What a tournament!
by G. Shafer

It was a special weekend for many of the Lawrence area golfers who participated in the inaugural LAGA Fall Classic. The format was excellent providing both stroke and match play competition, plus the weather could not have been any better! Coming into the tournament, the favorites were the teams of Stearns/Novosel and Hutchens/Clement, with Hill/Schreiner and Brumley/Brumley having somewhat longer odds.

Alan Stearns and John Novosel prevailed as winners of the championship flight, but not without a fight from several other teams. Ron Shaver and Bob Neu took them to the next-to-the-last hole in the first round of match play, as did Chris Hutchins and Jim Clement - who finished in second place. Several match's went to playoffs, with Daniel and Billy Brumley taking Jim Hill/Jack Schreiner to the third sudden death hole before succumbing.

Perhaps the most exciting playoff was between Chris Hutchens/Jim Clements and Jim Hill/Jack Schreiner. (Your reporter, who's a crummy golfer and lost in the first round, thus having an opportunity to WATCH EVERYONE ELSE GO ON TO VICTORY!!!!!! - was witness to several absolutely superb golf shots. First though, allow me to define the word "superb", which in this context means as good if not better than 99% of the shots you see the guys make on tour!)

This match began with Hutchens/Clements taking an early lead of two holes. Fighting back, Hill and Schrenier were one-up going into the final hole. Having put it close for a short birdie putt, the team of Hill/Schreiner felt pretty good as they walked toward the green as Hutchens/Clements were from 45 to 50 feet away with a twisting putt for eagle. Reaching the green, Jim Clements studied the breaks, then approached the ball and proceeded to drain it right in - taking the hole to even the match!

Jim Clements watching his pitch onto #15 green.

As they went to the first playoff hole, the format went to alternate shot, and Jim Hill drove it long down the center of the fairway. Jim Clements hit one of only a few poor shots he made all day, hooking it out of play on the left into the trees. As the area was marked with red stakes, they were allowed to drop from point of entry, laying two.

Surveying the situation, despite the fact that he was hitting from hardpan with a branch partially blocking his shot, Chris took his drop, saying, "I can get it on from here." He proceeded to hit a beautiful draw (photo at right showing path of ball), which landed just short of the green and appeared to roll on. Jack Schreiner hit his shot from the fairway a little long and it came to rest on the back part of the green, but at least they were on in 2. As we headed toward the green, I think most everyone felt that the advantage had definitely shifted back to Jim and Jack.

Chris Hutchens hitting a very nice draw to hole out from
190 yards in their first playoff hole against Hill/Schreiner.

As we walked up onto the green, there was only one ball visible - that of Hill/Schreiner up on the back of the green. Everyone thought Chris must have hit it long, rolling it across the green as the pin was placed very close in front, and began to walk across to locate it. Not seeing it, Chris walked back to the hole and there it was!  The celebration was on, with Chris and Jim exchanging "high-fives" as they carded their three!  

Jim Hill congratulated them on their birdie, but said, "Not so fast though, I still get to putt - and I see the line!" Walking confidently to his ball laying about 55 - 60 feet away from the hole, he looked at it for a short time then moved to his putting position. He looked one more time, then stroked the ball. When it was about 10 feet away, I thought, "this has a chance", and sure enough it rolled right into the center of the cup. Now it was Jim's and Jack's turn to celebrate. All I could do was smile and shake my head!

In a span of five shots, the momentum had swung four times - absolutely incredible! Chris and Jim went on to win the next hole with a birdie, to earn the right to face Stearns/Novosel, but both teams in that three hole stretch exhibited the best that the game has to offer. They don't know this, but because of what they did, it made me glad that I had lost early. Otherwise I would have missed this amazing set of events. Sure, you see tremendous pressure shots quite often - but how often do you see three of them ... in three holes ... from three different players!