Weekly Recaps

TONAWANDA, NY – Back in week-4, Scott Verost won the green jacket and the league was buzzing with the family feud that became public after Scott's brother Mark called Scott out on his bullshit.

Mark said then that he "was the first Verost to win a green jacket. I don’t care if I win another. I’m here for the comradery and good food at The Grill. I stopped going to family parties and didn’t attend Christmas dinner because of Scott. I’m just tired of it. Tired of him.”

After that very public squabble, the brothers connected at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino to hash things out. It was then that they realized the root of their anger and hostility wasn't with one-another. Rather, it was with a select few of the Grand Island Gang that had ostracized the Verost brothers in favor of some "foreigners".

"Scott and I talked. We shed a few tears." Mark said while fighting back tears recalling the discussion. "We drank some beers. Well, I drank beer. Scott is still on some 'no drinking' phase but that's another story. But we talked over dinner and figured out what had drawn us apart the past couple of years and it wasn't each other. It was all these other wanna-be's claiming to be a part of this "Grand Island Gang" and pushing the true Grand Islanders out that was the issue."

Mark continued to elaborate on the people and the cause. "See, I was part of this league from inception. I brought Steck in who then brought Neeson who brought in Neville. We're the original 'Grand Island Four Horsemen'. We bonded over the love of our home town and just enjoyed the comradery of the league. That first year was the best year of my putting life."

When pressed for what changed things, his tone turned quickly. "I'll tell you what changed. I opened up the doors to Scott while Steck, Neeson, and Neville opened the border to a bunch of Grand Island transplants and foreigners. And before you know it, Scott and I are pushed out and the Grand Island Gang was formed by Conschafter and that fucking Coyle who isn't even from the island."

Mark was heated and continued to go off "It all started with those two. They requested a separate text thread with just their puppets on it. Scott and I were put on a different thread and were excommunicated from the Grand Island Gang before you knew it. They then brought in a bunch of other nobody's including some guy that comes dressed in a suite to putt. I don't even think he's an American to be honest with you. Tucker (Carlson) warned us of these border issues and it's happening. I remember a guy in the league from Grand Island, Steve Pezzino, told me this day would come. He was in the league one year and only showed one like 3 times. He couldn't take these clowns claiming to be Grand Islanders."

With an understanding of what caused the anger and hostility he had towards his brother, where did he pull a record round like that from. "It was just after Scott's victory when I decided to re-dedicate myself to this great game and even greater league. I started to train with my brother, minus the no drinking. I wanted to reclaim the glory of my youth and show these guys that I am still Grand Island. I am the reason they are here. And it all starts today with this green jacket victory."

Mark's impressive score of 34+5 is the second best finishing score in league history and a league record in most holes-in-one in a round with 5!

"I may not have the record that that fuck-nut Coyle has but I'm knocking on his door. Of course, that door isn't on the Island despite his claims of being a 'Grand Island Gang Member'. They know I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere. My next goal is to ruin their party as they try to capture all three of the top spots in the league. I plan to make a difference the final week as well."

While some may be shocked at Mark's score in week-9, others familiar with the deep analytics of the league were not. Mark has shot sub-40 rounds the three last weeks, which happens to be the three weeks since he and his brother rekindled their relationship.

Mark has just one last goal for the season "I want to finish in the money this year." he said jokingly. "I'm gunning for that 15th or 16th place spot."

When Steve Steck and Jim Neville were asked for comment on what Mark had to say about being excommunicated from the Grand Island Gang, only Steck responded (to be fair, not sure if Neville heard the question). "Listen, I get why Mark is angry. I would be too if I was tossed over the Grand Island Bridge into the cold waters of the Niagara River like he was." portraying an ugly visual of just how bad things have gotten with the Islanders. "The thing is, most of the guys in the Gang don't like Coyle and Conschafter. But they've paid most of these guys off with lavish gifts like boats or drinks at every establishment on the island. It's a small price for such a benefit."

When asked why he thought the Verost brothers aren't included in the Grand Island activities or messages Steck had his opinion "Honestly, they just can't hang with the big dogs in the Gang. Coyle is like Andre the Giant. He can consume a 30-pack and no one knows. Concho has a bottle of vodka before lunch. And the new guys? Cox drinks wine is kool-aid and Bridenbaker hasn't said no to a drink since he was in diapers. All these guys got 99 problems and unfortunately, the Versot brothers good nature is one of them. If you ask me, it's best for them to be out of the Gang. In fact, me, Cox, and Neeson are headed to New York City to discuss our future with the Gang."

This is not the time for some Grand Island Gang members to deal with such tension and distractions. With Jeff Luke atop of the standings, four Islanders are in contention for the top-4 money spots. Chris Wilkinson, Shawn Conschafter, Jason Cox, and Mike Mondoux all sit within striking distance. Which of these 5 putters will finish outside the money?

In other news…

Week-9 was the first time in league history that the average score of the league was sub-40 (39.69) and only the second time the average number of holes-in-one exceeded was 1 (1.25 - a record)!

The Moondogs, Mondoux and Bridenbaker, are in first place in the tag-team competition just one point ahead of the US Express, Wilkinson and Duffy. With several teams in striking distance, the top-3 tag team spots are still up for grabs.

Jeff Luke sits three holes in one ahead of Wilkinson for the hole-in-one title.

The Rookie of the Year award is a tight race as Scott Lis is the overall leader among rookies but doesn't have a money finish yet this year. Tim K, Bridenbaker, and Trevor Duffy are all in contention and need a big week to help their cause for Rookie of the Year.

Bridenbaker (pictured) recorded the closest hallway putting putt in league history after the round despite not being able to complete a sentence and doing his best Concho-after-dark impersonation.

And finally, a lot of league members have asked what the best rounds ever recorded were. Here is a list of the top scores ever recorded. Note: only one round out of the top-21 rounds was shot in a year other than 2022 or 2023 (35+2 in 2018).