Weekly Recaps
Post-round write-ups from the commissioner
[caption id="attachment_946" align="alignleft" width="264" height="198" alt="IMG_2903"]
Week-2 Winner: Barboulos[/caption]
Week-2 of the Putter-In-Hand league has changed the direction of the 2018 season...and possibly the league forever! Under any other circumstances the media would be abuzz over Tom Barbops' record setting 5th career green jacket victory but instead the media is fixated on what has been dubbed "Putter Gate 2018". What will indelibly be a stain on the league has overshadowed a great accomplishment.
The night started in typical fashion, Jeff Luke got to the bar first and others followed. Making his typically-late arrival was an angry and somewhat hostile Shawn Conschafter who, when confronted about his temperament, lashed out in a profanity filled tirade about how he had forgotten his $200 Ping putter at the bar the previous week and that it was never returned to the lost and found the following morning. Knowing that he had to use a putter from his man-friend John Coyle, he was not in a pleasant mood. But the group collected themselves and set out to play week-2.
[caption id="attachment_953" align="alignleft" width="277" height="369" alt="IMG_2894"]
Caddie: CJ Wilkinson[/caption]
Going over some rules before teeing off, particularly the “Roesch Rule”, the group noticed a young man dressed as a caddie standing with the group. The young man was 2018 newcomer Chris Wilkinson's son, CJ, who was signed to a one-day contract and agreed to caddie for his father for a few beers afterwards. Having a caddie didn't seem to help Wilkinson as he shot 2-strokes worse than week-1, and ended with a 41 with 1 hole-in-one. His group did seem to benefit from the presence of a caddie as week-1 winner Mike Mondoux shot a 25 on the front-9 but recovered and shot a 17 on the back-9, ending up with a respectable 42 with 2 holes-in-one. Filling out the 3-some was Tom Barbops who shot a week-2 best 38 with 2 holes-in-one to win yet another green jacket. Barbops bested Jeff Luke by a stroke to take first place overall at this early stage of the season while Luke moved to 2nd place overall with no holes-in-one yet.
Playing with Luke was late-comer Joe Neeson who shot an inconsistent, but par for him, 44 with 1 hole-in-one. Rounding out their 3-some was Conschafter. Playing with Coyles shaft, he shot a 42 with 1 hole-in-one. Conschafter had no problem getting off the tee, it was his short and mid-range game that killed him. He also had several complaints about the course conditions and promised to get to the course early and personally sweep the greens as they are not up to his, nor the leagues, standards. We’ll see if he shows up early as it’s difficult enough to get him to the bar on time!
Finishing in the money for the first time in his career was Jay Flemming who shot a 3rd place 40 with no holes-in-one. Flemming was quite pleased that no other player had tied him as that has happened on at least three separate occasions in the past. His 3rd place finish was 13 places better than last week and hopes that his pre-putt 38 stands in week-3 whic happens to be The Masters. As of press time that score will not stand…continue reading…
Playing with Flemming was the ever-controversial Tony Rotella and the ever-horrible-but-doesn’t-care Harald Rehm. Rotella shot a 41 with 1 hole-in-one while Rehm finished with an expected bad round of 45. If it wasn’t for a 4 on hole 15, Rotella would have found himself in contention of a top-3 finish as he looks for his first green jacket of his career. Harald on the other hand, knowing he wont ever get to wear the jacket, has asked league officials if HE could be the one to place the jacket on the winner's shoulders each week. League officials found this ask to be quite disturbing and against tradition, but are still considering it anyhow.
Also looking for his first jacket is Scott Wilson who again shot a solid round, 41 with 1 hole-in-one. Wilson took a 4 on hole-6 which, like Rotella, took him out of contention of the money. After the round Wilson proclaimed that his training regimen has him poised to make a move for a jacket in the coming weeks and predicted a jacket in 2018. We’ll see if his predictions can come to fruition.
Rounding out this 3-some was Tim Roesch who said mid-match that the new “Roesch Rule” has had a profound impact on his game. Roesch shot 5-strokes worse in week-2 vs. week-1 as he recorded a 46 with 1 hole-in-one. Roesch said that watching others putt has gotten in his head and is messing with his vision. Reporters quickly pointed out that maybe it wasn’t the order which he putted in, rather it was likely the “medication” he took before. He quickly dismissed that and said “I could care less about putting anyway.” His play shows that.
In another 3-some was newcomers Joe LaBuda and Pat “Hot Body” Holden playing with Scott VeRost. VeRost, coming off one of his best weeks (42, 1 HI1) shot a 47 with 1 hole-in-one, a typically bad score for VeRost who before the round said he was starting to feel better about his game. It's unknown how he feels about his game now.
Holden, playing along VeRost, was not impressed with VeRost’s game but instead was impressed by VeRost "the man." Holden excitedly told reporters after the match “Where does the league find these guys? It’s like they go to a modelling agency and hand picks the creme of the crop to play in the league. Look at his hair! OMG!” Holden shot his load and a 44 with 1 hole-in-one, one stroke worse than his neighbor LaBuda who scored a 43. LaBuda was playing his first round with the league and was pleased by the competition and said after the match “I’ll be better next week now that I see what the hubbub is about.” He also said with a wink “I’m the kind of guy that will do WHATEVER it takes to win!”. It's not clear what that meant or why the wink but the league is skeptical of this guy, that’s for sure.
In other action, the newest addition to the PIH league Mike Robinson paired up with Jeff Hewett and fellow newcomer Nick Keil to shoot a 44 (0 HI1), 45 (2 HI1) and 46 (o HI1) respectively. This groups scorecard was littered with 4’s and even a 5 by Keil on hole-7, the same hole Hewett aced and Robinson scored a 2.
And rounding out the pairings was John Coyle, Bryan An and Tim Remy. This grouping showed little potential as they recorded a 44, 46, 47 with no holes-in-one across the board. An scored a league worse 26 on the front-9 while Remy matched that on the back-9, also a league worse. You know it’s a bad grouping when Coyle leads the pack.
And with that, the week-2 putting was done and the festivities at the bar would begin. Beers were flowing and wings were being had. Several hours passed and it was time for the return of the hallway putt off.
[caption id="attachment_951" align="alignleft" width="245" height="436" alt="IMG_2911 2"]
Red arrow showing Luke's putter at 9:12 PM (taken by Pat Holden)[/caption]
It was then Luke, standing with Coyle, noticed that his putter was missing! This wasn't the first time a prized possession of Luke's went missing. At the 2017 banquet and awards ceremony, he was presented with the PIH Lifetime Achievement Award trophy by fellow league members. Overcome with emotions, Luke was honored to be presented with such an award and enjoyed the night until he noticed that the trophy was stolen right from under him. He left the night broken hearted and empty handed and contemplated in the off-season cancelling the league as he does not take cheating lightly (*JK Scoring Scandal). But to not let the actions of one or a few take the league down, Luke put the thievery aside and continued the league in 2018.
So, when Luke noticed his putter was gone, he had flashbacks of the horrific day when he lost his trophy. Luke marched back into the bar demanding his putter be returned. When no one fessed up to taking his putter, Luke stormed out and in a black-out-rage took all remaining putters sitting by the entrance of the bar. He marched out of the dome with the putters in tow and vowed not to return a single one until justice had been served.
[caption id="attachment_947" align="alignleft" width="239" height="319" alt="IMG_2910"]
Confiscated putters[/caption]
Over the course of the next few hours, Luke had many conversations with the Commissioner of the league (himself) and contemplated not only the fate of those involved but the fate of the league. Luke went to bed and tossed and turned throughout the night going over all possible scenarios and putting calls out to local "authorities" about possible legal and criminal actions.
The next morning, without any sleep and wearing the green jacket, TMZ reports caught Tom Barbops coming out of a local IHOP and informed him of the state of the league. Barbops, who had departed earlier in the night, angrily told them "Rather than reporting on my accomplishments and dominance in the league, the damn media is focusing on the nonsense and continued corruption within the league. You all don't want to report on my greatness, instead you are talking about these silly pranks. This is an embarrassment to all league members. The effects of a few are detrimental to all. I call for swift and just action by the commissioner before even more players leave the league! And I demand more coverage from the fake news about my superiority in the league, damn it!"
Despite some inaccuracies in Barbops' statement (the fact is more people have joined or returned than have left) the league has been in contact with Barbops, listened to him, and has taken immediate action. The commissioner’s office has put out a statement including the drastic changes to its rules heading into the Masters.
From the PIH Commissioners office: "Effective immediately, all players must putt with a house putter until the safe return of not only Jeff Luke's putter but also his 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award trophy has been made. Additionally, all scores recorded by any player or players who have pre-putted for week-3 that had been played with a non-house-putter are null and void. Those players who have pre-putted must replay their rounds with a house putter. Any scorecard turned in by a player who had putted with a non-house-putter will be considered null and void. The league would also like to note that NO penalty shall be assessed to the player or players involved in the "theft" of either the trophy or the putter as the only desired outcome is to Make Putter-In-Hand Great Again! ™. All PIH participants, regardless of their presence the night of either theft or not, are subject to such rules and penalties. All league participants have been contacted regarding these changes and are suggested to encourage those parties involved to return the property to Luke to restore Law & Order to the league. And finally, if the parties involved do not want to come forward with the property themselves, they are suggested to either make arrangements to have the property returned and are encouraged to either drop the property off at the Dome/Grill or on the doorstep of Luke’s residence prior to week-3 beginning."
This new rule could have a material impact on the league results as week-3 is the Masters and some impressive scores have already been recorded. League officials encourage those that have pre-putted to reach out to the perpetrators should they know who those perpetrators are to correct the situation and end this disgusting prank.
One of those players that are not happy with the state of the league is Flemming who recorded a pre-putt 38. “I got to be honest with you, if that shit doesn’t get returned to Luke by next Thursday, there will be hell to pay!” said an agitated Flemming on Friday morning after hearing the rules about to be set by the league.
The league has had its controversies in the past and has prospered despite them. But only time will tell how “Putter Gate 2018” will impact the league in terms of not only reputation but in scoring if the materials are not returned by week-3 tee off.
The days to come will shape the league forever! We'll update you as the story unfolds.
Fun Facts:
Week-2 Winner: Barboulos[/caption]
Week-2 of the Putter-In-Hand league has changed the direction of the 2018 season...and possibly the league forever! Under any other circumstances the media would be abuzz over Tom Barbops' record setting 5th career green jacket victory but instead the media is fixated on what has been dubbed "Putter Gate 2018". What will indelibly be a stain on the league has overshadowed a great accomplishment.
The night started in typical fashion, Jeff Luke got to the bar first and others followed. Making his typically-late arrival was an angry and somewhat hostile Shawn Conschafter who, when confronted about his temperament, lashed out in a profanity filled tirade about how he had forgotten his $200 Ping putter at the bar the previous week and that it was never returned to the lost and found the following morning. Knowing that he had to use a putter from his man-friend John Coyle, he was not in a pleasant mood. But the group collected themselves and set out to play week-2.
[caption id="attachment_953" align="alignleft" width="277" height="369" alt="IMG_2894"] Caddie: CJ Wilkinson[/caption]
Going over some rules before teeing off, particularly the “Roesch Rule”, the group noticed a young man dressed as a caddie standing with the group. The young man was 2018 newcomer Chris Wilkinson's son, CJ, who was signed to a one-day contract and agreed to caddie for his father for a few beers afterwards. Having a caddie didn't seem to help Wilkinson as he shot 2-strokes worse than week-1, and ended with a 41 with 1 hole-in-one. His group did seem to benefit from the presence of a caddie as week-1 winner Mike Mondoux shot a 25 on the front-9 but recovered and shot a 17 on the back-9, ending up with a respectable 42 with 2 holes-in-one. Filling out the 3-some was Tom Barbops who shot a week-2 best 38 with 2 holes-in-one to win yet another green jacket. Barbops bested Jeff Luke by a stroke to take first place overall at this early stage of the season while Luke moved to 2nd place overall with no holes-in-one yet.
Playing with Luke was late-comer Joe Neeson who shot an inconsistent, but par for him, 44 with 1 hole-in-one. Rounding out their 3-some was Conschafter. Playing with Coyles shaft, he shot a 42 with 1 hole-in-one. Conschafter had no problem getting off the tee, it was his short and mid-range game that killed him. He also had several complaints about the course conditions and promised to get to the course early and personally sweep the greens as they are not up to his, nor the leagues, standards. We’ll see if he shows up early as it’s difficult enough to get him to the bar on time!
Finishing in the money for the first time in his career was Jay Flemming who shot a 3rd place 40 with no holes-in-one. Flemming was quite pleased that no other player had tied him as that has happened on at least three separate occasions in the past. His 3rd place finish was 13 places better than last week and hopes that his pre-putt 38 stands in week-3 whic happens to be The Masters. As of press time that score will not stand…continue reading…
Playing with Flemming was the ever-controversial Tony Rotella and the ever-horrible-but-doesn’t-care Harald Rehm. Rotella shot a 41 with 1 hole-in-one while Rehm finished with an expected bad round of 45. If it wasn’t for a 4 on hole 15, Rotella would have found himself in contention of a top-3 finish as he looks for his first green jacket of his career. Harald on the other hand, knowing he wont ever get to wear the jacket, has asked league officials if HE could be the one to place the jacket on the winner's shoulders each week. League officials found this ask to be quite disturbing and against tradition, but are still considering it anyhow.
Also looking for his first jacket is Scott Wilson who again shot a solid round, 41 with 1 hole-in-one. Wilson took a 4 on hole-6 which, like Rotella, took him out of contention of the money. After the round Wilson proclaimed that his training regimen has him poised to make a move for a jacket in the coming weeks and predicted a jacket in 2018. We’ll see if his predictions can come to fruition.
Rounding out this 3-some was Tim Roesch who said mid-match that the new “Roesch Rule” has had a profound impact on his game. Roesch shot 5-strokes worse in week-2 vs. week-1 as he recorded a 46 with 1 hole-in-one. Roesch said that watching others putt has gotten in his head and is messing with his vision. Reporters quickly pointed out that maybe it wasn’t the order which he putted in, rather it was likely the “medication” he took before. He quickly dismissed that and said “I could care less about putting anyway.” His play shows that.
In another 3-some was newcomers Joe LaBuda and Pat “Hot Body” Holden playing with Scott VeRost. VeRost, coming off one of his best weeks (42, 1 HI1) shot a 47 with 1 hole-in-one, a typically bad score for VeRost who before the round said he was starting to feel better about his game. It's unknown how he feels about his game now.
Holden, playing along VeRost, was not impressed with VeRost’s game but instead was impressed by VeRost "the man." Holden excitedly told reporters after the match “Where does the league find these guys? It’s like they go to a modelling agency and hand picks the creme of the crop to play in the league. Look at his hair! OMG!” Holden shot his load and a 44 with 1 hole-in-one, one stroke worse than his neighbor LaBuda who scored a 43. LaBuda was playing his first round with the league and was pleased by the competition and said after the match “I’ll be better next week now that I see what the hubbub is about.” He also said with a wink “I’m the kind of guy that will do WHATEVER it takes to win!”. It's not clear what that meant or why the wink but the league is skeptical of this guy, that’s for sure.
In other action, the newest addition to the PIH league Mike Robinson paired up with Jeff Hewett and fellow newcomer Nick Keil to shoot a 44 (0 HI1), 45 (2 HI1) and 46 (o HI1) respectively. This groups scorecard was littered with 4’s and even a 5 by Keil on hole-7, the same hole Hewett aced and Robinson scored a 2.
And rounding out the pairings was John Coyle, Bryan An and Tim Remy. This grouping showed little potential as they recorded a 44, 46, 47 with no holes-in-one across the board. An scored a league worse 26 on the front-9 while Remy matched that on the back-9, also a league worse. You know it’s a bad grouping when Coyle leads the pack.
And with that, the week-2 putting was done and the festivities at the bar would begin. Beers were flowing and wings were being had. Several hours passed and it was time for the return of the hallway putt off.
[caption id="attachment_951" align="alignleft" width="245" height="436" alt="IMG_2911 2"] Red arrow showing Luke's putter at 9:12 PM (taken by Pat Holden)[/caption]
It was then Luke, standing with Coyle, noticed that his putter was missing! This wasn't the first time a prized possession of Luke's went missing. At the 2017 banquet and awards ceremony, he was presented with the PIH Lifetime Achievement Award trophy by fellow league members. Overcome with emotions, Luke was honored to be presented with such an award and enjoyed the night until he noticed that the trophy was stolen right from under him. He left the night broken hearted and empty handed and contemplated in the off-season cancelling the league as he does not take cheating lightly (*JK Scoring Scandal). But to not let the actions of one or a few take the league down, Luke put the thievery aside and continued the league in 2018.
So, when Luke noticed his putter was gone, he had flashbacks of the horrific day when he lost his trophy. Luke marched back into the bar demanding his putter be returned. When no one fessed up to taking his putter, Luke stormed out and in a black-out-rage took all remaining putters sitting by the entrance of the bar. He marched out of the dome with the putters in tow and vowed not to return a single one until justice had been served.
[caption id="attachment_947" align="alignleft" width="239" height="319" alt="IMG_2910"] Confiscated putters[/caption]
Over the course of the next few hours, Luke had many conversations with the Commissioner of the league (himself) and contemplated not only the fate of those involved but the fate of the league. Luke went to bed and tossed and turned throughout the night going over all possible scenarios and putting calls out to local "authorities" about possible legal and criminal actions.
The next morning, without any sleep and wearing the green jacket, TMZ reports caught Tom Barbops coming out of a local IHOP and informed him of the state of the league. Barbops, who had departed earlier in the night, angrily told them "Rather than reporting on my accomplishments and dominance in the league, the damn media is focusing on the nonsense and continued corruption within the league. You all don't want to report on my greatness, instead you are talking about these silly pranks. This is an embarrassment to all league members. The effects of a few are detrimental to all. I call for swift and just action by the commissioner before even more players leave the league! And I demand more coverage from the fake news about my superiority in the league, damn it!"
Despite some inaccuracies in Barbops' statement (the fact is more people have joined or returned than have left) the league has been in contact with Barbops, listened to him, and has taken immediate action. The commissioner’s office has put out a statement including the drastic changes to its rules heading into the Masters.
From the PIH Commissioners office: "Effective immediately, all players must putt with a house putter until the safe return of not only Jeff Luke's putter but also his 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award trophy has been made. Additionally, all scores recorded by any player or players who have pre-putted for week-3 that had been played with a non-house-putter are null and void. Those players who have pre-putted must replay their rounds with a house putter. Any scorecard turned in by a player who had putted with a non-house-putter will be considered null and void. The league would also like to note that NO penalty shall be assessed to the player or players involved in the "theft" of either the trophy or the putter as the only desired outcome is to Make Putter-In-Hand Great Again! ™. All PIH participants, regardless of their presence the night of either theft or not, are subject to such rules and penalties. All league participants have been contacted regarding these changes and are suggested to encourage those parties involved to return the property to Luke to restore Law & Order to the league. And finally, if the parties involved do not want to come forward with the property themselves, they are suggested to either make arrangements to have the property returned and are encouraged to either drop the property off at the Dome/Grill or on the doorstep of Luke’s residence prior to week-3 beginning."
This new rule could have a material impact on the league results as week-3 is the Masters and some impressive scores have already been recorded. League officials encourage those that have pre-putted to reach out to the perpetrators should they know who those perpetrators are to correct the situation and end this disgusting prank.
One of those players that are not happy with the state of the league is Flemming who recorded a pre-putt 38. “I got to be honest with you, if that shit doesn’t get returned to Luke by next Thursday, there will be hell to pay!” said an agitated Flemming on Friday morning after hearing the rules about to be set by the league.
The league has had its controversies in the past and has prospered despite them. But only time will tell how “Putter Gate 2018” will impact the league in terms of not only reputation but in scoring if the materials are not returned by week-3 tee off.
The days to come will shape the league forever! We'll update you as the story unfolds.
Fun Facts:
- Week-2 average: 43.33 (nearly a stroke higher than week-1)
- 15 holes in one in week-2 (2 short of week-1 with 3 putters to play)
- Best front-9: 18 (Barbops)
- Best back-9: 17 (Mondoux)