GOLFHOS RYDER CUP, Round One FINAL Results

Hey, I said out of twenty, not ten.

Nine players.  Three on one team and six on the other, if anyone's keeping count.  But perhaps it'll equalize next round.

(FWIW, I knew I'd be above mine, as my index has been trending upward for over a year now and I'm not playing to a 20, either.  I shot eight strokes OVER my handicap.  )

I really just took a good guess at mine, using the last 3 rounds I played as my benchmark.  I didn't play that well on my GHRC round, but scored well due to an unusually good short game.  I wouldn't have a problem adjusting my hcap if it makes things fairer, but I really don't expect to be shooting those scores very often.

I think everyone was pretty honest with the handicap numbers they turned in.  We're a small group here, so it's a lot less likely someone would lie.  And it's a team competition, so one person sandbagging isn't really going to sway the event.

Like campy said, it was over nine holes instead of eighteen, so there's even more slack in the system than if we'd been playing full rounds.

Of course, those of you who bettered your handicaps by 5+ shots WILL be "adjusted".  And I do not mean that in the pronographic way, either. (Stroh)

I actually shot RIGHT on my number for the round (86) although I don't really know how to adjust for the relatively low slope rating of the course so I might actually be a little high.

That triple really *fudge*ed me up, FWIW. I don't think I had a double on the card until the last 2 holes (that 18th pin placement was BRUTAL!)

Just for my justification, I played this course, (Creekwood Golf Course, Columbia Station, Ohio)
My 9 hole hcp alternated between 11 and 12. Since Sept. 06, this was only the 3rd time out.
Some reasons I might have played better than normal:
1. I put a three year old set of irons in the bag. (Dynacraft 325Ls w/ Harrison Premier Gold Stiff shafts)
2. Good reaction from the ball, (Nike Ignite), especially chipping and putting.
3. When I did put myself into a tight spot, I pitched out safely rather than my usual 'hero' type of shot, (which never works out)
4. I got luckier than hell.  

Guys, I just posted the stat snapshot to show how the teams performed comparatively.  I didn't intend it to be a slam on Team TIT or a call-out of anyone who shot better than his handicap.  Like I said, a third of the LOSING team players bettered their handicaps, too.

So I get to the eighth tee, thinking that if I'm still in the match, it'd be close.  I get a stroke on each of 8 and 9.  Number 8 is a 526-yard par-5, pretty wide off the tee but into the wind; it then rises gently uphill all the way from landing area to bunkered green.  I decide to play it as a par-6 gross, calculating that three 140-yard shots get me to 100 out, where I can play it as a pitch-and-putt par-3.  But the fairway is so wide, so inviting ...  I take driver and 6-iron to the teebox (the carry to the fairway meant I needed more than 140 on the first ball).  I vacillate.  I decide on driver, as the fairway is so wide, so inviting, the headwind so strong, and I hit driver pretty well in warmup.  Aim down the right rough (I'm hitting anything from a straight ball to a snap-hook these days), pumping myself up with the thought that I can hit my normal shot and just dare the course to make it find trouble.  I hit a snap-hook into the trees.

We won't talk about 9, except to say that I conceded it.

ROFL...

My double on 17 was 'Wet', so that's liveable, but 4 to get on and 3 to get down from about 15 or 18 feet is a little dicey...

Hehehe.  Mine's going up by 0.3.   

Congrats to all for taking the time and making this thing happen.  'Tis good fun.

I nominate Clive for Enlightened Despot.