Seacoast Christian GC, November 3, 2017
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 2017 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 a “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 2017 Seacoast Cup Championship. Our final 2 players who survived the “championship semi finals” two weeks ago, will now square off to determine our 2017 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 2017 “Player’s Cup” Champion.
Championship Cup Match Prelim Notes-
Championship Match – Chan vs. Pavle
Pre Match Notes –
Curtis Chan, has been on a 2 year journey in revamping his swing. He professes he decided on making the swing change and visiting the GolfTec golf instruction center in Encinitas 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. Lately, his golf game and swing has proven to be erratic at times, and his monthly golf index did jump, but recently he has been showing signs of consistency. His drives off the tee are nice when placed properly. If his drives are on, he’ll be using 8 and 7 irons to the green. 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. Curtis has years of past experience as a Seacoast Cup “Match Play” competitor, and has hoisted the Champions Cup in 2005, 2006, and 2008. He has not made it to the finals in the past 8 years, as the competition and the journey to the top has become even more difficult and competitive over the years. He declares that it’s time again for him to make a move for The Cup.
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. His methodical play and competitive demeanor in “match play” format has taken down many tough players over the past 2 months. To survive and play your way through the Seacoast Cup playoffs is a feat in itself, and to make it to the finals is quite an accomplishment. Nick knows his game is “on” and he’s tough to beat. Nick has a calmness about his approach to today’s round and he reports that “he’s got the right stuff today.” Lately he’s been digging deep to find that calm and happy place to soothe his mind and emotions….something that will most likely come into play today.
Both players were seen warming up at the range as the sun light broke over the mountain ridge. The cool 42 degree air made it difficult to warm up their swings, but both of them kept consistent effort in hitting short and long range shots. Fifteen minutes before their 8:00a tee time, both players transitioned their warm up sessions to the putting greens, which had healed significantly over the past week. Both players both realized that the greens today weren’t perfect, but manageable. Keeping the ball rolling on the intended line would be a challenge and strokes of luck would be welcomed. The speed of each putt would be crucial today to maintain the intended line to the cup. Both players exchanged nice small talk to each other, and when it came time to tee it up, both congratulated each other for making it to the final round, and wished each other a great round.
Consolation Match Martz vs. Baynes
Pre Match Notes –
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. Geoff Baynes, has done well in this years regular season as he has earned top points to lead the leaderboard. 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 finsh. 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. Martz will have to give up 15 strokes to Baynes. 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 (83) –
Flight B – Rik Thistle / John Casey (87 ) –
Flight C – Bill Brackett (89) –
Low Net Winner – Bill Brackett (68) –
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 2017 Seacoast Cup Champion
Hole 1: both players exchanged cordial handshakes and wished each other a good round. Pavle took the tee first and places his drive middle left down the fairway leaving just 125 yards to the green. Chan misses the sweet spot on his driver, but delivers his drive about 180 yards to the hole. Taking the conservative route, Chan lays up to 75 yards on his second shot. Pavle hits his approach shot short of the green, leaving a 30 foot chip shot to the cup. Chan places his 3rd shots long above the green but leaves himself a 25 ft downhill putt to save par. Pavle nicely chips up 4 ft from the cup, but misses the par, but gets a conceded tap in bogey. Chan over hits his long par putt short to 12 inches from the cup. He then misses the 1 footer to tie Pavle’s tap in bogey allowing Pavle to take an early 1 Up lead.
Hole 2: Chan acknowledges to Pavle that Christmas just came early for Nick, but delcares that the joy of giving from Curtis stops on the 2nd tee. Both players struggle to get to the green and Curtis hits 3 shots that hit the same wooden fence that stretches along the creek bed by the green. Curtis posts a 9 while Pavle looses a ball off his drive, but manges to win the hole with a double bogey 7. Pavle take a 2 UP lead.
Hole 3: Curtis realizes he has just started to dig a hole for himself, and takes a deep breath to calm his emotions. Pavle also feels the nerves of match play and can’t believe he just won a hole with a double bogey. He gathers himself and hits a perfect drive to down the fairway to leave himself 130 yards to the green. Curtis pulls his drive to see it go left past the cart path into the brush. He’s forced to take a drop 180 from the green and hits his 3rd shot pin high but wide next to the greenside bunker. Pavle successfully gets his approach shot just slightly off the green and manages an easy up and down par. Curtis fails to get up and down as his chip runs long and he settles for double. Pavle takes a 3 UP lead.
Hole 4: Pavle now feels settled in and enjoys the comfort of a padded 3 up lead. He hits his next tee shot down the middle leaving himself another mid range iron to the green . Curtis punches out a long drive but it fades right into the secondary cut to about 175 yards from the hole. Curtis’ next shot lands pin high, but bounces left and rolls down the steep left embankment between the two greenside bunkers. Nick’s approach shot lands pin high but the ball rolls out long leaving him a lengthy 30 foot putt. Curtis sensing the need to do something right accurately chips a flop shot to the pin which rolls out to leave a 7 footer for par. Nick putts his next shot short as he underestimates the 2nd tier slope… leaving a 12 foot downhiller putt to the cup. Sensing the need to put the putt in the cup, Nick boldly picks his line, but the strength of his aggressive putt edges the cup and rolls 3 feet past. Curtis finally feels a chance at winning a hole and successfully putts his par saving putt into the cup and wins a hole. Pavle leads 2 UP
Hole 5: Curtis has a sigh of relief as he feels he has at least stopped some of the bleeding of his early morning round. Getting his first par of the day, and also winning a hole helped him feel that he had what it takes to be competitive for the round. At the next tee, Curtis took honors and successfully landed his 136 yard 8 iron onto the green, but wide leaving a long 38 foot up hill put. Nick gathered himself, and pulls his 9 iron left, almost bouncing his shot off the dry bed waterfall feature by the hole. His ball settled in a pebble drain area, pin high, but 20 feet off the green. Both players examined Nick’s lie to see if he was entitled to any ruling of relief, but Nick decided to play the ball as it was, and he placed his next shot onto the green 12 feet above the hole. (an incredible shot that had a very tight, difficult lie) Both players failed to make their pars and both settled for a tie on this hole. Pavle leads 2 UP
Hole 6: Curtis felt relief that he didn’t give anything away on the previous hole, but mentally kept his mind on the difficult par 5 hole head of him. He lined up his drive to land on the left side of the fairway, but ended up slicing his drive into the right lateral hazard. Nick crushes his drive down the middle and watches Curtis search for his ball. Curtis drops a ball to take his 3rd shot and punches a shot to be 220 yards out from the hole Nick successfully lays up to 140 yards from the hole. Curtis realizes he has to take a chance and get up and down to be competitive, and tries to get a long iron towards the hole, but he misses the shot and the ball bounces into the hazard. Nick calmly hits his 8 iron short and right of the green to leave his short game to the test to save par. Curtis is forced to take another drop to take his 6th shot to the green. He calmly takes his PW and places the 65 yard shot 5 feet from the pin. Nick chips his 4th shot to leave a 10 foot par putt which he narrowly misses but taps out for bogey. Curtis has a putt to post a 7 (net 6) to tie Nick, but he also fails to make his short putt, and Pavle enjoys another win to take the hole. Pavle leads 3 UP.
Hole 7: Pavle carefully calculates this short 134 yard par 3 distance and laser guides his 9 iron to pin high leaving 4 feet to the cup. Curtis sees this great shot and is a bit rattled at the high caliber of play from his opponent. He decides to hit his knock down 8 iron, but he pulls the shot, landing on the left side of the mid green sand bunker..50 feet from the cup. Chan now has no other choice but to chip his ball from the green to land near the hole. Unfortunately for Chan, his attempt at an unbelivable shot, lands him in the center green side bunker. From there Chan’s play becomes unbearable to watch as he sprays his bunker shot 40 feet past the hole into the rough. It takes him 3 more strokes to get into the cup. Pavle patiently waits for Chan to clear the green when he finally gets an attempt to putt. He has been staring down his birdie putt for the last 5 minutes and now finally has a chance to execute the shot. He misses the edge that would drop his birdie by millimeters and has to settle for a tap in par. Pavle leads 4 UP
Hole 8: Pavle now feels less pressure from the match as he has a very comfortable lead. Watching his opponent’s golf swing collapse during this round is difficult to witness, but nevertheless, Nick realized that he still had to play on and make good shots. He proceeded to line up his drive for the 8th hole and ended up slicing his drive far right on the hilly fairway. Both players surmised that that it might be in play, but a “provisional ball” would be warranted. Nick reloads and puts one down the middle . Chan grapse his driver, (still emotionally distraught about his play) , and boldly hits a high draw shot that he declares “finally…I hit one.” The ball hits the right hillside and rolls 30 yards to get in the middle of the fairway 165 yards from the green. After “off roading” along the hillside in search of his drive, Nick’s first ball is located under a bush and he is forced to chop out which he successfully does, leaving the ball 175 yards to the green. Nick takes another his turn for his 3rd shot and lands his approach short of the green. Curtis realizes that he may just have a “door opening opportunity” and just needs to get up and down to win the hole. He takes out his 6 iron and again sprays an errant shot that sails pin high but 20 yards right of the green into chaparral weeds. After searching for his ball, Curtis discovers it wedged under one of the weed bushes, and he grabs a 9 iron to chip out…which he does…but his ball hits the hill by the green and rolls back. Nick chips his 4th shot short and fails to get up and down to save bogey. Curtis also fails to take the opportunity to get up and down and has to settle also for a double bogey. Halved Hole / Pavle leads 4 UP
Hole 9 – Curtis reports to Nick that he’s sorry for not giving him much competition today. Even when Nick gives an opportunity to take a hole, Curtis just doesn’t respond and have any indication of trying to get back into the match. Once again, Nick takes honors on the tee and pulls his drive long but left off the fairway towards the adjacent 10th fairway. Curtis takes a deep sigh and knocks a long drive down the left side which settles 138 yards from the hole. Nick locates his ball but he now has to navigate a long 175 yard shot over trees that line the side of the creek bed. Nick misfires and chunks his shot but fortunately he’s able to get a third short that lands short of the green. Curtis again sensing a door opening takes out his 7 iron, and puts his short 20 feet onto the green…he yells out “wow..my first green in regulation today !” Nick chips a shot that runs long to about 5 feet above the cup. Curtis putts for birdie but his ball rolls right 14 inches from the hole. Nick misses his bogey putt and is conceded the double. Curtis makes his par and visibly shows signs of life with a giant smile on his face…”I may be down..but I’m not out.” Curtis wins hole/Pavle leads 3 UP
Hole 10 – Chan has the rare honors on the tee and successfully lands his drive on the fairway. Pavle also gets his drive in the fairway and now its all about the 2nd shot. Curtis elects to use a long iron and only hits his ball to within 180 for a lay up. Nick with a 3 wood tops his ball and it rolls near the 150 yard marker. Curtis attempts a long shot to the well protected green, but hits his ball very short ..almost dropping into the ditch the squares up 30 yards in front of the green. Nick sized up his 3rd shot to the green, but again miss fires and his ball rolled into the hazard. He is able to hit from the hazard, and makes an incredible shot from the sandy/bushy/rocky hazard.. 7 feet from the cup. Curtis fires a 40 yard pitch shot…but lands short in the green side bunker. With his 5th shot, Curtis gets out of the sand but leaves a 25 foot putt for bogey. Trying to save bogey, Curtis attempts to drop his lengthy putt put misses and settles for a double again. Pavle calmly makes a putt to attempt his par, but a sand divot deflects the ball as it rolls down the line and he has to settle for a bogey …and a win for the hole. Pavle leads 4 UP
Hole 11 – Pavle hits a drive that nicely draws back into the middle of the fairway. Chan crushes his drive and leaves himself 120 yards to the pin. Nick sizes up his short iron approach shot and hits the green 20 feet from the cup. Chan now realizes he has to match Nick and get to the green…but again, his poor play jumps into play, and Chan stubs his club and the ball flies off the hazel into the right side lateral hazard. The look of disgust is plastered on Chan’s face as he can’t believe he’s done it again. You can see his eyes look to the heavens and his body tenses as he’s looking for something from above to remedy his condition. Nick shakes his head as he feels some compassion for Chan..as he too can’t believe this type of play from him. Chan proceeds to take his drop, and drops for his 4th shot… 45 yards short of the green. His 4th shot is a chip which finds the edge of the green 10 feet from the hole. Pavle finally gets his chance to putt and he calmly putts to within 1 foot. Chan concedes the hole. Pavle leads 5 UP
Hole 12 – Pavle is now feeling more than “pretty comfortable” with his sizable lead with 7 holes left. He knows he just has to match Chan on the next few holes, and the match will be all done. This short par 4 hole requires one important factor off the tee….keep the ball left. Anything right means trouble. Nick takes the tee, but blasts his drive down the right side with a slice and the ball finds it’s way over the hazard line sailing towards the water. Chan see’s the opening, and insures his ball is aimed way left…he nicely hits the ball into the left side sloped hill and his drive settles down the middle just 95 yards to the green. Chan has a sigh of relief. After a few minutes in searching for his ball, Pavle takes a drop from 185 yards out but the difficult stance he has causes his ball to squibble off the face and falls quickly into an adjacent sand bunker. In frustration, Pavle then tries to hit the perfect shot from the bunker to the green from 165 yards out…but he tops his ball and only gets it to 100 yards away. Chan starts to see Pavle giving up several strokes at time…something that’s not been done from his end all day. Pavle then takes a swing with his PW to finally get to the green, but his ball falls short into the green side bunker. Pavle declares himself out of the hole, as he accounts that he already lies 7. Chan Wins the hole. Pavle leads 4 UP
Hole 13 – Chan feels a slight shift in his confidence and sees a demeanor change in Nick and says… ” I guess your’re finally giving me a Christmas gift with that last hole.” Nick responds, “don’t get your hopes too high…I’m not going be that generous.” With that, Chan digs deep inside as he realizes that he’s got to play one shot at a time and keep his ball in play. He finds a line that he feels confident with and hits his next drive down the left side of the fairway. Nick also finds success in his drive and lands one just a few yards ahead of Chan…155 yards from the green. Chan knows that he has a stroke hole in front of him and that he needs to stay clear of any danger. He aims at the middle of the green..but his ball lands short of the green landing in the sand bunker. Pavle hits his ball long and the ball runs off the green to the back left collection area. Nick realizes he must get up and down to put pressure back on Chan. His chip comes up short, leaving him a 20 foot down hill putt. Chan gets out of the bunker and leaves a 4 footer for par. Pavle lines up his par saving putt, but misses it on the right side leaving 13 inches. Chan now has a chance to make a par, but misses and taps out for bogey. Pavle make his short bogey putt but Chan ends up winning with his stroke. Pavle leads 3 UP
Hole 14 – Chan accounts that he’s taken two holes consecutively and has taken some of the momentum away from Nick. He keeps reminding himself, that he’s got to play “one shot at a time.” He takes out his driver for the Par 5 hole and nails a high draw shot down the left side. Nick, feeling a bit shaken from the results of the last two holes, realizes that he’s got to take command of the match again. He finds his spot on the tee box for his drive, but pulls his drive and the ball sails low and left across the hazard and into the rough on the left side. He mutters to himself ..”not again !!!” Both parties search for Nick’s errant shot and finally Chan finds it as it settled into a bush with large roots, but 3 feet off the ground. Nick can only shake his head in amazement that his ball didn’t fall to the ground, but got lodged in such an uncharacteristic manner. Nick is forced to take a drop which takes him 25 yards further back to hit his 3rd shot. Nick hits his 3 wood advancing his ball 190 yards, leaving 168 yards to the cup. Chan sizes up his options, and elects to hit his 5 iron and he gets his ball to 140 yards from the green. Nick knows he’s got to make the shot to the green to get back in the hole, but slices his ball right to the high hillside shrubs near the cart path. Chan lands his 7 iron pin high, but right of the hole leaving himself a birdie opportunity. Nick finds his ball, lodged once again in a bush, and he has to use a 9 iron to chip it out back into play…his ball sails towards the green but lands a bit long into the left green side bunker. He successfully gets out of the bunker, but he is left with a 15 foot put that misses and he ends up posting an eight. Chan lags his put to within 9 inches and taps out for par and another win. Pavle leads 2 UP.
Hole 15 – Chan now feels a major change in the momentum of the match and he see’s that the big hole he dug for himself on the front nine, is now a manageable challenge. Again he remindes himself to “make the shots and play one shot at a time.” Pavle feels the ache of poor play and tells himself that he’s got to stop the bleeding. He’s just opened up too many doors on the last 3 holes and Chan somehow has changed his game style and has climbed back into the match. Chan, takes his driver and smashes a shot down the middle. Pavle, with a confident swing, also hits his drive with success and lands on the left side leaving 95 yards to the hole. Pavle hits first and his ball appears to fall short of the green. Chan hits next and hits a high shot that lands short of the green. Both players can’t believe their balls didn’t drop and roll onto the green with the pin in the front. Pavle finds his ball in a wet grassy area and he decides to chip. But the pinpoint accuracy of hitting a 20 foot chip from wet grass was not there and the ball advances only 7 feet. In his frustration, he again attempts the same shot he just missed, making the corrections, but he tops the shot and the ball skids across the green and rolls 30 feet past the cup. Chan witnessing the trials and tribulations that Pavle just encountered, decides to putt his ball, 15 feet over the wet grass onto the green which he smoothly executes to leave his ball just 4 feet from the cup. Pavle comes up short on his length bogey putt to make double. Chan misses his par putt but wins the hole on a bogey tap in and another winning hole. Pavle leads 1 UP
Hole 16 – Chan now feeling relief that he’s climbed out of the “match play” death match crevice…he’s chuckles to himself that he’s back in contention and that he’s finally making this a real match. Some back and forth jargon goes on between Pavle and Chan, and our on scene sports witness , Kevin Barrett reports, “Curtis somehow over the past 3 holes mentioned that he’s got this “Chicken Chow-Mein” swing…and ever since he started talking about it, his game came to life…there’s something about his game when he starts talking about this particular Chinese food dish. I don’t completely understand it..but for him it seems to work.” Chan steps up to the par 3 tee box and decides to club up to make sure he gets to the green. He hits a solid shot that flies long 30 feet past the pin to the back side of the large green. Pavle sees that the pins in the middle and decides he needs as he just saw Curtis’ shot. He selects an 9 iron to negotiate the 138 par 3. He swings smoothly in his back swing, but the nerves somehow take over and prevent him from making a fluid follow through, and his ball ends up falling short of the green on the “false front” leaving a lengthy 34 foot chip shot to the pin. After both players survey their situations, and realize the gravity of this important hole, Nick takes the next shot for the pin, and chips his shot short of the pin, leaving a 12 foot par saving putt. Curtis lines up his lengthy birdie putt but has a difficult time calculating the slope and uphill double break. He solidly strikes his putt and the putt moves up the hill past the cup leaving a 6 footer for par. Nick sensing the need to close out this match by making his par putt, yet, realizing how the nerves are taking over. He strikes his putt nicely, but the ball moves off his line, missing the cup by fractions and he has to settle for the conceded bogey. Chan tries to also make his putt, but he gets the same result as Nick and both realize that the match now goes onto the 17th hole. Pavle leads 1 UP
Hole 17 – Both players are trying to settle their nerves… the reality of the match has overcome both players….Nick realizing that Chan has crept back into the match and now has the “match’s momentum” …and he’s been not playing his game…missing shots at critical times has opened up the doors to Curtis’ return. But all he needs to do is tie our take a hole and he can close out the match. Even a tie at this point..will insure a playoff for him. But this hole is a “stroke” hole for Curtis and Nick decided put on his game face and to take matters into his hand. He takes a few practice swings and and watches as Curtis takes the tee and strikes his drive down the middle with a draw. Nick realizes the importance of this situation and he takes a deep breath and mentally visualizes his shot. He sets up and perfectly executes his drive to find the left side 188 yards from the green. After measuring out his distance to the flag, Nick realizes that with a back pin location, he needs to hit at least a 200 yard shot to get to the flag. Nick decides on a hybrid to do the job. He once again settles his mind and takes a deep breath, and perfectly strikes his ball which launches down the middle and finds the left side of the green, pin high. Curtis watches the entire shot and can only admire and declare..”Nick…that’s a great shot !” Curtis now, had to match this shot, and also insure he got himself to the green. His drive did roll to give him 183 to the pin. But with the down wind conditions, Curtis elects to hit his more confident 5 iron club, which he knows will fly 175-180 yards. He carefully takes 2 practice swings and then fires at the pin. His ball flight is a perfect right to left draw and he lands 30 feet from the pin on the lower tier of the green. Nick returns a nice comment to Curtis and says, “Chan-Man..that was a great shot under pressure…way to go!” Both players realize that it now comes down to the short game putts. Curtis being farthest plays first and putts his ball successfully up the hill to the upper tier, leaving himself a 5 foot putt. Nick knows he must make his 17 foot birdie downhill putt. He carefully sizes up his line and hits his putt, but it moves off line and he’s left with a 6 footer comeback par putt. He again lines up his putt and hits up the hill, but leaves his putt 13 inches short. Curtis stares down his putt. he just has to make a bogey to win the hole as he strokes this hole. With that he confirms his line and the ball firmly and finds the bottom of the cup. Curtis looks up at Nick and reports he can’t believe what’s just happend….”We are ALL TIED UP !” Nick can’t believe that his 5 Up lead has now dwindled down to a ONE HOLE winner take all match. They both get in their carts for the final showdown for the par 3 final hole. Match ALL SQUARE
Hole 18 –
Curtis and Nick both realize that their play today was full of UPs and Downs. Each one of them had elements of good golf and poor golf. But now that their match is all Square, it comes down to who can manage their nerves and get the job done. Both players shake hands as they both concede to the fact that both players had their golf flaws exposed today. But now, its down to one hole, one swing to the green and the 2017 Seacoast Cup Championship will be done. Curtis goes first and elects to use the same club that got him to this point. He pulls out his 5 iron once more to negotiate the 166 yard par 3. The wind seemed to be light but just enough to make sure you had enough club to get over the large water hazard. Curtis sized up all his options and mentally told himself…”hit long and stay left.” He addressed his ball as usually and as he has practiced hundreds of times and firmly strikes his ball which heads towards the pin, but ends up drawing far left above the sand bunker onto the hill 25 feet from the edge of the green. Curtis turns and looks at Nick and says… “Safe !” …and you can see a smile along with relief on his face that he got near the hole. Nick now sizes up his options, and takes out his 6 iron and mentally visualizes his shot to the green. He’s hit this shot hundreds of times, and now he just has to relax and make the shot. He goes into pre shot routine and feels the slight wind into his face. He makes the mental adjustment and knows he’s got to solidly hit his ball to the green.. as a good shot and a one putt will win him the match. He fires at the ball, and instantly he knows he’s in trouble as his strike was not firm but slightly “fat” and his ball begins to fall short of the green…but hoping that it is enough to clear the water….but as all eyes intently follow the ball’s flight you can hear the clenching of teeth as Nick’s ball falls 2 feet short of the embankment and into the shallow bank’s water. You can hear Nick’s voice whimper…”Oh No….! I’m in trouble now!” Chan and Kevin Barrett ( his cart partner and on scene reporter) review with Nick his options…play a ball from the “drop zone” or see if his golf ball is playable from the water edge. Nick quickly exits his cart to survey his options and does find his ball submerged in about 2 inches of water…just enough to get a club face on it to get it out of the wet stuff. Without hesitation, Nick realizes his options are slim…1) going to the drop zone for his 3rd shot or 2) play from the water and hope for the best. Nick assesses his risk /rewards factor and chooses to goes for the “water shot.” He gently walks into the water and addresses the ball that’s completely submerged. He swings, and hits the ball …but it only advances 1 foot closer to the bank. In a bit frustration, Nick swings into the water again, but this time successfully gets the ball to fly out 5 yards short of the green. Still venting on his plans to par the hole, Nick measures up his situation and successfully chips his 4th shot pin high but just 7 feet right of the hole. Chan watching Nick take several shots to get to the green now is faced with a difficult hillside chip shot. He realizes that all he needs to do is get up and down and he’ll most likely take the hole. But getting to the pin from his position has many risks…bunker to the right, deep rough, downhill lie position….Curtis decides to take a safe shot and aims far left above the cup to avoid the bunker and to avoid the crazy downhill lie. He takes his 9 iron to insure a solid contact with his ball and chips the ball wide left but safely onto the green 30 feet from the cup. Curtis now has his 3rd shot to save par…a down hill putt. He carefully sizes up the line, and hits his ball firmly and it rolls quickly pass the cup leaving an 10 foot up hill putt. Curtis didn’t expect the ball to roll so long, but he knows he still has the advantage on Nick. Nick has already expended 4 strokes, and needs to make a 7 footer. Curtis now has a 10 footer to make bogey. He stares down the putt and knows he must make it to win. Then the nerves set in and Chan hits his putt wide and short, leaving another 7 incher to the cup. Curtis has the stun look of frazzelness…and marks his ball. Nick realizes that he’s still in the game as he can “TIE” the hole by sinking his 7 footer. He takes aim…but misses …Chan gives Nick the tap in triple….Nick looks up at Curtis and offers his hand and says “Congratulations Chan Man !…you won !” A big smile over takes Curtis’ face as he’s stunned as to what transpired over the past 90 minutes of golf, and now the pressure is all gone. Both players shake hands and give each other a respectful shoulder hug. It was a tough match…and someone had to be a winner….Chan WINS 1 UP.
Chan def. Pavle 1 UP
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…
Nick Pavle: “I felt like two different persons on the golf course today. I was playing my normal round, feeling in control, managing my game, overcoming minor golf issues….then after the 12th hole, something took over. I still can’t explain it…but it wasn’t pretty. All of a sudden, I couldn’t feel my normal swing. The ball just wasn’t responding to my corrections…everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Curtis crawled back into the match as a result of my poor play, and then we had a showdown on the final hole. I had my opportunity..but I hit that ball into the water and that was it. My entire golf season came down to a par 3 shot that got wet. I did have a slight chance at a miracle shot down at the water’s edge. I was able to address the ball as I stood in the water…it’s a good thing I have them “Dry Joys”…which kept my feet dry…as the water covered up my shoes. The ball was just about an inch and half under water. I took 2 shots to escape the watery grave. I did splash myself fully with clear water (thank goodness), and actually laughed amidst my tears. I’d give anything to play that tee shot once again! But Curtis hung in there too, and played well down the stretch….making that long iron shot on #17 to tie up the match was crucial for him..and he did pull it off. I commend him for not giving up in the match..but taking advantage of his opportunities to win today ! It was a fun and sad, but a memorable match !”
Curtis Chan : ” I don’t know how to describe today’s round as so many things happened. I played well, but also played lousy. I was up and I was down. It was as if both Nick and I traded places from the back nine to the front nine. When I realized that I was coming back into the match I was almost in a dream like state . Being 5 down in match play is not a comfortable feeling. Then I kept telling myself – one stroke at a time, one hole at a time…and before I knew it…I was on hole 17 with a chance to Tie the match. When it happened, I had this sigh of relief and felt like I had achieved something for the day. But then I realized that I could possibly Win the match. All morning long in the early part of the match I was just trying to survive and get my game back in gear. It never happened until I finally made par on #9…I knew I could play…but the next few holes after that no matter how hard I played, Nick had an answer and kept racking up wins. But then after #12, his game started to let up and I took advantage of the doors being opened. I then pulled together a string of wins to take the match to the last and final hole. When I saw his ball go into the water, I told myself to just focus on my shot and not his. He had his own problems. I didn’t think he would be able to play his ball and was expecting to see him take a drop at the drop zone to hit his third. But then I glanced over and saw him like standing on water with his club as if he was “Jesus walking on water”…but it was Nick swinging a club on water. I saw him take two big swings at it. The nerves were setting in for me and I had to take deep breaths to collect my thoughts. I knew I had to get my ball to the cup in the safest way. When he had a chance to tie me on his last putt, I shut my eyes and just listened for the ball to hit the bottom of the cup. When I didn’t hear it drop, I then knew that I had won. It was a great win for me…but I’m sorry it had to come at such a time when my opponent didn’t have his best showing down the stretch. I was told by a wise golfer that “it’s not a Post Card….it’s a Score Card”…If you look at how it all happened …it was ugly…but if you look at the final score ..I’ll take the win. I know it’s a tough loss for Nick today, but he’ll have another opportunity to get back here to win this Cup. ”
Match 2 / Baynes def. Martz 1 UP
Chris Martz described his round in the press room, “I started my round poorly as I doubled and tripled my first 2 holes. Geoff didn’t fair well also and so we just began to halve our holes. By the end of the front nine we were still all square. When I played well, Geoff matched my score with his stroke allotment and we just plowed through the match. It all ended up coming down the stretch on the last 3 holes. I played the par 3 well and won the hole to take a 1 up lead…but I ended my day on a triple on 17, and a double on 18. This was my demise. I didn’t deserve to win with that kind of play. I congratulate Geoff on playing tough and hanging in there. Geoff Baynes: “I knew I was up agains a good golfer. Plus this course usually gets the best of me I’ve been told that course management is a must and not to let your ball go astray. I totally concentrated my efforts today to keep my ball in play. I did loose a few but over all I was able to keep up with a good player like Chris today. The match was sea sawing back an forth all day and neither one of us could make any large advances in the score. It all ended up on who could post the best score on 18…and it was my turn. I know he had to give me a stroke on just about every hole…but I had to hang on and do my best not to post any big scores…I’m glad I was able to keep my game plan in tact today.“
2017 Player’s Cup Bracket : We had 10 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. Bill Brackett fired up his clubs and won his match against John Riggs and posted a low gross 89 / low net 68. But Rik Thistle also brought his “A” game and battled Ebin Smith to the end to win his match and post a low gross 87/low net 69. This win gave Rik enough points to surpass Ebin’s points totals and ultimately the top honors of winning the Player’s Cup top spot. Congratulations Rik Thistle !!!
Next Event : Friday, November 17 2017 Place: Encinitas Ranch GC 7:04 am start
Quest for the 2017 Seacoast Cup– This year has been 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.
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.
