Greater Whiskey Open
I was asked to play in the Greater Whiskey Open at my golf club yesterday. The entry is a $40+ bottle of whiskey (bourbon) and $100 to cover food, skins, and hole prizes. Your team consisted of two players, and you were paired with another group. The first six holes were a scramble, the next six holes were one best ball of two, and the final six holes were true alternate shots. This is where the fun really starts. Both people place each other in places they may not have played before. Or miss a putt… Before the round started, para-mutual betting existed for first and second-place finishers. All 28 guys knew each other from the club, and there was a lot of camaraderie and good luck from everyone.
The opening group comprised the previous year’s winners and their playing partners. All 28 guys gathered around the first tee for the opening ceremonies, which consisted of a shot and a group picture with the trophy shown below. The winners each year sign the trophy.
Here is an image of the bottles each participant brought for the entry fee and to be given away to the top teams.
The Play
Each 6 holes, you were given your handicap based on the teams’ handicaps down to the tenth of a point. My partner and I were getting 1.7 strokes on the scramble, which were on both par 5s. On the best ball, I was given 1 stroke, and my partner had 4 of the holes with a stroke. On the alternate shot, we received 5.7 strokes.
Highlights
Highlights for us were the fact we had three gross birdies on the scramble and had par on the other three holes. Pretty good for a 7 hdcp and a 21 hdcp. Better ball; we had one bogey and five pars with hdcp ended up under par. The fun started for us on the alternate shot. The first hole of the alternate shot was a par 3. In this event, for this first hole, we both could tee off and then choose which shot to start the alternate shot. We chose poorly and ended with a gross double. On the next hole, my partner had a really nice drive. The approach was five feet, and we sank the putt for a gross birdie. Great, so after two holes gross, we were +1. It’s not a horrible way to start the alternate shot. The next two holes made gross par, and things looked really good. Then came another Par 3. The short tee shot and bad chip lead to a bad putt, another bad putt, and a tap in 5. Another double on the par 3. OUCH. It’s the last hole, and we still think we are in really good shape with our first 12 and then playing okay in the alternate shot. It was a decent tee shot, then hit well over the green. Now this chip coming back is staring straight downhill to water. Partner leaves it short. Ok, no problem. Oops, I leave it short. My partner hits it on, and we two-putt for a 7. It’s a really big ouch to end with a gross triple bogey. The enjoyment of alternate shot!
The Score
Overall, we played really well and ended up taking second place, giving us three bottles of whiskey. These were the bottles I picked. The Old Forrester is a barrel pick from a local liquor store.
Winners also get to take the trophy for the year. After the dust settled, we took home one skin and second place. We ended up taking second by less than one stroke, so the last two finishing holes were even more painful. REALLY BIG OUCH. The fun of alternate shot and two guys really having a great time on the course. The event was run really well and was a great day. Playing the six holes of different golf made the day really interesting. Can’t wait for next year to see if we can take home the trophy.
Junior.
