Hello Winter, Goodbye Fall

Yesterday the official Lake Tamarisk Ladies' Golf fall season came to a close with a lively game of "Bingo Bango Bongo" officiated by Play-of-the-Day coordinators Nancy Smith and Shirley Miller.  The next two Tuesdays are Christmas and New Years Days with an informal gathering of red and white attired lady golfers invited to meet at the caddy shack on the 25th for "Santa Play" at 8am and on the lst all attendees should arrive 30 minutes later at 8:30am for "Hang Over" net play.

Myrnie, Sandy and Sandy prior to the Hot and Humid

 We can't skip past November without thanking Joan Wilkinson and Emmy Kuyper for organizing our monthly play of the day. (Thanks to Jackie Davies for assisting on the 27th.)  Another round of applause goes to Brenda Reid for the outrageously scrumptious buffet lunch and refreshing beverages following our first of the season Hot and Humid Lake Tamarisk Scramble on November 6th.( Results of both November and December games are to be found in the column to the right.)  Club members have invited golfers back to their homes for brown bag lunches on those days when the CSA hall is not used.  Kudos to date to Nancy Rothwell and  Joy Helton.  While we're at it- thanks also to Nancy for purchasing the plants and battling the red ants during her planting of our caddy shack flower bed. 

At the December business meeting we introduced a new format for the traditional Christmas party and new side games for Tuesday play.  Eileen Gray explained how hitting a tree during play may make you rich and has organized a December money pot for that and another couple of future games.  She will oversee the new Eclectic Tournament recording system beginning the second week in January.  (More on that at the January business meeting Jan 8th.) 

Golf skills are not necessary on this hole.

Our final fall social activity on Saturday Dec 15th was the traditional Christmas Party transformed into a holiday shotgun progressive golf tournament/food fest organized by Social Chair Brenda Reid and the  Haeger, Quate, Oyler gang of elves.  There were reports of singing, putting, shag bag ball guessing, and golf cart decoration contests at each of the four golf holes/homes with dessert and Rod Reid "Tom and Jerrys" at the final CSA hall/hole.  Observers report high spirits and festive carts careening around Lake Tamarisk beginning at 4pm and dancing at the 5th hole well into the wee hours (at least 9pm!)  The Men's Club helped with set up/clean up and the post dessert entertainment.

A festive entry

After all this, who won?  All the party goers, of course!  But a special shout out goes to the foursomes marshaled by Gary Fleming who fared best in the sometimes confused but always amusing hole competitions.  Early polling suggests overwhelming support for a similar experience next year.

          *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Jan 8

Registration 8:15am with business meeting to follow and play at 9am.

Jan 15, 22, 29
Registration 8:30am, play at 9am.  

A Poem to get you in the mood for this season

Golf poem..........

In my hand I hold a ball, white and dimpled, rather small.
Oh, how bland it does appear, this harmless looking little sphere.
By its size I could not guess, the awesome strength it does possess.
But since I fell beneath its spell, I've wandered through the fires of hell.
My life has not been quite the same, since I chose to play this stupid game.
It rules my mind for hours on end, a fortune it has made me spend.
It has made me yell, curse and cry... I hate myself and want to die.

It promises a thing called par, if I can hit it straight and far.
To master such a tiny ball, should not be very hard at all.
But my desires the ball refuses, and does exactly as it chooses.
It hooks and slices, dribbles and dies, and even disappears before my eyes.
Often it will have a whim, to hit a tree or take a swim.
With miles of grass on which to land, it finds a tiny patch of sand.
Then has me offering up my soul, if only it would find the hole.
It's made me whimper like a pup, and swear that I will give it up..
And take to drink to ease my sorrow, but the ball knows ....
I'll be back tomorrow.

author unknown...

New Bulletin Board Correction

As you can see Nancy likes our new bulletin board but she is sharp and after a Grammar lesson  we have corrected our misplaced apostrophe. Apologies to all who noticed before we corrected it. A  little glue stick and all is well.
P.S. I also corrected the spelling of bulletin and got away with that one.
From now on I will get Bebe to edit for me and catch these pesky mistakes. This is after all a team effort.

Bulletin Board Lake Tamarisk CSA Hall April 2012

Before

 

After

A little TLC and our old board is front and center at the CSA hall. Sheree Q, Elsie W and Sandra H spent a little time and a little money to give this old board new life. The first of new things to come for our revitalized  club. Please bring on the ideas. We had fun working together to make a fresh start .  Note the  tree sporting all those birdies and an eagle from this last season. Your tournament committee has been shaking out ideas for next year and I think you are going to like what we come up with. Embrace change it's good for your health 

April 11th Informal Club Chat

Early April assorted board and committee members held a scramble at Casa Verde, Fountain Cove, Lake Tamarisk.  It was billed as an impromptu and informal golf club chat but ended up as a vicious battle of wills.  Some of us successfully elbowed for large pieces of Brenda’s sticky buns while others stole extra pieces of her glazed coffee cake and Sandra’s tasty treat.  After serious sugar and high octane coffee the only truly coherent contribution to the discussion came from the water sipping sweets abstaining Eileen,  “We should do this again in the fall.  We could-” “Yeah,” Bernie cut in with gusto, “meet, eat pastries, and yell out our thoughts.  The more the merrier.”  Jean quickly quipped, “I think, Bernie, she means something like a ladies’ golf club roundtable discussion for anyone interested.” “That’s an awesome idea,” said Sandy.  “Yes,” continued Jean, “the business meetings seem so rushed with people eager to go golfing that we don’t have time really to talk and-” Brenda caught the enthusiasm, “We could be more relaxed and less confrontational.  Is that what you meant, Eileen?” “You mean like a group chat about golf issues?” “Held on a non ladies’ golf day?” “Maybe once a month?” “And a summary of the discussion would be shared with those not in attendance?” several asked at once. All eyes were on Eileen, but before all the mouths started back up she smiled and said, “Yes, something like that.”

Other thoughts whipped up that morning:

•             Having Sandra continue the web blog as a communication aid
•             A new golf club booklet put together by Sandy with member and golf info
•             Include interested members to board meetings to prepare them as officers
•             Talking more directly with the men’s club regarding issues
•             An improvement committee in the fall to suggest ways to spend our money
•             Ways to keep both the social and competitive aspects of the club strong

Respectfully unscrambled,

Nancy Oyler 

Equitable Stroke Control

Did you know?

Following is an Explanation of Equitable Stroke play which we use at the Lake Tamarisk Golf Club and is used throughout Canada and the United States at all golf courses. The only difference is that at Lake Tamarisk we do not have to pay the USGA fees but are still expected to post our ESC scores in the book that Lester keeps to determine our handicaps.

This information was copied directly from a web site that explained ESC so don't kill the messenger and you know, this helps when you have a really bad score on one or two holes. If you don't understand this stuff ask any one of the Tournament Committee and we will help you understand. I know that some are quite new to golf and don't want to take it too seriously but others would be interested and this blog gives us the platform for correct information that you can refer to as you see fit. I know I still learn stuff about golf that I didn't know or that I thought I knew. Sandra Howard 

Equitable Stroke Play 

Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is part of the USGA Handicap System, and is a feature of that system that is designed to minimize the effects of "disaster holes" on a golfer's handicap index. You know, that one hole per round where you put three balls in the water and then 5-putt.

Equitable Stroke Control sets a maximum per-hole score that you can turn in for handicap purposes, and those per-hole maximums are based on your course handicap. For example, on that one disaster hole you might have taken 14 strokes (get to the practice range, buddy!) to get the ball in the cup. But based on your course handicap, ESC might require you to post only a "7" on the scorecard you submit to the handicap committee.

Including that 14 on your handicap score might throw your handicap index out of whack. And remember, the handicap index is not meant to reflect your average score, it's meant to reflect your best potential.

To determine the Equitable Stroke Control limits for your round, you must first know your course handicap. Once you've determined your course handicap, you can check the chart down below (which should also be available at golf courses) to determine the ESC per-hole maximums.

(If you are in the process of establishing a handicap index, you won't yet have a course handicap and therefore won't be able to use the chart below. Wait, yes you will! Use the USGA maximum handicaps - 36.4 for men, 40.4 for women - to determine course handicap.)

Keep in mind that Equitable Stroke Control is a function of the USGA Handicap System; it is used by golfers who carry USGA handicaps who are playing rounds that will be turned in to a handicap committee. If you do not carry a USGA handicap or are playing a round that you won't turn in for handicap purposes, ESC doesn't apply.

Also note that even when ESC limits are in use, golfers must still count all their strokes. If you score 89, you don't get to claim to your buddies that you shot 79 because of ESC limits. Your score is the number of strokes you used. But the score you submit to a handicap committee is the total that results after you apply Equitable Stroke Control (and that figure is known as your adjusted gross score.)

Here is the chart that shows Equitable Stroke Control limits:

Handicap                        Maximum Score Taken
0-9                                  Double Bogey
10-19 7
20-29 8
30-39 9
40 or more 10

Copied from www. Ask.com

Handicaps Level the Playing Field

Several of you have requested to know how our handicaps are calculated. We are very lucky to have Lester Wilson playing at our course. For a number of years he has been the go to man for the record keeping of all the mens' as well as the ladies' handicaps for our clubs. He uses a computer program which calculates both our course handicap as well as a USGA (United States Golf Association) index. Lester gave me a copy of the actual formula that the computer uses to do the calculations and, trust me, you wouldn't want to do it long hand.

The important thing to know is that we need to record every score for every game we play whether it is only 9 holes or 18 on ladies' day as well as any other day you play in order to have the most up to date handicap. The computer keeps a running total of your games and uses the best 10 game scores out of your last 20 games to apply the formula . Then the computer spits out a handicap for us which is posted weekly at the caddie shack. As Lester explained, a couple of really bad scores will usually not change your handicap, but a couple of really good scores will lower your handicap and since the computer uses only your best 10 scores that handicap will stick around for quite a while. If you always score about the same score, your handicap will not change significantly over the season.                                         

Our course does not have an official USGA rating  at this time although our cards indicate that we do. These ratings are usually determined by an official  USGA group that actually comes around, looks at your course and evaluates each hole plus the over all course to determine a Mens' and Ladies' slope and course rating. In Canada this group also collects actual score cards from members to determine  the course handicap for each individual hole. Lester could not tell me the exact date that our course was last rated but he thought it was probably when it was first established. Since we do not have an official course rating for Lake Tamarisk we cannot officially use our handicap from here at other courses but I know that the tournaments that we are invited to over the winter allow us to use the index from here as a courtesy. 

At most courses you are only allowed to use a maximum handicap of 36 or 37 in order to enter tournament play. At our club however we have discussed and agreed to establish a handicap maximum at 48 for our regular weekly games and in house tournaments. This allows for an even playing field for our diverse membership.  It should be noted though that in order to enter our Invitational Tournament or tournaments at other clubs that the maximum handicap will remain at 37.

If you are a new member you will need to enter five 18 hole games before the computer will calculate a handicap for you.

So why have handicaps and how do we use them?

Both played well according to handicaps

To calculate your gross score you simply add up your scores for each hole. As an example, say my score was 95 then my gross score would be 95. To calculate my net score I would take my gross score and subtract my handicap.  My handicap is 21 so my net score would calculate as 95-21=74.  If, for example, I was playing with a person with a 41 handicap and her gross score for the round was 115, we would end up with the same net score,  115-41=74. Interesting! Since par for ladies at Lake Tamarisk is 74, according to the handicap system we have both shot a score that is right on average for our beautiful Lake Tamarisk course. Way to even the playing field!  In order to see what par is for a particular golf course you need only consult their score card and you will see that information as well as a lot of other useful information. 

I know this information isn't new for all you old timers  but I am simply clarifying for inquiring newbies.  Next year I will have a newly retired friend who will be learning to play golf and I would like her to have a place to go to for information.  Have you read your score card lately? You might be surprised at the information you can find there. 

Sneak Preview

This is a sneak preview of the Lake Tamarisk Ladies' Golf Club blogspot!

Teeing it Up for Lake Tamarisk Ladies' Golf

Welcome to the Lake Tamarisk Ladies' Golf Club blog. The official season has ended and we are already planning next season. With a new slate of officers we look forward to pursuing our goals: weekly competition and social activities. Much has been openly discussed as we explore new and different ways to do things.

Since I am the original author of this blog I hope you will indulge me a bit as I construct this site. There will be growing pains as this site evolves but I see this as a tool that all may enjoy. The tournament committee of Patti Cockcroft, Eileen Gray, and Sandra Howard (unfortunately Joy Helton left before we met) have been discussing what we would like to see to make the club fun for everyone.  As a member of this tournament committee I hope to have my finger on the pulse of what is going on regarding the games and tournaments we are going to play this year and share this information on this blog.   Eileen, Patti, and I  have also been conducting informal discussions with several members and officers and we welcome any additional ideas. We want to try to accommodate the competitive ladies' golf club members as well as the members who are looking for a more social club. We are sensitive to all handicappers, nine and eighteen holers, those who would play 32 holes of golf on ladies' day if they could, and the natural limitations of a transient membership. We have a very diverse membership and are trying to please as many as possible. Some of our members have been involved with the club for a number of years.  They have much to share and those more recent joiners are eager to hear their opinions. We don't want to reinvent the wheel but we do want to explore new ideas.

In looking through the "tournament box" I have learned a great deal. For instance the first records were hand written and then the records evolved to being typed on an old typewriter with a sticky "e" key and now to this blog. New is fun and exciting, but old should be respected and held to a high level.

You might be surprised how much golf history there is among us. As a mere youngster of 65 I know that my history is relatively short.  I would love to hear stories of your golf history. There are many names on the trophies  in the CSA hall. This could also be a place to learn a bit about how our club has evolved.

I hope to create a place where you may look weekly to see the results of the games we have played as well as a place to celebrate the small achievements.  It will be a place to go for information regarding up coming events.  Here you will see the winners of events but also I hope to share stories of your golf games that made you laugh or cry and maybe even life lessons you have learned playing golf. It will be a place to go for golf  tips  and golf rules. A place to share stuff, including pictures.

I look forward to your comments and stories, 

Sandra Howard