Community League Tournament

The results of the Community League Individual Handicapped Tournament are posted. Congratulations to the winners, Justin Seal and Tom Taylor, each of whom shot a net 60 over the last two weeks. Kay Sheetz and Lucas Bird came in tied for third having shot rounds of 63. Diane Bird was fifth with a round of 65.

League Reports

Community and USG reports are posted. Community League highlights:

Community League Week ending July 22, 2007 Event 10
	Leaders
	Team:	CLINTON BURCH AND STEPHEN BRADLEY
	Individual:	WAKE, CLYDE
	Round of the Week:	JUSTIN SEAL AND TOM TAYLOR NET 29'S
	Low Net Scores:
	Women	Diane Bird (33)
	Senior	Diane Bird (33)
	Men	Justin Seal, Tom Taylor (29's)
	Junior	Clinton Burch (33)
	Low Gross Scores:
	Men	Tyler Walton, Jon Boyd (37's)
	Women	Kim Jones (44)
	Senior	Bob Walton (42)
	Junior	Scott McAtee (37)
	Low Net Team	Tom Taylor and Richard Swayze (63)

Heading to Bloomington in a little bit but first lunch and a perusal of a few blogs and a comment or two on last night's league play.

-Tracy Rayhill had his best round ever (38) and bested his partner Greg Potts by a stroke to boot.
-Tim Miller had magic on hole #1. His drive was right and short and he had about 200 yards to the pin; his second shot ripped through the trees at #2 tee box, waking up the Short Jeffers foursome, hit the bridge, came back right at Warren Atkison who had to duck to avoid being plunked; Tim's third shot landed softly on the green and gave him a fifteen foot putt for par. And yes he made it. The easy way to a par on one.
-Trenton Kidwell had a few loving brotherly things to say to Tyler before their rounds and then went out and shot a 37 to stay on top; Tyler and Mike bested him by a stroke.
-Dave Wininger had all sorts of reasons why he was going big with his game last night then went out and shot a league best 34.
-Joe Allen shot a nifty 39.
-Brent Courter and two super subs, Noah Callahan and Vic Wallace, had the best net rounds of the day with 30's.

On War and History

Here's part of the answer to my queries the other day about what was going on in the early '70's to end the war in Vietnam: from Kargo X at dKos who is quoting Charles Savage:

In December 1970, Congress passed historic legislation revoking the 1964 Tonkin Gulf resolution, which had authorized military force in Vietnam, and banning the deployment of ground troops in Cambodia. War opponents hoped Congress was on the verge of forcing a quick end to the bloody quagmire in Indochina.

"The president, in our judgment, now lacks legitimate authority to keep on prosecuting the war," said Senator Frank Church , Democrat of Idaho, in a 1971 speech. "Under these circumstances, a great opportunity is presented to Congress -- the chance to fill this constitutional vacuum with a disengagement policy that could help unite the country again."

War opponents' hopes were dashed. Despite signing the bills, President Nixon said he had independent authority as commander in chief to keep combat in Vietnam going. For the next two years, Congress failed to agree on further restrictions, and nearly 3,000 more American soldiers died. Nixon finally ended the war on his own terms with a cease - fire agreement in January 1973.

Tuesday Men Results

They are posted! Comments a little later.

League Results

Community and USG League results are posted. Community League highlights:

Community League Week ending July 15, 2007 Event 9
	Leaders
	Team:	CLINTON BURCH AND STEPHEN BRADLEY						181
	Individual:	BATEMAN, WILMA						354
	Round of the Week:	Kay Sheetz and Lucas Bird with their net scores of 10 under par!
	Low Net Scores:
	Women	Kay Sheetz (-10)
	Senior	Diane Bird, Bob Walton (-4's)
	Men	Justin Seal, Tom Taylor (-4's)
	Junior	Lucas Bird (-10)
	Low Gross Scores:
	Men	Eric Bird, Jon Boyd, Jake Strange (40's)
	Women	Kay Sheetz (42)
	Senior	Bob Walton (39)
	Junior	Matt Tucker (40)
	Low Net Team	Oma and Lucas Bird (59)

League Results

Community League and USG League results are posted. Highlights for the Community League:

Community League Week ending June 24, 2007 Event 6
	Low Net Scores:
F	Susie Chanley/Kay Sheetz (27)
SR	Bob Walton (30)
M	Jake Strange/Tyler Walton (32)
JR	Stephen Bradley (28)
	Low Gross Scores:
M	Michael (Opa) Bird (34)
F	Kim Jones/Kay Sheetz (44)
SR	Michael Bird (34)
JR	Stephen Bradley/Jared Butcher (39)
	Low Net Team
	Susie Chanley and Wanda Haag (57)
		Current Wk
	Avg Gross Score:	46.788
	Avg Net Score:	33.515

Lots of great scores for Community League members this week along with a change at the top in the Individual standings - Jeff Brookshire now on top. Wanda Haag and Susie Chanley put together a super round and get the low net team score of 57. Stephen Bradley gets his first sub 40 round, a nifty 39. Bob and Tyler Walton come in with 36's; Kay Sheetz and Kim Jones come in with 44's. Good week for the Community League.

League Reports

Community League and USG League reports are up.

Sunday at the Golf Course

Picture: Some of today's golfers getting down to business, the serious business of putting,

It's still lovely out there. And busy with golfers taking the cure - getting out in the sun and having fun with some friends.

First results of the new Community League are scheduled to be up by noon tomorrow, maybe a little sooner if things break just right. Also, look for golf course news in the Tribune in a few days. We'll also post what we send on our own website.

Am reading that the morning talk shows were full of Gonzales and whether or not he has very much longer as AG. Some say he'll avoid the very rare "no confidence" vote looming in the Senate. Others say he won't go till the president tells him to go. He has lasted much longer than I thought he would. But then you have to realize that he is protecting his man, and the other guy over there too, that being Rove. Oh well, another week or two. We all enjoy the fireworks and all those little truths that keep dribbling out.

So it goes.

Tuesday League Note

Have posted the results of yesterday's golfing even though there are several players who need to finish. Some good golfing went down yesterday. More later.

Update (3pm):
-Low net teams: Allen and Foddrill, a super 58: Joe, with thanks to Mike Kidwell for suggestions for use of his driver, shoots a 39. Curt Johnson and Chris Hogan did almost as super, coming in with a 59. As mentioned earlier, Curt had his first sub 40 round, a 39. Swing coach Kevin no doubt more than happy down in Florida. Curt was verrrrry happy. As was Chris Hogan with his 44, six better than his average.
-Charlie Lyon still on top by the narrowest of margins; Mitch Jeffers nip, nip, nipping at his heels. As are a host of others.
-Mike Smith was the sharpshooter on #7 yesterday who lost his hole prize when the rains came. Nice shot, Mike.
-Don Nolan low net with a 26; Joe Allen next lowest with his 28.
-James Hager low gross with a 35; Jon Boyd, Junior Byron and Phil Eyler had 36's.
-good stuff. More next week, no doubt.

Note from Tracy Rayhill on a super shot on Monday: Jeff Brookshire played his second shot on #5 from down in #4 fairway and got himself an eagle. Always sweeter from down there, uphill shot and all.

Update Thursday 4:30pm:
-Oops. Me bad. Curt let me know that it was he and Chris Hogan who had the 58; Joe and John had the 59.
-Jon Boyd needed some consistency Tuesday - he came in with three birdies to go along with two bogies, a double bogie and three pars and a score of 36. The two bogies? On those rascally par threes, #3 and #9.
-anymore good stuff out there?

More League Notes

Pictures: Sam Potts and Bob Norris - long time partners and golfing gurus.

Bob Norris was the single most influential man in getting me started in golf administration, encouraging me to take over his Fifty-Plus League back in the mid '90's.

Tuesday Men's League: This is week 2 and also the conclusion of the first of two team tournaments. Leaders at the top of the Team competition get both recognition and cash prizes for their fast start.

Thursday Senior League: Will post a 1st week schedule later today for the 18 teams that we have.

Sunny and 70's today. Yum. Come out and treat yourself to some fun in the sun.

Monday's Offerings

Boo Weekley uses chipping magic to win at Hilton Head. You remember a month ago when he missed a three foot putt to fall into a playoff, right? Soloution to putting woes, as everybody knows, is to avoid taking out the short stick by putting the ball in the hole before you even get to the green. Boo did that today on the final two hole to keep Ernie Els off the winner's rolls and earn his own first PGA victory.

Tuesday Men's League: Tim Miller is joining Bryant Trambaugh and the Summers boys, Kirk and Kent, have signed on. Byron Christie is still looking for a partner to play with during the day.

Thursday Senior League: Looks like weather will not be a factor this week so it's a go starting at 9am on Thursday. Bring your A games. Still have room for another team and need a partner for Sharon Brassine.

Community League: Reminder: starts the week of May 14th. Get a partner and sign on to this new league. Would love at least five teams in each of the different categories: Woman/Woman, Man/Man, Woman/Man, Parent-Grandparent/Child-Grandchild, Junior/Junior.

On a decidedly heavier note:

Conservatives are writing letters to the President with a very blunt message: Fire Gonzales. In part, the letter says:

"..."Mr. Gonzales has presided over an unprecedented crippling of the Constitution's time-honored checks and balances," it declares. "He has brought rule of law into disrepute, and debased honesty as the coin of the realm." Alluding to ongoing scandal, it notes: "He has engendered the suspicion that partisan politics trumps evenhanded law enforcement in the Department of Justice."..."

Hmmm. Does anybody believe that our Attorney General has been acting on his own in any capacity whatsoever since he joined on with George W. Bush sometime back in the '90's? Lucky for us, our system does work, as participants in the Watergate mess back in the '70s kept repeating. And, as John Dean and Shakespeare say: the truth will out. Hang on to your seats and your hats, folks; it's gonna be a bumpy and windy ride these next several months. (Dwelling on this stuff is deadly and depressing; be sure and mix with a large dose of good golf.)

Senior League Opening Postponed for a Week

Drat the luck! Ms. Inclementina Weatherspoon has dropped in for a visit, bringing high winds and low temperatures. Which all means that the grand opening day festivities for the Senior League are postponed for a week. By all means come out and play but it will be for the fun of it, and to see if the bad conditions are as detrimental to our local game as they were to the efforts of the big boys down in Augusta last week. I think we can hold our own.

Off and Running

We are started in league with the Tuesday Men having a great time last night. Results are posted, guys.

Rain today looks like it's going to be around this morning; maybe some golf this afternoon in preparation for opening day for the seniors tomorrow at 9am. The golf goddesses are watching over us this week.

NBA note: Glanced at the headlines and found the Toronto Raptors being mentioned as the surprise team of the season. Wow. Surprise is not the word; more like flabbergasted. From the depths of the NBA cellers... And the Pacers?

I'm at the course - came over to post yesterday's league scores. Still raining but I'm going walking anyway. Anybody else?

On the Tee from Loogootee Indiana...

In baseball, it's "Play Ball!"
In car racing, "Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines!"
At the horse races, "And they're off!"
And out here at Lakeview Golf Course, we had marching bands and fireworks and dancing girls along with free coffee and doughnuts. Well, almost... In reality, Dan Steiner was the golfer with the opening shot, no doubt a honey right down the center of the fairway. Dan was out here early, even had to wait for the frost to clear the greens, but then got around in workman like fashion coming in with a net 37. So we start our league season: the sun is shining and the temperatures are warming. And the day promises to be a good one for our golfers. Nice.

Golf World this week has "feisty teen Morgan Pressel" on its cover, youngest LPGA major champion with her victory at the Kraft-Nabisco. Congrats to the youngster. Now we need to hear from some of those other super teens on the Ladies' tour, including Michelle Wie.

And while I'm at Golf World, which I do enjoy, the Lipout section has this from Halle Berry (along with a picture of her looking very coy): "I just want to be a decent golfer and have the guys be happy that I'm with them, not like, 'Oh damn, here comes Halle.'" Hmmm, message for Halle: if you run into problems elsewhere, Ms. Berry, you just come on down to our little town here in southern Indiana. We would be more than happy to have you join us here at Lakeview. No objections, right, guys?

Back to the Business of Golfing

Hope you all enjoyed the nice little cold weather interlude that gave us more time than we needed to catch all the action at the Masters. I did but I also think that it was a little bit much, all that cold, all those blasts of freezing air from the north, the sullen gray overcast. Way too much. But this is a new day and we're back to thinking of growing grass and opening day for league play. Looks like we are going to get started after all with the rains going elsewhere tomorrow and Thursday. A little on the cool side but very playable at 55-60*.

Word from Mark Jeffers last Saturday: Knights of Columbus has scheduled a scramble for next Sunday, April 15th, here at Lakeview. 9am start time. As usual, sign up is at the K of C.

Word from Walt Bowen, a Senior League player in years past: he is returning, this time with a newbie, Dave Trinkle. Great! That makes 17 teams for Thursday morning; think there is one more that just hasn't signed up as well as a single waiting for a partner. Can we get to 20 teams?

Expect the Tuesday League to come in around 30 teams; had 31 last year and already some fresh teams have signed up to play. With the longer daylight this year (maybe even more next year), there will be lots of time in the evening to get one's round in. As in years past, #1 tee box will be reserved for Tuesday League players from 4-5:30 on Tuesday afternoons. Will expand that if necessary.

Sun is shining; it's 40*. Time to head down the road a piece and see what's going on at the golf course. I think maybe Eric mowing the greens; sandpipers dancing on the south wall of the dam; a lone eagle fishing off of #4 green, or maybe down off of #7 green. Maybe even a few early golfers.

Hope your Easter day was super.

Leaguers to Date

The sign up sheets, as of right now, are posted at our website.

Tuesday League

Senior League

Community League

Here at the golf course, it is cold and windy. Guess I'll go home and get in Diane's hair.

Go Golf, Friends and Neighbors

Picture: Something grandson Lucas put together at the clubhouse one day last year while waiting for Dad to finish up on the course. He used our "write-on erase board" along with erasable markers. We love it.

Later on today I'll be posting and sending out to those of you on our email list our current signees for league play. Yes, we start next week, weather permitting. And, yes, we want more to sign up - still room. (Community League starts in mid May - reminder.)

Other stuff:

Pat Summitt surprised each of her assistants with a little post season gift: a Mercedes SLK 280 roadster. How nice it is.

Masters has started and Tom Watson and Tim Clark were leading at -1. Tiger tees off at 1:52. Eastern time? Probably. (You ready to go to Eastern time? Be able to play till 10pm during the summer here. That's cool.)

British sailors, recently Iranian captives, heading home. Wonder how many people remembered the year long forced residence of all those Americans , the Iranian Hostage crisis, back in 1979? Bad year for Jimmy Carter.

Hope you didn't miss NOVA on Tuesday night. You would have gotten to know the cuttlefish and it's habits to some extent. Did you know that they breed and die? The eggs are laid and fertilized and the adults are then sent packing having done their job of making the next generation. All nature here, no nurture. I wonder if those adult cuttlefish choosing restraint get to live longer? Heard on your local cuttlefish tv station: "Want to live longer? Just say no." Ah, abstinence. Offers more than one would think, at least in the cuttlefish domain. Another one of our fellow life forms, forgotten ancestor, remembered.

Cool and windy and the goldfinch are just outside the window here, having tea and crumpets.

League Reminders

Just after noon here at home. A few birds, chickadees, finches, small woodpeckers, sample the offerings from our feeders just outside our kitchen windows. It's cloudy and warm and I have just returned from a visit at Dr. Weir's in Bedford (I think, maybe a Mitchell address - down 37 about 5 minutes from the 37/50 junction). Moira and Pam, as usual, treated me like a king. Then on up the road to Bloomington and Sam's for course supplies. Diane and Eric are out at the course, taking care of business.

A few reminders:

- Tuesday Men's League participants all play from the blue tees and at any time on Tuesdays.

- Thursday's Fifty-Plus League, our senior league, is open to any golfer who is 50 or will be 50 in the current year (2007); participants play together in a match play format - each team plays against a particular team in head-to-head competition; men play from the white tees, women from the red tees; play in April starts at 9am, post April at 8am unless otherwise noted on the schedule.

- Community League members play from different tees: men under 50 (flat bellied guys, supposedly) play from the blue tees; senior men and teenage boys from the white tees; ladies and children 12 and under from the red. Play is anytime during the week - at your convenience.

A reminder of a different sort: tomorrow is tax day for corporations.

Lakeview Community League

This week's local newspapers will have the brief article on the forming of the new Community League here at Lakeview. Go here for the article. One unique feature of the league is the opportunity for golfers to play on more than one team, though I don't see anybody playing in more than two because of time constraints. Since it is a play at your-own-convenience league, a golfer could theoretically play with a spouse on one day and then later in the week, play with a friend. Grandparents could play with grandchildren, and then on another day with each other or with a friend. For instance, Diane is planning on playing with her grandson, Lucas, and still has the option of playing with a friend as a Woman-Woman pairing, or even with a man as part of a Woman-Male team. (Of course, each team has to come up with an entry fee: $20.)

Our Women's League of past years has been folded into this broader, more inclusive league. Even further back, when a Junior League was offered out here, that, too, now has a resurrection of sorts, as our youngsters can now team up with each other and participate in a Lakeview League.

So, all you golfers out there who have wanted to be part of a league - well, now one's available. I hope you come join us and share in the fun and competition of league play. What the heck, you may find yourself on the top of the standings come the end of August. At the least you will have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with people for whom you care.

Leagues

The "Leagues Forming" notice should appear in this week's area newspapers. Our website News page has the article as written. And we are starting to get calls and emails from golfers showing interest and/or signing up. Won't be long now even though today is on the cool side. Golf yesterday was more than okay - the sun and the competition and the companionship did a marvelous job at negating the effects of the cool northerly wind. Also starting to see fellow golfers who disappeared with the onset of the winter season all those days ago. You remember last November, don't you? Or was it last October that you last played a little golf? Seems like it has been forever, this dastardly winter of ours. By the way, Jim Fox checks in from Florida that it is 71* and wonders what our problem is. Anyone care to respond to Jim?! Be nice.

Okay. Time for breakfast with Diane and then finish up the corporate taxes which are due on the 15th of this month. Would rather be playing golf but you already know that.