Pictured left to right are Bob Eder, Dan Hoshino and Dennis Marchand
Bob Edelblut
On November 7, the final match of this year’s Individual Match Play Tournament was played a full four months after the event began. As an aside, it was acknowledged by all when the competition began that summer travel schedules, weather and unforeseen happenings could possibly make it difficult for matches to be played promptly. So all agreed to be patient and flexible for the duration. Did I mention that unforeseen included stolen golf clubs, accidents causing rib and eye injuries as well as unscheduled trips to assist loved ones? Thanks again to all for your willingness to accommodate your opponents.
Play began on July 2 with a field of 60 players in eight flights. An individual’s own tee selection and course handicap was used to determine where he was flighted. Within each flight there were two brackets, the Winners Bracket and the Consolation Bracket. In the end 75 percent of the players were money winners and of the 78 matches played 31 percent went to the last hole or further and 58 percent went at least to the second to last hole.
Those who hung on the longest and won their flights were Bob Eder, Matt Kambic, Rick Fernandez, Tony Blunt, Alan Doan, Dan Hoshino, Tom Beahan and Bob Long. Consolation winners were Ron Tie, Mike Taken, Eric Vonderheid, Tom Quinn, Mark Wood, John Bidegain, Mike Harris and Jerry Westra. You all did great. Congratulations.
Guess what happened next? All winners advanced to the first round of the playoffs. In round one Matt Kambic beat Tony Blunt two up; Bob Long beat Alan Doan three and one; Tom Beahan beat Rick Fernandez two and one; and Dan Hoshino beat Bob Eder two up. In the second round Matt Kambic was the winner when his opponent Bob Long needed to withdraw and Dan Hoshino beat Tom Beahan four and two. The last men standing were Matt Kambic and Dan Hoshino. The finals took place and this year’s Individual Match Play Champion is Dan Hoshino. Congratulations, Dan, for a great victory and for solid play throughout the tournament. Prizes and cheers were given to all winners in this event at our recent luncheon on November 12. Thanks again go to Bob Eder for organizing this event.