1998 Results

LA Doubles Down On OC

Another year of Ryder Cup has passed, but the flag now flies in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles proved that they were the more cohesive team by dominating the first two days of competition. When it was all said and done, LA walked away with an 8 to 4 victory.

For the second year in a row, the weather cooperated as it was blue skies and calm winds for the 2nd annual golf competition. Picture perfect conditions allowed for low scores and tough competition. The competition increased this year due to the four new members. An additional four points were up for grabs and they landed in LA county.

Day 1 began at the Desert Pines Golf Club. The layout called for precise shots and accurate yardage. Mitch and Ken led off for the OC warriors against Grant and Donald. Grant was on fire as he led LA to a fast start. The outcome was 2 & 1. Craig and Norm faced Mel and Kevin. This match see-sawed on the front nine before LA ran off 6 straight holes to post a 6 & 4 victory. The final match of the day pitted Mark andHarlan versus Russ and Tom. Tommy's legend grew as Mr. 18 as he led his team to a 1 Up victory on the last hole. The day ended with LA having a commanding 3 - 0 lead.

OC hoped for a change of venue would help their fortunes as the group moved to the Stallion Mountain Country Club for the final two days. The course was a little more forgiving as adjoining fairways were included in the layout. Day two is the start of 2-Man Scramble.

Day 2 Mark & Ken led off for OC against Kevin & Russ. OC jumped out early hoping to establish the trend. After 9 holes, Mark & Ken were 2-Up. However, Kevin & Russ turned the tables to take six of the nine remaining holes and scored a 3 & 1 victory for the boys of Blue.

Up next, OC sent out veterans Mitch & Craig. At this point, Craig has been without a victory. He was determined to change his destiny. Unfortunately for Mel & Donald, they received the result of Craigs' focus. OC was on the board with a dominating 4 & 2 tally.

The last match of Day Two was OC's new boys, Norm & Harlan squaring off against Tom & Dale. Dale was a replacement for Grant, who had a wedding to attend. LA did not miss a beat as the two brothers went down early, but slowly edged back into the match. LA did not need Mr. 18 as they secured a 2 & 1 triumph. With that victory, LA led 5 points to 1 going into the final day of play.

Needing a minor miracle, OC began the singles day with Craig. LA countered with its surprise man, Kevin. In what appeared to be a battle of attrition, Craig outlasted Kevin with a 3 & 1 score. In fact, we think that Kevin's clubs still must be out on the course as he posted a Ryder Cup record of 131.

Completing this foursome, Mitch and Mel squared off. Following the lead set by the above two, they struggled through all 18 holes. It went back and forth. When it was all decided, Mel graciously accepted victory with a bogey 6 on 18 for a 1-Up point for LA. This victory ensured LA of a tie, but needed the 1/2 point to retake the Cup.

Russ was LA's first opportunity to gain the 1/2 point. Norm was determined to score for OC. It must have been Norm's conditioning that caused the difference because his 99 beat Russ' 99 for a 1-Up score. Norm used his stroke efficiency to his advantage to take 18 with the magic bogey 6.

Next up for LA was its MVP, Tommy Two_Iron. Mark had the unenviable task to keep Tommy from clinching the Cup. Mark made the mistake of taking Tommy to the 18th hole. As expected, Tommy provided a spectacular shot to wrest the Cup over the county line. He holed out his fourth shot for a birdie and left Mark discouraged.

The final foursome of the 2nd Ryder Cup started with Harlan versus Grant. In a match that went in streaks, Harlan's streak in the middle holes outlasted Grant's late run to win 5 & 3. Harlan looks like one to contend with in future Cup action.

In what turned out to be a meaningless contest, Ken represented OC against Donald of the LA squad. After keeping close early, Ken hit a bad streak and handed the victory to Donald. LA closed out the scoring in this annual event with a 6 & 4 thumping.

The third day ended with three matches apiece for OC and LA. However, the team competition proved to be the difference in Ryder Cup Two. For now, the trophy must be kept in OC since they suffered the defeat at the hands of the LA boys.