LinkStur News

A sunny, warm and humid day provided the setting for the first match up between the A and B Division at the Five Ponds Golf Club in Warminster, Pa. Upon entering the Clubhouse the LinkStur’s were greeted with an 8 ½” x 11” sign, at the desk, welcoming us to the course. In spite of the misspelling (Linksters) it was an appreciated gesture. The staff at the club was very friendly and the clubhouse and surrounding area was very clean. In spite of shifting the foursomes at the last minute (good job by Kevin Stevenson) due to no-shows and late comers (the traffic leading to the course was bad) we still started close to our scheduled tee time and there were no appreciable delays once on the course. All in all a pleasant experience which was duly noted by Bob Welc on our Web Site.

Did Somebody say ‘Air Show’

It was probably not planned this way (sorry Kevin) but the LinkStur’s outing at Five Ponds coincided with the ‘Sounds of Freedom Airshow’ at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station. As if to signal the start of the matches, the 'Red Baron Stearman Squadron' began a fly-by of the golf course as the first group approached the tee box. This squadron consisted of six Boeing biplanes, all build between 1941 and 1943. Originally built as training planes to prepare U.S. Army and Navy pilots, the airplanes were used as crop dusters after the war. These planes were acquired by 'Red Baron Pizza Service' in the late 1970's to introduce 'Red Baron' pizza to grocers in virtually every town in America because they don't require large airports to land. Through this unique product introduction, the Red Baron Stearman Squadron was born. I'll bet you didn't know that, did you???

Red Baron Stearman Squadron signal the start of the LinkStur A vs. B Division Matches

Throughout the day F-14's, F-15's, AH-1's, UH-1s, and A-10's flew overhead, providing for an entertaining round of golf, no matter how bad you were shooting. Just ask Steve and Tom who excused their 123's as a result of all the distractions. Tom also had the misfortune of having minimal strength in his left hand, which he injured at Pickering Valley while shooting out of the deep rough. Steve, on the 'other hand' (get it!!), has the misfortune of having minimal
talent!

5 Ponds has a strange way of checking for slow play!! (And it worked!!!)

Light Moments on the Course!

In spite of the intense competition going on between the competitors, a few humorous moments were shared in the Club House while the players were replenishing their fluids. Mike Brychcy's drive on hole # 12 ended up precariously close to the wall separating the water crossing the fairway causing Mike to have to straddle the wall to make his approach shot. After Mike completed a picture perfect shot, Roy Craig was reported to have yelled, "Great shot Mike, now watch out you don't get bit by that SNAKE by your leg", whereupon Mike took the trajectory of a well struck nine iron!

Mike practicing for a Miller Lite commercial

Meanwhile on the 11^th hole, while waiting for the green to clear, Doug Perks was entertaining his playing partners by acting out a scene from the 'Kama Sutra' (look it up!!) using the ball wash as a 'prop' when he noticed that the people in their backyard swimming pool, across from the tee box, were also appreciative of his performance (keep your day job, Doug!). Elsewhere Herman Ellzy was serenading his playing partners, and anyone else in his vicinity, with his favorite Country tune, "Momma Don't Let Your Baby's Grow Up To Be Sandbagger's", as he made his way around the back nine.

A vs. B Division Matchups

In the first meeting of the year between players in the A and B Divisions, the B Division showed its mettle (another $5 word) by outscoring the A Division 13.5 to 10.5 points. Some of the 'sore' loosers (all but Roy) in the A Division could be overheard lamenting that it was the high handicaps not the extraordinary talent in the B Division that resulted in their poor showing. Mark your calendars for August 12th for the return matchup at Center Square.

Kevin didn't let a 'little rough' slow him down

In the highly touted match between Division leaders Herman Ellzy and Kevin Stevenson, Kevin got off to a fast start by paring the first three holes in route to an easy 7.5/1.5 victory (Kevin would have won 5/4 without a handicap!!). Herman held his own on the back nine until Kevin bogeyed the 18^th to give him a 5.5/3.5 win and a sweep of all three points. (just in case your interested, the back nine would have been tied without the handicap!) This stunning performance by Kevin sent the players in the B Division scurrying around to locate some 'kryptonite' in the hope of preventing him from running away with 1^st place. In the mean time the A Division finds itself with it fourth leader in four matches. Roy Craig (aka, creator of Max's ball art at Westwood) and Max McHenry played a competitive front nine with Roy winning the pivotal eight hole to take the front 5.5/3.5 . Roy and Max continued to match each other on the back with Roy again winning the pivotal 17^th to take the back 5.5/3.5 and 3 points for the day giving him sole possession of first place in a tight A Division.

Roy vaults to First in the A Division

Doug Perks and Steve Margetich followed up their competitive rounds of 88 at Limekiln last year with a competitive but 'ugly' round this year. Steve started off by paring the 1^st hole but would end up 'kicking' the ball around for the remaining eight holes while Doug was running into trouble of his own with the deep rough. To show you how bad it was, Steve used eights on the last two holes to force a tie on front nine, 4.5/4.5 . Doug played a more consistent back nine, easily taking holes 14 thru 16 and a two stroke lead into the 17^th when Steve awoke from his 'deep funk' to bogey the last two holes and force a tie on the back, 4.5/4.5, giving Doug and Steve 1.5 points for their magnanimous effort.

Doug in one of his 'better moments'

Bryan Baquer and Vince Caligiuri played a competitive front nine, commensurate with their handicaps, with Bryan needing to par the 9^th hole to take the front 5.5/3.5 . On the back, Bryan took a 1 hole lead into the 14^th when Vince took his game to a higher level and won the remaining five holes to take the back 6.5/2.5 and two point for the day. Bob Perks jumped all over Dick Blystone winning the first five holes, before Dick knew what hit him, and a stunning 7.5/1.5 victory on the front nine. Dick refocused on the back nine by paring the first two holes and taking the last three holes to win the back 5.5/3.5 . Bob used his wide margin of victory on the front to take two points for the day.

A 'pensive looking' Dick Blystone after a tough day on the links

Roman Hrycushko jumped out to a quick two hole lead on Tom Dushkewich, but Tom quickly shook it off to take the next four holes (capped by a outstanding shot from the sand on #4 into the cup) and the front nine 5/4. Roman again jumped out to a quick two hole lead on the back but didn't let up and cruised to a workmanlike 7/2 win, taking two points.

Roman turning on the 'heat' on the back 9

In a match 'made in heaven' Bob Welc would jump out to par the first four holes against Mike Brychcy and cruised to a 7.5/1.5 win on the front. While Bob was still patting himself on his own back a strange thing happened on the back nine. Mike Brychcy harnessed his 'inner frustrations' and took the first five holes right out of the gate. Bob brought Mike back down to earth and took the remaining four holes to salvage the overall count and take two hard earned points. Ron Jones and Mike Fuller would end up playing their match on separate days with both missing a real good match. In a see-saw battle on the front, tied going into the eight hole, Mike would parlay the two strokes he was given on the eight to win it and win the ninth outright to take the front 5.5/3.5 . The back nine was even tighter with the match tied going into the 18^th with Mike winning the hole outright to take the back 5/4 and ending up with a surprising 3 points.

Closest to the Pin Winners

(Five Ponds)

Front Nine: (hole#3) Bob Fitzpatrick (stand-by player)

Back Nine: (hole#17) Roman Hrycushko

Sandbagger of the Week

Herman trying to squeeze some of the 'sand' out of Kevin after their match

Needless to say, Kevin Stevenson wins this 'hands down' with an impressive 95 on a very challenging course. Not bad for a 28 handicapper, eh Herman!

Handicaps/Pairings at Spring Hollow

1^st Group

Roy C. (25) vs. Bryan B. (13)

Tom D. (36) vs. Bob P. (27)

2^nd Group

Vince C. (31) vs. Steve M. (33)

Max M. (30) vs. Mike B. (36)

3^rd Group

Dick B. (16) vs. Doug P. (23)

Bob W. (19) vs. Roman H. (25)

4^th Group

Herman E. (14) vs. Ron J. (18)

Mike F. (36) vs. Kevin S. (27)

Closest to the Pin Holes at Spring Hollow

Front Nine: Hole #8

Back Nine: Hole #18

Remember: next gameday is July 15th, at Willowbrook in New Jersey. Be ready to tee off at 9:45am. Call the course at (609)-461-0131 if you require directions.

Volume 3, Issue 5 July 01, 2000