Two weeks ago, on a perfect Sunday morning Steve Bensen and Michael Saless played Jeff Martin and Craig Wethington for the 2021 BMGA 2-Person Match Play championship. Although we didn’t have an on-the-ground reporter we got the basic idea of what happened. Michael, Jeff and Craig sat back and watched Steve pick apart the golf course. I believe the word on the street is that a 38 (or something crazy low like that) was shot on the first 9 by Steve. Heck, I heard Michael didn’t even play the last nine holes (I might be making that one up) because Steve was carrying the team.
Congrats to Steve and Michael for winning 5 & 3.
In the Individual Match Play, we sent our junior reporter along to get all the details. Colby Grupa rolled up just in time for the first tee, Nick Ward was on the range 75 minutes early trying to knock the rust off from moving, a Canadian fishing trip, and the morning champaign.
After I fanned my fake Nike hybrid off into the trees on the right, Nick decided to visit the trees on the left. Colby having already seen enough of our nonsense, laced one down the middle, and this became a familiar refrain for the day. After the front nine Colby was up 2 and continued to add to that lead on 14 when he went 4 up with 4 to play.
On 15, Nick decided it was a good time to get serious so ripped one down the middle and worked his way to a 5, net 4. Colby putting for the win, hit the putt so hard it hits the middle of the stick, bounces out for a par. Nick wins, down 3.
On 16, Nick took the worlds larger left hand turn one could ever imagine. Well…after going through the trees, up a hill and doing something near the green, Nick finished with a 7 – net 6. Colby dropped his second shot into the water on his way to a 7. Nick down 2.
On hole #17, less dramatic but still fun. Nick had a slight pull to the left, on the hill. Colby was pin high to the right but chipping. Nick goes first and rolls the chip to within 3 inches for par. Colby has a good chip, but misses the 8 foot par putt. Nick down 1.
Everyone was getting excited at this point in time. Random strangers had stopped what they were doing, crowds had begun to form along the 18th fairway. The people at golf digest started to get interested in this match. After I ripped (i.e. sliced the crap out of) my drive to 160 out, it was Nick’s turn to finish his comeback. With a slight breeze from the south, the wind pushed everything towards the OB. Nick took his address, a great swing, the ball climbed … and then took a huge duck hook OB. Colby did what Colby did all day, ripped another one down the middle. Nick with his last hope, rehitting has a huge wonderful – very straight – ball down the right side of the fairway to land into the pond by Hole #1.
Game over! Colby wins 2 up.
Kudos to the fellas for being patient and respectful with my little girls (2&5). They had so much fun walking with “all my friends” in the final shootout.
This was my 1st year in the league and I cannot imagine a reason I’ll ever leave. Thank you to all the guys who make it awesome for everyone!
🙂