The 2015 Midwest Mashie - Minnesota - FINAL RECAP AND OBSERVATIONS

[Dan Kelly]

As I work on the groupings for the Friday-morning round at Midland Hills, I note:


We still have ONE OPENING. If you'd like it, send me an email: dkelly@pioneerpress.com. Thanks.

[John Crowley]

Pat, Jason,
My current index is 13.9 - highest in 55 years.
The Windsong 6,300 course is best for me due mainly to back condition which will be surgically repaired October 12.
John

[C. Sturges]

Pat,
Thanks for all the work you are doing!  My current index is a 7.6.
I am fine playing any tee
Thanks,
Chris

[PCCraig]

Thanks, Chris. Looking forward to having you up here next week!


Just missing Frank, Lou, and Doug's handicaps...


Thanks.

[PCCraig]

We've had a couple of cancellations, so in order to even out the teams Joe Zucker was "traded" to the East Team. Here are the updated teams:

East Team

Ken Fry (4.7)
Jason Thurman (9.6)
Brian Hoover (5.4)
Chris Titschinger (19.7)
Bill Steele (17)
Doug Siebert (7)
Jason Lietaer (3.5)
Richard Choi (9.5)
Chris Sturges (7.6)
Steve Wilson (14.6)
Joe Lynch - 8
Joe Zucker (2.4)

West Team

Pat Craig (2.2)
Jason Topp (8.2)
Dan Kelly (5)
Neil Davis (9.1)
Jeff Shelman (5)
John Crowley (13.9)
Dan Moore (2. 8 )
Rick Shefchik (4.2)
Buck Wolter (11. 8 )
Scott Skorupa (12.4)
Jon Bishop (5.4)
Tom Atchison (1.9)

[Dan Moore]

Is anyone driving up I-90/94 through Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon?  If so you may want to meet me somewhere a little north of the Wisconsin Dells to check out some sand dunes.  Send me a pm if interested.

[PCCraig]

Captain Fry and I are currently working on our pairings for next week's matches. If you have any pairing requests, please PM either myself and/or Ken to let us know.

The tentative plan is that Ken and I are going to "live post" the match pairings next week leading up to the event.


Also, please remember to check/verify your tee time for Friday at Keller in the posts above. Thanks.

[Dan Kelly]

Here are the groupings for Friday morning at Midland Hills. They should all work well with the afternoon times at Keller.

Only two rules: no denim allowed, and collared shirts required.

Please pay in the pro shop when you arrive. It will be $85 plus tax. Cash or the usual credit cards.


MHCC is a very walkable course. Carts are available if you need them. Push carts are available for a small fee.

Give yourself plenty of time. The traffic into downtown Minneapolis from every direction can be very slow at rush hour, though Friday tends to be better than any other weekday.

If anyone needs directions or has any other questions, email me at dkelly@pioneerpress.com. My cellphone number is 612-804-0659.

8:00
Dan Kelly
Steve Wilson
Joe Zucker
Jason Lietaer

8:10
Mike Manthey, MHCC Superintendent
Dan Moore
Jason Thurman
Bill Steele

8:20
Cort Sylvester
Criss Titschinger
Chris Sturges
AJ Hoffman

8:30
Ryan Hanford, MHCC Head Professional
Buck Wolter
Brian  Hoover
Shane Wright

8:40
Jeff Shelman
Joe Lynch
Ken Fry
Rich Choi

[Peter Pallotta]

My money's on the East Team! (A temperamental and geographic bias on my part).


I'm always so impressed by the work and generosity of those that organize these events, i.e. the Mashie, the Buda, the King's Putter, the Dixie, the 5th Major -- and everyone seems to do it so well and so right.


I hope you all have fantastic weather and a great time. Go East Go!


 

[Buck Wolter]

My money's on the East Team! (A temperamental and geographic bias on my part).


I'm always so impressed by the work and generosity of those that organize these events, i.e. the Mashie, the Buda, the King's Putter, the Dixie, the 5th Major -- and everyone seems to do it so well and so right.


I hope you all have fantastic weather and a great time. Go East Go!


 

Peter
You and I taking down JC Jones and Thurman? at Kingsley stands out as one of the few highlights or my otherwise mediocre competitive golf career.

Buck

[Jason Thurman]

My money's on the East Team! (A temperamental and geographic bias on my part).


I'm always so impressed by the work and generosity of those that organize these events, i.e. the Mashie, the Buda, the King's Putter, the Dixie, the 5th Major -- and everyone seems to do it so well and so right.


I hope you all have fantastic weather and a great time. Go East Go!


 

Peter
You and I taking down JC Jones and Thurman? at Kingsley stands out as one of the few highlights or my otherwise mediocre competitive golf career.

Buck

Buck, wrong Pete P. A man never forgets the seemingly friendly guy in the cart who cuts his heart out 170 yards at a time.


I say it all the time, but I want to be Pete Pittock when I grow up. I do not recall him hitting a shot in that round that didn't go dead straight with a little draw, other than the lost ball at 16 that only set him up to make his bogey save more dramatic. I also do not recall him missing a single putt. My recollection is that he shot 62 and took on the shape of a unicorn at one point. It was not one of the highlights of my mediocre competitive golf career.

[Buck Wolter]

 
You are correct --I have always been bad with alliterated names!

[JC Jones]

You are correct --I have always been bad with alliterated names!

Buck, I like how you included yourself when it was really Pittock that beat us.   

[Peter Pallotta]

After reading Jason's description, I want to be Pete Pittock too!

Maybe he'd be willing to trade identities, just for one weekend at Kinglsey. I'd benefit of course, but he would too: he's probably forgotten the joys of trying to curve a 4 iron through the trees after his short, crooked drive has landed amongst them, or the unique pleasure of trying to make 8 foot putts for bogey hole after hole after hole.

If he still loves the game after playing a round as me, he can know for certain that he really loves the game.   

The other Peter

[Buck Wolter]

Good times!

[Jason Thurman]

Team West is the LA Lakers of this event, shouting about history now that the present has passed them by.








The Mashie's bags are packed and she's resting comfortably. Tomorrow, she will leave this perch and prepare for one last road trip with me before spending a year with Captain Fry:

[Dan Kelly]

The Mashie's bags are packed and she's resting comfortably. Tomorrow, she will leave this perch and prepare for one last road trip with me before spending a year with Captain Fry:

Isn't it pretty to think so?


Bring it on, East.


DK


P.S. I'm not sure if we're prepared to make you feel welcome in the humble (real) Western Midwest with any of that effete Eastern calligraphy. Here in Minnesota, we believe in plain block letters.

[Buck Wolter]

May I suggest a rules change ala the President's Cup?

Change the team matches to 2 - 9 hole matches and make the individual matches 9 holes against each of the two competitors in the foursome for more variety.

Just in case that's not clear:
AB East
CD West

Team AB vs CD  Front Nine
           AB vs CD Back Nine
Individual
           A vs C Front Nine
           B vs D Front Nine
           A vs D  Back Nine
           B vs C  Back Nine

[PCCraig]

Just five days away from the start of the Mashie!

Everyone who is based locally is very excited to be hosting so many GCAers coming in from all around the country. Knock on wood, but the weather is shaping up to be very nice this weekend with lows around 60*, highs in the mid-70's and plenty of sun!

Captain Fry and I are planning on "live posting" the pairings for Saturday's matches at Windsong Farm tomorrow evening at roughly 8:00pm EST / 7:00pm CST.

I thought I would post a quick "details" refresher for those participating this weekend.

FRIDAY

Please see the previous page for the posted tee times for our round at Keller. Tee times run from 12:48 to 1:35. Prior to your tee time please visit the pro shop and pay your green fee. The green fee is ~$43 to walk and carts are extra. After golf we are going to retire to the clubhouse where Richard Mandell will be joining us to answer any questions we might have about his recent renovation work on the course. There are no formal group dinner plans, but drinks and food will be available for order if you choose to partake.

Keller's address is 2168 Maplewood Drive, Maplewood, MN 55109 and the pro shop's phone # is 651-766-4170.

SATURDAY

On Saturday we are playing at Windsong Farm, courtesy of Jason Topp, with tee times starting at 1:00pm (going until 1:50). Eight of you are staying on site at the Murphy House and Jason Topp has been in touch with you via personal message with the details. For the rest of the participants coming in from elsewhere, please note that Windsong is a good 30 min drive from downtown Minneapolis...so please plan accordingly. Per previous Mashies, we will be playing best ball matches. We will leave it up to the individual matches as to which set of tees people want to play.

After golf, we will meet back at the Clubhouse for drinks and dinner.

When you arrive at Windsong Farm, please visit the pro shop to pay for your guest fees and dinner. The cost for the day will be $175 which will cover walking green fees, dinner (I have seen the menu and it looks fantastic), and a certain number of drink tickets (exact number TBD but likely 3-4). Carts are $32pp if you would prefer to ride.

Sunday

On Sunday, we are playing Town & Country Club in Saint Paul, with tee times starting at 9:00am.

Town & Country is centrally located at 300 North Mississippi River Blvd, St. Paul, MN (Tel. 651-646-7121). If you are staying in downtown Minneapolis, it is a short 10-15 min drive. If you are coming from Windsong Farm, plan on 35-40 min.

When you arrive at T&C, please visit the pro shop and pay your guest fee for the day. The guest fee is $100+tax to walk, with cart fees being extra. The bag room guys will be there and can help direct you to either the locker room or to the first tee/warm up range area across the street. Given that many guys will be hitting the road after the round, please feel free to use the locker room to store your things and to get cleaned up after your round...there are guest lockers that the attendant on hand can direct you to.

We will be playing twelve singles matches, with the pairings being announced on Saturday evening at Windsong Farm.

There is no formal lunch after the conclusion of golf at T&C, however participants are welcome to order off the menu in either the halfway house (next to #18 green) or in the clubhouse both of which I believe accepts credit card. If there is enough interest, we could try to schedule a quick visit to a nearby burger spot (Blue Door Pub) for juicy lucy's. Let me know if there is interest.

If you are heading directly to the airport, T&C is a quick ~20 min drive to the terminals.

For both Windsong and T&C, please note the typical guest rules...no cargo shorts, jeans, sleeveless t-shirts, etc. and please limit cell phone use.

Otherwise, please let me know if I can help in any way or if you have any questions. I know some guys are coming in early for extra local rounds, so if I can make a recommendation for food/last second lodging/entertainment let me know and I'll do my best.

Looking forward to having everyone up this week for the 2015 Midwest Mashie!!

[BHoover]

Thanks for organizing everything, Pat.

One request, please don't wear any of your Michael Jordan gear at Windsong. I would hate to have to ask management to have you escorted off the premises! 

[PCCraig]

Thanks for organizing everything, Pat.

One request, please don't wear any of your Michael Jordan gear at Windsong. I would hate to have to ask management to have you escorted off the premises! 

Well ok. But would you mind if I at least brought my own golf cart?:

[BHoover]

That's not a problem. Carolina colors are fine.

Does my LeBron jersey fall outside T&C's prohibition on sleeveless apparel? Surely it's permitted, right?

[Criss Titschinger]

Pat, et al.


I can't thank you enough for your efforts in setting this up. I cannot wait to get up there and get things started.


I did plan on hitting up Blue Door before I flew back Sunday night. I'd be down for going there after T&C if there's interest. Otherwise, I'll probably go there when I land on Thursday morning. My playing partners will love me Thursday afternoon after a Blucy in my gut.

[Ken Fry]

Pat, et al.


I can't thank you enough for your efforts in setting this up. I cannot wait to get up there and get things started.


I did plan on hitting up Blue Door before I flew back Sunday night. I'd be down for going there after T&C if there's interest. Otherwise, I'll probably go there when I land on Thursday morning. My playing partners will love me Thursday afternoon after a Blucy in my gut.

Criss,

My flight leaves rather late so I would certainly be up for joining you.  There's no way I can leave without a Juicy Lucy (although the flight home could get interesting).

Ken

[Andrew Lewis]

Peter
You and I taking down JC Jones and Thurman? at Kingsley stands out as one of the few highlights or my otherwise mediocre competitive golf career.


Buck

C'mon, Buck.  You can do better than this.


Bragging about taking down Jones at anything is borderline, but bragging about taking him down at golf is just plain sad.