Event No. 29: The Gambler Wins a Big Pot In The End

[Nate]

Too bad all good things have to come to an end. Good Golfing weather in Chicago is one of those things.
Twenty-nine events were sanctioned by Golfers Gone Wild. Each week we found any reason to play in any weather. Only two times were we stymied. One weekend grounds at Glenwoodie were submerged and another weekend too many of us were traveling.

Sunday, November 1, was the 29th GGW event. Eleven members answered the call and turned out in 50 degree weather to mark the official end of the 2009 Golfers Gone Wild Tour. With its excellent drainage, Coyote Run Golf Course in Flossmoor played host for the fourth straight week and fifth time this season. Everyone brought their A games to the first tee box with hope for victory.

Four different players had won the previous four events at Coyote Run. Some overconfident players, familiar with the same course and with golf games tuned up from weeks of spring, summer and fall play, put together a big side scratch pot.

In the end, GGW crowned its fifth different Coyote Run winner. This week, after all the cards were on the table, The Gambler held the best hand. Warnell shot a solid 83 (42-41) and bested the almost full house, even while carrying the lowest handicap index.

Coming in second was TaylorMade Kid with an 88 (net 67). Like Greg Norman’s career, Taylor in 2009 has made a habit of coming in No. 2. Even with 5 wins to his credit, Taylor has played the wingman 7 other times. Way Cool (68) and Medicine Man (70.1) came in third and fourth in this last event, showing they could have been season long threats.

Others also played well. Country Strong and Silent Assassin had an absolute tie at 70.3. Quick Draw, Lucky Lefty and Rifleman, all played to their handicaps, finishing at 1 over par net 72. Cadillac Blue (78) and Double D (74) must have thought they were playing for a higher pick in next year’s draft.

GGW skins play was competitive. Sam led the way with solo par at #1 and five more skins with par at #10. Double D won 4 with back to back pars on #17-18. Cadillac Blue won 1 with solo par at #11. Medicine Man won 2 with solo par at #4; consolation for having his birdie at #16 pushed. Quick Draw always good for skins, won 3 with solo par at #14.

Country Strong won 2 with par at #2 and birdie on #5; wrapping up the 2009 season long skins title with a total of 88. TaylorMade Kid came in 2nd in this category.

Lucky Lefty had an average day, but finished up as GGW Points Leader with 58,542 and 6 tour wins on the season. Who came in 2nd? - Our own Greg Norman TaylorMade Kid.

But don’t cry for the Kid, Taylor is the undisputed 2009 Match Play Champion. With a 10-1-1 overall record and wins over all the nearest challengers, this Championship was all over but for the shouting more at the end of September.

Next week a Golfers Gone Wild Tour event may not be officially sanctioned anywhere. Rounds may not count in the statistics nor be reported on the internet, but until snow completely covers the ground; in the end, we know you Golfers Gone Wild will manage to find an open fairway, somewhere.

Maybe Sunny Florida, February 18-21?