Seacoast Christian GC, November 2, 2018
News and Results – Event 13 “Seacoast Cup Playoffs” – Championship Finals- Round – The Golf Club of CA, GC
Welcome to the 13th golf event of the 2018 Seacoast Cup Golf Tour. Our “Championship Finals” tour stop takes us to The Golf Club of California, GC. This challenging course is unique in that it requires the golfer to bring his “A” game in order to navigate and survive the elements of this demanding course.. The Seacoast Christian GC tournament committee considers this course the ultimate “deal breaker” course as it will test all your golf skills both physically and mentally. Today’s event is the fifth and final post season “playoff” event that takes us to the finish line of the 2018 Seacoast Cup Championship. Our final 2 players who survived the “championship semi finals” two weeks ago, will now square off to determine our 2018 Club Champion. 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.
Championship Cup Match Prelim Notes-
Championship Match – Clinite vs. Deveau
Pre Match Notes –
Ted Clinite, has been patiently waiting for this day as he won this cup a few years ago, but has missed having the trophy on his mantle for a few years. Having been down this road before, Ted admits that it takes mental toughness, strokes of perfection, and also a few “lucky” breaks to becoming the Seacoast Cup Champion. Ted’s game this year has proven to be strong and his ability to get up and down from the fairways consistently will be a tough game to beat. Playing on this Seacoast Cup tour since 2012, Ted’s monthly index hovers around 6.3. Ted explained in a pre match interview that he’s been working on his mid iron game in a quest to enjoy that next level of golf perfection. 
Ted’s drives off the tee are not lengthy but very adequate to allow him to approach most greens with a 7-9 irons to the green. His putting stats are consistently good. He know’s his way around the green and rarely finds himself dealing with 3 putts. Being the lower handicapped player, Ted is used to “dishing” out strokes, but today he will need to battle a tough opponent for every stoke hole that presents itself. Every hole counts! Paul knows how close he is to winning the cup again and he’s all prepared.
Paul Deveau, has been playing on this tour for 4 years. This year he dedicated his practice sessions to be more intentional at improving each element of his game. All his hard efforts have consistently shown positive results that have steadily improved his game and dropping his monthly index. In fact he has become one of our top “MOST IMPROVED” golfers in our Seacoast Christian GC golf league. 
He will have to take advantage of the +7 strokes that he is given in today’s competition. Paul has made it deep into the playoffs in past years, and he admits that he understands that to survive and play your way through the Seacoast Cup playoffs is a difficult feat in itself…and to make it to the finals is an honor and a great accomplishment. Paul reports in the pregame interview, that Ted is one of the toughest opponents to have in “Match Play”, but he’s ready for the task today. Paul’s golf game in the past 3 months has been the best he’s ever played. Confidence in his drives, approach shots to the green, and his short game have brought him through the playoffs to this day. Paul says..”I’m ready to go!”
Both players were seen warming up at the range as the morning sun began to open the day. The day’s weather forecast promised perfect golf weather with temps in the high 70’s. Both players spent extra time on the range figuring out their swings for the day and then proceeded to the putting greens to zone in on their putting strokes for the day. Both players exchanged nice small talk to each other, and when it came time to tee it up, they congratulated each other for making it to the final round, and wished each other a great round.
Consolation Match Smith vs. Thistle
Pre Match Notes –
Ebin Smith has put in an impressive run at the Seacoast Cup this year. His game took on a new sharp look as he became a consistent single digit handicapper. Ebin has put in some good practice sessions on both the course and the range to realize the importance of “practice makes perfect.” Rik Thistle, has also done well in this year’s regular golf season as he has earned top points to lead leader board standings a good part of the season. Both players earned their way deep into the post season match play playoffs, but each took tough loses at our last semi finals event to fall short of the finals. Both will play this consolation match to see who would take the 3rd place finish. Since this course requires supreme ball striking skills, course management, and putting superiority, the player who shines in these areas will win the match. Additionally, since this is match play, it is crucial that the player keep his cool under the pressure and manages his emotions to focus on each hole…. one hole at a time. Smith will have to give up 7 strokes to Thistle. This match will be a close one as both players want to finish strong to end their season.
Congratulations to our Medal Stroke Play winners:
Low Gross Winners
Flight A – Ebin Smith (82) –
Flight B – Ron Vess (81) –
Flight C – Todd Lytel (90) –
Low Net Winner – Todd Lytel (65) –
Notables: Ron Vess and Todd Lytel both posted great scores to win their flights. Congratulations on keeping out of trouble today and keeping your ball in play. Scott Tucker posted a pleasing score despite having driving for 2 days in his car to get back to this event.
The Match: (note: the Seacoast Christian Golf Club Tournament committee hires an on site tournament reporter who has taken notes of the players and their play. Interview and descriptions reported are done to the best of the reporter’s ability and is meant to give our players a deeper insight to the rounds played.)
Championship Match – winner becomes the 2018 Seacoast Cup Champion
Hole 1: both players exchanged cordial handshakes and wished each other a good round. Clinite took the tee first and places his drive middle left down the fairway leaving just 135 yards to the green. Deveau confidently places his drive down the same line as Ted’s drive and his ball settles 10 feet away from Ted’s ball. Taking the conservative route, Paul decides to club up to insure he makes it to the green, but ends up hitting his ball long and through the green leaving himself a chip shot to the cup. Ted successfully lands his approach shot 15 feet from the cup. Paul chips up , but leaves his ball 20 feet above the cup and has a long putt to save par. Paul is unsuccessful in making the long putt to save par and settles for a tap in bogey. Ted easily taps out for par to take the an early 1 Up lead. Clinite 1 UP
Hole 2: Ted hits his tee shot wide right and his ball sails into the lateral hazard nature area. Paul hits his drive solidly down the left side of the fairway. Ted is left with a tough angle to even for a lay up for his 3rd shot. He puts his ball about 140 out…leaving a tough shot to the green. Paul lays up to 120 yards. Both players struggle to get to the green and Ted hits his 4th shot into the woods right of the hole. Paul’s ball falls short into the bunker. Ted scrambles out of the woods, but can only make double bogey 7. Paul gets out of the bunker but 2 putts to make bogey, but also enjoys the luxury of a stroke to win the hole. Match All Square
Hole 3: Ted realizes he has just started to dig a hole for himself, and takes a deep breath to calm his emotions. Making multiple poor hits on one hole is not his norm. After seeing Paul hit a very nice long drive down the left side, Ted gathers himself and hits a perfect drive to down the fairway to leave himself 130 yards to the green. Both players successfully get their balls on the green and 2 putt to keep the match tied. Match ALL Square
Hole 4: Both players are now settled into the match. Now its a matter of who can build some momentum, or who will make the first bad move in their game giving the advantage to the other player. Both players are careful in their shot selections off the tee on this short but tricky “dogleg left” hole. The competitors skillfully hit lengthy, draw shots off the tee to avoid the mid center fairway sand bunker. Paul has 110 yards to the hole, while Ted enjoys a spectacular drive leaving only 75 yards to the hole. Both players know this hole well and both are successful in hitting to the right side letting their balls tickle down the hilly right side to settle 15 feet from the hole. After tapping out for pars, both are satisfied that the match is still ALL Square.
Hole 5: Realizing that this difficult par 3 is full of difficulty, both players spend a few extra moments deciding how to navigate the 137 yards. Water hazard (dry pond) short, very short landing area, long shots leaving down hill putts…etc. Paul stiffs his 9 iron and flies the green above the cup, leaving 20 feet feet above the cup. Ted hits his ball fat and his ball ends up the dry bed hazard. Ted is able to find his ball and chips out of the hazard leaving a 20 foot putt. Paul misses his chip and leaves his ball just off the green with a “down hiller.” Ted 2 putts out for bogey, but Paul tentatively misses his bogey putt to tie Ted’s score. Paul shakes his head realizing he had just given Ted the hole. Clinite 1 UP
Hole 6: Ted felt relief that he didn’t give anything away on the previous hole, escaping a potential loss of hole as Paul missed his opportunity. Now they both mentally kept their focus on the difficult hilly par 5 hole ahead of them. Paul lined up his drive to land on the left center side of the fairway. Ted’s drive started down the center but began to slightly slice towards the hazard, but found it’s resting spot on the 2nd cut before the hazard. Ted’s second shot is solid and long, leaving him just 145 yards to the hole. Paul hits his second shot but leaves himself a lengthy 170 yard approach shot to the green. Paul proceeds to play his third shot, but misses right just off the green, while Ted takes aim and stiffs his approach shot just 12 feet from the cup. Paul chips his 4th shot to leave a 10 foot par putt which he narrowly misses but taps out for bogey (net par). makes a birdie, but lips out for a tap in par to tie Paul’s bogey. The match remains Clinite 1 up .
Hole 7: Once again both players are faced with a short Par 3 hole…but with plenty of difficulties. First off, the 90 foot drop affords all golfers a careful calculation on which club to use and how much to take off. Wind will also present difficulties, as well as the centered sand bunker on the green. Figuring only 114 yards to the hole, both players miss their shots. Ted hits short off the green, while Paul pulls his shot and lands high left above the cup..l. leaving a difficult down hill chip. Paul’s second shot appears to be on track, but the greens have become faster as the day progresses and his ball rolls off the green leaving him 20 feet to the cup. Ted chips his ball to within 10 feet, but he also has difficulty determining the speed of the greens. Paul tries to sneak his par into the hole but the ball speeds 3 feet past the cup, leaving a difficult down hill putt. Ted unfortunately lips out for his par and settles again for a bogey. Paul realizes he must make his bogey to tie Ted, but his putt also lips out to give Ted another winning hole. The score now moves to Clinite 2 UP
Hole 8: Clinite now realizes that he is in the driver’s seat. Getting a 2 Up lead is a very comfortable place to be in match play and now he just has to keep the pressure on Paul. This next hole does present some challenges, but a successful drive will even put more pressure on his opponent. Ted took aim with his driver and delivers a drive down the middle. Paul now realizes that the momentum belongs to Ted, but knows that he has to weather the storm. Two of the last 3 holes he played poorly and posted two double bogeys…giving Ted the 2 UP lead. All he needed to do is get back tot he basics and play his game. With that Paul nails a decent drive which finds the right side of the fairway. Both players have about 155 yards to the hole. Paul realized he had a stroke on this hole, but his approach misses wide right…and did all he could to get his next shot close to the pin, but the fast greens took his 3rd shot 20 feet beyond the target, leaving him a long par putt. Ted nails his second shot leaving himself an uphill 18 footer. When Paul fails to make par, Ted feels the urge to make this needed up to add more padding to his match lead. But again, his putt lips out and he has to settle for another par. Paul now has to make his 3 foot bogey putt (net par) to match Ted’s score. Taking a deep breath and concentrating on his line, he sinks the putt. Paul has a sigh of relief as Ted didn’t gain anything on this hole. The score remains Clinite 2 UP
Hole 9 – Ted was hoping to take a 3 Up lead, but now feels that Paul has some competitive juices flow in his veins as Paul sank his last putt. Arriving at the critical final hole on the front nine, Ted launches a long drive to the right which lands on the fairway, but rolls long through the fairway… close to the hazard. Paul also successfully hits his drive which finds the left side to the fairway and also rolls 30 extra yards. Both players can only hope that their successful drives are on the fairway. But when Ted drives up to his ball, they find it 2 feet into the hazard leaving an unplayable lie. He has to take a drop and and elects to take a drop 20 yards back behind the point where his ball fell into the hazard…leaving him a 170 yard shot to the hole. Paul feels the need to take charge and nails his approach shot, but it falls short of the green. Ted’s 4th shot lands short of the pin, leaving a lengthy 20 footer. Paul chips up to the green but also misses short leaving a long putt. Ted goes next and hits his lengthy putt to the hole but misses left, leaving a tap in double bogey. Paul now as 20 feet to deal with to at least make a bogey..but he misjudges the speed again and ends up 3 putting the green to finish the hole…but with this being a “stroke hoe” Paul leaves with a smile as he “net bogeys” the hole for a win a a cut into Ted’s lead. The match now stands at Clinite 1 UP
Hole 10 – A momentum shift is now felt by Paul. He has overcome a few blunder holes, and now just took advantage of Pauls miscues on the previous hole. Paul realizes that he needs to continue this trend and hits a drive right down the middle of the fairway. Ted also gets off a good drive as both players feel the need to play their best golf. Paul hits his fairway wood to leave himself a 115 yard shot to the par 5 green. Paul also lays up but leaves himself a 125 yard shot to the green. Paul’s 3rd shot to the green sails right and long, missing the green by 10 feet into the 2nd cut. Ted’s 3rd shot sails long and the green isn’t kind as the ball rolls long leaving Ted a 30 foot putt. Ted lines up his birdie putt but the putt rolls past the cup leaving a 7 footer for par. Paul takes a PW and chips his ball 4 feet from the cup. When Ted misses his par putt and taps out for bogey, Paul feels his competitive juices heat up as he realizes the importance of this par saving putt. He lines up and finds the bottom of the cup to now tie up the match. ALL SQUARE
Hole 11 – Paul now feels a rush as the momentum of the match is now in his corner. He hits his next drive down the middle of the fairway. Ted finds the right side of the fairway just missing the edge of the right side fairway bunker. Ted’s approach shot lands 15 feet from the hole. Paul also hits a nice shot, but it lands short and right of the hole. Paul again uses his wedge and places his chip shot 4 feet from the hole leaving a manageable putt for par. Ted again misses his birdie opportunity and has to settle for a tap in par. Paul continues his putting prowls and nails his par saving 4 footer to match Ted’s par. The match continues on to be ALL SQUARE
Hole 12 – Paul feels a sense of accomplishment that he survived the last hole, but now focuses his attention to this challenging short par 4. He takes aim and hits a solid shot down the left side to see his ball roll right to the middle of the green. Ted, sensing the Pauls competitive play, also hits a solid shot…but he normal draw shot quickly shifts to a slice and he ball ends up far right into the hazard. After a few minutes of searching, Paul finds his ball, but he is forced to take a drop. He then proceeds to misguide his 3rd shot and misfires an approach shot to the green which rolls only 30 yards. Paul, using his PW carefully navigates his 85 yard approach shot to find the back of the green leaving a 15 foot birdie putt. Ted finally finds the green but he has already expended 5 shots and finally putts out for a double bogey. Paul calmly putts for birdie but has to settle for the tap in par and another win to take the lead. Deveau leads 1 UP .
Hole 13 – Paul realizes that Ted has uncharacteristically made some unsolicited blunders on the last few holes, giving Paul plenty of opportunities which he gladly took advantage of. Now facing one of the more difficult holes on the course, Paul realizes how important to get a great drive on the next hole is. He takes aim and smoothly fires a lengthy drive leaving himself 160 yards to the hole. Ted hits his drive but ends up a few yards away from Pauls drive. Ted’s 170 yard approach shot lands long off the green. Paul stiffs his approach shot to the green leaving himself a 7 footer for birdie. Ted’s 3rd shot (chip) finds the right line but stops short leaving a 4 foot putt. Paul goes next but misses his birdie putt leaves a 1.5 footer to save par. Ted takes careful aim at his line and visualizes the speed of his needed putt…but again, lips out to miss his par. He is given the bogey putt as Paul confidently addresses his short putt to knock in the par to win the whole. Deveau leads 2 UP.
Hole 14 – Paul accounts that he’s taken 3 of the last 5 holes and now has a chance to continue on his streak. But he also realized that Ted is a tough competitor and has all the ability to turn things around his way. Now with the long par 5, Paul focuses on his drive and again hits a very nice solid drive down the right side of the fairway. Ted somewhat mentally shaken at the fact that he’s been missing putts and not seeing his normal putting strokes landing their mark…now zones in and executes a perfect drive down the middle. Both players acknowledge both their nice drives but now realize the competition continues with their next shots. Paul goes first and takes aim to get off a 3 wood shot for his lay up…but the shot immediately takes on a slice and flies wide right to the upper right side of the fairway above the cart path. Both players sense that this shot could be a possible OB and Paul elects to play a “provisional”…which he fires again far to the right. Ted now sees “door opening” opportunity and hits his ball down the fairway…but the ball slightly draws left and hits the fairway but unexpectedly rolls up the embankment into the left hazard area. Both players go and search after their 2nd shots, determining where they stand. Ted begins to “bushwhack” his way through the thick shrubs in search of his ball left of the fairway. Paul does the same but goes far right up the hill above the cart path….after a few minutes Paul realizes that he is in deep trouble as there is no sign of either his first ball nor his provisional. Then surprisingly, he is informed that his 1st ball somehow found its way to the middle of the fairway leaving only a 110 yards to the hole. Paul is so elated that his ball is still in play, he proceeds to knock his 3rd shot directly at the pin, landing his shot 10 feet from the cup. Ted can’t believe the amazing break that Paul just had, and continues to search for his ball. Ted finally locates his ball and elects to chip out of the rough…which he successfully manages to do, but leaves himself, just short of the green. Ted then finally gets his 5th shot to the green and taps out for bogey. Paul just abouts sinks the birdie putt..but taps out for his par and another win for him. Deveau leads 3 UP.
Hole 15 – With a 3 UP lead, Paul feels a bit elated as the last hole presented the emotional Ups and Downs of match play. One minute he was looking at a possible triple bogey score, but then he won the hole with a tap in par. His lead sparked some major confidence in him as he took his next drive down the middle to leave himself a 130 yard shot at the 15th green. Ted, now feeling that his game was against the wall, continued to tell himself “One hole at at time”…as he knew he had to just make the shots that he could. He place his drive also down the fairway also leaving himself a 125 yard shot to the green. Ted then took his next shot to the left side of the green, just missing the putting surface by 5 feet. Paul also came up short, but left himself a 35 footer for birdie. Paul sized up his putt and rolled his ball just past the cup leaving himself a 4 footer. Ted took aim with his chipping wedge and tried to hole out his chip but his chipped failed and the ball barely went 2 feet. Ted then putted his 4th shot to leave himself a 5 footer. By the time Ted found the bottom of the cup he realized that his double bogey was not the score that he needed as this was a must win hole for him. Paul made his par putt, and with this win, Paul closed out the Championship Match to Win the 2018 Seacoast Cup Championship. Both players shook hands as Paul realized that he finally won the match. Ted was a gracious competitor and acknowledge how well Paul played. The final score Deveau def. Clinite 4 and 3
Post Match Interviews – After all the media and photographers had left the interview room, our Seacoast Media Onsite Reporter had a few minutes of private time with both finalist. When asked what was their overall impression of the day… this is how they answered…
Ted Clinite: “I felt that I let myself down today… I was hitting well on the practice range, but then on #2 when I when into the lateral hazard I new I’d be struggling with my swing for the day. It seemed to iron out for a bit as both Paul and I played well and tied many holes. But then I made a few mistakes by not sinking some critcal putts. Paul took advantage of this and I paid the price. He then got that 2 Up lead and in this game it’s tough to overcome someone who’s got the momentum and playing well. Paul certainly deserved the win today and I congratulate him on his victory. I thought I had an opening on hole #14 when his ball went wide right…but somehow he got that “lucky” break and his ball ended up in the middle of the fairway….that really put the nail on my coffin today. We had fun competing, but I came out short and will have to bring it all back again next season !”
Paul Deveau : ” I don’t know how to describe today’s round as so many things happened. I played well and am happy that when I had to make the shots, I was able to focus and pull them off. I know Ted’s game and he could have easily caught me, but somehow a few putts didn’t drop for him, I got a big break on #14 when my ball ended up in the middle of the fairway…wow…I reallly got a big break there. I played hard these past few months and really got my swing together. I’m hoping to continue on this trend. Ted is a great friend and a very gracious competitor, and I’m sorry he had some tough holes…but this is match play and I had to take what he gave me. I’m so glad that I end up on top today !
Match 2 “Consolation Match – Battle for 3rd place” / Thistle def. Smith 2 UP
Ebin Smith described his round in the press room, “I started my round poorly as I posted bogey on three consecutive holes. Fortunately Rik didn’t take full advantage of my poor play in the beginning, and then by the 4th hole I dropped my first birdie putt and my game was set. I was hopeful that my game would contiue to improve as the day went, but then Rik started to capitalize on his stroke holes to make some wins. We battled back and forth and then he somehow got to 3 up on #15. I dug in deep and tried to make it to #18..and I almost did, but Rik sank that par putt on #18 to seal the deal for himself. He really played we’ll on that last hole when it all counted. I posted a decent score today, but in match play you have to win holes at the right time. Rik just did that to me today and took the win”
Rik Thistle had a big smile in the press room and said, “Today was one of the most hard fought battles I’ve encountered on the course. Ebin and I traded holes back and forth. It was a challenging match all the way to the end. It all came down to whether I could sink the final putt. I had to make it or face Ebin’s late charge at making the match ALL Square. I give him a lot of credit as he did what ever he had to do to claw his way back and to put the “golf jitters” into my game. I was just about all frozen as I stood over that last putt. But I was able to dig deep and make the putt for the win. I had a big sigh of relief and an amazing feeling of winning this tight match. Ebin is surely a great competitor !”
2018 Player’s Cup Bracket : We had 22 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 divison 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:
Player’s Cup Recap: Several heated battles took place in the “Player’s Cup” bracket today, and a few players made a stand to show that they deserve to win the Player’s Cup trophy. John Riggs had to post a low score and also win his match to catch Curtis Chan for the top spot in the Player’s Cup division. Unfortunately, Riggs game didn’t shine down the stretch and Curtis was able to sustain any last hole charges to close out the match after 16 holes. With that Curtis Chan takes the honors of becoming the 2018 Player’s Cup Champion.
Next Event : Friday, November 19, 2018 Place: Encinitas Ranch GC 7:04 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.
