On what turned out to be a fine day (rain was forecast), the teams played at the University course (its closure at the end the 2025 season was literally announced while we were playing).
Golden took on the tough Heritage Links (formerly Fountain Valley) team. Pete Steichen (net 72) played an epic match against his opponent (net 73). The 2 were even or up/down 1 hole the entire match. They were even after the front 9 (1 point each). The last 4 holes, they were all square. So the final hole would decide for each of them, 1 point for a loss; 3 points for a push; 5 points for a win. Pete just missed his par putt, so 1 point. Jim Sanford (net 77) barely lost to a tough opponent who shot a net 73. Chris Gaspard shot a solid net 76 to barely lose the front, but crushed it on the back for 4 points. Dan Olson (net 78) managed to barely win the front, and decisively win the back for 6 points. A grand total of 11 points out of 24.
The Valley team had a big win against the Gross team, scoring a total of 18 points. Mark Steinhauser (net 79) lost the front, but came back to win the back for 2 points. Chuck Bernardy continued his great playing, with a net 70 for 5 points. Ben Zurn and Tom Schoeller both shot net 74’s for 5 and 6 points respectively.
Golden fell from 3rd to 4th place (out of 14 teams), 5 points out of 2nd place, and 11 points ahead of 7th place Brookview Valley. This Friday, the teams play at Greenhaven (Anoka).
The Golden team, shown here with the condemned University golf course clubhouse.
