Twenty-seven members of the Benicia Men’s group soak up the glow after a day on the course. This year marks their 25th year making the trek from sea to mountains to take in the beauty of the Sierra during their annual golf weekend. Photo submitted

Rounds on Graeagle courses are a ‘Fall to Remember’

October 5, 2022 Editor

Compiled by Mari Erin Roth

Graeagle Women’s Golf Club

This week the women participated in a couples tournament hosted by the Graeagle Men’s Golf Association — the annual Big Chief Couples Golf Tournament and awards dinner on Sept. 25. The dinner was held at the Graeagle Picnic Grounds where BBQ chef John Grasso and his crew served a very popular prime rib dinner. Medallions were given to winners of prior tournaments.

The Big Chief Couples Tournament format was the net better ball of the twosome on the par fours and fives, and both balls on the par threes. Par in this format is 84. Thirty-six players competed on 18 teams. The winning team was made up of Kurt and Jennifer Colley with a net score of 66. Second Place was the team of Ken and Dottie Hattich with a net score of 67. In Third Place was the team of Jeff and Patty Monaghan with a net sore of 70. Fourth Place was the team of Cynthia Baldwin/Bill Harrison with a net score of 71. And Fifth Place was a tie between the teams of Grant Mayfield/Pricilla Piper, and Ron Eaton/Mickie Burdick both with net scores of 74.

Next up for the women golfers will be the annual GWGC Turd (less) Tournament. The event is “turdless” because the usual mud “turds” left by autumn fairway aeration are not present this year. This event is the traditional finale for the women’s season on the course. It takes place this Thursday, Oct. 6, at Graeagle Meadows.

Graeagle Men’s Golf Association

GMGA held its Fall General Membership Meeting Sept. 28 along with a Two-Man Scramble Tournament. During the meeting officers were elected for the 2022-23 golf season. Mark Yuill was elected President, Jeff Monaghan Past President, Dennis Flynn Vice President, Grant Mayfield Secretary/Treasurer, Mike Irving Handicap/Rules Chair, Bert Bellows Food Chair, Dan Friedman Tournament Chair, Norm Miller Communications Chair, Gene Carr Member-at-large, and Steve Petersen Member-at-large.

In addition to the election of officers, Gary Kinkley, long-time Tournament Chair, was awarded the Lifetime Distinguished Service Award for his many years of service to the GMGA.

Tight competition for Two-Man Scramble

The two-man scramble saw 32 players compete in ideal weather, with an Air Quality Index of 0. First Place was a tie between the teams of Chuck Hein/Bryan Hansen, and Damon O’Connell/John Scott both with net scores of 63. Third Place was also a tie between the teams of Dan Anderson/Dennis Flynn and Grant Mayfield/Don Judson, both with net scores of 65. Fifth Place was the team of Dan Friedman/Chuck Franck with a net score of 66. And Sixth Place was again a tie among the teams of Mark Yuill/John Grasso, Winston Giles/Curt Colley and Mike Gibson/Norm Nichols, all with net scores of 68. “Skins” were not played in this format.

Play Day for Sept. 30 format was better net ball of the twosome on the front nine and both net balls on the back nine. In this format par is 108. Sixteen players competed in ideal weather conditions. First Place was the team of Bryan Hansen/Steve Peterson with a net score of 95. Second Place was the team of John Mitchell/Andy Knudson with a net score of 96. Third Place went to the team of Mike Gibson/Mario Garibotti with a net score of 100. There were 7 “skins” awarded, one each to Steve Harding, Bob McIlroy, Jim Oster, Mario Garibotti, Norm Miller, John Mitchell and Norm Nichols.

Notable retirement

After 35 years of service, Bob Klein, Head Golf Professional at Graeagle Meadows Golf Course, retired September 30, 2022. On Wednesday, September 28^th, the men’s and women’s golf clubs gave Bob a reception at the Graeagle Meadows Club House to celebrate his many years of service. In addition to the men’s and women’s clubs, several employees of Graeagle Land and Water also attended. Jeff Monaghan, President of the Graeagle Men’s Golf Association (GMGA) presented Bob with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the GMGA, thanking him for his service to the GMGA. When asked about his plans for retirement, he said “My partner, Barbara, and I are going to travel and play golf.”

Visiting golfers keep coming back

A large group of men made their 25th annual trip to Graeagle for a weekend of golf in the High Sierra at Plumas Pines. The only break in the pilgrimage over the past 25 years were the two most recent years for Covid, but the men are back on track and were glowing in the wake of their return to their beloved Plumas County course. Most of the members of the annual retreat hail from the Benicia and Vallejo areas. Three of the members have made all 25 trips, John Hilsenbeck, Elwin Hames, and former Quincy local 1978-87, Joe Edwards. Other members flew in from South Carolina, Arizona, and Colorado, to attend. The largest crowd they ever brought was 40 men, “but that was just too many,” said Joe Edwards. “We try to have 30 every year.” The weekend winning golf score was 68 in a four-man scramble. “Plumas Pines treats us so well every year; that’s why we keep coming back,” said Edwards. “Not to mention how beautiful Plumas County is in the Fall.” After two years off, 2022 was a Fall to Remember.