Club Match Play Championship update - 4 left in event.
“First we are forced to start with a sad note. I have the unfortunate task of informing everyone of the passing of Tom Woliver. He was a young scrappy lad, cut down in his prime like so many other promising stars in the golfing world. So much potential that will now go untapped from a player that was just barely out of the puberty.”
The Club Match Play Championship has continued on with some great play and some really great matches.
First we are forced to start with a sad note. I have the unfortunate task of informing everyone of the passing of Tom Woliver. He was a young scrappy lad, cut down in his prime like so many other promising stars in the golfing world. So much potential that will now go untapped from a player that was just barely out of the puberty. It was a bright sunny day when this tragedy unfolded at the Balboa links. Young upstart and one of the top young rookies from the Saturday match play team, Gregg Aubrey was the culprit who brought on Wolivers demise. It started early, as Gregg pulled a dagger from a hidden pocket and inflicted two sharp pokes the champs way. After a quick stop at the half way house the assault heated up when Aubrey grabbed a hunting knife and put three more gashes in the champ to run his total to 5. At the 13th tee box Woliver was wounded but not done unveiling a samurai sword which drew the upstarts blood on 3 consecutive walks and stood on the 16th only two blows short. But Aubrey had another trick up his sleeve. After arriving at the flat surface in three, Gregg, using his handicap advantage, guided two putts toward the hole then with battle ax in hand approached the champ. It was off with his head time and the deed was done. To put additional heartbreak into the saga, the severed appendage rolled off the green into the hazard further punishing Woliver with another two stokes. Now, for those of you without an imagination, Aubrey defeats Woliver 3&2 for a spot in the semi-finals. And yes, Tom will be reborn and resurface to defend his club championship this month.
The final quarterfinal match featured new member Tim Morgan taking on Larry Chvatal. The newcomer has been hot and got off to a fast start winning the first two holes. After 6 holes that lead had swelled to 3 but Chvatal wasn't going to lay down and pulled it back to a 1 shot advantage for Morgan at the turn. Larry got it back to even terms after the 11th but Morgan struck right back on 12 and held that 1 up lead through 16. It was do or die time and Chvatal hit the green and paydirt on the 17th to square the match. Up the 18th they came with both players almost on the same spot for birdie and a win. Chvatal overplayed the break and Morgan was set to take it home. His birdie attempt just slid across the lip and extra holes were in order. Morgans 2nd shot was in the fringe hole high while Chvatal had a birdie try from 9 feet. Morgan chipped 7 feet past and Larrys birdie effort tickled the edge and came to rest for a tap in par. Morgan, in a must make, missed the mark and Chvatal took the victory in a match he never led until winning the final hole.
The final four is set with the semi-finals being:
Gregg Aubrey (10) vs Hedge Capers (9)
Robert Rapista (10) vs Larry Chvatal (8)
Because of the club championship moving up a month this year its created a scheduling conflict for the match play. The players are being contact about availability and the schedule will be announced for the semis and finals when dates are secured.