Archives for September 2014

Well, you guys missed an Epic KAG-Tour Match Play Showdown at Hunting Creek! The weather was mild and breezy and the course was in incredible shape for the Powell v Gibson final match (6 strokes to Gibson)

It opened with Powell jumping ahead +2 right off the bat starting a back and forth battle that lasted until the end. The man knows the course well and putted lights out all day and crushed it off the tee. Gibson fights back to All square after the par 5 #5 where Gibson knocks his approach to the back of the green and Powell to within 15 feet. Gibson’s 40 foot birdie putt rolls to within a foot only to have Powell sink his birdie to snag the stroke and tie the hole when Gibson parred.

Gibson wins #7, a stroke halves the #8 and Powell puts us at all Square at 9.

The back nine goes back and forth each hole through 13: Gibson +1, Powell E, Gibson +1, Powell E). Gibson again goes 1 up on on the par 4 #14 and a stroke halves the long dogleg Par 5 #15. They again halve the hole on #16. But Gibson’s 10 foot approach on the par 3 #17 allowed a two putt win with Gibson 2up with 1 left.

A grueling match till the end – I don’t think I remember what a single hole looked like, just that they were all long and all the greens were difficult…

Powell, nice round and nice course too. I appreciate the info from start to finish ~ it helped it not be so much of a circus with all the craziness Hunting Creek throws at a golfer.

Mitch

It was a beautiful day for golf, and despite the solemnity of the occasion (the remembrance of “the fallen”), Old Capitol provided some serious golf excitement. Playing tough as always, with trouble lurking at every turn, Old Capitol once again proved itself a worthy KAGT challenge. The KAGT faithful expressed their delight with the course conditions and especially the greens. Newcomers Camomot and Gibson both stamped the course with their approval- obviously it was a joy for Gibson as he cruised to a 5 stroke victory- including a 39 on the back and pars on the last 4 holes as he strolled up the 18th to the stunning new Old Cap gazebo.

Who’s Hot:
Mitch Gibson- winner of 2 of the last 3 events and still alive in the Match Play Finals this week, rookie Gibson is taking the second half of the season by storm and could be #1 in the season points standings after this week.
Buzz- hanging on to a TC Qualifying lifeline, Buzz needed 2nd place or better to unseat Weber from the final TC spot and he did just that with a -1 performance and solo 2nd.
Brian Fetter- don’t look now, but Fetter has finished consecutive events in the money and has more Top3 finishes this year than any other player and has qualified for the TC for the first time since 2010. Not bad for perennial bottom dweller.

Who’s Not:
Jeff Cummins- after a fiery start to the season, Cummin’s game has cooled considerably down the stretch. The tank might just be empty as the TC looms and the Season Points Title remains up for grabs.
Casey Weber- a tough season for the former Champion. His last place finish in the Memorial sealed his demise and he’ll miss the 2014 TC, left only to lament about wasted time and money.
Peter Kremer, Steve Herp, Matt Nacrelli, Rob Holtzmann, Johnny Q, Jake Wolf, Eric Weining and JO- gentlemen, we hope you’ve enjoyed the season, but your KAGT 2014 adventure is OVER. I owe several of you a refund for the missed TC and any other events you skipped. I’ll follow up with you individually to get your money back to you. Of course, you are still welcome to come and play and view the action on Oct 4th…

After consensus discussion on Sunday, the Tournament of Champions will return to Heritage Hills on Saturday October 4th. I’ll look to schedule times for mid morning. Once Match Play completes this week, we will have the final standings and set the groupings. Looks like anyone in the last group will have a shot at the Season Points Title this season. Should be a barn burner…