Seacoast Christian GC, October 5, 2018
News and Results – Event 11 “Seacoast Cup Playoffs” – TOP 8 Quarter Finals Round – Twin Oaks GC
Welcome to the 11th golf event of the 2018 Seacoast Cup Golf Tour. Our October 5 tour stop takes us to Twin Oaks GC. This challenging course is a tournament favorite as it demands the best from golfers. Not only will this course test your skills, but it will expose any errors or miss hits and keep you from posting a low low score. This course has historically set up favorably for our post season match play event. Today’s event is the third post season “playoff” event that takes us down the road to the 2018 Seacoast Cup Championship. Those players who have earned their Top 8 spot will continue to compete in “match play” format to earn post season “BIG” points. Winners will earn 500 points and a spot in the 2018 Seacoast Cup Semi Finals. Those players who did not qualify for the ” Championship Bracket”, will enjoy match play format in the “Player’s Bracket” and will also compete for points to determine our 2018 Player’s Cup Champion.
Note: The Twin Oaks GC Golf pro alerted our field that today’s play will begin on the BACK 9. This will reverse the score card from the normal front nine / back nine. The score cards posted in this web posting have been adjusted with this change.
The majority of the field of players found their way to the range to get off some early swings to warm up. Our media photography crew was on hand to take photos and to get some early interview from some of the key match ups.
Some Match Highlights –
In Match #1 Clinite vs. Lytel , a battle of the experienced on (Ted Clinite) , and a newbie (Todd Lytel) to our post season match play format. Todd is the “cinderella” story where he earned his playoff spot by having built up enough regular sesaon points to become an “Alternate” player. Due to the tough travel schedule of Richard Mulligan (#3 seeded player) a spot was made for him to join the post season playoffs. Today’s challenge is to overcome the experience and stellar play of Ted Clinite, who knows too well the challenges of post season play. Todd gave it his best, but in the end, experience and solid golf play won out . Todd has to be given his credit as he took the match to the the very last hole, but Ted kept his composure and took the match 2 Up on #18.
In Match #2, Smith vs. Riggs, it was a battle of the nerves. Our media team did some investigating and learned that Ebin had been playing extra rounds at Twin Oaks GC this past week to get himself “in tuned” with the course. Dr. Riggs has been employing his “GolfTec” lessons and swing and overall this year has been a big step in his overall play. His post season play has now brought him deep into the playoffs as this is his first time the “Quarter Finals.” Dr. Riggs started the round with a birdie which gave him the early lead. He kept the momentum in his favor for the front nine and event took a 3 Up lead. But then Ebin slower chipped into the lead and by hole 11, he was able to All Square the match. Slowly the momentum shift plagued Dr. Riggs and his struggles to keep up with Ebin’s solid pars down the stretch were not a match for Dr. Riggs today. By hole #17, Ebin was able to cl0se out the match as John ran out of stroke holes and his 1018 Championship playoff run came to an end.
In Match #3 Chan vs. Deveau, both players were evening matched as they both realized that even their monthly indices were exactly the same. Chan, being the 2017 Champion knows all the elements of post season championship play. But Paul took advantage of an early lead and kept his mistakes at a minimum. By hole #9 he got his up lead to 4 UP and he knew he had Chan up against the ropes. Chan has had a few amazing comebacks over the years on post season match play, but today was not his day, as Paul smoothly played out his match and kept his game intact. Chan ran out of holes and was unable to create any post season magic today in his game. Deveau decisively defeats Chans 5 and 4.
Match #4 Thistle vs. Alexander, Ryan Alexander took the early lead in this match. He’s been riding the golf “high” as he barely squeezed into the Championship playoff picture as a secondary alternate. His game has been questionable as he hits them long, but the short game can sometimes become unhinged. Today, he took the lead, but our season leader board winner, Rik Thistle, put his “A” game together in the end to win the match. Rik’s experience in match play perhaps gave him the edge as he hung in there and never gave up. Both player’s acknowledged that it was anyone’s match…but whoever came down the stretch without the least amount of mistakes would be the winner. Rik took the match 3 and 2.
Welcome to our golf group / newcomers: Jerry Oliver, Mike Tucker
Congratulations to our Medal Stroke Play winners:
Low Gross Winners
Flight A – Jason Young (79) –
Flight B – Paul Deveau (82 ) –
Flight C – Gary Martin (91) –
Low Net Winner – Paul Deveau (67) –
Post Match Interviews:
Match 1 / Clinite def. Lytel 2 Up
Todd Lytel explained, ” tried my hardest today, knowing that I was facing a very experienced gofer. I couldn’t believe that I was holding my own throughout the match, but Ted seemed to keep his cool during the match. When I realized that we had only a few to play and I still had a chance to win, then I began to feel the pressure. On our final hole, I was faced with a must win to tie the match. Hitting my 2nd shot over the water from 155 yards with the thought that “I MUST PUT THIS CLOSE” was the approach I took, but it proved to be the game changer. I just couldn’t deliver on my hopes and Ted ended up as the winner. He was very gracious in his win today over me. Ted spoke in the press room “I kept my cool today, and didn’t have any multiple big blow up holes. I’ve learned from the past that I have to play my own game. I had to give Todd a multitude of strokes (14) and I had to be on my game. I actually played pretty well on the front 9, which allowed me to created a padded lead. But Todd made a charge on the back nine, to put some pressure on me on the last hole. I admire his competitive spirit for not giving up but putting his best into his game today. I’m sure Todd learned a lot from this playoff experience.. .”
Match 2 / Smith def. Riggs 2 UP
John Riggs described his round, ” When I birdied the first hole for a win, I felt that today was my day. I was able to keep a lead for most of the front nine. I actually was matching holes with Ebin and sometimes even winning holes…and felt that I had that “momentum” that players always talk about. But then Ebin made his par on #9 hole and I doubled, and even my stroke hole didn’t save me. The “Shift in Momentum” took place and Ebin slowly took control. I tried my best to get off the “bogey and double bogey train” but it wouldn’t let me off. It seemed as the more I tried, the harder it got. My controlled “GolfTec” swing that I’ve been working on these past 2 years seemed to not get into gear. I guess the pressure got to me. But then on #15 I finally scored a par to Win a hole and I found myself only 1 down on Ebin. My only problem is that making Par wasn’t enough for the next few holes, as Ebin held on and finished me off on #17. He’s a great player.” Ebin with the look of relief in the press room said, “I knew Riggs would be tough today. I heard he’d been working hard on his game and his competitive sports experience would give him the frame of mind to hang in there during the pressure moments. I actually came out here a few times this week for practice rounds to help me feel my way around this tricky course. The practice paid off as I was able to handle all the pressure John game me today. He didn’t give up and I thought he would cave after I took the lead, but he hung on dearly and battled it out to the end. He truly forced me to play well..especially on the back nine, and I’m happy that I produced when I had to. I admire how John has moved his level of play up another notch. He was a fun competitor today!”
Match 3 / Chan vs. Deveau 5 and 4
We found Curtis Chan cleaning up after his round… ” Today’s round was not my best. I floundered from the opening hole today and never got into my regular rhythm. I actually posted a decent scoring round, but Paul played “lights out” and it’s hard to win holes when you three putt for bogey. I had my chances, but Paul played like a champion. I kept thinking that I would somehow “kick it in gear”, but before I knew it, I had dugged too deep of a hole when I three putted again on hole #9 for another big score. I realized my coffin was being prepped before the match was even close to being done. I tried to make a run at him on the back nine, but he held me off. Paul played too well today for me to make my charge. He truly deserved this win today.” Paul Deveau had a big smile on his face and said, “Today I can described my round as being quite special. For once, I felt I got into “the zone” where I had control of my swing. There were a few blunders, but I was able to over come them, and when I made those errors, Chan didn’t capitalize and take advantage of the few open doors I gave him today. I really tried to focus today on fairways and greens and pretty much stuck to this plan. I truly felt in control of this match and kept the pressure on Chan all day Before I knew it we were on #14 and shaking hands, as my 5 UP lead closed him out. I know Curtis has a much better game than what he showed today, but that’s competitive golf and I’m happy to move on to the Semi Finals.”
Match 4 / Thistle vs. Alexander
This match will be played on Friday, Oct 15, 2018. Ryan Alexander explained, “I had my chances today. All day long I did my best to play within myself. I even got a 2 up lead on Rik, but he hung around and never gave up. When the match got all squared up after the 9th hole I knew I had to put more pressure on him. But then I double bogied a couple of holes and truly paid the price as Rik capitalized on my mistakes and won those holes. He then matched me hole by hole once he got the lead and it was hard for me to over come my golf blunders.” Rik Thistle explained in the press room…”I started off with 2 triples and knew that it was going to be a long day. But I fnally calmed my nerves and made my first par on the 9th hole. But then on the 1oth I gave in to my poor golf swing and realized I had to press on. I somehow figured out what swing to play for the rest of the round and then found myself in the lead on hole #13. It was kind of a foggy mess of golf for me today, but in the end I pulled out a win. Ryan was a great competitor, but I’m happy to pull off the win and continue on to the semi finals.”
2018 Player’s Cup Bracket : We had 18 players additional players come out in match play format to compete in our “Player’s Bracket.” All players who do not qualify for the Championship Cup bracket can come out and participate in our post season match play events. The season totals of points from the regular season roll into the playoff post season points. Players who are knocked out of the Championships Cup division slide into the Player’s Cup division up until the Semi Finals. Several players who did not make it into this year’s Championship Cup bracket surely made some noise this week and racked up “big time” post season points to make a charge at being the “Players Cup Champion.” Here are the results below:
Next Event : Friday, October 19 , 2018 Place: Arrowood GC 7:30 am start
Quest for the 2018 Seacoast Cup– This year will be filled with full of fun times on the golf course. Monthly Friday events will be available for golf stroke play competition. All players who have an office SCGA index will be place in respective flights to compete with players of their own golf playing ability / potential. Players will earn points according to their placing in each event. Two Major events will be available for a 27 hole competition (April / July) where there will be an increased value in earned points. September begins the “Playoff Season” where twenty players will earn their way to this year’s match play event. Points are earned by finishing well in both individual low gross and low net score postings. Additionally points may earned in different team and individual events ranging from match play, 4 man team best ball, and 2 man best ball events. Net Skins are also another category that allows players to add points to their monthly points.
Remember only those players who have an Official SCGA or USGA golf index qualify for low net play and compete in Seacoast Christian Golf Club Points System. Players who participate in our events who do not have an official golf index / handicap, will be assigned a “Flight” depending on their level of play. These players also may be assigned a course handicap and may participate and qualify for team net play points. Players who desire to qualify for Seacoast Christian GC Playoffs, must be a member of our SCGA affiliate club. For information on how to become a member and to obtain an official golf index contact Curtis Chan and visit : Membership and SCGA.
Leader board – With the completion of our 3rd playoff event, the leader board has been readjusted. Our Top 4 players are now positioned to continue on in the Championship Cup Playoffs which is scheduled on Friday, October 19, 2018… this will be our 4th Playoff event of the post season. Here 800 points awaits those who can win their “match play” match and will continue on to the “Semi Finals.” The rest of the field will play in the Player’s Bracket and compete for 250 points. The tournament committee has determined that players who are within 600 points of the top player in the Player’s Cup division will have a chance to unseed this player and has a chance to take this top spot. So by winning their next match and posting a low gross / low net score one will be able to climb the ladder and stake their mark at becoming the next Player’s Cup 2018 Champion.
Seacoast Cup Playoff Season – (September – November). If you have been playing in this golf group for over 5 years then you know that after August, our playoff season begins. Match Play format is instituted for our rounds, in addition to our low gross/low net play. With the added element of “match play,” players get to stir up their competitive juices and bring out their game faces to bring out the best golf they’ve ever played. Many players have shown their “A” game, while others find how difficult it is to play golf when everything is on the line.
This year, the Golf Tournament Committee has reviewed the last few seasons and have instituted a few new elements to our “Playoff Season.” If a player has sufficient points to be in the “Top 20” then he will qualify to participate in the Seacoast Cup – “Champions” bracket, which will determine our club champion. Below is the playoff calendar of events. Note that events will take place every 2 weeks until November.
- No more “Bye” weeks for our top 4 players. All players will continue to earn points in our playoff season. The “Top 20” and “Wild Card” rounds will take the top 20 and top 16 players (total points) respectively. Your total points earned throughout the year will determine qualifications for “The Top 20 and Wild Card” playoff rounds. This will allow players to possibly lose a match, but still continue in the playoffs if they have the points to sustain their level to be part of the top 16. Only when we get to the Quarter Finals will there be eliminations for losing a match.
- Players will continue to reply back to event invite emails to obtain their spots for the event. If a “Top 20” player desires not to participate in an upcoming event, then the next seeded player (#19) will then be given the opportunity to play in the “Champions” bracket.
- “Match Play” points will have an increased value per playoff event. The deeper one goes into the playoffs, the more value for a match play win. For the “Top 20” and “Wild Card” events, players who’s match ends in a TIE will split the earned points. Tie matches in subsequent events will have a “tie-breaker” sudden death playoff…see below.
- “Player’s Cup Bracket” – for those who don’t qualify or have fallen out of the “Championship Cup” bracket, your points total will transfer into the “Player’s Bracket.” In the Player’s Bracket, players will be matched up with other players in the same bracket to have match play competition. Points will also be earned for Wins and Ties. Value for Player’s Bracket wins are 250 points. All Players who fall short of making it to the Semi-Final Championship bracket qualify for the “Player’s Bracket.” There will be no TIE breakers for tie matches in the Player’s Bracket. Points will be split between the two players.
note: TIES / Tie breakers: For “Top 20” , “Wild Card” matches, Tie matches will have total points split between players. In Quarter Finals / Semi Finals, “TIE” matches will continue by having players return a designated “drop area” (150 yard marker from hole) on the 18th hole for a sudden death playoff to determine winner. In Championship Finals, TIE matches will be settled by returning to tee box #18 hole for sudden death playoff.
