Discovery Bay Senior Men’s Invitational
The Discovery Bay Senior Men’s Golf Club held its annual Senior Invitational Golf Tournament on August 12, 2016. The tournament was held at the Discovery Bay Country Club .
This is a member / guest tournament where a Senior Golf Club member invites a non-member to play as a part of his two-man team. The invited member must be at least 50 years old and have an established handicap (GHIN).
As President of the Discovery Bay Senior Men’s Golf Club (DBSMGC) I was also the Tournament Chairman for this event.
I would sincerely like to Thank our Tournament Hole Sponsors without whose support this tournament would not be possible. There is a complete list of sponsors at the end of this post. It would be greatly appreciated if everyone would consider patronizing our sponsor businesses.
Competition and Format
This year we had 36 teams competing in a triple format event. The overall format was broken down into 6 hole formats of which there were a total of 3 for 18 holes. All players used the White (Standard Men’s) Tees.
The three formats were:
Holes 1 thru 6 were played as a 2 Man Scramble: Each player tees off. They then select the best shot and each player hits from that position. This continues until the ball is holed. The sequence is repeated for all 6 holes.
Holes 7 thru 12 were played as 2 Man Alternate Shot: Both players tee off and select which drive they want to use. The other player then hits that shot and then they alternate until the ball is holed. On the next tee shot, both players hit and follow the routine until the ball is holed. This format is relatively unique to amateur golfers and affords players a view into how others have to play the game. Let’s golfers feel some of what the Ryder Cup player feel, except it’s not match play.
Holes 13 thru 18 were 2 Best Balls: Each player plays his own ball and both net balls are counted. The nice thing about this format is both players need to play well. It is hard for one player to carry his partner.
Player feedback from this type of overall format has always been positive as it includes formats that the players rarely play. This forces players to hit the ball from places they may never have been on the golf course. In a scramble you may hit from a new place because one of your partners is a long hitter. However, your shot is only one of four or one of two.. Not the same pressure as when it is your shot for your team until the 6 holes where both balls count.
Our One Day Tournament started with a full breakfast in the main dining room of the Country Club. I must say that the Discovery Bay Country Club set up an excellent breakfast. The players then went to their starting holes for a Shot-gun start. After golf there was a full buffet lunch, also in the Country Club main dining room.
As the players finished golf, they turned in their scorecard at the front table in the dining room and ate lunch. This year we served a member favorite Fried Chicken lunch with mashed potatoes, vegetables and many side salads. The tables were set up for 8 players and 2 foursomes sat together. The tables were marked by starting holes to let players know where to sit.
The overall Net Winner was crowned Senior Men’s Invitational Champion, second and third places were also paid. Prize money was also awarded for each low net in each of the 3 formats and 3 places were paid for those formats. To spread the wealth each twosome can only win 1 prize. If the overall winner is both low net and low gross they have a choice of which prize they take but they always choose low net which comes with the Senior Invitational Champion title and a larger monetary prize.
Let the Tournament Begin
The days experience began at 7AM at the check-in table as you approached the club from the parking lot. Each player received a dozen Callaway Golf Balls and a $25 Gift Certificate for the Pro Shop. As the player moved down the table he had the opportunity to buy into the Four Extra Events and 4 items that were being raffled off. Closet-to-the-Pin on 2 -Par 3’s, a Casino hole, a Long Drive contest and a Putting contest. There were then 4 Raffles: A Foursome at Oakdale CC, 4 Lower Box seats to a SF Giants Game, and 2, 1 each Club Glove Travel Covers.
Extra Events
- Putting Contest: Held on the Practice putting green. The contestant must first make an 8 to 10 foot straight putt and then a 15 or so foot breaking putt. Both putts must be holed to win. All players making both putts win.
- Closet-to-the-Pin: This was set up on two Par 3’s, Hole #14 and Hole #17.
- Casino Hole: On Par 3 Hole #2 your tee shot needs to fall inside a 30 foot diameter circle around the pin. All players with their ball in the circle from their drive win.
- Long Drive: This event was set up on Hole #16 and was in 3 handicap flights: 0 – 13, 14 – 20, and 21+, with a winner in each flight.
Once the players were finished with sign-in, they were treated to a wonderful buffet breakfast in the main dining room of the clubhouse. The breakfast consisted of Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Fried Potatoes, French toast, rolls, mixed fruits, etc. I must say the Country Club did a great job and the players agreed.
The Tournament began with a shot gun start and players started to their holes at about 8:25 for an 8:30 start. Being a Senior Fun Tournament, a six inch bump in the same cut was allowed but all putts had to be holed out. No Gimmee’s. The teams exchanged score cards with their foursome mates and the Tournament began.
An additional perk was the hosted on course beverage cart with water, beer and soft drinks.
As expected this type tournament may have rounds of between 4 1/2 and up to 5 hours for the final group to finish.
Lunch in the Main Dining Room
At the end of their round the players turned in their signed cards to the scoring desk set up in the front of the Main dining room where they then enjoyed lunch. The Country Clubs popular Fried chicken buffet with mashed potatoes vegetables and an assortment of salads was served. Tables of 8 were set up with signage to show players where to sit based upon their starting hole.
The club Pros tallied and checked scorecards with the help of Herb Willmes, our Senior club treasurer, posting the results on the forms taped to the windows behind the scoring table for all to see.
Tournament and Extra Event Winners
This year the Senior Invitational Tournament Low Overall Winners were:
1st Place and Tournament Champion: Paul Fowler with his partner John Lancaster.
2nd Place: Lyle Shearer with his partner Sanjay Bakshi.
3rd Place: Lowell Onstad and his partner Rich Brunetto.
Low Alternate Shot Winners:
1st Place: Bob Young and his partner Jim Young (his twin brother)
2nd Place: Bob Grabar and his partner Jack Smith
3rd Place: Colin Brodie and his partner Kevin Brodie
Low Scramble Winners:
1st Place: Walter Shipilov and his partner Dennis Pachucki
2nd Place: Ed Turman and his partner Al Scali
3rd Place: Bob Grabar and his partner Jack Smith
2 Best Ball Winners:
1st Place: Jim Avila and his partner Randy Zeirau
2nd Place: Gary Hess and his partner Steve Krotz
3rd Place: Andy Zwemer and his partner Brian Wold
Closest-to-the-Pin winners were:
#14 Dick Heyman
#17 Rich Brunetto
Casino Hole Winners:
Rich Brunetto, Paul Fowler, Ed Turman
Putting Contest: There were no winners in the putting contest. I guess we all need putting lessons.
We look forward to holding this event again next year and hope for increased participation. Hopefully, those players who enjoyed the event will tell their friends how much fun they had to entice them to sign up next year.
Hole Sponsors
Businesses Individuals
Ace Hardware – Brentwood Peter Baylacq
ADANAC Fire Protection Steve Buckman
Big O Tires- Antioch Carl Dobratz
Brentwood fine Meats Brian Enbom
Casey’s Auto Body Bob Grabar
Capelli Construction Paul Lencioni
Delta Fence Company Jim Jenkins
Discovery Bay Dentistry- Mike Todorovic Bob Leete
Discovery Bay Sports Bar & Steakhouse Steve McDonough
Harvest Park Bowl Will Myers
Marples & Associates Lowell Onstad
Minuteman Press- Brentwood Walt Shipilov
Prince Realty Ed Turman
Sasville Properties
Service Painting
Surdez Insurance
Winslow Research Institute