Jim Grosjean
For the first time in a decade, the SaddleBrooke Men’s Golf Association (SMGA) wrested the Javelina Cup away from the MountainView-Preserve Men’s Golf Association (MPMGA) on Jan. 3 and 4. The men from SaddleBrooke One took a 23-point lead after the first round on the SaddleBrooke and Tucson Courses, while MPMGA made a furious comeback in the weather-shortened second round at The Preserve. The result was a three-point win for SMGA. The weather that forced the stoppage of play after only five holes on The Preserve included cold temperatures, rain, sleet, and hail. By the time play was called, some greens were more white than green, and everyone was fairly miserable. The mood changed when we all reconvened at the MountainView clubhouse where we had a delicious (and hot) pasta bar luncheon. Even though we felt pretty sure the final result would have been different had we played all 36 holes, MPMGA was gracious in (rare) defeat.
The Member-Member Tournament rounds were also completed in January after three grueling days of golf at The Preserve. The flight winners were Scott Lundgren and John Cahill, Larry Scott and Tim Donovan, David Jones and Doug Anderson, John Quigley and John Wrbanek, and Darryl Henderson and Bruce Twining. Jones and Anderson had the easiest time of it, winning their three matches 6-5, 4-3, and 3-2.
The Mars-Venus Tournament, a fun two days of couples’ golf, was played on Feb. 6 and 8. The rescheduled Tournament of Champions for all the players who have amassed four or more tournament points during the 2023 golf season will be played on Feb. 15. The month will end with a “major,” the Stampede, on Feb. 26 and 29.