The final day went as expected. Blair and I needed a fast start and want to shoot between 6 and 8 under to have a chance at any of the prizes. Of course that was our goal going in and the challenge was to successfully execute that plan. We decided not to do anything significantly different except make a few more putts. At least it was a plan.
Continue reading2-man scramble
2-Man Scramble – Day One
As expected, we showed up early to practice before our first round. We have played in many of these events in the past and being prepared to play is half the challenge. It was this pre-tournament effort that helps teams get off to a quick start. And for Blair and I, it worked like a charm. Continue reading
Winning the Two Man Scramble
Jim and Jean posing with Canadian Open Trophy at the Toronto Golf Show in April 2015.
Yesterday, Jean and I tied for first in the 2-man scramble golf tournament at Roundel Glen Golf Course. There were 21 teams (42 players total) who competed in this event in attempts to walk away with the first prize and more importantly bragging rights! This is the second year in a row that Jean and I competed in this fun event and the second time we walked away with prizes! We improved our standing of second place last year and look to be clear winners next year!
Our goal this year was to shoot lower than our last year’s score of 66. I am happy to report we shot an eight under, 64 before subtracting our handicap of 1 stroke. Overall, we shot a handicapped score of 63. This beats our last year’s handicap by 3 strokes. We played very well and only left three strokes on the course.
We started the round with 3 straight birdies and lipped out for birdie on the 4th hole. It was the strong start we were looking for and it set us up for success for the rest of the round. After a birdie on the 9th hole, we finish the front 9 with a score of 32. The back nine was really no different. With four birdies we shot a 32 again for a score of 64.
Our round may sound a bit routine given our handicap, however it was anything but routine. We made hit 15 of 18 greens. We made 8 of 15 putts for birdie, we were up and down 3 for 3 from off the green (hit the pin on one chip), we lipped out 3 times, and were never in trouble at all during the round. This is atypical for us; today our games were very complimentary and as a result we played very well.
Jean’s short game was on fire. He was closest on most approach shots and his putting was the best I had seen in quite some time. He was straight off the tee and as a result, I was able press some shots by cutting corners and shortening our approach shots. In a 2-man scramble, it is critical the lead player hit the ball in play and today Jean was that guy!
We had plenty of fun today. We want to thank Mike Clare, the GM of Roundel Glen Golf Course and host of this fun event, for organizing a great time for all. The chicken wings, pizza, and libations were a great touch and much appreciated by all!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Golf Strategy: 2-Man Scramble
Helping Align Putts in a 2-Man Scramble is legal!
Golf is a great game for strategy, gamesmanship, and psyching out your opponent! One of my favorite tournament formats is the 2-man scramble. The format places just enough pressure on players to perform, but offers that little glimmer of hope if your game comes off the rails for a hole or two. This weekend I am playing in a 2-man scramble tournament with my friend Jean.
Roundel Glen Golf Course is closing this year’s golf season with a series of fun tournaments. This is the first of several that will help reduce the anxiety of golf season slowly coming to an end. The rules for this tournament are pretty simple. The handicap of the two players is added together, divided by two and multiplied by 75%.
What this means is: my handicap is 3.1, Jean’s handicap is 10.4, combined 13.5, divided by 2 is 6.75, multiplied by 75% is 5. Therefore, our handicap for this tournament is 5. For those non golfers, this means we are awarded one stroke on the 5 toughest holes on the course. So if we shoot a 4 on the toughest hole, we would record a 3 on our scorecard. This method of using your handicap is golf’s way of leveling the playing field. If everyone is honest, the system works very well.
This Sunday Jean and I tee it up at 9 am. This tournament will be very interesting because Jean and I have complimenting games. We both hit the ball well off the tee. He hits his long irons better than me. I hit my short irons better than him and we both chip and putt well.
Unlike the strategy in a 4-man scramble where the more novice players shoots first all the time, Jean and I are of relatively equal skill. The strategy is a bit different and depending on how we decide to play the round, the difference could be a couple of strokes. In a 2-man scramble, those two strokes could be the difference between winning and losing. So here is what I am proposing as our strategy for the tournament:
- Jean tees off first on all par 5s and short par 3s.
- Jim tees off first on all par 4s and long par 3s.
- Jean is first to hit our second shot inside 175 yards.
- Jim is first to hit our second shot outside of 175 yards.
- Jean chips first by all green.
- Jean putts first on all greens.
My logic is simple: the first player always ensures he is in play and by doing so leverages the stronger skills of the other player!
I do not believe that our strategy needs to be any more complicated than that. I am, however, looking for comments if any of you golfing fanatics see a flaw in my logic. If you do, I am all ears! Feedback is always welcome!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 