Bolstered by the excellent play of newcomers Rick Markell and Wayne Moran, the Ace Holes held off a feisty Dixie Normus squad to win the rain-abbreviated UnCivil War golf tournament 12 points to 9.
Wayne and Rick joined forces on Thursday in a pivotal match against a strong Ken Preede/John Rusciolelli pairing. The 3-0 Ace Hole triumph proved to be the weekend’s only sweep.
After a tie in the four-man matchup, the score after day one was 6 to 3. Friday’s weather brought torrential downpours and high winds to Wicked Stick. “It would have been nice to have better conditions, but you tip your rain-soaked cap to them. They battled the weather better than we did” remarked Alan Evans after he and a soaked Preede lost their hard-fought match with Rick Moran and Danny Marsh.
“It was some of the most challenging conditions I’ve ever seen” said a soggy-but-happy Dave Dwyer after he and Markell had pulled out a one-point victory over Mike Kelleher and Rusciolelli. In an unconventional but caring gesture, Kelleher at one point reportedly offered money to the clubhouse attendant to close the course. Kelleher’s only concern seemed to be the health and safety of his fellow golfers. Friday’s final match saw the Dixie team of Tim McCann/Erik Gruner battle the elements and the Holes’ Wayne Moran/Aaron Sacks to a draw.
Saturday began with Dixie Normus needing to overcome a large 5 point deficit. On the front nine, their strategy of changing the pairings from the previous day seemed to pay off. But on the back nine, Dwyer/Markell and Wayne Moran/Aaron Sacks righted their respective ships to capture crucial points to secure the Ace Hole victory. The Moran/Marsh team used their skill, steely determination and the liberal use of shotgun mulligans to push their overall match against Rusciolelli and Preede.
Despite the loss, Dixie Normus received strong play from its new golfers, Rusciolelli, McCann, and Gruner, the most improved player in the entire field. In the end however, the Ace Holes stand atop Mount Myrtle for another year.
Trip Highlights
- “The Kitty Has Claws” – Rick Moran’s description of a “house” hand with more cards than the players’ hands.
- Shock and Awe, Ham and Egg, Shake and Bake – Rick and Danny’s many self annointed nicknames.
- Danny made friends with a table full of “older Americans” at Dough Boys on Saturday night. He got many hugs and handshakes on their way out. Alan on the other hand got a face full of ire from an impassioned elderly woman in the crowd who didn’t like his UVa hat. “Maryland is going to beat the pants off of you!” she remarked boldly. (Note: Final score: UVa 91, Maryland 76. Take that, Rue McClanahan).
- Although the rule has been on the books for years, the shotgun mulligan really came into vogue this year. Well over a case of beer was shot-gunned by the teams on Saturday alone.
- New traditions were born this year: Sheetless Wednesday and Three Sheets Saturday.
Golf Results
Day 1 – Blackmoor
| Ace Holes | Dixie Normus | FRONT | BACK | OVERALL | SCORE |
| WMoran Markell | Rush Preede | AH | AH | AH | AH 3 DN 0 |
| Dwyer Moran Marsh Sacks | Evans McCann Gruner Kelleher | AH | DN | DRAW | AH 3 DN 3 |
- Score After Day 1: Ace Holes 6, Dixie Normus 3
Day 2 – Wicked Stick (much rain)
| Ace Holes | Dixie Normus | FRONT | BACK | OVERALL | SCORE |
| WMoran Sacks | McCann Gruner | Draw | N/A | N/A | AH .5 DN .5 |
| Moran Marsh | Preede Evans | AH | N/A | N/A | AH 1 DN 0 |
| Dwyer Markell | Rush Kelleher | AH | N/A | N/A | AH 1 DN 0 |
- Score After Day 2: Ace Holes 8.5, Dixie Normus 3.5
Day 3 – Wachesaw East
| Ace Holes | Dixie Normus | FRONT | BACK | OVERALL | SCORE |
| WMoran Sacks | Rush Gruner | DN | AH | DN | AH 1 DN 2 |
| Moran Marsh | McCann Preede | AH | DN | DRAW | AH 1.5 DN 1.5 |
| Dwyer Markell | Evans Kelleher | DN | AH | DN | AH 1 DN 2 |
- Final Score: Ace Holes 12, Dixie Normus 9