So I joined a winter league at a local club - TopTracer

[mikefrench]

I joined a winter league last week at the next club out of town from the one I am a member of. It is a resort course at a Marriot and whilst I considered it for membership early this year I went for one a little more local and a not tied to a hotel.

However, it announced a winter league running out of its driving range using the TopTracer system. A different event every week with an expected end date of early March. Winner overall gets a full years course membership (about a $1750 prize), second prize is a 2 rounds, one night stay at one of their courses with food for two, third prize a $150 voucher for the pro-shop. The winner each week gets a $35 voucher. No entry fee apart from the cost of the balls at the range !!

4 points for a win, 3 for 2nd, 2 for 3rd and every entrant that week gets a point.

Week 1 was 9-holes (back 9) of the Brabazon Course @ The Belfry
Week 2 is a closest to the pin at the 8th at Troon (The Postage Stamp)
Week 3 is a driving challenge (Pebble Beach 9 tee shots - points per hole added to make a total)
Week 4+ are TBD

To a certain extent it will be a participation event, and sadly I missed week one due to a very sore back but I have played this week and I'm currently leading at 3' 5" beating last weeks winner by 4".

I'll use this thread to keep everyone up to date on how I'm getting on - I'm planning to play every week going forward - assuming I'm fit to swing a club.

Has anyone else ever done a TopTracer or other SIM based league like this ???

 

[Golf Jones]

I joined a winter league last week at the next club out of town from the one I am a member of. It is a resort course at a Marriot and whilst I considered it for membership early this year I went for one a little more local and a not tied to a hotel.

However, it announced a winter league running out of its driving range using the TopTracer system. A different event every week with an expected end date of early March. Winner overall gets a full years course membership (about a $1750 prize), second prize is a 2 rounds, one night stay at one of their courses with food for two, third prize a $150 voucher for the pro-shop. The winner each week gets a $35 voucher. No entry fee apart from the cost of the balls at the range !!

4 points for a win, 3 for 2nd, 2 for 3rd and every entrant that week gets a point.

Week 1 was 9-holes (back 9) of the Brabazon Course @ The Belfry
Week 2 is a closest to the pin at the 8th at Troon (The Postage Stamp)
Week 3 is a driving challenge (9 holes - points per hole added to make a total)
Week 4+ are TBD

To a certain extent it will be a participation event, and sadly I missed week one due to a very sore back but I have played this week and I'm currently leading at 3' 5" currently beating last weeks winner by 4".

I'll use this thread to keep everyone up to date on how I'm getting on - I'm planning to play every week going forward - assuming I'm fit to swing a club.

Has anyone else ever done a TopTracer or other SIM based league like this ???

The local driver range, that has top tracer, runs a 2 man best ball league every winter. A buddy and i have done it a couple times in the past, but given the way the run the HDCP for it, it is a sandbagger's delight. The first week establishes your 9 hole cap, so a lot of the participants shot in the low 50's and then magically return to form with scores in the mid 30's each subsequent week. That combined with a steep increase in the entry fee year over year prompted us to look elsewhere.

 

[mikefrench]

The local driver range, that has top tracer, runs a 2 man best ball league every winter. A buddy and i have done it a couple times in the past, but given the way the run the HDCP for it, it is a sandbagger's delight. The first week establishes your 9 hole cap, so a lot of the participants shot in the low 50's and then magically return to form with scores in the mid 30's each subsequent week. That combined with a steep increase in the entry fee year over year prompted us to look elsewhere.

Ah that sucks. Although I'm not sure how you would sort it because TopTracer has no link to GHIN/WHS. Its has to be better calibrated or gross scores.

This one - for good or bad - is gross scoring for the weeks with actual golf holes played. I would have been competitive last week - but it would exclude really high handicappers I suspect. I have no idea of the handicaps of the people I'm up against.

 

[Golf Jones]

Ah that sucks. Although I'm not sure how you would sort it because TopTracer has no link to GHIN/WHS. Its has to be better calibrated or gross scores.

This one - for good or bad - is gross scoring for the weeks with actual golf holes played. I would have been competitive last week - but it would exclude really high handicappers I suspect. I have no idea of the handicaps of the people I'm up against.

I imagine, if the leagues were better organized, they could flight them in a way that would lump each group together. Let the B, C, or D flight be the snake pit of sandbaggers. For me, there is more honesty in gross scores

 

[DufferToo]

Interested in seeing how you do. Good luck.

 

[mikefrench]

So round 2 just closed and I got pipped to the win - lost out on $35 by 5".

Slightly gutted but that puts me in 3rd place after 2 weeks - next week is a Driving Challenge @ Pebble Beach. I have played this a fair bit, and know the holes so I just need to keep it straight and long and we'll see how it goes.

Still really surprised at the lack of entries - 9 apparently signed up for this round but only 5 posted a score (hit and stayed on the green). Marriott are running this across two other locations and one of them had 19 in the leaderboard this week.

 

[mikefrench]

Round 3 just closed. Pipped again !

Was leading right up until Saturday afternoon and TheBatfink, who was in 4th until then from their first attempt dipped in again and did me by 6pts. Had my back not been really sore I'd have gone up this morning for another crack at it (my PB is 858) and look to win that $35. I'm very competitive but need to play the long game - can't afford to miss a week because I can't swing.

He is now clearly in the lead with 10 points, I'm in 3rd with 6, behind robskater who has 8. I'll take that right now as I'm probably at about 75% power & accuracy.

This coming week is an approach challenge at Pinehurst no2. I practiced it on Saturday, even with my bad back, and it's tough with those turtle greens rolling balls off into collection areas or worse bunkers which incur a +30 penalty. It could easily go to anyone - very easy to blow up on this one. Need to stay in it next week as Wk5 should be Bethpage Black and gross score stroke play where I am a little more confident of a good performance.

 

[mikefrench]

Tough week, as expected. Back still stiff/sore and I'm pulling some of my iron shots which doesn't help when scoring is based on distance from the pin.

Nine approaches at Pinehurst no2 from 70 yards to 200 yards so I'm working from lob wedge through to 7w. Realistically had an opportunity to get 2nd but my last shot on the last run through was a 153yd 8-iron where I'm normally very solid and only needed it to about 40ft but hauled it off left into a bunker.

My main competitor for 2nd overall (The Batfink has a solid lead already) also scored just a single point this week so no blood. This week is closest to the pin, not Bethpage Black, and so I'll see how that goes - Brabazon course @ The Belfry. Hole 14 - 147yds. Narrow wide green with the pin protected by a bunker. 8-iron needs to be firing to get anywhere close.

 

[mikefrench]

Can't believe week 5 has just concluded and now over half way through the league. Another tough week, made harder by my competitors really pulling it out of the bag on the 147yd 14th on the Brabazon Course at The Belfry. I had two shots roll over the hole but not drop and then end up long.

I'm currently T3 with TMillar12, two points behind robskater and TheBatfink is running away with this and is pretty much a shoe-in to win it bar a miracle. I'm still looking to hunt down second but it is a small mountain to climb with only 3 weeks remaining.

Another Closest to the Pin next week - this time 11th @ Old Course, St Andrews - 167yds. Then it is a driving challenge, with an approach challenge to close it out.

 

[mikefrench]

A little late in posting this as we are in the middle of "week" 7 but here are the results for week 6.

This week was tough with the 167yd 11th at St Andrews the par 3 hole with a closest to the pin challenge. Protected at the front by a coffin bunker, and a large mound with a pot bunker preventing anything coming in from the right. The final twist a front to back sloping green with a pin location at the front just past the bunker. At one point I didn't think I'd have one stick on the green but managed it - held off little with a 7 iron for me - pushing an 8 didn't work.

The Batfink has by my reckoning secured overall first position, and a years membership to the golf course. 2nd and 3rd places are up for grabs and I'm in the mix.

Had it not been for a staff member playing this week I'd have scooped 2nd but in reality it shouldn't matter as I just need to stay ahead of TMillar12. My other closest rival to secure one of the prizes didn't participate in week 6, and to date hasn't registered for week 7.

It looks like week 8 is the last in the series so it's getting serious now. As I type this I'm leading week 7 - which concludes on the 4th Jan - ahead of TheBatfink, TMillar12 still to play.

 

[mikefrench]

So week 7 has just concluded and for the first time I managed to hang on to top spot !

This round was a Driving Challenge at Torrey Pines which has some tricky holes included. I'll admit to having a practice on this one before the round started and worked out a strategy. One of the local ranges is slightly juiced and I was hitting 280yd drives in the cold which had completely different lines and issues compared to the 240yds on the league range and my normal one. Near 0°c temperatures have been killing distance but whilst this was far from my PB it was enough.

Importantly my two closest rivals had a bad week. TMillar12 secured just 1 point compared to my 4 and RobSkater didn't register again so strikes out with 0.

By my reckoning I'm now dormie for 2nd place and I only need to turn up and register a score next (and final) week for me to take solo 2nd place overall even if TMillar12 wins the round. I also collect $35 in pro shop vouchers for the round win.

The last round is an approach challenge at Oakmont CC with distances from about 55yds to 100yds so it's wedge work only. All about finesse and accuracy. I'd love to pick up another win to make 2nd place conclusive and also get enough in vouchers to get a box of balls or something meaningful from the pro-shop.

Let's see where it all ends up next weekend.

 

[mikefrench]

Week 8 turned out to be surprising on many fronts. Starting with a realization that this wasn't the final week of the league with Week 9 added to the event before I kicked off my run at the approach challenge. Some research suggests based on the other venues running the parallel event that this is going to be 15 weeks long - so everything to play for including another $250 in pro shop vouchers.

Really bad weather here in the UK this week with a "named" storm depositing very cold weather in the first part of the week and then high winds snow and then rain across the back. I managed to get my session in during a lull in the weather and hit in very cold but still, dry conditions for an Oakmont CC based approach challenge.

Attrition/exhaustion at the duration of this league and the weather must have played a part because a new entrant and my main competition "TheBatfink" were the only other entrants. I managed to snag 1st - and another $35 pro shop voucher - for the second week running and I'm now a clear second place but 9 points behind the leader.

This week is a closest to the pin, and I'll probably be logging my score on Wednesday or Thursday.

 

[mikefrench]

Quick update this week. Various cock-ups by the venue meant that scoring failed to associated to the league until I flagged it. Fortunately managed to replicate my 2' 10" distance but was beaten out by the guy that is destined to win the league and one of my rivals for 2nd/3rd place. I grabbed 3rd this week - but I'm still in an excellent position to take 2nd overall.

This coming week is another closest to the pin - I have my irons in for loft/lie check and so it will be towards the end of the week when I get to log my effort. Good news is that my back is pretty much mended, and the weather has warmed up so getting back to reasonable carry on the irons after some freezing weather.

 

[mikefrench]

Beginning to feel like an echo chamber here but I'll keep going if only as a record for myself......

Week 10 has concluded - closest to the pin @ 16th Royal Portrush. Managed to snag 3rd, having briefly held top spot from TheBatfink - who leads overall and came back to improve his score - I am the only person that could technically catch him for 1st place. Pushed further down by a dart from Tomohare - a relatively new entrant who can't beat me out of 2nd place - but could certainly get 3rd.

My closest two rivals again failed to post scores this week - I'm bemused but not complaining. Not dormie for 2nd yet with 5 more weeks to go but a good result next week might see that firmed up.

Week 11 is a driving challenge at Royal St George's GC - a tight links course with punishing deep rough. I'm very much hoping that when my Quantum TD Max arrives on Friday it will be the difference maker. Tried to have a go at it today but the range ball machine was banjaxed and so no scores registered.

 

[mikefrench]

Results are in for Week 11 which was a driving challenge and I'm a winner again. First victory for my Quantum TD Max !

Tight at the top - with Tomohare going back on two separate occasions to try to take my lead away from me but I just held on. Another $35 voucher in the bank for me for the weekly win and another 4 points in the bag.

4 weeks remain and I'm 9 points behind TheBatfink and 14 points ahead of KevMillar92 and TMillar12. If I play every week and register any score against those weeks then I'm currently dormie for 2nd place. I can mathematically beat TheBatfink to first - and so I may have to be careful as this closes out as I want the 2nd place prize. Still looking to get 1-2 more vouchers before it ends.

Next week is an approach challenge, around Gleneagles with the toughest being a 191yds shot into the green. Had a look at it today and there are 2-3 of the 9 holes which could easily blow-up your score.

 

[mikefrench]

Week 12 just completed and league fatigue seems to have kicked in.

TheBatfink took first place, with me in second, and recent league newcomer Tomohare in third and that was it. No Millars who both registered but didn't log a score.

As it stands I think with 3 weeks to go, assuming prizes are awarded strictly on league placings and no "finals week" with the top 10 - as one of the venues has advertised then TheBatfink is dormie to win providing he participates each of the final three weeks even if I win them all, and I'm dormie second even if I stop now.

$105 in vouchers still up for grabs - so I'll be trying for next weeks closest to the pin which is at the PGA National Champion Course 17th @ 116yds with a water carry, and a fairly tight pin placement.

 

[mikefrench]

Having forgotten to write-up Week 13 due to illness (a closest to the pin where I grabbed 3rd spot) that's a wrap tonight on Week 14. Just three of us competing for the weekly prize - most appear to have given up on gaining a top3 finish or have worked out they have qualified for the "possible" finals week after Week 15 concludes.

This one was a driving challenge at Ullna GCC - a tricky 9-hole selection with a number of tight dog legs which could block you out if your positioning was poor even with a long drive, and then a decent amount of water to trouble anything off-line.

I struggled mid-week to beat TheBatFink who set 704 points early on as I was full of flu and struggling to lift my head let along swing my driver. Mid-week I put in a 684 which had me second, and beating out robskater and frustrated as I have won the previous two driving challenges. Felt a little better this morning, and with the sun out for a change, low wind and a temperature of 54f (possibly the warmest day of the year so far) I needed to have another crack.

Had a couple of runs where my last shot should have won it but I tugged my drive into the lake on the LHS of the fairway and then finally managed to put together a decent run of swings and had him beaten after 8 of my 9 shots with the last just putting distance into the number should anyone else challenge for it. With some balls remaining I put the Quantum TD Max driver away, broke out the Elyte Mini and proceeded to score a 709 which would also have taken the first place.

So another $35 in pro shop vouchers safely secured. Next week is an approach challenge at Kiawah Island Ocean Course - going to be tough for me to place but I'll round off the main part of the league and then see what happens.

 

[mikefrench]

So thats a wrap on the league. Week 15 has just concluded, and I managed a 2nd in a very reduced field.

TheBatfink was again the man to beat, and I couldn't quite manage it. Disappointed that many of the few other regulars didn't bother this week but I'll explain why in a moment. TheBatfink takes 1st position in the league and has 7 wins from 15 and 6 second places, I finished 2nd and had 4 wins from 15, with 4 seconds.

The curve ball is that there is now to be a finals event next Saturday to determine the prize awards - not the final league positions after the 15 weeks. The top 10 from the league go through to a 3-hour event where to the top 3 will take the prizes. I'm not impressed, pretty sure TheBatfink will be very unhappy as he was a clear winner and played all of the 15 weeks. This hasn't been previously advertised, no-one has been advised yet and hard to believe that a 15 week league has effectively been ignored.

So a bunch of people who played 2-3 weeks out of the 15 now go into the finals event with an "equal chance". It also meant that many didn't bother playing in the final week as they had already qualified.

Nothing that can be done about it. The final event is 18 holes of virtual golf on The Brabazon Course at The Belfry. NET scores count and you have to show your handicap at the pro shop as evidence. Now I punch above my weight on TopTracer virtual golf and so I think I can do well next Saturday. I did practice it playing the course for the first time this weekend and shot a +4 gross, -14 Net. If I can repeat that then I could get myself into the top 3 and get one of the prizes - hard to know if I can get the 2nd I really want but we'll see.