Well, a weekend that was highly anticipated by both players and fans, has come and gone.. but the memories will live on.
This past weekend, the 3rd Annual Dane Odden Classic proved why it is one of the most enjoyable golf tournaments/weekends that I have been involved in.
The DOC literally brings people in from all over the country, this year we had friends from all over the midwest, as well as our buddy Jason Riesenberg who flew in from Las Vegas, NV.
At around 2:00 p.m., all 20 participants (a record high) met up in the parking lot of The Harvester Golf Club. Some of us had not seen each other in close to a year, while some of us were meeting for the first time. Not only does The DOC reunite old friends, but it creates new friendships that will last a lifetime.
In first two years of The DOC, the weather has been picture perfect. 75 degrees, no wind, and sunshine.. This year was a different story. All week, we had been watching the forecast. Everyday of the week was partly cloudy, apart from Friday. For the first time in 14 years, The Weather Channel had correctly predicted the weather 10 days in advance. We played all day in rain and wind for 15 holes before a short lightning delay.
Even though the weather tried to stop us, we had a good time (shocker). With every birdie, roars were heard from all points on the golf course.. Shirts were taken off on hole 15 (see picture right), and after a short rain delay, all 20 of us had the course to ourselves which enabled us to play a 20-some, not a 4 or 5 some, a 20-some for the final two holes.
After 16 holes, there was a two-way tie for first at -12 (My team, as well as Drew Dalziel's) with the other two teams trailing at -10.
Hole 17, like always, brought the drama. Every year, Tyler Roth has had the shot of the tournament. Being a 41 Handicap, you would think that (Roth) is unable to hit a shot under pressure. However, he clinched the tournament in a playoff during DOC I, by draining a 40 ft putt. On Friday he hit arguably the best shot that I have seen in over 4 years. Roth (who must have been in a coma) hit a driver to 7 feet on the short par 3, to lead his team to birdie as well as narrowing the lead to 1 shot.
This past weekend, the 3rd Annual Dane Odden Classic proved why it is one of the most enjoyable golf tournaments/weekends that I have been involved in.
The DOC literally brings people in from all over the country, this year we had friends from all over the midwest, as well as our buddy Jason Riesenberg who flew in from Las Vegas, NV.
At around 2:00 p.m., all 20 participants (a record high) met up in the parking lot of The Harvester Golf Club. Some of us had not seen each other in close to a year, while some of us were meeting for the first time. Not only does The DOC reunite old friends, but it creates new friendships that will last a lifetime.
In first two years of The DOC, the weather has been picture perfect. 75 degrees, no wind, and sunshine.. This year was a different story. All week, we had been watching the forecast. Everyday of the week was partly cloudy, apart from Friday. For the first time in 14 years, The Weather Channel had correctly predicted the weather 10 days in advance. We played all day in rain and wind for 15 holes before a short lightning delay.
Even though the weather tried to stop us, we had a good time (shocker). With every birdie, roars were heard from all points on the golf course.. Shirts were taken off on hole 15 (see picture right), and after a short rain delay, all 20 of us had the course to ourselves which enabled us to play a 20-some, not a 4 or 5 some, a 20-some for the final two holes.
After 16 holes, there was a two-way tie for first at -12 (My team, as well as Drew Dalziel's) with the other two teams trailing at -10.
Hole 17, like always, brought the drama. Every year, Tyler Roth has had the shot of the tournament. Being a 41 Handicap, you would think that (Roth) is unable to hit a shot under pressure. However, he clinched the tournament in a playoff during DOC I, by draining a 40 ft putt. On Friday he hit arguably the best shot that I have seen in over 4 years. Roth (who must have been in a coma) hit a driver to 7 feet on the short par 3, to lead his team to birdie as well as narrowing the lead to 1 shot.
View the video of Tyler Roth here on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKye0bAveBk. You might also want to check the ESPN top ten plays of the week.
**Roth is also looking for a new 3-wood, but this is not the time or place for that story.
On the 18th hole, a 540 yard Par 5, my team safely recorded an easy birdie and thought that we had the tournament locked up because co-leaders (Dalziel, Seitz, Seehusen, Iverson, and Braet) had to take a lateral drop off of the tee-box. However, Drew Dalziel proceeded to hit a 3-wood to 12 feet, to give their team a shot at birdie and share of the lead.
**Roth is also looking for a new 3-wood, but this is not the time or place for that story.
On the 18th hole, a 540 yard Par 5, my team safely recorded an easy birdie and thought that we had the tournament locked up because co-leaders (Dalziel, Seitz, Seehusen, Iverson, and Braet) had to take a lateral drop off of the tee-box. However, Drew Dalziel proceeded to hit a 3-wood to 12 feet, to give their team a shot at birdie and share of the lead.
Brad Hempstead's team made a great eagle on 18, but they fell 1 shot short. Supposedly the team led by Dane Odden birdied the last hole to finish -10, but they still finished DFL.
To make a long story short, the team of (Dalziel, Seitz, Seehusen, Iverson, and Braet) made their putt to force a playoff. It was too dark to play extra holes, so we decided to have a 20 yard chip off instead. After a series of average chips, co-captain of my team, Rob Rutt, came through like he had all day, hitting his chip to 2 feet. Drew Dalziel was the last hope for his team. (I have seen Drew's short game, and believe me I was not very nervous). Drew hit a poor chip (weird) and my team came through victorious.
With our victory, a few records were set. We set the tournament record by shooting 59 (-13) and Fellow co-captain, Rob Rutt and myself, became the first 2 time champions of the tournament.
But, like I have said from the beginning, this tournament is not about winning or losing. It is about spending time with our closest friends and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
The future:
Next year will mark the 4th year of The DOC. We have thrown out some ideas and we have decided to put the proceeds of the event towards a charity. If anyone has any ideas on where the money should go, let me know.
**We are looking to grow the event every year, so if you are interested in joining us next year, it's an open invitation, you can sign up online at the DOC Website.
Thank you to all that attended this year:
Dane Odden....Johnny Larson....Drew Dalziel.... Brad Hempstead.... Rob Rutt.... Patrick Hall.... Tyler Roth.... Adam Seitz.... Kevin Milligan.... Jake Bettis.... Jason Reisenberg.... Brett Iverson.... Nick Grossman.... David Allen.... Ben Henkels.... Jason Seehusen.... Adam Wuebker....Jake Krause.... Mark Boll.... Dave Braet.... Dave Blum....
Until next time,
JCL IV
