SFFGC 2004 Golf Season

Coyote Creek Golf Club
October 25 2004

Every year the golf committee has sat down and tried to find new places to play for the up coming season. Sometimes we have re-visited courses we hadn’t played in several years, but usually the goal is to find something different. In the past we have played very few courses in the South Bay Area, most likely this is because few of our club live in that direction, but generally speaking Frank, John and I have not played much golf on that side of the Bay. The last several years after driving down south for our Monterey trip we have discussed Coyote Creek and this year John made a phone call and somehow worked out a deal.

Since I live in Contra Costa, I left early and arrived several hours ahead of everyone else. Since I had plenty of time I went into the clubhouse to have breakfast. There is a big reason that Bob Jackson has led in the standings all year. When I walked in there was Bob eating his breakfast over three hours before the first tee time. His hard work and the attention to the little parts of the game such as practicing and warming up before the round is the reason he is now the only player to win the Club Trophy twice. Since Bob hadn’t finished his breakfast yet I joined him and when we were done went out to the practice range. Coyote Creeks practice facility is fantastic their practice chipping and bunker area is large and has a lot of different conditions and lies to practice from. Also the putting green was big and they were contoured like the greens on the course, I was very impressed by the course and their staff.

At the beginning of the day there were several players who had a chance to catch Bob in the final tournament. Two of the contenders were in the B flight, one of the players who had an outside chance to catch Bob shot 94 net 68 to win and to take the B flight. Kevin Burke played in a lot of tournaments this year and for his solid play and participation came within one half of a point of tying for the Club Trophy. I guess he will have to settle for the B flight title and try again next year. Nice job Kevin and you helped make the last day interesting for Mr. Jackson. Bill Kneis also played in most if not all of the tournaments this year and finished the season well. His 96 net 70 tied for second in the flight with Larry Zammarchi, but also helped him win second in the B flight. Bill’s play this year makes him a threat to maybe win it all next season.

At the start of the season it appeared that Bob Jackson was going to run away with the over-all title much less the A flight. But the A flight has some good players. Last year George Garcia had a great year and came away with the trophy. We all know that it is tough to win once much less twice in a row. George didn’t repeat his title run this year, but on the last day he was at the top. George shot the low round of the day with a 79 net 65 to take the A flight and put him in the top five for the year. Phil Kelber also shot a 79, but his lower handicap only netted a score of 70 that was good enough for second place. Dave Jackson had a nice round and his 86 net 71 left him in third place for the day.

Several A flight players chasing Bob Jackson made the flight interesting in the last part of the year. They not only came close, but also had a chance to win it all. Travis Rail has been one of the best members of our club since we took over the Club. He plays in nearly every event and he always comes prepared to play. Every year he is right in the middle of the fight not only for the flight title, but the over-all. This year was no different. He fell short this year, but remarkably finished in the top three for the fifth year in a row. Great year again Travis, I know you will be there again next year. Over the last few tournaments Jim Mellberg played some great golf and on the final day he had a chance also. Maybe it was asking for a lot to have to win the last tournament. Jim had a fine year and I know I would be pleased to finish third in a year-long competition. Nice job guys for making it interesting for our new Club Champion. Bob Jackson played in all the events other than a couple when he was ill so look out for him again next year. I’ve written about Bob all year so there is little more to be said other than Congratulations to our 2004 Club Champ Bob Jackson.

I will see you all next year. Don’t forget to sign up early on the golf-line and we are always looking for new members so if you would like to join call us at Station 17 or leave a message on the golf-line 415-822-9500.

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