The CGA closed the season by playing 18 holes on Labor Day. The holiday brought ideal golfing weather and the cronies always seem to enjoy celebrating a holiday on the course. Not saying the wives agreed with the holiday golf, but for the record all but one player was present and ready to go.
I have always admired writers who cover sporting events and how they are able to meet deadline literaly as a game ends. I could have rushed a final edition of the Over/Undy and sent it out on the Tuesday after the league ended. However, I decided it was best to let things sit.
It was very clear what Jay Feller needed to do to win his first league title. Beat Joe Ayers. Jay did just that as he went out and shot a 38 to defeat Joe 11.5 to 3.5
This league has and in my opinion, might never see a better performance than what Jay Feller turned in this season. I think all of you will agree if you say this next statement outloud..... ready.... On June 15, 2009 Jay Feller went to the first tee as a 10 handicap. He left the 18th green on Labor Day as a 4 handicapper. There clearly was no better golf turned in then how Jay finished the season. Simply put he beat everyone by improving his play. What a novel idea. So what can we learn from Jay? Hit the tee ball in the fairway. Congratulations Jay! The Wall of Fame has been updated. It is always nice to see a new name added to the Wall of Fame. Jay also defeated Andy Shaffer by $175 CGA dollars to earn the money title for the year.
The team title was a wee bit more confusing. There were a handful of teams that n jucontrolled their fate. With Jay Feller winning, causing Porta Joe's to lose, things were bunching up and giving teams life at the turn. On the first nine holes, Bud-E-bel defeated Chuckie West, with Ebel winning 8 to 7 over Shaffer and Budzik crushing Underwood 11.5 to 3.5 giving Bud-E-bel a legitimate shot. At the turn Chuckie West went to the beer and headed out to take on league leading Porta-Joe's with the attitude of playing spoiler. Underwood turned in a personal best nine holes of 39 and Shaffer shot a 38 to slip past Porta Joe's by 2.5 points in the standings. The match was tight with several key shots, but none larger than the chip in from off the gree on #6 by Underwood. "I can play in this league until I am 75 years old (if Greg let's me) and I doubt I will ever have a bigger birdie" stated Underwood as champagne was poured on his head. After running the numbers several times by the 18th green Chuckie was confident that they had surpased the leaders and understood they still would need help. The help they needed was to come from none other than the team of WebBull who was playing Bud-E-bel. If you had to ask me what one team would I not want playing a role in our team title, WebBull probably would be at the top of the list. For some reason, or sevral reasons there was some bad blood between Chuckie West and WebBull during the season. I will leave that for another blog. We found WebBull and Bud-E-bel on the par 3 17th hole. There was an intense search going on for lost balls. At one time I counted seven people looking for two golf balls. The league followed the intense match to it's conclusion where WebBull went on to defeat Bud-E-Bel 33 to 12 which was enough to declare Chuckie West CGA Champions. When the final standings were posted later that ngiht at BWWW it was the first time Chuckie West had been in first place all season. It was Underwood's third team title and Shaffer's second to go with one Individual. Rumors had it that Chuckie was thrilled down south and sent several clips to show his enthusiasm for the title.
All in all, another golf season in the books. I will send out some type of end of the year monkey survey to gather feedback. We will be having an annual team Ryder Cup event each year. After watching the Presidents Cup this weekend, it is very clear that Team Golf and Match Play golf need to be played in the CGA. It will be a one day local 27 hole competition with Greg May and I being captains. Old School Commish vs New School Commish. More details to follow with the first CGA Cup up for grabs in late June or the middle of July.
As for me, I committed to two years as your commish and I am willing to stay on for one more year. Shaffer and I will set the year end party for this fall. Probably at Johnny's on Glenn Avenue. Draft Party in February. Halloween Party - possibly, I will make a call this week.
