Week 10: Double D-elight at Heritage Bluffs

[Nate]

The Golfers Gone Wild Tour made a long trek to one of our favorite stops, Heritage Bluffs Public Golf Club in Channahon, Illinois. Located about 5 miles south of Joliet on I-55, Heritage Bluffs played host for our tenth week tournament.

After a bit of morning rain, the GGW’s afternoon tee times allowed play in perfect conditions. There were several picturesque holes. The course was tough (125 slope) but fair, the greens rolled true and several blind landing areas made it ideal for shot makers. Only a closed clubhouse at the conclusion marred a delightful day.

It was Doubly D-lightful for Dennis Dudley. First, with a net 67, Dennis won the tournament over a competitive field of 8. After winning at Lost Marsh last year, Double D continues to make a reputation of playing his best on tough courses. Double D hit a daily double by also beating his opponent in 1 on 1 match play.

Three other matches were played. Rifleman (-2) beat Silent Assassin, 5 & 3. Way Cool (-6) beat Lucky Lefty 4 & 3. And TaylorMade Kid (+6) beat Cadillac Blue, 5 & 4. In addition to the Double D (-6) win over Country Strong, 5 & 3.

All four winners on Saturday remain undefeated. Ironically, for each of the match losers, it was their second GGW match play loss this year. All four now are vulnerable, meaning with the triple elimination format; they are OUT with another loss.

For three of the Match Play losers, it wasn’t a complete loss on the day. These were the only players to win skins money. Cadillac Blue won the first 7 skins with a par on #7, rated as the hardest hole on the course. Country Strong won the last 7 skins with a par on #18, extending his tour lead in skins won. And, Lucky Lefty won the 4 skins in the middle with a par on #11.

However, for two weeks in a row, two birdies yielded no skins. Rifleman and Silent Assassin, competing in a match, both birdied #8 to push the hole for their match and force a skins push for the benefit to the field.

Way Cool also got a “birdie”; the hard way. Wayne had a net 69 to finish second. Way Cool with excellent ball striking throughout the round, included a well struck shot that brought down a real bird in mid-flight. A unique Way Cool expression, “Can’t Kill Nothing, Won’t Nothing Die”, certainly was not applicable on this day.

Next week, Golfers Gone Wild Tour will hold a Father’s Day Weekend tournament at Cog Hill #2 in Lemont. Check your email from the Tournament Director for tee times. Cog Hill is always well-maintained and gives us a tough challenge. Given his previously noted skill on tough layouts, GGW needs to try and stop Double D from doubling up on tour victories.