Event No. 21: Country Strong is Best at Balmoral

[Nate]

Golfers Gone Wild took on one of its toughest course competitors, Balmoral Woods Country Club on Saturday, August 29. Balmoral Woods is memorable and picturesque. It has a unique layout with four par 5 holes within the first 9, playing to uneven par totals, 38 front, 34 back. Balmoral with a 128 slope rating stretched out over 6,300 yards of dense trees, deep rough, undulating greens and carries over ravines.

A small field of six took on the challenge, with Country Strong proving to be the Best at Balmoral. Country Strong survived carding two 9’s on the first four holes to finish with a net 75. A strong middle round with pars on 4 of 7 holes, catapulted Ron to his fourth Tour victory.

TaylorMade Kid was second by a net stroke. The Kid, who shot a 76 net, fought off a strong effort from Double D. Double D, again playing well on the tougher courses, finished third with net 78 highlighted by a birdie on #2. Cadillac Blue despite needing 10 to hole out on the par 5 #7, placed fourth.

Rifleman, Cadillac Blue and Medicine Man all struggled through the tough front side. However, it was perfect weather for a walk in the park. Too bad this threesome was supposed to be there to post a decent golf score.

All the skins were won by the first threesome. Double D’s birdie won the first two skins. Country Strong won the next seven with a key par on #9 and added an eighth skin with par on #11. TaylorMade Kid made par on two long 430+ yard par 4 holes, #10 and #14 and finished with 8 skins total.

Match Play Competition saw two tough matches at Balmoral.

Medicine Man (-1) and Cadillac Blue engaged in a spirited battle, finishing All Square. The wheels came off the Cadillac as Medicine Man recovered all the way, from 3 down with 8 to play. to lead 1 up going into the final two holes. Cadillac converted a Blue monster drive on #18 to win the last hole.

Double D (-6) pushed the TaylorMade Kid to the wall in their match. Dennis, 3 up after just six holes, and all square after the turn, matched Taylor shot for shot, until giving way at #16 and losing 1 up. TaylorMade Kid won his eighth match of the season. His Match Play record is now 8-1. Only five other players remain eligible for the Match Play Championship, and Taylor has already beaten three of them.

As expected of a championship course competitor, Balmoral Woods was in great shape. Excellent greens, well maintained fairways, on an interesting layout. All players walked and enjoyed a tough test of golf. Lucky Lefty’s GGW points lead was reduced to within a 2 week striking range. TaylorMade Kid took over the season total skins lead by 1. Country Strong, now the Best at Balmoral, is only 1 win right behind the leaders. Next week, Schererville Golf Course in Indiana will host the GGW Tour. As we head into our final 7-9 events of the 2009 season, Schererville will provide a new opportunity to show who is best.