The Poplar Post – September 2024
The Poplar Creek Men's Golf Club Newsletter
September 2024
From the Editor
Golfers: Welcome to the first edition of what we hope will be a periodic fixture in
keeping you all informed of what is happening at Poplar Creek. We hope to feature all
golfing schedules and results, standings, exemplary performances and other
information in which you may have an interest. We also plan to have periodic columns
from the President, Club Professional, General Manager, Greens Superintendent and
other members of the Board of Directors. In addition, we welcome letters to the editor
from club members. Any correspondence should be sent to jacioni@yahoo.com.
President's Message
This 2023-2024 tournament year has come and gone so fast. It feels like it goes by
quicker each year recently after the extremely slow COVID years. We had a very
successful tournament season where we completed 21 tournaments, including 4 away
events (which we haven't done since 2019). The turnout has been consistent, and we
have also had many new members who have joined and become consistent participants
in tournaments. We even brought back our Poplar Cup to track the best performers for
the year. Course conditions have been tough this summer, with a lack of water on the
course. We have played most tournaments, along with Thursday skins events as lift,
clean and place. The good news is that our GM, Kevin Kobayashi, has gotten the go
ahead from the city to use some fresh water and fill up the ponds, and extra watering
has already begun. With a combination of that, a hopeful new well, and a good (or bad)
winter, we should be back to good conditions by next year. Our Annual Meeting is
taking place on Thursday, October 3rd, and I hope that as many of you can attend as
possible. The entire board of directors, along with the other officers and myself, are
always here to listen to any suggestions you might have to improve the club and
tournament experience. Please never hesitate to reach out to any of us. Looking
forward to seeing all of you at the next tournament!
Club Championship
Paul Karson staged a brilliant comeback, making birdies on the 35th and 36th holes to
edge past PJ Hudec and Jason Pollard by one stroke to win the Club Championship
over the August 17-18 weekend. Karson carded a 74-73 - 147 for the two day event. Of
note is that he birdied the 18th hole both days of the competition.
In the net division, Jim Abayon and Dave Koons both shot a net 137 over the weekend,
with the title going to Abayon as a result of the USGA Tiebreaker rules (Last nine, last
six, last three, 18). Arthur White finished one stroke back of the two leaders with a net
138.
Poplar's 12 Man Team
Getting an at-large berth in the single elimination round, the 12-man team was pitted
against the Spring Hill team from Watsonville. In the elimination rounds, each team
hosts six players and sends six players to its opponent's course. With 36 points at
stake, the Poplar group prevailed 20-16 to move onto the next round against the team
from Silver Creek Valley Country Club on September 5th.
Annual Meeting
The Club's Annual Meeting will be held on October 3 at Par 3 Restaurant. If you haven't
voted for your selections for Officers and Board of Directors, get your ballot in now. If
you haven't received a ballot, contact Larry Shaw at larryjoelshaw@gmail.com.
All members of the Club are welcome to attend the annual meeting and let their
concerns be known.
Rules Corner
On the second hole at Poplar Creek, the golfer hits his drive toward the tree line on the
right side. He walks toward the area where he believes his ball came to rest,
immediately finds a ball a foot inside the OB line and plays it out to the fairway. He
walks out to the fairway where the ball came to rest and discovered it wasn't his ball.
He returned to the area looks for a minute and finds his ball a foot inside the OB line. He
plays it where it lies into the fairway about the same spot as the other ball. His ball is on
hardpan but the wrong ball had a nice lie on grass. He picked up the wrong ball and
moved his ball onto the grass spot. His next shot is on the green and he two putts.
Please note: Lift, clean and place is not in place
What is his score for the hole?
Another rules question. In match play, penalties are either one-stroke penalties or loss
of hole penalties. Can you think of the one two-stroke penalty which, in match play,
would not be a loss of hole penalty?
Answers next issue.
Upcoming Events
September 7 – Two man scramble
September 28 – Tournament of Champions at Coyote Creek Tournament Course
October 24 – Senior Championship
November 2 – NCGA 4-Man Qualifier
November 16 – Turkey Shoot
December 7 – Santa Ball
Poplar Club Standings
With the 2024 golf season nearing its completion, we will take a look at the updated
standings for the coveted Poplar Cup. The top seven players and points at the end of
August:
1. Arthur White 1,040
2. Joshua Baltor 830
3. Joseph Canepa 820
4. Bret Evans 815
5. Marc Trapani 765
6. Bradley Thaute 760
7. Jason Pollard 755
Your Officers and Board of Directors
President - Jason Pollard
Vice President – Joe Cioni
Secretary – Larry Shaw
Sargeant at Arms – Kevin O'Malley
Directors – Jim Lambrechts, Marty Lambrechts, Tim Andersen, Manny
Casillas, Greg Cary, Scott Rehn, Randy Gubert, Walter Koning, Andy
Kishore.
Point to Ponder
Bald men still carry combs. They just can't part with them.