Archives for April 2014

“I have brought much shame to the KAGT Tour and the Holtzmann name.  Alas I will sulk for days. The only thing that could bring me comfort is if all of you called for new policies.”  –Rob Holtzmann

In a rematch of 2013 Round 1 in which Holtzmann waxed Fetter at Oxmoor, this match seemed destined down the same path early on. Fetter got a stroke on each of the first three holes and, after what could only be coined “brilliant play”, somehow emerged 1 down to Holtzmann. The lead would grow but as the weather started to deteriorate so did Holtzmann’s game while Fetter somehow managed to play better (like, respectable bogie golf…). With the rain coming down, a careless OB shot on the final hole of regulation allowed Fetter to draw even and force the playoff. The stage was set at #10 at Seneca for an explosive finish and after Holtzmann lagged to 4ft from deep, Fetter played a similar line from over 60ft. In what will forever live on in the horror of Holtzmann’s nightmares, the putt took off downhill at a trepid pace but then started back up the slope, meandering ever so gingerly, before dying directly in the heart of the cup. Fetter held the #9 high in the air and released a victorious shout.

Later in the clubhouse he was quoted, “The playoff hole was a defining moment. And when a defining moment comes along you either define the moment, or the moment defines you.”

For Hotzmann that moment will be Seneca golf course April 28^th, 2014 when he hit that driver OB to take a 7, when a 6 would have advanced him to the second round of Match Play 2014. That was a defining moment, and the definition was… shit.

First off, a big shout out to the tournament hosts, Rone and Quintana.  They set a new precedent with the swag, one that will be nearly impossible to match.  You just can’t go wrong with shots on the first tee,  barware gift bags,  and Bang Bang shrimp gift certificates.  Which reminds me, if any of you fools are not going to use your Bang Bang shrimp cards, I will gladly take them.

Congrats to first time KAGT winner, Adam Rone.  Not only did he co-host a killer tournament, he also won the darn thing with a net -2.  Cummins was in position to win or at least tie on the 18^th, but a costly 3-putt dropped him back into a tie for 2^nd with Weber at net -1, and gave the victory to  Rone.  Steve Brown rounded out the money winners with a strong net even-par showing.

We could not have timed the weather any better, as the rain started to fall just as the final grouping reached the clubhouse.

Wow- what a KICKOFF to the 2014 Matchplay- 5 matches completed, 4 of which went to the final hole and 3 that went to playoffs- with 3 distinct playoff formats.

Buzz over J.O., 4&3: match was close until early on the back 9 when Buzz was able to capitalize on a couple mistakes by Osborne and take control of the match.

Weber over Rone, 1up: came down to the last hole as both players fared well at Nevel. Weber led through the back nine but could not put away the pesky Rone until the final hole

Powell over Quintana, playoff: Q buried a putt on 18 to force a playoff. The two hiked back to 100yrd marker and played in: Powell hitting the green and carefully 2 putting as Q went long and nearly recovered but couldn’t get his first putt down.

Dino over Brown, playoff: a complete blood bath as the first 14 holes resulted in one player or other winning with par, birdie, or (net) eagle. Finally 2 holes were halved and Dino went dormie coming off 16, but Steve came roaring back with a clutch par on 17 and birdie on 18 to square the match. Exhausted after 18 holes of inter family warfare, the two took their playoff to the putting green where Dino eventually send Steve home packing.

Weining over Cummins, playoff: Upset of the year as the unheralded Weining came blitzing out the gate with a strong opening 43 to take the early advantage. Cummins, coming off his HC victory last month, came storming back with a KAGT record setting 34 on the back nine to pull even on the last hole. The two kept throwing punches through a 3-hole playoff format with Weining able to sink the clutch putts down the stretch.

Great day of golf action.