Harlan Hobbs
The SaddleBrooke Men’s Putters Club, entering its 22nd year, enjoyed a wonderful and rewarding year in 2017. Membership grew to 134 putters, and in addition to the weekly, quarterly, and annual competitions, the third annual Jeff Shields/Charles Schwab Company Senior Men’s Putting Tournament was hosted by the SBMP in September.
Jeff Shields has sponsored the group for more than 17 years. His third tournament was a huge success, with 18 teams from SaddleBrooke and other area communities. The tournament had $4300 of net proceeds, which were distributed to the American Diabetes Association, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, the Ricki Rarick Junior Golf Program, SaddleBrooke Community Outreach, and hurricane relief in Puerto Rico.
Throughout the year, the SBMP held quarterly breakfasts to recognize the quarterly gross and net winners. Following the year-end Schwab Cup playoffs for the quarterly gross winners in January 2018, the SBMP had their annual awards breakfast on February 1, 2018. The fourth quarter Schwab winners, the fourth quarter net winners, the year-end Schwab Cup Tournament champs, and the other annual winners were recognized with prizes.
The fourth quarter Schwab winners were First Place, Jon Parkhill; Second Place, Rick Murray and Third Place, Howie Fagan. The fourth quarter net putting winners were First Place, Dick Bryan; Second Place, Steve Solberg and Third Place, Tom Virant.
Winners of the Charles Schwab year-end playoffs were First Place, Dave Rutkowski; Second Place, Foster Edens and Third Place, Larry Kraber. The annual awards recipients were Bob Bowlin Award (best average gross), Jim Jevne; Syd Eagle Award (highest ace average), Ken Kasper; Most Aces Winner, Jules Szentirmai; Attendance Award, Harlan Hobbs and Most Improved Award, Tim Riggs.
Also, in 2017, the SBMP established a new annual award, The Bob Gabric Sportsmanship Award in memory of Bob, who was a leading organizer of the SBMP, and who exemplified the compassion, spirt, and fellowship of the SaddleBrooke Men’s Putters Club. The club recognized Randy Spencer as the inaugural recipient of the award, and we were honored to have Bob’s wife, Pat Gabric, in attendance at the breakfast to help us celebrate the award and Bob’s enormous contribution to the club.
Putters meet on the putting green at SaddleBrooke One on Thursday mornings. Presently, we practice at 9:30 a.m., and our tournament begins at 10:00 a.m. New members and guests are always welcome. Each member establishes a handicap, and weekly prizes are awarded for various categories. Check our website at https://sites/google.com/site/sbmputters/home for details.
Please come and play a round of putting with us. All you will need is a golf ball and a putter. We will provide the fun and fellowship.