LinkStur News

A flashback to that infamous Saturday morning at Pickering Valley earlier in the season was on the minds of most of the LinkStur’s, on the practice range, at Willowbrook on a gloomy mid July Saturday morning. It had already rained most of the early part of the morning and the overwhelming forecast called for heavy rains and potential thunderstorms for most of the day. Thirteen out of the fourteen players who showed up expected a washout and expected to make the long trek back to Willowbrook again before the next match. One lone golfer would stand up and proclaim that there was no need for concern. It he was wrong, not only would the matches have to be replayed, but, more importantly, each golfer would be out $51 because of the ‘No Raincheck’ policy at Willowbrook. That’s right, if we ran into the same unplayable conditions that we experienced at Pickering Valley, no matter on what hole it occurred, we would be out $51. Not very hospitable, ehhh?

It’s Not Going to Rain!!!

While Bob Welc and Herman Ellzy were discussing the weather the night before

the match, Herman made the bold prediction that “it was not going to rain on Saturday”. Herman indicated that to prove his confidence in his bold weather prediction he would wear his lucky sneakers whose colors would wash out if wet. To further back this up he would purchase a new pair of golf shoes at the course which he would wear during the match. What else can be said!! As we now know, not only didn’t it rain during the match but it turned out to be a very pleasant day with intermittent periods of sunshine. In fact, the course drained well enough from the rain the night before to require only minimal usage of the ‘clean and lift’ rule which Bob Welc had issued before the match.

Herman's Lucky Shoes kept the rain away

Slow Play Warning for Group #1

In an odd twist of fate, the first foursome of Bob Welc, Ron Jones, Tom Dushkewich and Vince Caligiuri were singled out early in the round for slow play, by the marshal. The marshal had claimed that there was at least a hole and a half open in front of them and that they should make every attempt to pick up their pace. Bob Welc, the diplomat that he is, tried to explain to the kindly old gentleman that there was also a one hole gap between his foursome and the foursome behind them and poignantly inquired ‘what his #$%^& problem was’. The marshal was never to be heard from after that. (Playing through, Bob!!!)

Wanna Buy a Putter?

The grape vine (thanks Tom!) reports that Vince Caligiuri unveiled a brand new putter for his match against none other than Tom at Willowbrook. Up until his last match, Vince had been averaging a ho-hum 38 putts. With the new 'wand', which Vince affectionately refers to as 'his sardine' he ended up with a respectable 31 putts for the day, of which seven were one putts. 'Tiger' Stevenson better be on the look out in his upcoming match with Vince. Don't forget, you heard it here first.

Loan me $50 for lunch?

Alright, it might not have been that bad, but $2.50 for a 'small' hot dog (no, not you Steve!) and another $2.50 for gator aide turned the heads of even the most 'loosely spending' LinkSturs. Max even claimed that the exorbitant prices cost him the back nine against Steve because he refused to part with a small fortune to buy lunch, causing him to weaken on his approach shot to 18. At the end of the match, Bryan asked why everyone was drinking outside in the sultry weather and not inside in a more pleasant environment. Someone jokingly told Bryan that there was a $5 cover charge inside, whereupon the manager, overhearing the conversation, indicated that the cover charge was not scheduled to take effect until August. Hmmm, and this is the site of one of our playoff games??

No way would these LinkStur's pay a cover

A Division Matchups

Dick Blystone and Bryan Baquer would end up playing one of the most closely contested matches in the three year history of the LinkStur’s. On the front nine, Dick and Bryan would end up halving every hole but the tough, par 5 third hole, which Dick would end up paring to win the front 5/4. Dick made the turn with a league low 41 with Bryan right behind with a not too shabby 42.

Dick's gotta take the game a little more seriously

On the back nine Bryan would take a two hole lead into the 17^th only to see Dick squeeze out a par to move to within one, and win the 18^th with the aid of the handicap to tie 4.5/4.5 . Dick ends up with 2.5 points in this thriller. Herman Ellzy would have to wait a few days to see if his 81, you heard it right, would be enough against the resurgent Roy Craig who would be receiving 11 handicap holes. (No wonder Herman was so anxious to play on Saturday). Herman would win five out of the first six holes with Roy taking the last three, to keep the overall close, giving Herman a 5.5/3.5 win. Roy didn’t have a chance on the back as Herman would post a league low back of 39 giving him an easy 7/2 win and 3 points.

Herman wants everyone to know he's #1

In another close match Ron Jones would leverage a par on the sixth hole to take the lead over Bob Welc and force a split on the remaining three holes to win the front 5/4. Bob would turn the tables on Ron on the back, paring the 15^th to take the lead and winning the last two holes to take the back 6/3 and the overall to earn him 2 points for the day.

Ron 's trying to climb out of the A Div. basement

Doug Perks posted his score for his match against Roman Hrycushko who would 'make it up' (just a play on words, Roman!!) just before press time. The long layoff from golf took its toll on Roman on the front nine as he would win only two holes against Doug who played a solid front with no score over a six to win comfortably 6.5/2.5 . The rust started to wear off of Roman (with the help of a few beers??) on the back as he tied the match on the 17^th and ended up bogeying the 18^th to take the back 5/4. Doug still had the last laugh, taking the overall and ending up with two points to lay claim to a tie for third place in a tight A-Division race.

B Division Matchups

Kevin Stevenson showed Bob Perks why he’s in first place by taking every hole on the front nine, but two, for an easy 7.5/1.5 win. Bob refused to lay down and roll over on the back nine, taking control by winning the 15^th and 16^th and taking advantage of a handicap building 11 by Kevin on the 18^th to win 5.5/3.5 . Kevin ended up with the overall and 2 points for the day giving him a commanding three point lead in the B-Division.

Kevin continues to chop through the B Division

In an inner family match up, Vince Caliguiri (father in law) and Tom Dushkewich (son in law) were close early on until Vince took control with a par on hole #5 and taking two of the last three holes to win the front 6/3. On the back nine, Vince and Tom would take turns winning two holes at a time with Tom ending up winning the last two holes to force a split on the back nine, 4.5/4.5 . Vince takes 2.5 points and a firm hold on 2^nd place. Steve Margetich and Max McHenry have tied the last two

times they played and it looked that way early on the front nine until Steve would 'one stoke-better' Max on each of the last four holes to take a ‘much closer than it looks’ 7/2 win. The back nine started out with Max and Steve halving the first three holes with Steve paring the 13^th hole giving him the 1 hole advantage which he took into the 18^th . Max ended up taking an untimely deep divot on his approach shot which ended up in the water dashing any hopes of splitting the back, giving Steve a 5.5/3.5 win and 3 hard earned points.

Max giving it 'his all' at the approach to 18

Mike Brychcy would end up winning the last seven holes on the front nine against Mike Fuller to cruise to a 7.5/2.5 win shooting an impressive 50. Mike Fuller tried to make a match of it on the back nine taking a one hole lead into the 14^th, but Mike Brychcy would end up taking four of the last five holes to win the back 6/3. Mike Brychcy takes 3 points, keeping him in the hunt for a playoff spot in the B Division.

Closest to the Pin Winners

(Willowbrook)

Front Nine: (hole#) [none]

Back Nine:(hole#) Tom Dushkewich

Sandbagger(s) of the Week

Look's like the weather kept the 'sandbaggers' away!!

Handicaps/Pairings at Mainland

[Tenative due to the # of no-shows]

1^st Group

Dick B. (15) vs. Roman H. (25)

Tom D. (36) vs. Steve M. (32)

2^nd Group

Doug P. (23) vs. Ron J. (19)

Vince C. (31) vs. Kevin S. (27)

3^rd Group

Herman E. (14) vs. Bryan B. (13)

Mike B. (36) vs. Bob P. (28)

4^th Group

Roy C. (26) vs. Bob W. (20)

Max M. (30) vs. Mike F. (36)

Closest to the Pin Holes at Mainland

Front Nine: Hole #9

Back Nine: Hole #17

Remember: next gameday is August 12, at Center Square. Be ready to tee off at 10:45 am. Call the course at (610)-584-5700 if you require directions.

Volume 3, Issue 7 July 29, 2000