The 5^th year of the KAGT got off to a thrilling start, with Jeff Cummins defeated Matt Nacrelli in a “Putt-Off” tiebreaker on the 18^th green.  This is the second year in a row that Cummins has won the HC in such a manner.  Cummins not only took home $117 in cash, but he added another Highlands Classic Mug to his collection.  Can’t you just see the excitement beaming from his face?

It was a beautiful day at Seneca, and despite the prognostications of KAGT’s course-snob-in-chief, Adam Rone, the conditions were very favorable.   Hats off to Dino for one of the best rookie finishes we’ve seen in tour history (+2 net / 3^rd place).  This dude has ice in his veins, and I would not be surprised to see him take a tournament or two this year.  The other rookies did not fare so well, but rest easy guys, many a rookie has fallen victim to the KAGT pressure.

Powell, Buzzell, and Weber rounded out the money winners in a tie for 4^rd place.  Fetter sucked, as usual.

Johnny Quintana won the award for most ridiculous lie, with this gem on #3 that was in a 6” deep bike path, nestled up against a root.  Just another reason to hate cyclists.  Or if you’re Adam Rone, it’s just another reason to hate on muni courses.

Thanks to Steve Brown and tournament sponsor, 13Prime, for hosting!

Upcoming events:

April 6^th – Match Play Kickoff
April 13^th – KAGT Barbecue/Pot Luck
April 27^th – Indiana Open – Hidden Creek

Here we are, gentlemen, about to start the 5^th year of the KAGT.  With that, we give a nod to the KAGT founder and godfather, Jake Wolf.  Wolf, a visionary among visionaries, devised a plan to create a traveling golf tour for friends and friends of friends.  The purpose was not only to hang out with friends, but also to play the game according to USGA rules, establish handicaps, and improve our scoring.  In our short history, we have visited over a dozen local courses, logged over 500 rounds, and handed out thousands of dollars in prize money.  We have all learned more about the rules of this great game.   The competition has challenged us all to work on our games, and almost without exception (Fetter), everyone on tour has improved their handicaps.   The other great thing about the KAGT is that it puts golf on the schedule.  Most of us would likely play anyway, but this allows our families to know in advance when we’ll be on the course.

Over the years, we have had some folks come and go.  We understand.  Life happens.  As always, if you have played in the past and would like to join us again, you will be welcomed with open arms.  We do have a few new people slated to join us for the 2014 season.  I will send out an intro email once we have a complete list of who will be joining.  If you know of someone who would be great on the tour, now is the time to recruit them.  The key right now is that they have a current USGA handicap or will be able establish a legit USGA handicap over the next couple of months.  Please let me know if you have someone in mind and we can discuss.

Below you will find a to do list I have put together for you guys, our 2014 schedule, entry fee info, and new rules changes:

 

KAGT Member to do list: 

1. Send the 2014 KAGT schedule to your wife/girlfriend.
2. Explain that only weddings, funerals, and planned vacations take priority.  Yes, birthday parties will go on without you.  Her family hates you, anyway.
3. Remind her that you are the man of the house and you’ll play golf when you damn well please.
4. Dodge the plate that is flying toward your face.
5. Mentally prepare yourself to take care of the kids for the next 3 days, solo.
6. Perform random acts of strength around the house to up your intimidation factor.
7. Watch one episode of The Bachelor with her…tell her she is prettier than all of those drunk, desperate chicks, even if we all know it’s not true.
8. Make a promise to do x, y, and z for your wife.  Whether or not you do x, y, and z is totally up to you.
9. Throw a buddy under the bus to make yourself look more  virtuous –  “At least I’m not like (so-and-so) who is always out doing (such-and-such).”
10. Threaten to go out with so-and-so and do such-and-such.
11. If you haven’t sealed the deal by #3, you are the problem, not your wife.  Sack up.  You disgust me.

 

2014 Schedule: 

As always, we’ll send tournament groupings and a finalized tee schedule prior to the event.  You may preplay an event during the two weeks prior if you are unable to play on the specified date.  If you would like to host an event, we have a few available.

 

 

You’ll notice on the schedule a KAGT Family Potluck on April 13^th.    We’ve been talking about getting everyone and their families together, and we’re finally going to do it.  Yes, that is Master’s Sunday.  But, we’ll have it on the TV, and you’ll be able to get home in plenty of time to watch the finish.

 

Money: 

We will be requiring all players to prepay for the season at the first event they play.  If you miss a tournament, you will be refunded the entry fee for that tournament at the next event you attend.  The amount for the total season will be $165.  Here is the breakdown:

Regular Tournaments (HC, Bluegrass, Road Warrior, QCGCDCFCI, Prestige) – $15/each

Majors (Match, IO, KAGTO, TC) – $20/each

Membership – $10

 

Rules Changes:

There are two major rules changes for 2014:

1.  Handicap Limit:  We passed a rule setting the max handicap at 20 for 2014.  For 2015, the max will transition to 18 and stay there.  This does not mean that you can’t play if you have a handicap above 20; it just means that you will only be allotted the handicap strokes given to a 20-handicap.
2.  Out of Bounds/Lost Ball:  In an effort to speed up pace of play, you will now have the option to take a 2-stroke penalty and drop your ball within 2 club lengths of where your ball crossed OB or where you believe your lost ball should be, in lieu of having to go back to the original location of your shot attempt.  You will always be expected to hit a provisional if you think your ball may have gone out of bounds or is in danger of being lost.  If you choose not to take the 2-stroke penalty, you may still go back to the original location of the shot attempt and play under the standard stroke and distance penalty guidelines.

An example:  You hit a long, straight drive at #10 Seneca.  You’re sure it is good, so you don’t hit a provisional.  You cannot find your ball.  You can either take the 2-stroke penalty and hit your 4^th shot within two-club lengths of where you believe the ball to be, our you may go back to the tee, take a stroke and distance penalty, and attempt what would be your 3^rd shot.

If you have any questions on this rule, please reach out to our rules expert, Steve Brown. stevebrown@gmail.com

 

Thanks, guys!  Looking forward to a great 2014 on the tour.

Casey Weber – KAGT Commissioner/2011 Points Champ

I apologize, but I can only offer up a quick update this morning.  Congrats to 1^st time KAGT-winner, Geoff Buzzell!  His  solid 4-stroke win has put him in the points lead.

Note: If you are recording your scores in MyScorecard, please note that the rating and slope is incorrect in their database.  Please change it to 70.9/133.

Congrats to the TC qualifiers!  We’re shooting for Oct 6^th at Heritage Hills.  All are welcome to come along.  Tindall and I still have a match play championship to settle w/ 22.5 additional points up for grabs.  After that, we’ll have the final standings posted prior to the TC.

After a test of wills and stamina at Charlie Vettiner, the stage has been set for a rematch of the 2011 Match Play championship w/ Tindall vs Weber.  Tindall dispatched Buzz 4&3.  Weber defeated Cummins 5&4.

The victory for Tindall increases his points lead to 40 over the nearest competitor, Buzzell.  The victory for Weber pushes him past Steve Brown for sole possession of 4th place, well within striking distance of Tindall.

After 14 holes Robbie Tindall found himself tied for the lead with Nacrelli and one stroke ahead of Fetter, with Buzzell already in the club house at +1. That’s when Tindall took control of his own destiny and calmly delivered 4 straight clutch pars to bring home his second consecutive KAGT victory, equaling that same feat that he accomplished last year. Nacrelli and Fetter predictably faded down the stretch, but Tindall found the 3 greens in regulation on 6,7,&8 West and executed his pars before finding trouble off 9 West Tee. Tindall pulled his drive far left and was forced to punch underneath the tree cover. The gods played nice and his ball (played slightly higher than we assume he intended) came through the branches unscathed and skipped across the green coming to rest in front of the back bunker. From there Tindall deftly chipped to within 4 feet and (as with his victory last month at Nevel) made the clutch putt to take the title and prevent a playoff.

Buzzell’s pre-play +1 nearly got him a piece of first, but the points total from second place will undoubtly assist as the Tour moves toward the final event of the 2013 regular season at Corydon’s Old Capital. Casey Weber’s +3 held up for third.

Thanks to all who were able to make the event.

And what you have all been waiting for…….Points standings. The lowest two scores have been tossed out for everyone. However, match play totals are not complete. The final four in match play (Buzz, Cummins, Tindall, and Weber) have been allotted the minimum points total they can achieve. Whoever advances will add more points to their total in the Match Play column. 4 of the top 5 in points are still in the Match Play championship, making this the most thrilling finish in the event’s 3-year history.

While my nuts were healing, I heard that some golf broke out on Sunday.  There are a couple of story lines here:

1. Tindall’s dominance at Nevel Meade continues w/ his second consecutive win @ Nevel.
2. The triumphant return of KAGT’s newest sasquatch, Jake Wolf.  Jake, next time, bring Schroeder with you.
3. Fetter clutching defeat from the jaws of victory.
4. Steve Brown, playing injured, but still pulling out a 2^nd place finish.
5. A very talented list of preplayers shut out of the money.

Our next event is the Quail Chase Golf Course Derby Festival City Invitational, affectionately referred to as the QCGCDFCI on Sunday, August 11.  Fetter will be sending out tee times as the date approaches.  If you have match play rounds left to play, let’s get it done!

Here is the latest on points. Remember, the lowest two scores for each player will be tossed out. We’ll have that factored in on our next points update. With 16 members, the top 8 spots will qualify for the TC. If you are outside of the top 8, but have won a tournament, you will qualify as well. Names in bold with ** have already qualified for the TC.

Oh, Brother.  Merion was playing tough this weekend, and so was Otter Creek.  I would have to check with KAGT Historian Brian Fetter, but I’ve got to believe that +3 is probably the highest winning score in KAGT’s long, illustrious history.  Congratulations to Matt Nacrelli on the victory!  There was a lot of heartbreak out on the course.  The missed opportunities and nightmare holes were aplenty.  3 balls into the water on 4-west derailed my effort.  Buzz’s lost ball on 17.  A string of triples for Cummins.  Fetter’s swing.  There was just a lot of bad mojo, but, man, what a great course!  Thanks to Buzz for the swag & prize pool bonus!

Our next event will be the Kentucky Open @ Nevel Meade.  Scheduled date is July 14^th.  See you guys then!

Results

Updated Points

Updated Money

Let it be known to all the men of the KAG Tour, that today, this 23^rd day of March,  was the first official Fetter “Fetter” (also known in local circles as “Fettering”, “Fettered it”) of the 2013 golf season.  For those unfamiliar with the term it derives its origin from the once single-digit handicap (weren’t those the days when he was comparing his game to the single digits on tour), locally renown barfly, freedom-loving fun guy, the one and only Brian Fetter.  His alarming tendency to be uberly excited for weekend golf and then to magically not appear on those weekend mornings following an evening of unshackled boozing is as consistent as his admiration for online porn.

While the historians of the KAG Tour can’t pinpoint the exact date of the first “Fetter”, it is widely known that this has happened on multiple occasions throughout the duration of his membership on this proud amateur golf tour.  Further, while I can’t take full credit for the term (hat tip to Jake and our legendary car trip to the Weekend Warrior Tournament 2012), it’s widely recognized that my fiduciary duty (mainly to be a dick) to the KAG Tour requires me to bring this moment in “Fettering” to your attention for the proper ridicule it deserves.  In fairness to Fetter (not the term), this wasn’t a “Full Fetter” which to KAG Tour regulars know as when Fetter misses a sanctioned KAG Tour event (see SW Prestige 2012…it happened folks).   Former KAG Tour member, Joe Nett, once pulled the “Reverse Fetter” which is when you get hammered the night before a tournament, wake up in the middle of the night to send an email stating “I’m out”,  only to then shake yourself out of your self-induced coma to make it to the event and then subsequently withdraw after 12 holes.  In my book, Joe Nett is a legend and his presence is greatly missed by the tour.  Come back home soon Joe.

We did somewhat waffle on whether or not to play this morning, but we made a deal last night before his fifth shot of liquor (it was about 6:30ish) that we would play if the weather was above 35 degrees.  It was 40 when I woke up and I made it out there only to be left once again at the altar.  I made the best out of it by walking nine holes with myself and my thoughts.  For those that know me, you know it’s not really a good idea for me to be alone in my thoughts for an extended period of time because it gives me the opportunity to concoct emails such as these.  Let that be a lesson to you all next time you leave me stranded on the golf course.

In closing, I can’t thank Fetter enough for the simple joy that he brings to the Tour.  It really is the little things in life that make a difference.  Without you, most of us would think we have life issues and substance abuse problems.; but you somehow make us feel like upstanding citizens.  As always, I look forward to another enjoyable season on the KAG Tour.