2017 TS34
Memorial Day Classic
The 2017 Trevor Spring 34 (aka The TS34) looked to be in jeopardy when the weather forecast first came out! The early reports said 90% chance of rain and potential thunder and lightening. When we showed up, the skies looked very ominous and the forecast still showed 50% plus chance of rain and storms. For those not familiar with the history of this event, three of the first five TS34's were hampered by bad weather. In fact, one edition was even reduced to 12 holes! This year, contestants showed up with umbrellas, rain gear, rubber gloves, hefty bags, and every other device to help stay dry. So what actually happened...well, the day went on without even one drop of rain! The golf gods looked after us!
It was another great event put on by Trevor "Irish" Spring who showed up with the prestigious hardware. The pre-round bottle of Irish Whiskey made its rounds with the customary toast to the Birthday Boy. The TS34 was first played a few years ago when Trevor turned 34...hence the name. This was the 6th edition of this great event. All 28 players made it to the first tee which is an achievement of its own! There were a few prizes to be won...front and back 9 team and individual winners, team overall winners, and the Individual TS34 winner. This year we had a special junior edition of the TS34 which Franco Melhado won with a very solid gross 73!! He played from the blue tees and beat a lot of the mature Rats!! Well played Franco!!
The Team front 9 was won by Robert Specjal and Matt Brower who went out in Net 31. The back 9 was won by T. Ross Henry and Terry Robinson with a very solid Net 28. The Individual front 9 winner was Randy Reynolds who shot a Net 32 and the back 9 winner was Chris Lyles who came home in Net 32. Good playing by all.
The team event was very competitive. Quite a few low rounds were posted, but the teams of Randy Reynolds / Chris Kendzior and T. Ross Henry / Terry Robinson finished with the low score of -11 (Net)!! Great playing by both these teams! A three hole putt off to determine the team winners commenced on the practice green after the round. After both teams two-putted the first hole, Kendzior rolled in a right to left 18 foot putt on the second hole to put his team one stroke up with one to go. Both teams two putted the last hole to give the victory and elegant trophies to Randy and Chris. Congratulations fellas on a well deserved victory!
The individual tourney was a close contest between Chris Lyles, Randy Reynolds, and T .Ross Henry. All shot gross under par rounds, but the difference were the handicaps. Randy shot a solid two under par 69 with two pops to lead in the clubhouse with a Net 67. Lyles shot a very respectable 69 with three pops for a Net 66. T. Ross came home in gross 31 (Net 29) to shoot his first under par round of the year... a strong 69 with four pops for a winning score of Net 65! T. Ross said after the round that this was one of the most rewarding victories of his 30 year golf career. He went on to add "I've played every TS34 since its inception, but couldn't put it all together... today was my day". T. Ross joins Muny Rat legends Dennis Sokol, James Gustafson, and Matt Wahl as winners of this elite Muny Rat Major.
Thank you all for coming out and making this a great day! A big thanks goes out to Patrick Giles for taking care of the spreadsheet, scores, and payouts! Lastly, thanks Trevor for continuing the tradition and supplying the great prizes! The TS34 is always a fun event and grows a little each year. Hope to see you all next year when Trevor turns the Big 4-0!