Encinitas Ranch

Friday,  October 16, 2009

Our club’s playoff season is now closing down into the finals with today’s semi finals matches to determine our final 2 players…who will take home the Seacoast Cup?.  Here is the line up.

Also a big welcome to Scott Tucker who joined us for the first time today.  Also welcome back to Anil Bhalla, who has been progressing at working on his golf game.  And it was great to see again David Abella who is recovering and rehabilitating from hip replacement surgery….after laying off the clubs for over 6 months, David is getting back his swing and hopefully working towards getting back into playing shape. 

Congratulations to Bill Brackett and Bob Newby for playing great and scoring low net scores of 69 today !

Remember 2009 SCGA Membership Dues are due by December 15, 2009. 

Pre Match Notes:  The weather began to warm up as the players  checked into the proshop and got their tokens for range balls .  Dan Anderson was spotted taking extra practice on the putting greens.  Darren Maglidt was taking extra swings with his driver to insure it’s accuracy.  Bret Herman was going through his normal routine and knocking down short iron shots to perfection.  Curtis Chan showed up 20 minutes before his tee time and took a few balls on the practice tee, spending extra time on his short iron shots. 

Bret Herman vs. Darren Maglit – Bret has proven thus far why he was our regular season number one seeded player.  He smoothly won his last semi final round against Geoff Baynes.  His long accurate drives have put his game to a new level.  Today his drives again must be accurate as there are several holes today where the OB can be a big factor. Bret’s game will be intact as long as his drives off the tee keep him on or close to the fairways.  Darren needs to employ all facets of his golf game today.   He has to play within himself and not have any “blow” up holes back to back.  In the pre match interview, Bret explained, “ I’ve been feeling great about my game...it all seems to be coming together these past few months.  I know I have my hands full with Darren as he can deliver some great shots from time to time.  I just have to play my game and play to my potential today.”  Darren commented, “I’m really comfortable here at Encintias Ranch, but I just need to control my driver and I should be OK today.  I have 11 shots to use against Bret and I just have to insure that I make them count during my round today.”

Curtis Chan vs. Dan Anderson – Curtis is the defending Seacoast Cup Champion and plays well in match play.  He has made it to the finals for the past 2 years and he hopes to make it again this year with a win today.   His win against Darryn Prince last month gave him a big boost in his match play record.  His driving off the tee and putting has been sound.  Dan has been playing very consistent golf these past months.  He calmly dismantled Bill Grow in the last round by playing fully to his golfing potential.  Dan is a smart player and has great ability make things happen under pressure.  Both players have good course management skills.  This match should come down to the wire.  Dan commented, “I’m feeling great about my game, I know Curtis has a great match play record, but I just have to play my game.  I have to take advantage of anything he gives me today, as he is going to be tough today.”  Curtis’ pre match comments were, “Dan has a very controlled game.  He knows how to handle pressure and I'll have my hands full today.  We are fairly evenly matched and it’s going to be a battle to gain any advantage today.  I just have make all my shots count .”

Semi Finals Match Play Score Cards – note for match play, the lower handicap player is given the difference between the 2 players calculated monthly course handicap.

Semi Final Match Play Results:

Note:  The course set up for today’s play is the normal back nine for Encinitas Ranch  is played as the front.

Herman vs. Maglidt:  Herman wins 5 and 3.  Bret Herman once again proved why he has been on the top of our leader board this entire season.  He played a very nice match against Darren today and pretty much controlled the match from the first tee.  On the 4^th hole, Darren sprayed his drive left and had to tee up a second shot.  Darren realized that he couldn’t afford to give away pressure strokes off the tee.  Watching Bret smoothly knock down another par, Darren found himself down 2 after 4 holes of play.  This wasn’t looking good for him.  But the pressure kept manifesting itself in Darren’s drving ability as he once again on the  short par 4 (5^th hole) Darren pulled his drive left into the out of bounds staked area and had to take a 3^rd shot off the tee.  Once again Bret took another hole as a gift from Darren.  This sequence of play continued on and before Darren could clear his head regarding the match, he found himself 5 down after 7 holes.  Darren did finally make a change in the momentum of the game by paring the difficult 8^th hole, by launching a great drive to within 120 yards to the green . Finding a renewed hope for the match, Darren was able to score a par (net birdie) and win the 8^th.  This carried on to the 9^th hole as Bret somehow seemed somewhat flustered that Darren was not making the big mistakes and was winning holes again.  By the end of 9 holes, Bret’s 5 up lead had been cut to 3.  Bret realized that he needed to dig down and play smarter. He realized that if he played steady golf (fairways and greens), Darren would feel the pressure and would not be able to match this kind of play. Then on the 10^th hole, Darren once again pulled his drive to the left giving him only a triple bogey for all his efforts.  Bret smoothly tapped out for a bogey, and posted another winning hole.  Darren tried to make a last quarter charge on the 11^th and 12^th holes by winning these two but Bret finally put the hammer down and parred the difficult number one handicap hole on the 13^th hole of the match.  With a 3 up lead going into the 14^th hole, Bret felt confident that he had the upper hand.  Darren realized that it was now or never in the match to make his move.  So on the 14^th hole, Darren told himself…”I have 5 holes left, I’m 3 down, I need to win this hole.”….but a fighting negative thought kept plaque him as he set up for his tee shot…”straighten out your drive…you’ve been pulling and hooking your drives…giving balls away to the golf course and coyotes...don’t pull your drive…”  Darren fought hard to concentrate to execute a swing that wouldn’t produce the pull hook…but today wasn’t the day..as another hook drive left into the OB showed up on the 14^th hole….Darren knew he had dug himself a deep hole and the possibility of getting out was looking grim.  Taking a 9 on hole #14 was almost like waving the white flag of surrender, and after the 15h hole, when Darren scored a double bogey against Bret’s tap in par, Darren extended his hand to shake our new 2009 Seacoast Finalist.  Bret was so happy to have the win, and he realize that today’s win was handed to him on a platter as Darren didn’t have his “A” game today. Bret Herman wins 5 and 3 and will be playing in the finals for a chance to win the 2009 Seacoast Cup !

In the post match interview room Darren said, “Well I gave it my best shot today….I knew I had to climb a big hill today…on the driving range I hit at least 10 great drives, long and straight, then my last 3 drives all began to hook.  I tried desperately to correct this on the range, but my muscle memory kept defaulting to the hook today.  I couldn’t make the adjustments to put my game on track.  Bret doesn’t give you many chances to score to win, and when you play like I did, it’s like giving him an early Christmas gift… I wish I could have make it to the finals, but I’m glad that I made it to the semi’s.  Bret lived up to his expectations today and put the hammer down on me today.”     Bret was found relieved with a big smile on his face as he was packing his bag into his car.  In asking him about the match today he explained…” I’m relieved that this match is done.  Darren is a big threat in match play, especially with the strokes he gets.  If he plays well, then he will dominate.  I saw how he took out Mike Nelson during the last round and I just didn’t want that to play out again today.  Fortunately I had a great driving day.  My drives have been the best they have ever been.  I’m confident in my game when I’m only a 9 iron or less to the green.  I just hope this carries on out for me in the finals.  I really have to congratulate Darren on keeping his head up even though he had great difficulty off the tee box today.  He kept grinding in hopes of making the move on me.  Unfortunately for him, and fortunately for me…he ran out of holes today and I was able to come out victorious.”

Chan vs. Anderson:  Anderson wins 1up.  Curtis showed that he was in top form as he won honors to tee off first and successfully placed his tee shot 120 yards from the hole.  Dan watched Curtis smoothly place is tee shot in the middle of the fairway and realized that Curtis was not going to give away any holes today.  Dan’s tee shot didn’t make the first cut but he still had a chance to get the green.  Curtis delicately placed his 2^nd shot pin high and was in place for a birdie attempt, while Dan came out short and was left with 50 feet to the hole.  Realizing that he was in need to get close, Dan putted with full force up the hill to get to the back of the green where the pin was placed…but he still came out 5 feet short.  Curtis put his birdie attempt 2 inches behind the cup, and Dan graciously gave the rest to Curtis for the par.  Dan then studied what he had to do, but his ball didn’t break to the cup and he had to settle for the bogey and already Dan found himself 1 down to Curtis.  On the practice greens Dan felt he knew the speed of the greens,  but now on the course, the greens would roll slower than he anticipated…he would have to make the adjustment and move on.  Being already 1 up after the first hole, Curtis sensed he had an early break.  The next hole Dan quickly fired back by making a lengthy par putt that put the pressure on Curtis to make his 8 footer.  Curtis missed his comeback putt to tie Dan’s par and the match was back to ALL Square.  The match continued like this for the entire front nine as both players matched each other.  When one player missed a shot, he quickly recovered with a superb 2^nd shot.  Each player displayed their expertise in putting. On the fifth hole of the match Curtis saved par by putting 18 feet from the fringe to win the hole.  On Hole 6, Dan knocked down a 6 footer to win the whole.  The match went back and forth in a sea saw manner.  After the front nine, Curtis had the slim 1 up lead.  By hole 12, Dan tied up the match once again, but then took his first lead of the day on hole 13^th hole by hanging onto a par.  Curtis made a spectacular fairway bunker shot from 135 yards out for a 15 foot downhill birdie attempt.  Dan put his 156 yard shot to  within 30 feet of the hole.  Dan’s long birdie attempt stopped 3 feet short of the cup.  Curtis’ birdie attempt peaked into the hole but skimmed the edge and stayed out.  Dan made his 3 footer to get his par, but additionally he was able to take advantage of his stroke allotment for the day and scored a “Net Birdie” to win the hole.  This was a turning point in Dan’s match as he now owned the lead for the first time.  On the next hole (hole #14) both players struggled with their second shots to the green .  Curtis faced a chip shot 30 feet from the pin, while Dan was in the bunker about 18 feet from the pin.  Both players placed their shots 15 feet above the cup.  Curtis was slightly further and he had to go first.  His putter guided the ball towards the cup but came out 1 inch shy from dropping in and so Curtis had to settle for bogey.  Dan, realizing that speed control on his putt was essential for it to have a chance to roll in, gave his ball an extra boost and his putt stayed exactly on the line that he chose and it dropped right into the bottom of the cup…for a great sandy saving par!!!  With this, Dan now had even more momentum and Curtis realized he needed to dig down deep to get back into the match.  Being 2 down with 4 holes left was not the best position to be in.  So on the next hole (#15), Curtis employed a technique he learned earlier in the year regarding driving off the tee.  Realizing he needed to be long and straight, he focused on swinging 90% capacity but making sure he make the proper turn towards his target line.  With this thought, Curtis executed the perfect drive that went 265 yards down the middle leaving him 110 yards to the pin.  Dan wasn’t so fortunate with his drive and he had a lengthy distance (190) to the hole with his second shot that ended up wide left about 20 feet off the green.  Curtis seeing that Dan didn’t make the green in regulation saw that this was the opening he needed to get back into the match.  He took an extra club to compensate for the wind and put the ball 25 feet pin high right of the cup.  Dan now how to get up and down to put pressure on Curtis’ putt but his chip shot came out short and he had to chip a second time to get within 15 feet of the cup.  Curtis calmly lagged his downhiller putt  to with 18 inches of the cup and after Dan missed is bogey putt, Curtis rolled in his par  to cut Dan’s lead to only 1 up.  The match now was almost back to even and Curtis finally found a way to change the momentum back to him.  On the next tee box Curtis flared his long drive to the right into the 2^nd cut 148yards to the pin.  Dan knew Curtis was back in the hunt and a big drive was necessary to keep Curtis on the ropes.  Dan took a calm, calculated smooth swing, and with this “patented” controlled “slice-fading” drive he placed his ball in the center of the fairway to within 115 yards to the cup…what a drive under pressure !!  Dan felt elated that he was able to execute the swing he wanted and got the best result…now the pressure was on Curtis.  Curtis surveyed his options as his ball landed in the tall 3 inch  grass with a lie leaving the ball above his feet. Calculating that the wind was in his favor, and the pin placement was “back left”, Curtis elected to used his 7 iron to cut through the tall grass and get his ball flying in the right direction.  After taking one practice swing, Curtis executed his swing and hit the ball squarely and the ball landed pin high just off the green.  Dan seeing Curtis’ ball land close to the pin, figured he had to put his ball close or else Curtis would be in position to tie the match.  Dan took out his wedge and decided to go for the pin.  But as he hit the ball, the wind died down, and his ball fell short of the green just 30 feet from the pin.  The area Dan’s ball landed on had been recently sodded with new grass and Curtis gave Dan permission to use the ground under repair rule.  But Dan decided to play the ball where it landed and put his ball to within 10 feet of the cup.  Curtis now had a chance to birdie the hole to win. He had to putt over some “uncut” green ….he got the ball to roll to the cup but it ended up 15 inches short of the cup.  Dan now had to make his next putt to come out with a par..since Curtis was in position for his “sure” par.  Dan took aim, and putted the ball towards the cup, but the ball didn’t make any turn for the hole and kept rolling straight to his dismay.  Curtis now had a golden opportunity to win the hole and he calmly hit the back of the cup and dropped the putt to complete his par and win another hole to make the match ALL SQUARE with 2 holes to play.  Dan felt a big momentum shift into Curtis’ favor with  just two holes left in the match..  Dan’s hopes in winning the next hope increased as he realized this hole was another stroke hole for him.  His strategy on the 17^th par 3 hole was to at least par out on this hole which would give him a “Net Birdie” and a great chance at winning the hole.  But then to his amazement, he watch Curtis pull his tee shot wide left of the hole and the ball bounced out near the out of bounds marker.  Curtis looked very flustered as he declared a provisional ball was going to be played, and then Dan witnessed another disaster for Curtis…his provisional ball sprayed right and headed into the water hazard.  As the ball splashed into the water, Dan could only hear Curtis declare…”we’ll I’ll just have to hole one out from the drop zone”…..Dan couldn’t believe his eyes…Curtis had been on such a scoring frenzy and had tied the match, and now all of a sudden the :wheels came off” and now the best Curtis could do was double or triple bogey.  Dan realized a big door was open for him and all he needed to do was get the ball near or on the green and he would be able to take the hole.  Dan blocked out all he had seen with Curtis’ multiple “bad” shots, and concentrated on what he had to do…”connect with the ball and keep it safe from the trouble. “  Dan executed his shot and kept it left of the hole about 10 feet off the green…this was close enough to give him a chance to chip and putt out for par.  Curtis now realized that his hopes to tie or win the hole was slim to none…and when Dan’s chip shot rolled within 5 feet of the hole, Curtis told him to pick up…it was time to get to the final hole.  Dan somehow managed to get to the 18^th hole with the match 1 up in his favor….a great position to be in.  All he needed to do was tie Curtis’ score on this hole and it would be all over.  Curtis’ back was against the wall.  For Curtis, he had to win this hole to square up the match and to take the match to a sudden death  playoff, or his playoff season was over.  Both players got off their tee shots.  Curtis being 220 yards from the hole in the rough after his drive watched Dan put his 2^nd shot  just short of the greenside bunker 10 yards off the green.  Curtis now had to get his ball onto the green to force Dan to make a big time 3^rd shot.  He had a tough lie position, but his 15 degree utility club should be able to get the ball on the green…Curtis felt confident in being able to execute this shot…but Curtis’ hopes to have a chance at “Eagle” with a tap in birdie faded quickly when he watched his 2^nd shot come drop just short of the 75 yard marker.  Now the entire match hinged on the next shot.  Curtis was now looking at a 3^rd shot to the green and he had to put it close.  As he took out his sand wedge, he reminded himself to put the ball short of the pin to give himself an up hill putt opportunity….but as he hit his ball, he felt the wind pick up and his ball flew past the cup just 3 feet off the green leaving him with a difficult downhill 18 foot opportunity.  Dan assessed his options and knew if he put his chip shot close he would at least protect his lead.  Dan then chipped up and left himself a nice uphill 15 footer.  Curtis now was in the process of being closed out….he had to make his birdie putt… and so he took aim and carefully got his ball to roll towards the cup, but the ball slowly came to a stop just 6 inches from the hole for a tap in par. Dan was now only 15 feet and all he needed to do was get the ball in in 2 stokes  and he would be the victor.  He picked out a line, and told himesef to “ keep it online and not to hit it pass the cup.”  Dan’s putt didn’t’ drop in for birdie but was left just short for a “sure par” ..Curtis, realizing that he was “closed out”,  took off his cap and graciously told Dan that the hole was going to be tied and the match was his. Both players congratulated each other for a well played match.  Dan Anderson wins 1 up and now advances to the Finals for a chance at the 2009 Seacoast Cup !

In the post match interview room Curtis said, “I played well most of the round.  Dan and I had a great shoot out today as we both took advantage of the openings we gave each other, and both of us made some great shots.  But in the end I didn’t execute well on the 17^th hole which most definitely helped Dan obtain the advantage going into the last hole.  I really thought I had a great chance to birdie the 18^th hole, but Dan played flawlessly most of the day which kept him in contention all the way.  When I opened the door for him on that last par 3, he walked right in and sealed the deal.  Dan deserved to win today as he proved to be the better player in our match.  I’m very happy for him and I wish him the best in the Finals.” 

Dan had a big smile on his face as he collected himself when he realized he was meeting Bret Herman in the finals.  His comments on today’s match was, “Curtis gave me a run for my money today….the match was pretty even all day. When he closed the gap and took away my 2 up lead, I was feeling the pressure of going into the 18^th hole all tied up. Unfortunately, Curtis didn’t play the 17^th hole well and pretty much gave me the 1 up lead.  I surely didn’t want to go into extra holes, and I knew I had to close out the match on the last hole.  Curtis surely made it close but he just came out a bit short .  I really enjoyed the competition he brought today.  I’m so happy and relieved that I pulled through  !!

Congratulations to both Bret Herman and Dan Anderson for advancing to the Championship Match to be played on November 6, 2009,

The Seacoast Cup 2009 Bracket click to view

NOTE: 

•Today’s play began on the “regular marked” back nine.  So on the score card reflects the “back nine” holes as the front nine.  All references to holes follow the score table below.

•One group of players played from the WHITE tee boxes.  Their course handicap has been adjusted to compensate with those who played form the Blues.  A 3 stroke differential was applied to their course handicap sdo their “Net” scores could compete with those who played from the BLUE tees.

Skins Game - In our regular skins report here are the following players who won skins for this round.  To win a skin you must have the sole lowest net score amongst the field of players. 

Championship Finals Match Play - On November 6, 2009,  winners of the semi finals matches will square off in the Championship Match. 

Breakfast / Golf Event:  December 11 we will celebrate our new champion at our annual “Breakfast of Champions”  (6:30a: Breakfast/ 8:00a tee).  Our new champion and last year’s champion will captain 2 teams as we will have a team game President’s Cup format for our round.  Players will be matched up in teams and will play in match play format to score points for their respective team.  All players are welcome to participate.

Next Outings:

1. Friday, November 6, 2009 – Championship Match

2.  Friday, December 11, 2009 - Encinitas Ranch GC / 6:30a Breakfast & Awards / 8:00a President’s Cup  Tournament

3.  Friday, December 18, 2009 – Maderas Golf Club / $75 includes range and cart (reg. $210)

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Quest for the 2009 Seacoast Cup - This year has been full of fun times on the golf course.  We have added a new dimension to our club’s monthly event play by having Match Play events beginning September 2009.  Twelve players have earned their way to this year’s match play event.  Points were earned by finishing well in both individual low gross and low net score postings.  Also points were earned in different team and individual events ranging from match play, 4 man team best ball, and 2 man best ball events.  Net Skins were also another category that allowed 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, may be assigned a course handicap and may participate and qualify for team net play or for net skin play.  For information on how to obtain an official golf index contact Curtis Chan and visit : Membership and SCGA

2010 SCGA Renewals Due - this is the time of year where all SCGA members must renew for the upcoming 2010 year.  The deadline for renewal is Dec 15, 2009 where our club affiliate must turn in their roster of members.  Yearly dues are $35.00 and need to be paid to: Curtis Chan / 5049 Ruette De Mer / San Diego, CA  92130.