CL’s After Lunch Bunch wraps up year of golf

Canyon Lake Men’s After Lunch Bunch Golf Group finished the 2021 year with a Partner’s Best Ball competition on Friday at the Canyon Lake Golf Course. Carlos Ramirez and Bob Stinson shot a net 64 to win the “A” flight and Oscar Rowland and Tom Fuhrman’s net 68 won the “B” flight.

In the competition last week each team member played his own ball, and the team’s best net score on each hole was used in the tally. The format of the weekly contests separates the competing golfers into two flights based on the team handicaps, which allows for a balanced competition and twice the winners.

Jim Musser tees off at the iconic 17th Hole at the Canyon Lake Golf Course during Friday’s year-ending After Lunch Bunch’s weekly game. Jim’s tee shot traveled 150 yards as it dropped 100 feet to the green. Photo by Chris Poland.

The ALB Group plays every Friday starting at 9:00 a.m. Consecutive tee times are booked each week, so the group moves through the game together and finishes up about 1:00 p.m. The results are then tallied, the prizes determined and a luncheon served.

There are over a dozen different types of games played throughout the year, including individual, partner, and foursome competitions. While each game involves a personal round of golf that counts in the handicap system, the various games give everyone equal opportunity to be a winner.

Each week, half of the entry fee pot is awarded in a skins game. Each player’s personal net scores are compared hole by hole and if there is a best score, they are awarded a “skin.” At the end of play, the available prize money is divided up amongst the skin winners, club member Chris Poland said.

This week seven skins were awarded to Bobby Gunter, team Ramirez/Stinson, Bob Stanovich, John Giambra and Jerry Swift.

“The skins game is great since it recognizes and awards great golf, one hole at a time,” Chris said. “And the skins game adds more winners.”

This week’s game included a Closest to the Pin contest on the 17th Hole. The hole is the course’s signature hole that includes a breathtaking 150-yard tee shot that drops over 100 feet as it passes over 110 yards of natural vegetation and a concrete-channelized creek. The par 3 hole is adorned by a concrete image of the famous Canyon Lake lighthouse which was contributed by the Canyon Lake Association of Past Presidents.

“This week’s wind from the green to tee box added to the challenge,” Chris said. “But the wind did not stop Phil Coughlin from winning the closest to the pin prize.”

Two holes are selected each week for the closest to the pin challenge and Bob Stinson took the prize for Hole 8.

All Canyon Lake golfers are invited to join the ALB Golf every Friday morning.

“Those wishing to participate need to just call Bob Stinson at 951-249-4565 by the evening before,” Chris said. “It is the easiest way to get a guaranteed Friday morning tee time, take your turn at the prizes and meet a bunch of great folks.”