Golf Notes: What to do if an earthquake moves your ball?
Here are the much-anticipated winner results from the recent St. Paddy’s Day golf tournament. Thank you to Dave Hautala for supplying them. The firstplace, winning team was Glen Beck, Scott Deitz, Charlie Jenkins and Peter Barg. Are we surprised this team won with two doctors? That’s Charlie and Peter, the smoothest swing south of the Noyo River; Glen; and rock-solid Scott.
This “Of-course-they-won” team finished a sixunder-par 65. Then there was a tie for second place, with two teams coming in at 66.
In the event of a tie, it is settled with what is called a “card off.” Tournament officials examine the team cards to determine who won the back nine. In this case Dennis Hartsock, Randall Jones, Aisea Taukave and Diane Maxey shot a back nine 31 to win second place in the card off. Third place, shooting a back nine 34, went to team Lenny Miller, Jim Ellis, Jim McDannold and Julie Bawcom.
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all that played it was a great day.
The third-place team did further distinguish themselves: All team members did a Full Deitz. Remember the Full Deitz? Named for Scott Deitz, is walking the full 18 holes without hitchhiking a ride on any of the holes. Every time Scott plays, he does the Full Deitz.
This team also had a fifth walking member, who used four legs, and whose name is Lincoln. That’s Jim McDannold’s dog. Lincoln, who is getting up there in age, did an admiral halfDeitz. Golfers at Little River are familiar with Lincoln, as he accompanies Jim and hangs out at the Pro Shop while Jim is working. Lincoln has a following of treat givers who he looks out for, including Charlie Jenkins, Don Romelli, Jim Ehlers, Jim and Cindy Ellis, Sunny Lee — and probably a few others. Don Romelli has upped the treat standards, furnishing Lincoln with tasty turkey jerky.
Raise your hand if you felt the earthquake Wednesday morning. I felt it in Albion. I ran into Doug Moyer last Thursday resting after 18 holes, who said “Yes, I felt it very strong.” Doug lives in Comptche.
Doug’s ball that morning on number one green was at rest for around five minutes, then rolled a bit. Doug wanted to know if he should place the ball back where it laid or should he play it where it now laid? The movement could be caused by the wind, an earthquake — or who knows.
Well, according to golf rules if the ball was marked it returns to its mark. If the ball was not marked, and was moved by natural forces, the ball is then played where it comes to rest. Dan Macy, also resting, reported he birdied hole six on the front nine and hole 15 on the back nine. Six and 15 are the same hole front and back with different tees. Nice, Dan.