move on with their season. Captain Francis selected Drew Gumlia and Michael Kraft as Braemar’s team in the playoff. Seeking to bolster his chances, Michael persuaded brother Steven to caddy for him with everything on the line. So, the Braemar players– and caddy– headed to the first tee, knowing that their season now rode on those six stalwart shoulders.  Fearlessly, Drew hit the green in regulation and had a 20-footer for birdie.  But Michael made that putt irrelevant by pitching his second shot from 50 yards to eight inches, nearly holing out for a gimme birdie. Observers credited the indispensable moral support of caddy Steven with making all the difference. Meanwhile, Keller had a 15-footer to gain a tie, but their birdie bid slid just past the hole and Braemar was able to savor the sweet taste of victory. 

Our 16-Man Team now advances and will play Hiawatha in July. 

8-Man Team 

Our 8-Man Team’s rematch against Wirth was played at Wirth on May 21.  And, as expected, Wirth did not roll over.  In a tough 6 – 5 loss, the Braemar seniors simply couldn’t overcome their opponent’s home field advantage.  But in their next match, at home on June 4 against Baker National, the 8-Man Team fared considerably better.  After winning by the decisive margin of 7.5 – 4.5, team captain Mike Longman offered special kudos for new BMC member Mark Paetznick, who fired a blistering 68.  The rematch against Baker will be played on June 18 at Baker. 

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

It’s no secret that BMC members card their fair share of eagles– and, last year, two members even made double eagles, Taylor Smith on Thursday League’s opening day and Drew Cripps on Tuesday League’s last day of the season.  Bookends! So, don’t expect this year to be much different.

Birthday present

May 7 was opening day for Tuesday League and Greg Hasper was looking forward to reconnecting with his BMC golf buddies. Besides, May 7 was his 59^th birthday– and what better way to celebrate than on the links? But coming off hip surgery, Greg harbored no giddy expectations for the round. Testing out the new hip, and bearing in mind his 22 handicap, Greg approached the first hole with playing partner Brian Janni having chosen to play the I tees. Sure enough, the round did not get off to an auspicious start, with Greg struggling to a triple bogey on the first hole. And yet… by the time he reached number eight, Greg felt his game coming around. But even a nice drive right down the middle didn’t prepare him for what came next.  Hitting his second shot from 210 yards out, Greg’s three wood just cleared the far lip of the fairway bunker, and that’s when the fun began. The ball rolled resolutely onto the green and came to rest no more than five feet from the hole.  Giving himself a birthday present he won’t soon forget, Greg then rolled in the knee knocker en route to a 2-up victory against opponent Bob Gleason. His first-ever eagle!   We can only assume that Bob appreciates the integral role he played in making this birthday one of Greg’s most memorable ever.

Happy 59^th, Greg—and many happy returns!

Another one just like the other one

Coincidentally, just as the ink was drying on the above story– but before it was posted to the website— something unexpected was about to change the story from Greg’s Special Birthday Present to Eagles Land on Number 8.

On May 16, yours truly played on our 4-Man Over-70 Team in a match against Fountain Valley. We started off on the back nine. Dr. Bob Peterson and I played in the first foursome and were faring well but, as we headed to the eighth tee, we had not yet closed out our match. I drove first on number 8 and my drive headed a bit to the right—but wound up taking a fortuitous bounce off the cart path right onto the fairway. From 190 yards out, I hit a solidly struck 4-hybrid and Doc Peterson seemed impressed, but from our vantage point we couldn’t see the result.  Turns out the ball rolled to within 18 inches of the cup. And after I tapped in for a three, the eighth hole had recorded its second 2024 eagle just nine days after the first from Mr. Hasper–unless, of course, there have been any others not yet accounted for?

The more the merrier

If you or a golf buddy makes an eagle, you know who to call.  Because wouldn’t it be fun to keep track of our BMC eagles over the course of the season?  The BMC Eagle Club is now looking for new members!

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

With the 2024 golf season now well underway and our BMC leagues running at full tilt, it’s high time we gave a special shout-out to our traveling teams (you can find more information on our traveling teams on the website).

Unlike league play, where BMC members compete against other members, the traveling teams play against golfers from other clubs.

And this year we’ve added a fourth traveling team: the 4-Man Over-70 Team. In addition, the BMC supports a 16-Man Team, an 8-Man Senior Team, and a Metro Seniors squad.

16-Man Team

The 16 Man Team is composed of our ultra-low handicappers, the crème de la crème. 

In the season opener for the 16-Man Team, an away game against Keller held on May 5, Braemar faced off against a particularly tough competitor. Although it was a nail-biter, the match wound up as an 11 – 13 loss.  Nevertheless, many Braemar highlights brightened the result, so the team feels well-positioned to take on Keller in the upcoming rematch.   Leading the way for our guys were Michael Kraft and Alex Hintz, with a 3-0 win, and Cutter Tylia and Mike Wangen, winning 2.5 – .5.  The rematch against Keller will be played at Braemar on June 2. Stay tuned to see if our home field advantage will help put Braemar over the top in the grudge match.

The 16-Man Team normally plays from the championship tees at Braemar and similar tee boxes at other courses. Team captain Bryan Francis creates the best 16-man line-up available for each monthly match.  As with the 8-Man and Over-70 matches, these are gross score, best ball match play competitions.  One point is awarded for each nine and one for the 18.  Ties are worth a half point.

8-Man Senior Team

This team, captained by Mike Longman, is a showcase for the BMC’s best golfers over age 55.

Opening their season on May 7 at Braemar, the 8-Man Team produced some real fireworks. In what may have been a historic first, Braemar actually pitched a shutout– winning by the remarkable final score of 12 – 0. Hey, a lopsided win is one thing—but, in four matches, not a single loss or even a tie?  Incredible.  Playing for Braemar were Jeff Roseland (with a .3 hcp.), Mike Kavanaugh (4.9), Tim Smith (4.3), Mark Paetznick (3.8), Mike Longman (3.7), Hans Rasmussen (3.2), Rick Passolt (2.5), and Bill Angel (6.8).  Great play, guys!

Theodore Wirth, the victim in this historic competition, will get another shot at our guys in an away game on May 21.  Another Braemar win would lead to a sweet 2 & 0 start to the season.

Metro Seniors

The Metro Seniors matches are arranged a bit differently from the other traveling team competitions.  Held weekly, these are individual net score matches and are played by a spritely group of golfers as young as 50.  Captain Greg Baron sets the line-ups for Braemar.  Each match is for 6 points, 2 on the front, 2 on the back, and 2 for the 18.

In their first two matches several Braemar golfers have already had stand-out performances, including Jeff Roseland, sporting a plus 2 handicap, winning all six points in his first match; Chris Reeves, winning all six points in his first match; Dr. Bob Peterson, with a five-point victory: and Dan Berend, with a four-pointer. Our Metro Seniors squad is currently in tenth place.

4-Man Over-70 Team

This year the MPGA introduced a new match play team competition: the 4-Man Over-70 competition.  To ensure Braemar could participate, longstanding BMC member Dr. Bob Peterson took the reins and built our Over-70 team.

And, when the bell rang to initiate the season, our 4-Man Team answered the call. On April 30, in an away game against Emerald Greens, Braemar brought home a 3.5 – 2.5 victory.  In our second match, a home game on May 16 against Fountain Valley, the 4-Man Team won handily, 6-0. The next match will be an away game on June 13 against Keller. Keller’s talented team is expected to pose a serious challenge to the Over-70 squad starting the year 3 & 0.  Again, stay tuned.

The over-70 matches are similar to those for the 16 Man and 8-Man Teams, but with just four players to a team, meaning two best ball matches in each competition. Captain Peterson creates line-ups for the matches.

Dick Helde
Editor, The Virtual 19^th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590

They say records are made to be broken.

Well, thanks to our unseasonably mild temperatures this winter, we’ve definitely been obliterating Minnesota weather records– and BMC members have not hesitated to take full advantage on the golf course.

In what may be a first ever, we’ve had year-round golf this year, including rounds in the unfathomable months of January and February.  When has that ever happened?  Several courses opened for business during these typically off-season months, and word has it that BMC members were spotted at, among other venues, Pioneer Creek, Bunker Hills, Ridges at Sand Creek and Rum River Hills.

Of course, winter golf in Minnesota is bound to involve a few abnormalities.  Hit it into a pond?  See if the ball skips over the ice and ends up safely on the other side.  Having trouble pushing your tee into the frozen ground?  Just bring a drill along to pierce the turf–as BMC member Drew Cripps observed another player doing at Rum River Hills.

Lacking the fortitude of some other BMC members, yours truly held off on my inaugural 2024 Minnesota round until March 12. Playing with fellow members Rick Danmeier and Tom Klassen at The Ridges, we had a beautiful day in the mid-60s, it’s just that our putts kept coming up short.  Maybe our golf muscles had gone soft due to a lack of snow shoveling?

Of course, many of us headed south this winter, golf clubs in tow (in some cases only to experience weather no better than here).  Among the highlights: a hole-in-one by Past President and Thursday League Coordinator Greg Wright.  On his first shot of 2024 Greg, playing with his brother-in-law, struck a wedge on the 120-yard first hole at Jupiter Dunes on Florida’s east coast.  Unfortunately, Greg couldn’t see the ball land because he was facing directly into the sun, but the boisterous cheers from onlookers on a nearby porch confirmed the result.  Recall that Greg was the leading money winner last year in Thursday League, so don’t be surprised if he fires his first Braemar ace this summer.

Maybe the most exotic golf venue played this winter by a BMC member was at Bali National Golf Club (in Bali, Indonesia).  Drew Cripps, accompanied by wife Susan, was up before dawn to reserve a tee time at this jewel in the jungle (where greens fees reportedly rival Pebble Beach’s), and he reports that the views were breathtaking.  The photo below was taken just after sunrise from the left of the first tee, which, without careful observation, you might otherwise miss at the far right of the photo.

Based on our mild winter weather this year, is anyone planning to scrap their plans to head south next year?  Or does our most recent wintery blast cool your jets?