PGA R1 - DEWDNEY LEADS SHOOTS NET 70

TIGER WOODS BOBBLEHEAD TROPHY UP FOR GRABS

Richard Dewdney opened with a net 70 to lead after one round of the Retirees PGA and this year we have a new trophy - a Tiger Woods Bobblehead — now that would look good in a photo with the winner. Don’t forget that YOU are responsible for writing your score on the PGA Scoresheet found on the bulletin board, don’t assume that it will be done for you. 

Round 2 goes this Thursday and the weather report looks like the hot weather is finally going to be here — stay hydrated out there.

  

RETIREES INVITATIONAL SIGN UP - PLEASE DON'T WAIT

May 23 is approaching fast…..If you planning on playing in our Invitational, please get signed up ASAP to help us determine how many openings we can have for the out of town players. Entry fee is only $30 for Retirees Club members (unless you need a ride - $50) Sign up now, pay your entry fee by the deadline

ALL OUR EVENT SIGN UPS CAN BE DONE ONLINE

I have updated all the Online Sign Ups to include the entry fees and dates and that included the out of town events up to Castlegar. Please use the online sign ups as it really helps us out, especially if you sent an eTransfer don’t forget to sign up too. 

IS IT APRIL SHOWERS OR MAY SHOWERS?

EARLY BIRD MEMBERSHIP DEADLINE

For anyone who has not joined yet, don't forget April 30 is the last day to get the early bird rate of $30. Starting May 1 our regular rate of $35 applies. Note: you do not have to have a Golf Canada membership or even a Birchbank membership to join our Retirees Club. CLICK HERE TO JOIN

HANDICAP UPDATES

1) If you want to calculate your HANDICAP INDEX - that decimal number that can be used to calculate your COURSE HANDICAP for any course - I have found an online calculator that you can enter your last 20 (or fewer) scores. So if you want to get a more accurate Handicap Index than Chronogolf, give it a try.

CLICK HERE FOR INDEX CALCULATOR

White Tees use: Course Rating:68.1  Slope: 115

Combo Tees use: Course Rating: 70.0  Slope: 120

Blue Tees use: Course Rating: 71.5   Slope: 120

If you give it a try, let me know how it went.

2) Golf Canada members: you are responsible for entering EVERY round. Get the smartphone app or do it on your computer at home — get it put in right after your round is complete. I used the GC site to get your course handicap for the Opening and some have not entered a score since 2021 — get on it, ASAP

If you need help with the app see Norm and bring your phone.

3) MAY Handicaps for PGA - I have added a column on the PGA results sheet for you to declare your handicap for the month of MAY if you prefer to do it that way. (I would hope that Golf Canada members would use their most current handicap for each round as it is more accurate) — if you use Chronogolf, maybe give the calculator a try for your May handicap.

MAY TOURNAMENTS

1) MAY 23 - BIRCHBANK RETIREES INVITATIONAL — this replaces our regular May scramble event and is open to all our members as well as players from the local area Retirees clubs. It is a team event, everyone plays their own ball, and handicaps are used to determine the final team score — so if you want in, then get signed up early because it fills up fast. ONLINE is best - etransfers or cheque to Proshop only. Registrations are open now. CLICK HERE

Entry fee is only $30 for Retirees Club members, if you need a seat on a cart then the fee is $50.

2) MAY 7 - Ladies Host the Retirees - a fun event with mixed teams of men and woment, with a meal,  (Beef or Chicken burger buffet) and prizes. Sign up today and support our Ladies Club.

ENTRY FEE: $30 payment to the Ladies Club - see more details on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board OR go online to the Ladies Club's brand new website and sign up there. CLICK HERE FOR THEIR WEBSITE

3) MAY IS PGA MONTH - round 1 of the Retirees PGA Championship begins this week, so get your handicap up to date, start hitting more fairways off the tee, remember to enter your score on the results scoresheet and turn in your card. As always, you choose your tees (and apply correct handicap), as long as you play on Thursday you can use your score.

4) *BONUS* - If you read all the way to here, put a minus sign on the scoresheet after your score (for example: 82– ) to get the bonus. 

IF YOU KNOW OF ANY MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT GETTING OUR EMAILS PLEASE HAVE THEM CONTACT NORM.

'24 OPENING SHAMBLES

RETIREES OPENING SHAMBLES TOURNAMENT AND LUNCH 

This year's Opening Tournament and Lunch had 11 teams playing in pretty decent weather — some sun, some clouds but no bone chilling rain and wind.

The all the teams were created using everyone's current handicap with players placed on teams to get the total team handicaps to be equal or close to equal. In a perfect world....

MASTERS CHAMP GETS THE GREEN JACKET

The winner of the Retirees Masters Month, Gary Schmitz, was presented with our version of the Green Jacket by last year's Champion Marlin Frederick. Fit like a glove, I was told.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

WINNING TEAM: ST JEAN, NOAKES, SZILAGY, AUSTIN

1ST: Ray StJean, John Noakes, Don Szilagy, Brian Austin (130 total)

2nd: Al Pasin, Merv Olson, Wayne Shubert, Monte Brothers (133)

3rd: Rob Valentine, Lenn Delorie, Albert Holm, Reg Cherenko (134)

Longest Putt: #9: Team Holm; #18: Team Burke

Closest to Pin (kp)

#2: Team Noakes    #8: Team Brothers

#14: Team Noakes    #18: Team Caron

John and I would like to give BIG THANK YOU TO:

• Phil Molloy and Reg Cherenko for doing the scoring, Al Piccolo for being the MC and working the 50/50 draw along with Al Pasin, and Thomas Keen for setting KP/LP pins and helping out as needed.
• Tasty chili buffet by the Bistro - Kelly and Sarah
• Jeff Papilion and the ProShop crew

HELLO FRIENDS...

UNUSUALLY COLD WEATHER

Three rounds of cold, wind, and even some rain made it difficult for players to compete for the Retirees Green Jacket, yet compete they did.

Congratulations Gary Schmitz (141 total) who edged Keith Wallis (143 total) to become this season's Green Jacket winner. No $3.6 million prize money, no Butler Cabin, no endless appearances on the TV Talk Shows — maybe next year when we merge with LIV GOLF.

MASTERS ROUND 3 plus other bits and bobs

MASTERS ROUND 3 - LAST CHANCE TO MOVE UP

Thursday's round is your last chance to make a run for the Green Jacket by having one of those rounds where everything goes where you aim and every putt drops. After the round is completed, I will add your 2 best scores in order to get your final total and determine who will be this season's winner.

PS. - I couldn't convince John to spring for the $1000.00 Limited Edition 2024 Masters Bag and Headcovers as a prize for the winner.

VOLUNTEER FOR HANDICAP COMMITTEE MEMBER NEEDED

For those who have paid for your Golf Canada Membership, we are required to have a rep for the Handicap Committee in order to assist our members with accurately maintaining their GC handicap. It shouldn't involve a lot of time or effort on your part as players should be motivated to keep their handicap updated and be sure it is accurate.

If you are willing to volunteer, please contact me ASAP.

OPENING SCRAMBLE DEADLINE IS THURSDAY

Reminder that in order to enter you must sign up and pay the entry fee by Thursday. 

Please use the online signup link and pay with eTransfer. 

STATS LEADS MASTERS AFTER ROUND 2

 CORAZZA HAS A SLIM LEAD

Mauro 'Stats' Corazza (73-71=144) holds a one shot lead after two rounds of this year's Masters with several players close behind with a score of 145. Next week is the final round — the winner is determined using your 2 lowest NET scores. 

Round 2 KP & LP winners are listed on the yellow scoresheet.

OPENING SCRAMBLE REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHING

Don't forget to sign up online and pay your entry fee ($25) before next week's deadline.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP ONLINE

Pay with eTransfer OR pay with a cheque in the ProShop 

HOT LATTANZIO LEADS MASTERS

RETIREES MASTERS ROUND 1

A hot start for John Lattanzio on a bitterly cold day as he fired a net 71 to lead after R1. Only the brave (or those dressed warmly) were able to make it all 18 holes as the wind picked up and the wind chill dropped.