Flight winners (left to right): Lee Leksell, Bill Bender, Jim Grosjean, Mike Miller, Phil Gray, and Scott Newberry
MPMGA Club Champion Lee Leksell and President Dick Helms
Jim Grosjean
The MPMGA closed out its 2023 golf season with two highly anticipated events: the Winter Bash and the Club Championship. The MPMGA Club Championship took place on Dec. 11 and 14. Unfortunately, the MountainView front nine remains closed until the spring, requiring both rounds of the championship to be played on The Preserve course. Nevertheless, the weather cooperated, with temperatures reaching the mid-60s each day, making for perfect playing conditions. After a blistering two under par 70 on day one, Lee Leksell held off the field on day two for his long-awaited first MPMGA Club Championship. The other flight winners included Bill Bender, Jim Grosjean, Mike Miller, Phil Gray, Bill Messick, and Scott Newberry. Lunch was served to all participants and included a chicken and beef taco bar along with dessert and beer (or soft drinks).
The Winter Bash was a fun event played in a modified scramble format, sometimes known as a step-aside scramble. After everyone hits their drive, the best ball is chosen, and the person who hit that shot steps aside while the remaining players play on until reaching the green, where everyone putts. This format results in quite low scores, giving everyone some sense of accomplishment! The winners were Doug Anderson, Grant Stewart, Tom Quinn, and Alan Doan in Flight 1; Don Sanders, Brian Komar, Dan Schroeder, and Warren Tiahrt in Flight 2; and Al Bolty, Dick Helms, Scott Newberry, and Gary Barnard in Flight 3. Besides an enhanced player purse, everyone enjoyed a luncheon with free beer!
The year’s last two events were an individual Stableford tournament on Dec. 21 and a Chapman Scramble on Dec. 28. There have been many challenges for our golfers in 2023, but they were mostly met with good humor and cooperation. We look forward to big things in 2024!