Friday, June-11-10
Alternate Shot:
Pine Ridge Tattler
Associated Press:
The gauntlet has been thrown down and the Canadians are looking to regain what they consider their rightful place and birthright: the patio. Europeans have basked in prime outdoor seating accompanied by doting waitresses. In their quest to re-establish their heritage, the Canadians studied long and hard exactly what contributed to their fall from grace. Two factors stood large: alcohol and putting. Both were instrumental and used judiciously in Canada’s 4 ½ to 1 ½ winning margin on day 2.
Match Analysis:
Match 7
Bowles/Wilgosh vs Lemon/Richardson
Trapped
Canadians looked like runaway winners but Lemon and Richardson were hanging tough. Down 4 after 4 holes and 5 down on nine, Europe started clawing their way back. Then came #14. Europe’s on in one and Bowles/Wilgosh are bunker to bunker. A three putt from Europe and a one-putt from Canada shatters any chance of comeback. Canada 4 and 3.
Match 8
Masters/Borgstrom vs King/Duncan
Raked
A dogfight from the get go, Europe makes the turn one up. Each team knows it’s going to come down to a single hole, and it does. On 12 Canada is looking to take control when the rake chooses sides and blocks a European bunker-bound shot. Two putts later and Europe turns a lost hole into a push. Europe wins 5 and 4. Borgstrom insists all rakes from now on will be made with Canadian Maple and not European Ash.
Match 9
Spelmer/Ramsay vs Kenwood/O’Brien
Attrition
The Canadians were in tough. With 9 strokes given, Ramsay knew that the Canadians only chance was if Kenwood and O’Brien played to their double digit handicaps. The one thing he didn’t count on was his partner also playing to his opponents’ handicaps. The early evening shower washed away divots, sand and in one instance a golf swing. There was no turning point in this one, just giveaways and some sloppy play. Canada 2 and 1 through attrition.
Match 10
Tibbs/Todoruk vs Smith/Wattman
Skill
Alternate shot as it should be played. Six birdies and an eagle attests to the skill level that some teams can attain. Where do you start: Europe’s eagle on 8; Mike making everything, centre-cut, from 10 and 15 feet on the back nine when Europe is looking at tap-in birdies? So how does it end? The Canadians make par on 18 and give Europe a four footer so both teams halve. Well done gentlemen—the embodiment of what The Ridger is all about!
Match 11
Massey/Fletcher vs Hogg/Wasney
Alcohol
With Canada cruising to a 5 up lead after nine, Europe needed something to turn this one around. Massey was in the trees on thirteen and with no shot, this was just what the golf doctor ordered for Europe. Until he put it on the green and Fletcher made the putt for three. When asked what contributed to the shot of the match, the answer was short and sweet: “The Castle provided the right nutrients to stay loose.” Canada 5 and 4.
Match 12
Wizniak/Wray vs Connelly/ Wheddon
Beercart
Peter One-Putt lived up to his sobriquet and made a 65’ snake from the top of 13 for three. What he and his partner did not count on was Dennis taking a page from Europe’s play book and rolling in a 15 footer on top. Then to add insult to injury, Dennis rolled another one in on #15 to halve. When this scribe asked Blair what the key was, he did his best Homer Simpson: “Umm, beercart.” Canada 3 and 2.
Day’s results: Canada 4 ½ Europe 1 ½
Totals: Canada 8 ½ Europe 3 ½
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