Seacoast Christian GC, October 20, 2017
News and Results – Event 12 “Seacoast Cup Playoffs” – TOP 4 Semi Finals Round – Arrowood GC
Welcome to the 12th golf event of the 2017 Seacoast Cup Golf Tour. Our October 20 tour stop takes us to Arrowood GC. This challenging course has always been a “nail biter” of a course for match play. The Seacoast Christian GC tournament committee always views this course as a BIG TEST to the best of golfers. Today’s event is the fourth post season “playoff” event that takes us down the road to the 2017 Seacoast Cup Championship. Those players who have earned their Top 4 spot will continue to compete in “match play” format to earn post season “BIG” points to carry them to the top of the leader board. 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 2017 Player’s Cup Champion.
Championship Cup Match Prelim Notes-
Match #1 Baynes vs. Chan,
Geoff Baynes, our top points leader has been on a hot streak in post season play, and has smoothly taken care of his last match play opponents. His ball striking skills are quite impressive for a high handicapper. Even though he is not long off the tee he is able to rely on his short game skills to keep him there for chances at par. As long as he doesn’t have any blow up holes, he’ll be a challenge to beat. Curtis Chan, has been on a 2 year journey in revamping his swing. He professes he decided on making the change and visiting the GolfTec center to preserve his back and not strain it. But dealing with 4 teenagers on a weekly basis, makes it difficult to refine and feel the swing he wants to perfect. He has been erractic at times, and his monthly golf index did jump, but lately he has been showing signs of consistency. His drives off the tee are nice when placed properly. His putting stats have also improved these past months. As long as he doesn’t give up multiple holes, he will also be tough to beat.
Match #2 Martz vs. Pavle,
Chris Martz has come on strong in the latter part of our 2017 Seacoast Cup Tour. His display of long drives off the tee and short irons to the green are impressive. Chris has recently become a new father …so hitting the range and practicing his golf swing has been sparse. He’s relying on his college golf skills and plans to pull off some great shots today. Competitive match play golf is what he thrives on and he’s focused on moving onto the finals to have a chance at getting his name etched onto the trophy. Nick Pavle, has been playing on this tour for 2 years. He has been playing golf for many years, but since moving to sunny California a few years ago Nick has renewed his love for the game and has even challenged himself to become a single digit handicap player. All the extra hard work on the range, refining his short game skills has paid off this post season. He understands the risk / reward factors of match play golf and as long as he sticks to his plan, he’ll be tough to take down.
Congratulations to our Medal Stroke Play winners:
Low Gross Winners
Flight A – Ebin Smith (75) –
Flight B – Curtis Chan (88 ) –
Flight C – Will Chappelow (89) –
Low Net Winner – Ebin Smith (66) –
Welcome new comer Tom Hovasse (guest of Scott Tucker). Hopefully you got a good dose of California Fall Golf before you head off to Japan.
Post Match Interviews:
Match 1 / Chan def. Baynes 5 and 4
Geoff Baynes briefly spoke to the media and explained, ” I didn’t bring my “A” game today…not event “B” or “C”….I had the “D” game…which stands for DEATH. I couldn’t get my driver to even get off the tee…it was as though my body just froze and I didn’t have any control. It didn’t help when I showed up to the course with the incorrect tee time in my head. Fortunally I was able to hit 4 to 5 balls on the range..but then they called my name to be at the tee box. I thought I had 20 minutes to warm up. But then the match started and I proceeded to play one of the worst rounds of my life. I didn’t give Curtis much of a challenge. He played steady and didn’t open up many doors for me to gain any momentum in the match. Curtis explained in the post game interview “I kept my cool today, and didn’t have any multiple big blow up holes. When I saw Geoff having trouble with his driver I felt bad for him…but then I knew I had to keep my focus as things can change on a dime in this game. I kept to my game plan of getting my drives on the fairway and getting my second shots to the middle of the green. I did have a few blunders, but I was able to successfully get out of trouble when I found myself there. I’m sorry Geoff didn’t have a good day…but this is golf and you have to take what comes your way. I’m pretty happy to make it to the Finals !”
Match 2 / Pavle def. Martz 3 and 2
Chris Martz described his round in the press room, “In the beginning of our round, I felt a confidence and strength in my game. I even got a quick 2 up lead after posting par on the first 3 holes. But then on #4 I doubled bogied the hole and Nick had a chance to make some noise, but could only tie me. But then Nick went on a birdie spree and made two incredible putts which beat my pars…and so we were tie by the end of 6. we traded wins on the next few holes and by the end of 9, I was down 1. But then on hole 10 and 11, I double and tripled bogied which totally opened up the game for Nick . I came back with a birdie on hole #13 to get with two , but Nick kept up the pressure with his solid play. I did my best to get back into the match, but in the final few holes I left a few short putts go and when they didn’t drop, it sealed the deal for Nick. I wish him the very best in the finals.” Nick having a big smile on his face explained,” I can’t believe I made it ! Taking on Chris today totally took all my energies and mental strength . I’m totally exhausted from this round. It seemed as though I didn’t deserve to win as I just did what I could. Chris played well most of the day, but there were a few openings that he gave me and I took advantage of each one of those openings. Knowing that Chris was a fierce competitor, I told myself that I had to play my own game, and not feel any pressure to do anything spectacular during the match. If there were any openings, I’d have to take anything that would come my way. We’ll I gave it my best shot today, and played my game plan, and it all worked out in my favor today.”
2017 Player’s Cup Bracket : We had 16 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:
Several heated battles took place in the “Player’s Cup” bracket, and a few players made a stand to show that they deserve to win the Player’s Cup trophy. Ebin Smith scored well and defeated Ted Clinite. Both Paul Deveau and Rik Thistle battled it out for a TIE Match to split their points. Bill Brackett has climbed his way into contention and now has a chance to making it to the top. The plot thickens as several players are now in position to become the Player’s Cup Champion.
Next Event : Friday, November 3 2017 Place: Golf Club of California 7:30 am start
Quest for the 2017 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 4th playoff event, the leader board has been thinned out. Our Top 2 Finalist, Nick Pavle and Curtis Chan are now positioned to take on the Final Match to determine our 2017 Seacoast Champion which is scheduled on Friday, November 3, 2017… this will be our 5th Playoff event of the post season. Here 1000 points awaits he championship winner who will take home the 2017 Seacoast Cup Championship Trophy. With added value to points in the “Player’s Cup” division, statistically, any player who has accumulated 1500 points or more may have a chance at taking home the “Player’s Cup” trophy. There will be up to 1500 points available if one wins their match (500 pts), leads their flight in gross score (500 pts) and leads the field in low net scoring (500 pts). So you have a week to 10 days to polish up your game and bring the “A” swing to our next event at The Golf Club of California, on Nov 3, 2017. See you all there !!
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.
The Battle for the 2017 Seacoast Championship Cup will be :
