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Gentlemen of the BTC
November 16, 2023

 

 

SORRY ABOUT THE DELAY IN THE NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK!  Andy

 

It may be bowling season, but temps got well into the 60’s today.  Did anybody else get out to a golf course?  Scott Lee and I were able to get 18 in at Naperbrook this morning.  The course was in phenomenal shape for mid-November.  More seasonable weather is coming fast so this may have been the last time for a while.  Or maybe not.  If I could find a golf course open when the mercury dips into the 20’s or below, I will be looking for a few brave (stupid) souls that would like to join me for some Polar Golf.

Enough about golf.  Bowling week #2 is in the books.  I couldn’t be there because I had to be at the firehouse, but it looks like the scores were significantly higher than week 1.  Tom Ollenburger had the high scratch series (695) for the second week in row.  Jeff Dinga (677) and Dave Jenner (675) also had big weeks.  Dave Jenner had the two highest scratch games this week (255/254).

Team Schwenn (14-0) is perched at the top of the standings after winning all 7 points again this week.  The Creative Colors team also picked up 7 points this week and is in 2nd place just two points back.  Smokys Bandits (10-4) rounds out the top three.  The Bluebird boys are still looking for their first point of the season.  Keep up the fight gentlemen.  I see big things in your future.  I can’t give these guys too much shit.  They took five points from my team on Friday night at Arena a few weeks ago.  

We have one more week of bowling before we split off into two divisions.  The six teams with the most total pins with handicap after next week will be the “A” division.  The remaining 6 teams will be the “B” division.  Creative Colors is currently leading the way with 6692.  They are the only ones that look to be a lock for the “A” division.  The second highest team pinfall is only about 300 pins higher than the lowest pinfall.  At this point everybody is still in the hunt.

I don’t want the tennis guys to think that I don’t have any love for them, but I haven’t received any tennis results this week.  What’s up with that Mr. Baldermann?  I could just start making stuff up.  Most people think I’m full of shit anyway.        

Builders Tee Club PSA:  Now would be a good time to check the grips on your clubs.  There are only 24 weeks of bowling/tennis left and then we are back on the golf course.  Don’t get caught in the spring rush. 

Happy November Birthdays:  Bill Foster (2), Tom Tucker (2), Dan Tomkins (2), Ken Poteracki (5), Tony Alexander (5), Robert Long (9), Roger Stewart (11), Gary Foster (11), Kelly Melfi (13), Scott Lee (13), Mike Breier (16), John Roberts (16), Ron Bazan (17), Scott Carter (17), Tom Wilson (21), Mike Ganz (21), Kevin Bewley (27).

Let me know if I missed anyone.

Anthony Serritella – Secretary                                                                         

serritella.outlandmedia@gmail.com  (630) 430-574

 

Extra Italian Day handouts & cigar accessories for sale, while supplies last.  See Rich at the Christmas dinner (6:30) at Silver Lake CC on 12/5/2023.

 

Drizzle Stik & sleeve of balls

Cigar holder or Lighter

Ball Claw Pickup

$25

2 for $5

2 for $5

Drizzle Stik

Cigar Holder & Lighter

Ball Claw Pickup

 

 

 

 

 

(CLICK HERE for the Dues Notice (Click Here for Online Payment Link).

 

TEXT and EMAIL updates of golf course cancellations, etc are available, but each member has to sign-up, and it only takes 2 minutes .  Click on this link, http://builderstee.com/TextMessageSignup.html, and follow the instructions.

 

Chairmen, Greg Lewis & Rich Schroeder, can issue the notices, so contact one of us, when needed.  If it's a general notice, it will also appear on our website, near the top of the current newsletter page.  On occasion, a notice may need to refer you to the website, for more information, as the text notice is limited to 100 characters.  Let Rich know if additional information needs to be posted to the website.  Currently there are 139 members signed up for Golf notices thru this service.

 

 

SOMETHING NEW FOR OUR MEMBERS - We are going to put a video, etc. on the web site, that's "in the news" or good for your tennis game (Click Here) or for the bowlers (Click Here).  Here's also the bonus link, to help get your golf game in shape for next season.  If anyone has photos or videos to share, of our Club in action, please email them to Webmaster@builderstee.com If your screen ever displays out-dated information, try to Refresh your PC first (F5 key).  The website has recently been updated to be more "mobile-device friendly".  Try visiting us from your tablet or smart phone, and send us your feedback.

Also, remember to check the "Other/Fleamarket" page for golf-related equipment for sale & upcoming golf events from our members.  Advertising here is FREE, for members only.  Click HERE for more bowling statsClick HERE for current golf handicaps & Full Season Golf Schedule Last year's financial report as presented by our Treasurer (click here).   Click Here to sign up  for Rained-Out text messages (click here for instructions). 

(CLICK for the 2022-2023 Bowling season rules)

OTHER NEWS: 

 

Tennis Report – Al Baldermann

 

We had 13 players.  Bob Schaefer was on his way but his motorcycle broke down.  So did Steve Anderson with a hamstring injury.

 

After tennis 27 of us went to GIO for our semi-annual trip.  This may have been the best time ever.  Great company, lots of laughs and good food.  There were 30 women in the restaurant who joined in the revelry.  Somehow we did not offend them.

 

Results:

Court 1

Johnson                    15/22

Rollins                       12/22

Schiera                       9/22

Darabaris                    8/22

 

Court 2

Abramowicz             10/16

Heraty                      11/18

Ganz                          8/18

Kahlhammer               8/18

Lillwitz                        7/18

 

Court 3

Reschke                    11/18

Anderson                       5/9

Rooks                          9/18

Baldermann                 7/18

Kahlhammer                  3/4

Abramowicz                   2/5

 

BTC Tennis at Gio's
   

 

BOWLING NEWS

 

Week 2 is complete and scores seemed to be a lot better! We are still in need of a few bowlers to fill-out teams if you know of anyone interested in bowling, please call or text me at 708-912-8831.

This week I am going to hand out Invoices for your Team Sponsors. The fee is the same as years past and is $125.00. This fee is due by the 6th week of bowling, if you have any questions or concerns about this please come see me during bowling. I am working on our 2023-2024 prize list and will have a couple different versions available within the next couple of weeks.  I will provide these to all team captains, at which time we will have a vote on which one the members prefer.     

We still have a few weeks according to our rules to welcome more bowlers, so as always if you know anyone interested in bowling please call or text me at 708-912-8831.

See You all Tuesday! 

Keith Tadevich – Bowling Secretary    

 

Pots for the week

 

Lane Assignments 
Lanes 1 & 2 3 & 4 5 & 6 7 & 8 9 & 10 11 & 12
11/21/2023 9 vs. 3 1 vs. 10 11 vs. 4 5 vs. 12 8 vs. 2 6 vs. 7
11/28/2023 7 vs. 12 5 vs. 8 9 vs. 2 10 vs. 4 11 vs. 6 1 vs. 3
Standings
# Builders Tee Club W L Pins + HDCP # Builders Tee Club W L Pins + HDCP
7 Team Schwenn 14 0 6205 12 Ascend Wealth Planning 7 7 6214
10 Creative Colors 12 2 6692 9 Beggar's Pizza 5 9 6260
5 Smokey's Bandits 10 4 6323 3 Bright Metals 4 10 6321
11 Oak Forest Bowl 9 5 6351 6 Mama Vesuvio 4 10 6183
2 Tri-Star 8 6 6153 1 Burr Oak Bowl 4 10 6016
4 Traitors 7 7 6301 8 Bluebird Lanes 0 14 6054
Handicap Mystery Pot
Game 1 Roger Stewart 235 1st Game Wayne Hutchinson 192
Paul Kleinpaste 224
2nd Game  Vince Oliva 230
Game 2 Dave Jenner 262
Roger Stewart 249 Doubles
1st Game Randy Samoska 447
Game 3 Bill Slusarczyk 264 Jeff Dinga
Dave Jenner 263
2nd Game Dennis Samoska Sr. 523
Jeff Dinga
2nd Game Blind Doubles
Dave Jenner 516 3rd Game Dave Jenner 527
Tom Ollenberger Tom Ollenberger
Jeff Dingas 504 Last Game Handicap
Dan Woodward Jr. Jeff Dinga 265
Bill Slusarczyk 264
Tom Ollenberger 264

 

 

GOLF NEWS      Hot-line number 708-888-1355.

 

Well after all the counts are in

43 yes to forward tees for 65 and over

6 against forward tees for 65 and over

28 yes to extending max handicap to 45.

15 against extending max handicap.

5 didn't answer the survey questions but had different solutions to consider.

I think that getting over 50 responses was great.  We average around 85 golfers a week and the remarkable thing was that it was only the golfers that golf almost every week were the ones that responded. 

In conclusion the vast majority were not only voting yes but a resounding yes and truly appreciate the forward tees.

Verdict not in on the handicap going up.  Most golfers against it were because of three strokes on a par 3.  To be honest it is very rare that a 45 would get 3 strokes on a par 3 unless it is one of the 9 hardest holes on the golf course.  And nobody gives anyone 3 strokes on any hole unless you are a 0 handicap.  And if you are 0 handicap you would not be in the same division as the high handicappers.  But I will meet with board and see what they recommend as the highest handicap.  We have a current member that at one time had a 42 handicap when we allowed up to 45 for a period of time. 

I also believe we should have two divisions of golfers to get rid of the a and b division.  We could be more like most golf clubs and have an open division and champions division with the open division being anyone with an 18 or under handicap and the champions division to be the 19 and above division.  With the open division golfing from the middle tees and the champions from the forward tees. 

After having about 2 years into the forward tees almost everyone's handicap (which the golf gurus have decided is the best judge of ability)  has adjusted itself to the tee box they have been using.  Not sure how or why we would move tee boxes around now that we have firmly established handicaps from the tee boxes we have been using.  Ability has many ways of being judged such as how far can you drive the ball, or how is your iron play, or how is your chipping and putting. This is the main reason that I think we have been given a handicap system to judge ability for us.

The BTC handicapping program we use was developed by our late Great friend Chuck Martino. It automatically adjusts scores based on your handicap such as if you are under 10 adjusts our scores turned in so that you turn in your scorecard and it adjusts so that you can only get a double bogey, and if you are below 20 the same thing happens with only allowing a triple bogey and 36 and below allowing 4 over par scores.  It was well designed and has worked for us for over 20 some years. I feel that there is no reason to use any other system than the one we have in place now.  But that is just my opinion and not everyone's.

When I first proposed the forward tees, I wanted it to be for 60 and over but I was met with some resistance, maybe now is the time to revisit that scenario and figure out what to do with the current handicaps for that specific group. I belong to another group that when you first move up you lose 3 strokes from your handicap, and it adjusts after 5 to 10 rounds.  Seems like a fair way to go if we decide to lower the champions division to 60 and over.  Just food for thought and if you have any feelings on this please give me a call and let me know yea or nay.

One other thing to consider is the select few that turn 65 each year and move forward a tee box, what to do with them.  I have tried not to have any event early so as their handicap will adjust itself after the first 5 weeks of golf and it seemed to be working, also looking for suggestions on maybe taking 2 strokes off for 5 rounds of golf. 

One thing that you should know is that BTC does not make you move forward a tee if you so wish, a great example of that was George Les who qualified to move forward but thought his game was good enough to play at the 6000 yards we normally try to play and he proved that he could compete, get in the game of the day and win the open division club championship from the back tees.  All we insist is that you pick the tee box you want to establish your handicap and play there each week.

One last thing: I know for a fact that with(forward tees) the most enjoyable by product of this is, what most golfers have told me is, that we now don't take 6 hours to golf, and it is way more enjoyable.  Lower handicaps mean fewer high scores which translate into fewer strokes which saves waiting on each hole and make golf more fun and competitive.

Any comments or suggestions please give me a call.  Thanks to everyone that thanked me for what the golf chairman does for our league, and I now appreciate way more what the past golf chairman have done for this club.

Thanks

Larry

Your golf guy.

THANKS TO ALL THAT TOOK THE TIME TO CALL THE HOT LINE AND ANSWER MY SURVEY