Asides

The results of the first-ever BMC quiz are now in, and we have a winner!

If you follow The Virtual 19^th Hole, you’ll recall that BMC members were asked if they could identify the place on the course that was depicted in a photo displaying some rather innocuous shallow water littered with golf balls– balls that had clearly missed their mark. A challenging test of Braemar course knowledge to be sure. And the volume of responses confirmed that members enjoyed taking up the challenge.

In total, nine members correctly identified number 2 as the hole shown in the photo. Of those, three specifically described the photo as having been taken, as described by photographer Greg Wright, from the riding/ walking bridge looking back toward the tee box, to the north/east.  Several respondents correctly identified the creek on number 2 but judged the photo to have been taken nearer to the narrower walking bridge.  Other contestants who took a shot but fell short took a swing at 16 and, in one case, number 18.

As described, the lesson to be learned was thrown in just for fun since two of the suggested answers were obviously in jest.  Nevertheless, extra credit goes to Vince Bradford, who overcame the inherent limitations of multiple choice and posited that the lesson was to avoid thinking too much!

Congrats to the members whose impressive course knowledge enabled them to zero in on hole 2: Rick Ites, Rick Windham, Vince Bradford, John Hasper, Chuck Wait, Drew Cripps, Tim Smith, Rolf Sonnesyn and Tom Klassen.  The three respondents who specifically identified the correct portion of the creek were Tim Smith, Rolf Sonnesyn and Tom Klassen.

Because Tom’s response came in at lightning speed after only 16 minutes, Tom took the top spot in the competition. Silver goes to Rolf, who needed a few extra hours to get it right, and bronze goes to Tim Smith who, after taking several days to respond, also nailed it–perhaps after completing an inaugural 2025 round and making some careful observations along the way?

Course Knowledge Champion Tom Klassen

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

For every BMC member who loves playing golf at Braemar, here’s an excellent opportunity to show off your course knowledge! Simply take a careful look at the photo above and answer the questions below.  Then submit your answers to The Virtual 19^th Hole. Winners will be included in a drawing at the end of the season for Honorable Mention as The 2025 BMC Champion Golfer of the Year.

Questions

1.  On what hole was the photo taken?
2. Where exactly on that hole?
3. Which of the following best summarizes the lesson to be learned from this photo:
   • For the bombers: big mistake trying to drive over the penalty area.
   • For the rest of us: big mistake topping your approach shot to the green.
   • Stop rinsing your balls here or the resulting rise in water level will quickly overflow the banks and turn this area into a massive lake.
   • With a decent pair of water shoes a guy could easily get himself a year’s supply of golf balls here.

Submit your answers simply by replying to the cover email, or to:

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

With the 2024 season winding down, are you feeling a case of the off-season blues coming on?  If so, here are some 2024 BMC highlights that are sure to provide a lift.

Hole in One

Aces have been elusive among BMC members this year. Of course, occasional golf highlights escape the notice of The Virtual 19^th Hole, and perhaps that’s occurred this year.  In any case, the BMC has now officially recorded another hole-in-one.  This one came, as they so often have over the last couple of seasons (mine at number 5 being a rare exception), on the seventh hole: Lucky Number 7.

Go back to September 12, when, during regular Thursday League play, long-time BMC member and former President Rick Windham arrived at Braemar’s seventh tee looking to pick up some momentum on a round that had been stuck in neutral. Playing the N tees as usual, Rick calculated that Lucky Number 7 that day measured 104 yards, with the hole being cut in the front right portion of the green. He selected his 9 iron and struck a solid shot directly toward the flagstick. However, because the hole was cut in the hollow area at the front of the green, Rick couldn’t see where his shot ended up. Still, when he arrived at the putting surface Rick didn’t hesitate to stride directly to the spot where he was certain he’d find his trusty Kirkland. And there it was: in the bottom of the cup.

Intriguingly, based on a surprising confluence of events, this ace raises something of a philosophical quandary—do you believe in coincidences? Or would say there’s no such thing—things happen for a reason?  Ponder, if you will, these two seemingly unrelated factoids: first, this ace was Rick’s second and both came with a Kirkland; second, on both occasions Rick was playing with fellow BMC member Greg Baron.  Could it have been the ball?  Perhaps the playing partner?  A tantalizing puzzle, especially if you don’t believe in coincidences….

MGA Senior Amateur Championship

The MGA’s Senior Amateur Championship was contested this year from September 9 through 11 at Edina Country Club.  It goes without saying that choosing to play in this tournament is not for the faint of heart– simply qualifying requires besting some of the state’s best senior amateurs. But, for the six BMC members who qualified, overcoming that hurdle was just another day on the golf course. So, serious kudos for achieving that milestone go out to Jeff Roseland, Rick Passolt, Tim Smith, Mike Longman, Mark Paetznick and John Montague!

And not only did those six players qualify, two of them, Jeff (T-38) and Rick (T-41), successfully negotiated Edina’s super-slick putting surfaces and elevated greens to make the 36-hole cut.

Congrats to all six BMC members—most especially to Jeff and Rick!

Eagle Count

BMC members have apparently had so little difficulty making eagles this year, that these seemingly rare accomplishments have become nearly impossible to track.  So, if you’ve made an eagle since last reported in June by The Virtual 19^th Hole, congrats!  And, if you’d like to get your name published here, send me a note!

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