Seacoast Christian GC, October 21 , 2022
– The Crossings @ Carlsbad –
-The Field-
Tee Times & Pairings
We had 24 players in the field up for Friday, October 21, 2022. This is the 13th Event of our Seacoast Christian GC season at The Crossings at Carlsbad GC, Carlsbad, California. Today’s challenge involved an 18 hole challenge which included our last / fifth of 5 “Playoff” events as we come to the end of our golf season. We were all met with cool Fall air temperatures as the groups set off. The light breeze and cloud cover kept the temps in the mid 60’s for the first few holes, but by the time the players settled into their golf, the clouds cleared for the sunny skies to prevail for a beautiful Fall sunshine day. Golf course conditions of both fairways and greens were excellent. You don’t always have to be long off the tee here, but most important.. giving yourself at a chance to get on the green in regulation is the key. Then making sure your putts are within striking distance to the cup to tap out for par. This course is full of “golf management” challenges and those players who plan and execute their “A” game golf plan will come out as a winner !
Today’s event involved players being matched up in “Match Play” according to their seeded positions on our playoff season leader board. Our top 2 remaining players in the Championship Cup Bracket will square off in the The Finals Championship Match Play playoff. Those players who are in the “Player’s Bracket” will match up to earn 200 points for a winning match. Tie matches will split the points. Also points would be earned in our normal LOW GROSS / LOW NET / LOW NET Skins , as well as pin competitions. Today’s scoring points will be at a season high of 500 for a 1st place position.
Current Champion – 2021 Seacoast Cup Winner
-Ebin Smith-
The Finals – Championship Match
(winner becomes our 2022 Seacoast Cup Champion)
Johnny Li vs. Ross Mitchell
Welcome to newcomers to our group Gene and Gary Vittori (brothers) and Dick Manthy who have come to play with our group for the first time this year ….
WELCOME !!
A Big Congratulations to our Winners as some great golf was on display today. Here are the results.
Flight “A” Low Gross Winner: Bryan Blackwell (81)
Flight “B” Low Gross Winner : Dave Stapleton (85)
Flight ” C” Low Gross Winner: Scott Crockett (87)
Flight ” D” Low Gross Winner: Wayne Wilson (100)
Today’s Overall Low Net Winner: Dave Stapleton (70)
SCORE CARD
– Championship Finals Match –
Pre Match Notes: Both players showed up 1 hour before the tee time to warm up their swings at the range and to get in some putting practice on the putting greens. A sense of nervousness could be detected as each player was concentrating on what was to happen. Ross admitted that he still can’t believe he is here in the final championship match. It’s been a world wind of golf events these past 2 months, and Ross admits he’s gotten some breaks, and putts that somehow found the bottom of the cup these past rounds. Johnny has been to the deep part of playoff match play, and he feels all the years he’s been getting further down the playoff road, and today, he’s arrived finally to the final round. He reports that he’s ready for the match and feels that he’s got another good round in him today. Ross feels he’s has a slight edge as he has +5 strokes on Johnny, but Johnny is a consistent golfer and doesn’t make too many mistakes. Ross knows every stroke counts and he’ll need all the help he can get today. This match will be tough to call as both players have great potential to win. It’s going to be a battle of who can minimize their mistakes and who can overcome “pressure cooker” golf.
Recap : Ross Mitchell (+5) vs. Johnny Li
Hole #1 – Both players showed pre match nervousness on the tee box. Johnny Li was given tee box honors and smoothly launched his drive down the left side of the fairway leaving himself 165 yards to the green.. Ross hits a solid tee shot down the right side of the fairway leaving himself 140 to the hole. Johnny hits his mid iron to the green but comes up pin high but wide left of the hole on the hillside. Ross steers his approach shot to be just 1 foot off the green leaving himself 25 feet to the hole. Johnny hits a great chip shot from 25 yards to the hole that stops just 5 feet from the cup. Ross just barely misses his putt that rolls 2 feet by the hole. Johnny fails to capitalize on his great chip shot and misses his putt, while Ross drops his par putt to take the first hole. Mitchell 1UP
Hole #2 – Both players hit solid drives off the tee, Ross taking the left side of the fairway, while Johnny takes the right side. Both have 145 yards to the hole. Ross doesn’t get all of his 7 iron and lands in the right greenside bunker. Johnny hits onto the green but lands 30 feet above the cup leaving himself a downhill putt. Ross carefully sizes up his bunker shot and successfully lands his shot just 6 feet from the cup. Johnny putts for a long birdie but the downhill takes his putt 18 feet past the cup. Johnny misses his comebacker to save par. Ross calmly sizes up his “sand save” 6 foot par putt and hits the bottom of the cup to Win the hole. . Mitchell 2 UP
Hole #3 – Ross still has honors off the tee but miss hits his driver as his ball flies left of the fairway bunker leaving 220 to the cup. Johnny solidly hits his ball left of the fairway with 180 yards to the hole. Ross takes his rescue club and hits a lengthy approach shot that sails right and short of the green. Johnny uses his 5 iron to approach the green but his ball lands short of the left greenside bunker. Ross chips his 3rd shot to the pin that is placed on the upper tier of the green to within 10 feet of the cup. Realizing that he needs to get his 3rd shot close, Johnny over hits his chip shot and lands 10 feet above the cup onto the greenside rough leaving a very challenging 4th shot to save par. Johnny finds his ball 2 inches deep in the rough and is barely able to move his ball 3 feet out of the tough lie. He ends of finally getting his ball on the green in 5 and taps out for a double bogey. Ross drops his par saving putt from 10 feet to take another hole. Mitchell 3 UP
Hole #4 – The hole is determined to be 169 yards from the tee box. Ross takes out his 6 iron and flushes it clean to lands 15 feet just on the fringe 1 foot off the green. Johnny pulls out his 6 iron too, but hits his ball solidly and sails long above the cup just off the green leaving himself a 30 foot chip shot. Johnny carefully evaluates the green and chips with his PW but the shot rolls long leaving himself a 8 foot comebacker. Ross smoothly putts from the fringe and misses wide but leaves himself a tap in par. Johnny now feeling “match play” pressure knows he must drop his 8 footer, but he pulls his putt and misses left to score a bogey. Mitchell 4 UP
Hole #5 – Ross feeling quite happy about his situation… that after 4 holes, he’s managed to get a comfortable lead. Johnny feeling a bit disturbed that he finds himself early in a deep ditch. Johnny takes a deep breath and tells himself that he’s just has to win one hole to “stop the bleeding” and turn this match around. Just has he finishes calming his nerves, Ross swings off the tee and “tops” his ball and he barely clears the brush and his golf ball jumps into the environmentally sensitive hazard. Ross will have to use the designated “drop area” to hit his 3rd shot. Johnny realizing that the door has opened and that this is the break he needs, he takes aim and launches a smooth drive down the right side of the fairway. Ross shaking his head, stops by the drop area on the other side of the hazard, and smoothly hits a 3 wood shot 200 yards for this 3rd shot. Johnny feeling comfortable that he has the edge on this hole now that Ross had to tee it up again on on the “drop area”, just needs to get up and down…save par and win a hole. Ross hits his next shot leaving a short iron to the hole. Johnny sails his 2nd shot long to get within 9 iron to the hole. He hits his approach shot long leaving 30 ft to the cup. Ross flushes his PW to the cup and lands 8 feet from the hole. Johnny ends up 3 putting to make bogey. Ross lines up his 8 footer and sinks the putt to save bogey but misses for a double. Fortunately for Ross this is a stroke hole and so he nets bogey to Tie the hole. Johnny can only shake his head . Mitchell 4UP
Hole #6 – This hole is another “Stroke” hole for Ross as it’s the #1 handicap hole. Johnny takes aim with his driver and successfully puts it down the middle of the fairway leaving 178 yards to the green. Ross realizes he doesn’t want to go right where there is the nature hazard. But the pressure of not going right with his drive takes him right into the area he wanted to avoid. His drive goes right and Ross ends up taking a lateral hazard drop leaving himself 220 yards to the hole. His option is only to lay up. Johnny sensing a huge opening crushes his 5 iron to land onto the green just 25 feet to the cup. Ross realizing that he needs to get up and down hits his approach shot long into the greenside rough. Johnny takes aim at a very needed “birdie” putt and misses the cup but leaves a 1 footer for par. Ross chips onto the green for his 5th shot leaving a 3 footer for double bogey. Johnny methodically goes into his putting pre shot routine and sinks a solid par to Win the hole. Mitchell 3 UP
Hole #7 – Johnny now fills a bit of relief and feels he’s been able to slow down Ross’ momentum with his last par hole. Going forward, Johnny knows he must make pars and birdies to keep Ross from taking over this match. Johnny grabs his driver and masterfully strikes a long beautiful drive down the middle of the fairway which sails long (even past the existing long drive hole proximity marker) and rolls 1 foot onto the 2nd cut right of the fairway, leaving only 168 years to the green. Ross still dusting off the pain of losing the last hole (where he stroked) knows he’s got to make something happen, but he hits his driver down the right side of the fairway into the 2nd cut rough leaving himself a layup opportunity. Both players know this hole well and successfully hit “lay up” shots. Johnny was tempted to go for an “Eagle” opportunity but elected to lay up knowing his short game will prevail. Ross’ second shot gets to 117 yards to the hole. Johnny’s lands his layup to 96 yards to hole. Both players size up their shots as they face the water hazard that protects this hole. Any short shots will grant penalizing trouble. Ross decides to hit pitching wedge and drop his shot just 4 feet from the hole. Shaking his head Johnny takes his sand wedge and drops his ball 15 feet above the cup. Realizing that Ross has a stroke on him, Johnny knows he MUST sink his putt for birdie to have a chance. Driving up to the green, Ross realizes he now has a birdie chance with a stroke (net eagle)… what a nice spot to be in. Johnny sizes up his down hill put that breaks to the left. His putt starts to move towards the cup but runs out of steam and stops short for a tap out par. Ross stares down his short 4 footer and sinks it to WIN the hole. Mitchell 4 UP
Hole #8 – Ross now feels a bit in control of the match, he calmly pulls out his hybrid and fires his tee shot 170 yards down the short fairway. Johnny realizing he needs to get his game in gear, nails his 6 iron drive down the fairway leaving himself 106 yards to the hole. Johnny second shot approach to the green catches a breeze and falls short into the rough. Taking a drop, Johnny has to play his 4th shot to the green, leaving 15 feet to the cup. Ross also takes aim but takes precaution about any wind and lands on the green. Johnny makes his 15 footer to save bogey. Ross calmly 2 putts for par and wins the hole. Mitchell 5 UP
Hole #9 – Ross measures up the short par 3 (126 yard) hole. His PW iron shot catches some prevailing wind gusts and lands long 15 feet past the back placed pin into the secondary rough behind the green. Johnny sees that he needs to get on green and feels the wind pick up as it blows downwind towards the green. Johnny pulls out his PW and hits it solidly as his ball, but just as he strike his ball the gusty wind blows and Johnny’s ball sails right of the cup pin high just off the green. Johnny calmly regroups his thoughts and realizes he needs to putt his ball close to tap out for par. He recognizes the slight left to right break, and the slight uphill slope of the green. Johnny’s chip stops 2 feet short of the cup, leaving a very testing par save putt. Ross confidently pulls out his PW to chip his ball close, but catches the grass heavy and “duffs” his shot that only goes 4 feet. His next chip shot goes much better as he lands and stops the ball 3 feet from the cup. Ross putts out for his double bogey. Johnny now sees a great opening, and handles his par putt easily and win his 2nd hole of the match. Mitchell 4 UP
Hole #10 – Realizing there are only 9 holes left to determine the winner, both players stood nervously on the tee box . Each has given their best to this point. Ross has had the luxury of jumping up early with a 4 UP lead. Johnny realizing that he gave up 2-3 holes on missed putt opportunities, he just needs to bear down and play his normal game. Gaining a bit of momentum from his last hole, Johnny takes out his 3W and stripes a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway, leaving on ly 120 to the pin. Ross feeling a bit shaken from his double bogey blunder, hits his drive, but it slices right and ends up very close to the lateral hazard. Ross locates his ball and tries to get his next shot on the green, but miss hits and his ball ends up 40 yards short of the green. Johnny sensing a big opportunity, takes his PW and skillfully lands his ball 12 feet from the cup leaving himself an uphill putt for birdie. Ross pitches his ball towards the green, but his ball carries long pass the pin leaving himself a long 38 footer coming back downhill. Ross is unable to make his putt and settles for a double bogey. Johnny carefully reads his putt but misses the birdie left, and taps out for par to WIN the hole. Mitchell 3 UP
Hole #11 – The extreme downhill driving hole makes this hole always interesting. Both players know the “woes” of this hole and where difficulty lies. Johnny stripes his drive down the middle leaving himself just 128 yards to the hole. Ross still recovering from two poorly played holes, grabs his driver, but again “SLICES” his ball right and watches the ball land into the right hazard area. Ross is forced to take a drop leaving 162 yards to the green. Finding a suitable lie to drop to, Ross takes his 5 iron and perfectly strikes his ball to land just 8 feet from the cup. Johnny can’t believe his eyes, seeing that Ross just got himself out of jail and has a chance at par. Realizing the importance of his next shot, Johnny digs deep to put his 9 iron shot near the cup. Johnny hits his ball, and lands just short of the green leaving himself a 25 feet. Johnny elects to putt from off the fringe and gets his ball to roll, but it stops 3 feet from the cup. Ross lines up his 8 footer and tries to make a saving par, but misses left for a tap in bogey. Johnny knows his 3 footer putt for par will win him the hole, but he pulls his putt and it lips out of the cup, leaving him also for a tap in bogey. Johnny shakes his head, as he realizes he just missed out on an opportunity. Ross also shakes his head realizing he just survived a hole he should have lost. Mitchell 3 UP
Hole #12 – Both players now are in the heat of the battle. Johnny realizes that he’s given several holes Ross by his poor play. All he needs to do is hit decent shots and he’s back into the match. Ross formalizes his “back 9” strategy as he takes the long cart drive to the 12th hole tee box. All he can think to himself “fairways / green / fairway / green”…if he can put this into action he will do fine. Standing on the tee box, Johnny focuses on his drive shot, and gets off a 230 yard drive down the left side of the fairway. Ross takes out his driver and strikes his shot perfectly, and 250 yards off the tee. Both players know the toughness of this hole. Approach shots must not be short and left. The pin is set back right and is well protected by the upper tiered green, making it difficult to be close on a second shot. Approach shots must be straight online with the pin. Anything too right or left, or short can be major trouble. Johnny takes out his hybrid and puts his ball short and right of the green. Ross selects 6 iron and pulls his shot which lands short and left of the green and rolls down into the “deep death grass trap” leaving himself 20 yards to the pin. Johnny chips up to the green but his shot goes long and deep past the green leaving himself a tough down hiller to the cup. Ross hits an amazing “pitch” shot from the deep grassy hazard and gets his ball 15 feet from the cup. Johnny sizes up his difficult down hill ehip shot that demands perfection. If he catches the sloped green too fast, his ball will roll off the green. Johnny takes the safe route and tries to get his ball to stop at the top of the slope, so it will slowly run out to the hole. But his ball stops just short of the hill, leaving a down hiller putt from 17 feet. Johnny tries to save bogey, but his ball lips out and he has to settle for a double bogey. Ross methodically employs his putting routine a barley misses his par saving putt, but taps out for a bogey (net par) to Win the hole. Mitchell 4 UP
Hole #13 – This next short par 4 hole sets up players for the rest of their round. Fairways and greens is a must to find success on this hole. Johnny knows that his back nine must be tight and spot on…and winning the next few holes is a MUST. Ross feeling relieved that he didn’t give up his lead, is now focused to continue to maintain is position. Ross reminds himself all he needs to do is play his game and not make any mistakes from here on out. Both players use their skill and experience and nail their drives down the open fairway leaving a short iron to the cup. Ross is positioned 122 yards to the cup and hits a knock down PW. Taken into account downwind help, he still lands the ball short 38 feet from the cup that is positioned at the middle of the green.. Johnny also trying to figure out the wind issues, he swings his short iron approach shot and also hits short of the pin leaving a long putt from 30 feet. Johnny putts first and skillfully hits the right line and speed as his ball barely misses the lip and rolls 2 feet by the cup. Ross is not so fortunate and misjudges the speed and putts short leaving 3 feet for par. Ross makes his par save putt. Johnny lines up his short putt and finds the bottom of the cup for par and the match remains Mitchell 4 UP
Hole #14 – With a “4 Up” lead, Ross feels the confidence he was hoping to have as he knew the last 5 holes would be crucial in the match. With the pin placed in the front of the green, the hole only measures 93 yards. Skillful short games skills would be needed by both competitors. Both players take out their short irons and perfectly place their tee shots on the green. Ross is 10 feet from the hole. Johnny is positioned on the upper right tier with a downhill putt from 20 feet. Neither are successful in birdie attempts. Ross leave’s himself a tap out par, while Johnny has 4 feet to TIE the hole. Johnny takes a deep breath to clear his mind and to concentrate on this necessary putt. But has he strike his putt, he immediate realizes he is off line and the putt misses the cup. He has to settle for the disappointing bogey, and also realization that Ross has just WON the match 5 and 4. Both players turn to each other and shake hands and acknowledgment that Ross was superior today! Congratulations to Ross Mitchell – our new 2022 Seacoast Cup Champion!
Ross Mitchell – 2022 Seacoast Cup Champion
Post Match Interviews: Johnny Li was given the opportunity to speak to the media after the round and he politely explained “I was ready for this match as I’ve been preparing myself all season for this opportunity. Overall, my play this season has been very good. But today, I just couldn’t get my game plan together. My putting let me down on several holes…and they were very makeable short putts that I lipped out or just missed. I can count at least 3 or 4 holes which would have made a difference if I sank those shot ones….Ross truly played well and kept the pressure on. He didn’t make many mistakes and that’s why he prevailed today. He totally played the first few holes with such confidence and showed why he deserves to be champion. With a 4 Up lead for Ross going to the back nine, I knew I had to have my best. I tried to climb back into this match, but Ross held me off and and made shots that had to be made. He played steady and kept making great chips and putts all at the right time. Ross surely played like a champion today and deserved the win. I’m happy for him…but I’ll be back next year !”
Ross was found smiling ear to ear when we finally caught up with him to ask him about his thoughts about his win today…“I’m so happy to get to the champions match. What a run it’s been for me this year. I just happen to peak at the right time and played my best during this playoff period. My hat goes off to Johnny Li as I know he’s been close before to winning this trophy, but I somehow played my best and held him off. I know I earned my way into the playoffs , but I made the best of my opportunities these past 3 rounds and made it to the top. I’m still in disbelief as I’m kind of “amped” up with excitement. I’m going to have to take a few deep breaths to gather this all in. I’m can’t believe I’m the new Champ !”
Ross Mitchell – 2022 Seacoast Cup Champion
(note-the trophy is now being engraved with his name)
NOTE: the above account is the onsite media reporter’s account of the match and is purely meant to provide info, entertainment value, and perspective of what took place during the match. Complete accuracy and actual thoughts of each player during the round is purely speculative, but done to the best ability of the reporter. There is no intention to demean nor question players’ character or thought process.
2022 Championship Consolation Match
(battle for 3rd Place)
Recap: Johnny Li vs. John Casey (+5) –
Both players brought their best game for the day and it showed right away on hole #1 as both players scored pars to keep their match Tie. Then as the match progressed both players showcased good golf and “poor” golf as the back and forth battle began. By the end of the 9th hole, Jay Petty had a 1 UP lead. Brian Carter through out the front nine either had it going or was giving up on holes. But by hole #13, Brian battled back to TIE the match. The short par 3 hole #14 became the test of short game skills as Jay couldn’t get up and down, while Brian solidly made his par to take the 1Up lead. But Jay kept his composure and immediately stayed steady on the next hole to pull out a win to TIE the match after 15 holes. Hole #16 would not be kind to Jay as he “foundered” and pretty much gave the hole up to Brian who finished with a bogey. Then Brian really took advantage on the next par 3 #17 and placed his tee shot on the green. Jay missed the green and failed to get up and down to put pressure on Brian, who tapped out for par and “The WIN.” The match ended with Brian Carter winning 2 UP.
Brian Carter WINS 2 UP
Post Match Interviews: Jay was asked as to what happened today on the course…. ” I was playing a very nice round of golf but lost my game on number 16. A duck hook into the left scrub off the tee started the calamity of errors that led to a complete mental breakdown and an 11 on the hole. Brian started playing some really good golf on the back nine when it counted and he got me on #17. It was a very enjoyable match and Brian was a deserving winner. This is the first time I made the playoffs and I learned a lot. I will be better for the experience and am now turning my focus to the 2023 season.”
Brian Carter shared his thoughts on today’s match “Due to the nervousness built up in me for this match, I was having a very challenging time settling down during my first 9 holes with Jay. Nothing was working well for me. I started with a par, then the “double bogey train” pulled in. Fortunately for me, Jay had a few troubled holes too. Jay built up a little lead, but I somehow got to within one by the turn. During the second nine holes my game came together with solid drives, chipping and putting. But then on #16, Jay opened a big door for me. With a 1 Up lead, it all came down to who didn’t make the big score anymore. I had a great par on #17, and that “sealed the deal” for me. Overall, it was a very competitive match and I am humbled and so grateful that I made it this far semi-finals this year. What a great group of Christian brothers in our golf club. Praise the Lord!!”
NOTE: the above account is the onsite media reporter’s account of the match and is purely meant to provide info, entertainment value, and perspective of what took place during the match. Complete accuracy and actual thoughts of each player during the round is purely speculative, but done to the best ability of the reporter. There is no intention to demean nor question players’ character or thought process.
Player’s Cup Bracket – Match Play Score Cards
-Low Gross / Low Net – Points-
GREAT SCORING / NET SKINS / PIN COMPETITION WINNERS
Recap Event 13 – Today 24 golfers showed up to play the challenging The Crossings at Carlsbad GC. Our finalist played their Championship Finals Match play to determine our club champion. A big congratulations to Ross Mitchell for pulling out the win to become our 2022 Seacoast Cup Champion.
In the Player’s Cup Bracket, there was tight race for the “Player’s Cup Champion 2022″…Scott Crockett was successful in pulling out a match win and posting low gross / low net scores to take the “Player’s Cup Champion” honor. Several other players had their chances but competitive golf is fully of surprises and turns. Honorable mentions of players who gave it “their all” this season and are living with the “could of, should of, would of” sayings at this point are: Dave Stapleton, Ebin Smith, Paul Deveau, John Estill. With 4 events left in the playoffs, these players all had a chance to rise to the occasion, but during one or two of the playoff rounds they came out short. A big honorable mention goes to Bryan Blackwell who finished #2 in the Player’s Bracket after only playing in 6 events this year. Its back to the drawing board on the driving range to revamp your game and swing so you can be ready for the next 2023 golf season !!
As we come to the end of our golf season, remember it’s just a game where we try our best to be the best we can be at this great game. Some days you’ll have it, and some days you don’t. But in the end, its the time with friends, and memories of being together and having a great time with one another which really counts.
There’s still more golf to be played for the remainder of the year with our: President’s Cup (November 18 – at St. Marks, GC) and Winter Event (December 9 – at Native Oaks GC). Then our 2023 Season begins.
-The Winners on the Leader Board –
Championship Finals – The Crossings @ Carlsbad GC – October 21, 2022
Our next event will be Friday, November 18, 2022. We be playing our annual “President’s Cup” /Lunch of Champions event at St. Marks, GC. The cost is $65 / player. Tee times begin at 7:30a. Reply back on this email to get a spot in the field. Field is limited to 28 players.
Points will also at the end of the golf season will be converted to “President’s Cup Raffle Tickets.” All the points earned by players will be converted on the November 18, 2022 (Event 14) when we divide the field into two teams. President’s Cup format will be played and final points will be added to player’s score. Those points will then be converted to raffle tickets which will then be drawn for many golf prizes: golf apparel, golf equipment, golf outings, golf bags, etc. So come on out to enjoy the fun / competition / prizes for our November 18 event.
NOTE: a change in date for EVENT 14 and 15/ they are now schedule for November 18, 2022 / December 9, 2022
Reply back to the email to get your spot.
The Current Leader Board
Pervious Months Standings
