April 20th, 2008 - Mallard Creek

Perhaps, considering our recent weather-related snafus, we should reconsider our decision to kick off the Smitty Tour season in April. Following a week of sunshine and temps in the 60’s and 70’s, Sunday – right on cue – dawned chilly and rainy and forced our intrepid ST warriors into their rain gear!! All was not lost, however, as the drizzle gave way to partial clearing for most of our round, and we managed to get 18 holes in. Of course, as soon as we were done and most of us back home, the sun broke through and the temps headed for the upper 60’s! Go figure. Oh well, this is Northeast Ohio and one must expect inclement conditions in April. Plus, after the foul March that we suffered through, we NEEDED golf badly. So, I’m done bitching and taking up valuable cyberspace giving you a weather summary

Let’s talk golf – which is the only reason anyone in their right mind ever visits this website anyway. We had 17 anxious linksters in attendance for the season lid-lifter, and Mallard Creek – despite our wet winter and early spring – was not in bad shape. The 08 season saw another Tour Rookie make his debut, as Joe Petrak decided to join the fray – and actually plans to come back! Rob Cooperider, once a tour regular, also joined us and declared his intention to become a fixture once again. We always love new faces on tour. Obviously the conditions did not affect Mark “The Kid” Loan, who put up an impressive 89, Net 65, to take the early lead in the season-long quest to take home the coveted Smitty Tour Cheeseboard. Hot on his heels was erstwhile Tour amateur Rob “Coop” Cooperider, who has declared his intention to be a regular this year and who, after his 88, Net 67, could be a force to be reckoned with over the next 8 months. Third place honors went to Matt “Willbond the Younger” Willbond, who fashioned a fine 91, Net 68, and showed he’s ready to compete.

Those Liedel boys once again took the top three spots in the Low Gross category, with the current holder of the Bord du Fromage, Andy, and older bro Jay each turning in an 85, while the eldest of the trio, Jeff, followed them up with an 88. This is one reason we don’t award a Low Gross trophy at the end of each season – it gets a more than a little boring saying “low gross honors went to blah, blah, blah Liedel, blah, blah, blah”. See what I mean? We can take SOME solace in the fact that none of them shot in the 70’s this time!!!

Well, the rest of us need to try and get our games in shape for our annual visit to Brunswick Hills – and all the fun that we can have on that back nine. It won’t be quite as much fun this year as it HAS been, since Greg “Capitol City” Smith has still not fully recovered from off-season knee surgery and he particularly loves the Back – as he has taken to calling it. We’ll just have to carry on without him – although I hope no one feels it necessary to try and match his numbers!

Until then, enjoy the lovely Spring weather – snow flurries are predicted for tomorrow night!

Mallard Creek Results