Event No.15: Cadillac Blue Breakthrough at River Oaks

[Nate]

One would think a mid-season round at a familiar, relatively short course should yield some of the best scores of the year. Not True. Last Sunday afternoon, July 12 at River Oaks Golf Course Golfers Gone Wild recorded some of the highest scores in our history as a group.

River Oaks from the back tees plays less than 6000 yards, but there is OB on almost every hole. Significant water hazards come into play on 9 holes, there are forced carries and tree lined alleys requiring straight drives on back nine holes, #10 through #18. Also, with rain during the week, the uncut rough was thicker than normal.

Nine of twelve players shot 100 or more. Only one player finished under net par. That player with a tournament win breakthrough was Cadillac Blue.

Cadillac Blue shot a net 69 and easily won the event by 5 strokes. Blue parlayed monster drives and second shots to card birdies on two par 5s, #8 and #11. Cadillac, first to post a score, idled in neutral as remaining players hit the finish line reporting unusually high, over net par scores. However, Hawk used consistent ball striking to finish second with net 74. Way Cool and Lucky Lefty both shot well enough to tie for third with net 76.

The Gambler won the most skins on the day. Warnell won 7 skins, most on a key par on #6. Cadillac Blue’s birdies led to his winning 6 skins. Medicine Man, Lucky Lefty, Kappatain Styles, Double D and Country Strong all won 1 skin each. Country Strong with 45 total skins this season extended his lead to 5.

GGW Match Play Competition continued at River Oaks. Every player was into the action and six matches were played.

Lucky Lefty (+10) recovered from four holes down to finish ALL SQUARE with Medicine Man. Cadillac Blue (+2) did a quick drive by hit on Rifleman, 5&4. Hawk (-5) swooped down and ate up Quick Draw, 4&3. Quick Draw and Rifleman became the 4th and 5th players eliminated as 2009 Match Play Champion.

Way Cool (-1) definitely defeated Double D, 3&1. The Gambler (-5) beat long odds with Country Strong, and won 2 up. TaylorMade Kid (+1) fashioned a 1 up win over Kappatain Styles. Tight to the end, the match-up of undefeated was not settled until #18. Now with a record of 6-0-0, TaylorMade Kid remains the No. 1 Match Play Championship contender. One of you 50+ adults needs to beat that Kid.

Our next event is scheduled for Saturday at Silver Lakes in Orland Park. Last Sunday afternoon, Cadillac Blue easily lapped the field to win his first tournament of the season. Curry becomes the 8th player to win on Tour this season. Now that Cadillac Blue has made the breakthrough, will be the next GGW winner be Blue or You?