Hey Fellers,
Happy Thursday!!!! We have a LOVELY recap of the past couple weeks written by our very own Vince G!
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Dear esteemed members, active and otherwise, of the prestigious Cleveland Cup,
This early slice of the season, with what felt like a month dedicated to exploring the wilds of Chardon, has moved on not only to weekly course changes but its first major at Valley of the Eagles, where we’re playing the blue tees. With rain in the forecast and mothers to be celebrated, the already highly pressurized environment will welcome some additional challenges. Regardless, there are a lot of points to be had out there, but we digress for the moment.
Wrapping up tournament play at both St. Denis and Ironwood this weekend, Neil H. has a commanding lead in Cleveland Cup Points after securing outright victory at his home course in Denis, his second win of the season. Tallying 600 points, the 20-handicapper stands alone despite not even stepping foot at Ironwood for the third event, instead relying on extensive course knowledge at Denis and a dynamite day with the short stick (29 putts) to post an 89.
The rolling hills — named for the dearly departed baby named Denis — welcomed three other scores in the 80s — James S. with an 86, Tyler D. with an 85, and Michael F. with an 82 (his second straight week of low gross scores after posting a 79, the only sub-80 score in the Cup so far, at Shawnee).
Michael F. couldn’t keep the magic going, however, as Ironwood proved a tough cookie for the field, which seemed to struggle with tippy top tees that had some par 4s playing as long as 450 yards and multiple par 3s that required long irons. He came in with a 95, and if trends prove correct, he’ll either be in the 60s or 100s this weekend.
Anything in the 90s seemed to put players in contention, and no one summarized the struggles better than Stetson N.’s automatic push cart, which when reached for comment said, “Has this group considered a pickleball league instead? Maybe a Gin Rummy club?”
But there were scores and shots to be had out there as the Cup took over Medina County on Saturday. Tyler D. put together a second strong week to finish in the lead at Ironwood with an 88 (net 74), Cory W. notched a 90 and weekly net W (71), and Vince. G and Sam A. pulled 36 holes of double duty, fueled by crockpot tacos, to land an 88 and 91 respectively. (This despite Sam almost breaking a wedge on 16 while tallying a triple following a 290-yard drive.)
Without further adieu, the current top 10 (and ties) in Fedex Cup Points are:
For those who’ve chipped in for side bets, the results are as follows for the past two weeks.
St. Denis:
Pins:
- Hole 4: Gabe B., 92 inches
- Hole 8: Vince G., 186 inches
- Hole 11: Gabe B., 196 inches
- Hole 17: James S., 139 inches
Putts:
- Neil H., 29
Skins:
- Hole 1: Neil H.
- Hole 2: James S.
- Hole 3: Phil C.
- Hole 9: Neil H.
- Hole 12: Stetson N.
- Hole 13: Phil C.
- Hole 14: Vince G.
- Hole 15: Neil H.
- Hole 18: Michael F.
Ironwood:Pins (boy did those par 3s prove elusive):
- Hole 11: James S., 87 inches
- Hole 17: Sam A., 282 inches
Putts:
- (TIE) Michael K., Ryan H., 34
Skins:
- Hole 3: Michael F.
- Hole 5: Vince G.
- Hole 6: James S.
- Hole 8: Sam A.
- Hole 11: Gabe B.
- Hole 13: James S.
- Hole 18: Cory W.
Going forward, $10 for pins/skins and $2.50 for putts are due to newly appointed Treasurer Stetson N. by midnight on Monday of the league week. (Stetson’s Venmo is @StetsonNance. You can verify it’s the correct Stetson Nance by confirming the last 4 of his phone number are 7699. In the transaction note, please include Cleveland Cup, your full name, and the course name.)
Handicaps will be updated before Week 4 results are finalized, but that work is still ongoing.
The Cup’s Chief Data Officer would like to remind everyone that his life and third job are easier when you dutifully log your scores and upload your scorecards by Sunday evening.
Elyria awaits, and the Black River comes for us all eventually. May you and your approach shot on 18 escape its greedy grasp for now.
As always any questions, please feel free to reach out to Gabe or Myself directly!
-Commish
