Week 12: GGW Smokes Woodbine

[Nate]

After three straight weeks of tough golf tests (at Glenwoodie, Heritage Bluffs and Cog Hill), Woodbine Golf Course represented a much easier challenge for Golfers Gone Wild.

Woodbine is a course with well manicured greens that roll true, few mature trees and fewer sand bunkers. And, Woodbine had several holes where the rough was cut low enough to be almost indistinguishable from its wide fairways.

Early tee times on Saturday, June 27 allowed play in moderate temperatures with little wind. Players took advantage of the simple (68.2 rating) layout. Woodbine had penalty out-of-bounds on just 6 holes and significant water hazard on only 6 others.

The GGW smoked this easy course with all players in the field finishing net par or better, including two players who broke the GGW record for low net on this same day. Leading a very competitive field was the TaylorMade Kid who emerged victorious; finishing at nine over, 79.

TaylorMade Kid shot a ridiculously low net 58. Cadillac Blue was close behind in second, with a net 59. Both broke the GGW low net scoring record. Quick Draw and Double D also placed in the money, tied for third place, shooting net 63s.

But even the remaining competition was stiff. The Gambler shot a net 64, Lucky Lefty 66, Country Strong 67, Rifleman 69 and Grade A was even par 70 net. Long hitters disregarded dog legs and shot directly at greens on par 5s. All players consistently burned fairways and fired at lightly protected greens.

Quick Draw was the skins leader on the day. Perry parlayed a key par on #9 and birdie on #11 to win 10 skins. TaylorMade Kid won 4, Double D and Country Strong won 2 skins each.

Match Play Competition continued at Woodbine. Results of four matches did not eliminate any additional players; as all four losers were tagged with only their first defeat.

TaylorMade Kid (+6) outgunned Rifleman, 4&3. Now, undefeated in three matches, Taylor takes over designation as the No. 1 contender for the Championship title. In other matches, Cadillac Blue (-2) ran down Quick Draw, 2 up. The Gambler (+6) refused to give Grade A a pass, 2&1. Country Strong (0) stuffed the Hawk 6&5.

After Woodbine, handicaps for several players have dropped significantly. Send a thank you to the interim Tournament Director for the mid-season course break and confidence builder.

It’s going to be much tougher next week as the GGW Tour stops at Cinder Ridge in Wilmington, Illinois. Loose drivers, who could recover at Woodbine, will be OB at Cinder Ridge. Long hitters, who hit over trees at Woodbine, will be punished if they come up short at Cinder Ridge. Simple short game chips, will be much more difficult from Cinder Ridge’s green side rough.

TaylorMade Kid is hot, having now won 4 of 12 Tour events. Weather is warming and most golfers are playing better. The GGW smoked Woodbine. This Friday, we plan to reduce Cinder Ridge to ashes, too.
Be There.