LinkStur News

In what seems to be the norm for the 2000 LinkStur season it was another overcast and unseasonably cool summer day which set the stage for the A vs. B Division matchup. Not even Herman Ellzy’s colorful sneakers could prevent the downpour and occasional thunder that in some cases interrupted play on the back nine. What a difference a year makes. It was about this time last year that the LinkStur’s played in 100 degree weather with the greens and fairways hardened by the drought.

Ominous Clouds Threaten the A vs. B Matches

Colorful Dress Code Enforced??

As Herman Ellzy approached the counter to pay for his round of golf, the ‘dress code police’ immediately surrounded him and pointed to the ‘No DENIM’ sign on the wall and at Herman’s stylish ‘DENIM’ shorts. Herman immediately pointed to the ‘GREEN’ in his hand but was told that there were no exceptions, unless your name is Tom Dushkewich (more on that later). Herman found himself in a real dilemma, should he part with $50 and buy a pair of designer shorts at the Pro Shop or should he leave in protest of the situation. Maybe his buddies would join together and boycott the course (the Sun had a better chance of coming out!) Fortunately for Herman, his ole buddie Bob Welc, who is know as someone who would give ‘the shirt off his back’ to help a friend in need, offered ‘the pants in his trunk’ to solve Herman’s dilemma. Though a little soiled and wrinkled, it was going to be a wet and muddy day, Herman gratefully accepted Bob’s kind offer (Bob's really looking for someone to wash/iron his pants!).

"The legs are too long and the crotch is tight"

Needless to say Herman took good care not to damage Bob’s pants, more than they were, to the point where he refused to sit in the cart during the height of the rain storm to avoid soiling the pants (or was he worried about what might be on the pants soiling him?). Tom Dushkewich after seeing all this unfolding with Herman felt fortunate indeed that the ‘dress code police’ had somehow allowed his ‘dark blue denim’ shorts to slip through their net. Finally, at the tee box, when all looked safe, the last line of defense, the starter, questioned his attire. Somehow (???) Tom was able to reason with the ‘kindly’ old gentleman and was allowed to continue play.

"….and that's why they call me IRONMAN! "

Did Anybody See Roman??

As Bob Welc and Kevin Stevenson rustled everyone from the practice range to the first tee, one LinkStur, Roman Hrycushko, was missing. There was no call at the Pro Shop to indicate that he was late or ‘lost’ so it was assumed that he elected to forfeit the match to Tom. Hmmmm, looks like this was Tom’s lucky day. But wait, the day after the match, Bob Welc was able to get a hold of Roman, who had one heck of a yarn to tell. As Bob Welc recalls the story, Roman left his house in Claymont, Delaware at 9 am on that fateful Saturday morning, traveling up I-95, following the directions he garnered from the Web. Upon reaching the Northeast Extension he was instructed to take the third exit and follow the signs to the course. Two hundred and fifty miles and five and a half hours later Roman would find himself at the place where he stared safe and flabbergasted (almost like playing a round of golf). After hearing of this harrowing adventure Bob felt the only reasonable decision would be to rescind the forfeit ruling and allow Roman to post a score for this match

A / B Division Matchups

The leaders of the A and B Divisons played what they hoped would be a preview of the Championship match on September 30^th. Dick Blystone who has been on a roll the last two matches, since regaining his sense of humor, was all business against Kevin Stevenson, who has fallen on 'hard times' as of late.

Dick has that 'cat that just ate the canary' look while Kevin seeks help from above!

Dick drew first blood paring the first two holes while Kevin would get no closer than one hole as Dick went on to take the front in a workmanlike fashion 6/3. Kevin showed why he has lead the B Division since week #1 by matching Dick on the first two holes on the back in the rain before paring the tough 12^th and 13^th . Dick was able to dry himself out by the 14^th and went on to take the next three holes before Kevin took the 17^th courtesy of a generous handicap. In true championship form they both pared the 18^th to tie the back 4.5/4.5 . By virtue of a fast start, Dick takes 2.5 points, his 2^nd consecutive week on the charts in first place in the A Division and bragging rights into the playoffs. The loss did little damage to Kevin, except maybe his pride, as he remains in first and clinches his third consecutive playoff berth.

Dick has been working on this shot all summer

The match between the 2^nd place players featured Bob Welc and Vince Caligiuri, both of whom have been on a roll as of late. Both Vince and Bob pared the first hole, right out of the gate, but Vince would claim the hole based on handicap. Bob went on a three hole bogey string to enter the fifth up by two. Vince made it close by 'taking the fifth' but Bob put it out of reach by paring the next two holes to end up winning the front 6/3.

It was just one of those days for Vince. Notice Kevin enjoying Vince's misfortune!!

The rain and a 'bar of soap' seem to invigorate Bob on the back nine as he would par the 13^th through the 15^th to take the back 7.5/1.5 . Bob claims three points and a share of the lead in the A Division. The 'goose egg' for Vince creates a four way tie in the B Division for 2^nd place. The 3^rd place match between Herman Ellzy and Steve Margetich was 'different' to say the least. Despite 'kicking' the ball around for the first four holes Steve found himself with a three hole lead mostly because Herman had trouble with his 'borrowed' trousers and the rust from 2 weeks without golf. Unfortunately for Steve, Herman would regain his senses and shoot two under golf over the next five holes, taking the front 5.5/3.5 and leaving Steve to dream about what could have been. The heavy rain on the back nine must have been a 'sobering' influence on Steve, or Herman's pants were starting to tighten up, as Steve jumped out to take the first five holes and an improbable 8/1 win on the back.

Herman gets everything out of his backswing

Steve takes the overall and two points, joining the log jam for 2^nd place in the B Division. Herman maintains 3^rd place in the A Division and the honor of washing Bob Welc's pants (Heavy on the starch, Herman!!). Bryan Baquer and Mike Brychcy hooked up in the 4^th place match in what a month ago looked like a mismatch. On the front nine Mike judiciously used a double stroke handicap on three holes and a consistent drive to carve out a 5.5/3.5 win, in a match where five of the holes were halved. On the back nine, Bryan was

just a little bit off compared with a consistent attack by Mike who would par, four holes, and win 8/1. Mike pockets three points and a share of 2^nd in the B Division. Bryan remains in 4^th place in the A Division.

Bryan with a full follow through

In the fifth place match Bob Perks would post his score and hope it was good enough against the up and comer, Roy Craig. Bob took a 1 hole lead into the sixth and squeaked out a win on the next three holes to take the front 6/3. They both traded holes on the back ending up tied going into the 16^th with Bob, again, squeaking out the next two holes to take the back 5.5/3.5 .

Bob shoots low gross in B Division (91)

Bob Perks takes three points and joins the parade for 2^nd place in the B Division. Roy stays in 5^th and still alive for a playoff spot in the A Division. Doug Perks and Max McHenry have yet to post their 6^th place match. Roman Hrycushko and Tom Dushkewich played for the second time this year for the 7^th

Doug challenges anyone to smell his 'pits

place match (Roman had the bragging rights, winning the 1^st meeting 2/1). The front nine saw Roman and Tom trade holes with Roman paring the ninth to force a 4.5/4.5 split. The back nine saw Tom jump out to a quick two hole lead, but Roman would par four out of the last six holes down the stretch to take the back 5.5/3.5 . This is the match that it looked like Tom was going to take by forfeit because Roman was AWOL, instead, Tom ends up SOL. Roman takes 2.5 and still alive for a playoff spot in the A Division. Tom insures that he won't finish in the B Division cellar. Mike Fuller and Ron Jones have yet to post their 8^th place match.

Bob Welc’s Trivia Corner

Mike Brychcy’s lowest score ever was a 106 before shooting a 97 at Center Square. In the last four games, Mike has played, he has accumulated 93 par/birdie points. In ’98 and ’99 he ended up with 128 and 128 respectively for the entire year. Thus far this year, with one match to play, Mike has 153. This is also the first time in three years that Mike will be carrying a handicap less than 36, he is currently at 35. Low gross so far this year is a 78 by Dick Blystone. The low gross record is currently 74 held by Ron Jones in a ’98 match. Low putting round this year is 28 by Dick Blystone. The league record is 26 held by Bob Welc in a ’99 match.

Mike's eyeing a playoff spot in the B Div.

The number of Par/Birdie points in a match is 29 this year by Mike Brychcy. Steve Margetich has the league record of 34 in a ’99 match. Bob Welc’s record of 21.5 points in a season will not be challenged this year. Grant Blair’s record of 287 total putts is in no danger of being broken this year. Mathematically nobody has a lock for the playoffs in the A Division going into the last match. In the B Division Kevin Stevenson has clinched a playoff spot. There is a four way tie for second place between Vince Caligiuri, Mike Brychcy, Bob Perks and Steve Margetich. The match between Bob Perks and Steve Margetich in all probability will decide the last playoff spot (Bob and Steve are also tied in par/birdie points!).

Closest to the Pin Winners at Center Square

Front Nine: Hole #7 Herman Ellzy

Back Nine: Hole #18 Bob Perks

Hdcps/Pairings at Moccasin Run

1^st Group

Doug P. () vs. Bob W. (19)

Mike B. (35) vs. Kevin S. (26)

2^nd Group

Herman E. (15) vs. Dick B. (14)

Steve M. (32) vs. Bob P. (27)

3^rd Group

Roman H. () vs. Roy C. ()

Vince C. (30) vs. Mike F. (36)

4^th Group

Bryan B. (13) vs. Ron J. ()

Tom D. (36) vs. Max M. ()

Closest to the Pin Holes at Moccasin Run

Front Nine: Hole #7

Back Nine: Hole #10

Remember: next gameday is :

Playoff # 1 September 9

Mainland 9:15

(215)-256-9548

Playoff # 2 September 16

Willowbrook (tbd)

(856)-461-0131

Championship / Scramble

September 30

Spring Hollow 11:25

(610)-948-5566

Volume 3, Issue 9 August 26, 2000