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.

IT'S RETIREES GOLF SEASON!

 SIGN UP FOR TEE TIME STARTS THURSDAY - 9:30 am start

1. Sign up sheet for next week's Retirees Club tee times is posted on our bulletin board - you CANNOT sign up via Chronogolf. 

2. The sheet goes up Thursday morning and comes down Monday morning 

3. If you miss the sign up sheet, you will need to book a time with the ProShop starting Monday morning.

4. CHECK IN WITH THE PROSHOP before you tee off - this helps them keep things running smoothly.

5. Know what group you follow and don't jump the queue.

April Showers

RETIREES MASTERS ROUND 1

Marlin Frederick begins his defense as MASTERS Champion starting with Round 1 next week. 

— The winner will be determined using each player's lowest 2 rounds of the 3 rounds planned for this month. Play White Tees or Combo Tees (your choice) but apply the correct course handicap please.

— At the end of your round, each group must turn in the scorecard. Please make sure every hole score is correct, course handicap is used, gross score is calculated, and net score calculated. INCOMPLETE SCORECARDS will not be accepted for scoring.

Green Jacket awarded

OFFICIAL OPENING SCRAMBLE APRIL 25

Our first tournament is set for April 25, 

10AM shotgun start

Entry fee: $25

Deadline: April 19

Sign up and pay online now OR sign up and pay by cheque in the ProShop starting next week.

Last year's winning team

MEMBERSHIP FEES DUE

Don't forget that your Retirees Club dues $30 (Early Bird price) are due starting next week. Sign up and pay online using the website link below OR  sign up and pay by cheque in the ProShop now.

The dues are used to pay for all our prizes and reduce our entry fees for our tournaments.