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I got a call from Phil Millett asking me if I needed more strokes added to my handicap this year. Phil has heard that I had had my second Quadruple Bypass Surgery in April and that I had a bad skiing injury in December. My feeling was that I had healed enough from both of these events to play golf at my previous level and as such didn't need any additional strokes. So much for what I knew! I got to Casa Grande and played awful with scores considerably higher that in past tournaments. The only time I played decent was against Phil in the Match Play events and against Roger Anderson in the singles match for the Townsend Cup. Of course, these were the worst situations to play good against the guys that are on the handicap committee.
However, Roger "kicked my butt" several times earlier that week. Several times I complained to Phil about my handicap and the fact that I was giving strokes to guys that were out driving me and chipping and putting lights out. As a result of my complaints of course I got fined, probably deserving them. Several factors should be considered into the handicaps based on our Handicap indexes. If your index is based upon play on other than desert courses you should get several strokes because many of the tournament players live in the desert and have an advantage in course condition knowledge. If your index is based on being able to bump the ball to improve your lie than you should get an additional several strokes when it is required to play the ball down. I am sure several other excuses should add strokes but brotherly love is not one of them.
The tournament was a delightful event again this year with 5 NFGs that proved to be really fun to play golf and be with. The post play activities in the Penthouse were great fun with a variety of judges ruling of the fines and their causes. I am sure that sufficient beer money was collected and that we all contributed to the fund.
The 6.6-6 tournament at Grande Valley was fun and the course was in excellent shape with the players in agreement that we should play more at that course. Frank Keller also said there was a possibility that we could return to Starr Pass next year.
There was mixed reaction to the 5 Match Play games, as it was difficult to get excited about them when you were out of the running for the championship after one match. This problem could be corrected or we could return to the former champion determining system of the 2-man best ball medal play.
The Townsend Cup play was nearly even this year with the green hats starting with an early lead and losing it on the second day and never regaining it. I'll not forget the best round of my week playing the scotch format with Jack Reeves where we didn't miss any shots with a long par putt on No. 1 and a longer birdie putt on No. 2. Unfortunately, I lost my opening match against my roommate Roger. Wait till next year.
Karl Reid
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