The Broadfoot Open

April 17, 2010

Tri-Mountain Golf Course (Ridgefield, WA)

Format:  four-man scramble

Ridgefield, WA -- The race for the 2010 Tailgate State Cup began on April 17th with the 3rd Annual Broadfoot Open.  Included in this year’s record field of nine teams were many newcomers to the tour as well as a long list of cagey veterans looking forward to getting their season off to a hot start in this four-man scramble.  Weather conditions cooperated -- as did the cart girl -- to provide a setting for exceptional shot making and a chance at early season glory.

Kicking off the tourney was "Team Ninja" anchored by 2009 TGS Cup champion and expectant father Brett Hamel.  Opening with two pars pointed toward a promising round by the Ninjas, but a bogey at the treacherous par 5 third hole greatly hindered their chances of going low.  From there many birdie putts never found the cup and despite a birdie on the 18th, it was a day of what might have been for the Ninjas. 

Next on the tee was "Team Struggles" who found few struggles on their outward nine.  Five birdies and one bogey on the front nine sent word to the other teams that captain Lance Meyerink and his band of strugglers were here to compete.  However, like many groups to come, the back nine proved far more difficult and "Team Struggles" were only able to take their overall score one stroke lower and finished at a respectable five under par.

One of the favorites at the pre-tourney betting window was "Team Tri-Wold" and they were third off the tee.  Bettors had to be concerned when the Tri-Wold bogeyed the very short par 4 second hole and wondered if their money was well positioned.  However, team captain Jason Wold got the birdie barrage going at the par 3 6th with a tee shot to within three feet.  From there, Tri-Wold posted five more birdies to finish the round at six under par and possessing the lead in the clubhouse.

Next to the tee was "Team Al Fuego", who fashioned the lowest team handicap in the field and was also considered a strong contender for top honors.  After two opening pars, Al Fuego turned an excellent drive by team captain Jeff Albright into a birdie at the tough par 4 3rd to get into red figures.  A few holes later, Al Fuego really caught fire and played holes 7 thru 9 in three under to finish the front side at five below par.  Unfortunately for Al Fuego, the scorecard could not stay quiet on the back and bogeys on the 12th, 15th and 16th holes overshadowed four more birdies and led to subsequent “birdie juice” on the clubhouse patio.

Hoping to play to their team name, "Team Shock the World" led by Tim Tyvand was in the next grouping.  Unlike Al Fuego in the group ahead, "Team STW" could find little reason to draw circles or squares on their card.  While only one bogey was recorded all day (#10), there was simply not a hot putter in this group and only three birdie putts fell all day.  The only question was:  would two strokes below par be enough for "Team STW" to remain out of last place on this day.

The only team to open with a bogey on the first hole was "Team Nice Grouping".  While this might have derailed others, it only gave captain Dave Charbonneau a chance to give his best Ernie Kent pep talk to his charges.  Apparently inspired, Nice Grouping recovered from the opening bogey and managed to get to two under par at the turn and really had high hopes for valuable TGS Cup points when they birdied the tenth hoole.  Alas, the inspiration soon turned to desperation as few birdies were found on the back nine and Nice Grouping retired to the clubhouse to check in on the UO coaching carousel.

Host Charlie Broadfoot and "Team Gay Chubby" (are vodka-and-cranberry drinks gay?) strode to the tee next complete with jet lag and borrowed clubs.  Little was expected from this team of three 25+ handicappers plus the notoriously inebriated Broadfoot.  However, their greenside chip on hole one found the bottom of the cup and from there anything was possible.  Gay Chubby added birdies at the 6th, 7th and 8th holes to make the turn at four shots under par and learned that they were in contention for early season glory.  Unfortunately for Gay Chubby and their team captain, the cart girl came by one too many times on the back side and “birdie juice” led to bogeys and an inward score of even par, four strokes under par for their overall effort.

The favorite according to the experts in nearby La Center was the confidently named group "Team 2010 Broadfoot Open Champions".  Assembled by 2009 TGS Cup runner-up Jim Rader, the 2010 B.O.C’s  displayed their shot making ability on the short par 4 fourth by making birdie.  With momentum on their side, the B.O.C’s took apart the next five  holes (including an near ace on the 6th) and tied Al Fuego for the low front nine at five under par.  Whereas others struggled on the par 37 back nine, Team B.O.C’s just kept rolling in putt after putt.  With four straight birdies on holes 12 thru 15, the Broadfoot Open was all but decided.  By adding a final birdie on the 18th, "Team 2010 Broadfoot Open Champions" reached and could only hope that a double digit score of ten under would hold up with one last team on the course.

"Team Porterhouse" was the final grouping of the day and got off to respectable start with three birdies and one bogey on the front nine and looked to the back nine as a chance to make a move up the leader board.  Another birdie on the 10th hole added to their enthusiasm and propensity to increase their liquid intake.  While team captain Bryan Norris took a flier on a few unproved TGS Cup rookies to round out his team, a few rookie mistakes led to a three over par back side and a final tally of one over par on the scorecard.

Following the round, the participants returned to Portland for the comfortable surroundings of local bar Piedmont Place and an awards ceremony.  In addition to crowning "Team 2010 Broadfoot Open Champions" as the actual champions, as well as "Team Al Fuego" and "Team Tri-Wold" as runner ups, special awards were given for individual golfing achievement.  Taking home the KP prizes on holes 6 and 13 were Steve Beal and Mark Buckwold respectively, with long bomber Rich Wold nabbing the LD on the 15th hole.

The events of the after party somewhere on east Burnside became hazy for tourney host Broadfoot and therefore cannot be reported at this time.  Many thanks to all who participated and special thanks to those who traveled long distances to make the 2010 Broadfoot Open a resounding success!

After a few weeks off, the race for the Tailgate State Cup continues with the Clackamas Classic hosted by Tim Tyvand at beautiful Stone Creek Golf Course.  Please check back soon for tourney information …