Pinseekers

Men’s long course nine hole golf

Board of Directors for fiscal year  2024 –  2025

(as of 9/27/2024) 

President – John (Jack) Bindon    408-759-2968

Vice President/Secretary – James (Jim) White   408-348-8370

Treasurer – Mario Silva   408-274-6635

Social Chair – Charles (Chuck) Benjamin   408-214-4596

 

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Pinseekers – August 23, 2024

By Jim White

On August 23rd the Pinseekers started on the 10^th tee.  I am convinced that the designer of our course, as beautiful as it is, was an afternoon golfer. On the Championship course, morning golfers hit directly into the Sun on their approach to green number one. If you begin on the back nine, the morning Sun is in your face for your first three holes, 10, 11, and 12. On the “Short Course,” you have the Sun for holes 1 and 2. Not all of us see into that glare as well as we once did. It doesn’t minimize the joy of playing, but it does create a scenario for more lost balls.

Our individual net scores reaching this week’s championship podium were, in first place,  Jim White at Net 35 ; Tom Hunt, for the second straight week, grabbed the second position with a Net 38; finishing our “four” low scores we had a tie with three members shooting a Net 41, John Mueller, Jeff Rose, and Dick Henderson,

Low Putts for this week were the subject of a very tight race. Jim White finished with 15 putts. Dick Henderson missed out on a tie with a two putt on the 18^th green leaving him with 16 putts. As a group, our putting is improving with an overall 17.9 putts per player over the last three weeks. Good work, gentlemen.

When you finish your round, we invite you to join us in the bistro for a no host bit of socializing. Have a late breakfast, early lunch or just a cup of coffee or an Arnold Palmer. It’s an opportunity to better know your fellow Pinseekers. Hope to see you next week.

This week’s “wisdom” of golf: A quote from an article in Avid Golfer magazine, 8/31/23, by Dr. Kiran Kanwar, citing Professor Mark Broadie, Columbia University, “The PGA TOUR average is 88% (for making putts) from inside ten feet and just 40% from ten feet. Only on one of ten rounds do tour pros hole 100% of their putts from inside ten feet.” The important thing is to get that first putt near the hole, even then, the tour pros miss 12% of their putts from four feet and 23% from five feet. His conclusion is, “Literally, the only thing that can improve this most important aspect (of the game) is putting in the reps.”

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Pinseekers – August 16, 2024

By Jim White

Once again, the Pinseekers began the day at tee number one. We are still playing our Summer Schedule with first tee time at 8:00AM until the end of September. We’ll have six Friday play dates left before we begin our Fall and Winter Schedule on October fourth, with tee times beginning at noon.

This week’s low putts were shared in a three-way tie, Dick Henderson, Tom Hunt and Jim White each had 16 putts.

Our individual net scores reaching the weekly championship podium were, in first place, after a prolonged absence from our group was Larry Chin at Net 32; Tom Hunt snagged the second position with a Net 34; Jeff Rose slid into the third spot with a Net 37;and in the fourth slot, Jim White came off the final green with a Net 38.

As we have mentioned in our previous newsletters and articles, the Pinseekers play, weather permitting, on about 45 Fridays each year, and we are always excited to have new faces join us. Contact Vice-President /  Secretary Jim White, 408-348-8370 (leave a message) or email to whit3744@pacbell.net. I can answer your questions and provide you with a sign-up form if you are interested in joining us. To  give us a try, contact me, I’ll have you cleared to register on Cobalt, come down to the  course, have a fun round of golf, and make some new friends.

In closing, a wise observation and self-evaluation from one of our members, Walter Lucas, shared with some of us, several months ago, and it pertains to many Pinseekers, he said, “I play golf consistently inconsistent.” I relate to that quite well.

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The Pinseekers 2024 – 2025

Board Of Directors

President, Jack Bindon
Vice President, Jim White
Treasurer, Mario Silva
Secretary, Jim White
Social Chair, Vacant

Pinseekers –  July 5, 2024

The Pinseekers kicked off another season of whacking the little white ball and spending time with friends in fresh air and hot weather. As expected, the morning temperatures were in the low sixties as we approached the first tee. It wasn’t long before the temperatures had risen to very warm and, as I write this, we are once again looking at a day that is near, if not higher than 100 degrees.  One of the upsides of beginning play between 8:00 and 8:30 is finishing before the Sun has created an extremely uncomfortable hot afternoon.

Today, we welcomed two  new members to the Pinseekers, Tom Hunt and Jeff Rose, Joining Todd Horvatich, who began play with us on June 28^th. They will continue to play as “Qualifying Members” until they become active members in the NCGA and receive GHIN (Golf Handicap Index Number) to allow the calculation of their Course Handicap for competitive play at the Villages.

After our morning round was completed, ten of the eleven Pinseekers gathered in the Bistro to have lunch and to celebrate the unveiling of our 2023 – 2024 Pinseekers Sweeps Winner. For the second year in a row, and for the third time in the last ten years, our winner is Martin Hoek. None of us can figure the magic that Martin has to continually score below Net Par yet maintain a consistent handicap allowing him to keep on winning. My guess it is, as one of our fellow members frequently states, Martin, like many of us high handicappers, is “consistently inconsistent.”

On our first play date of our new season, we had eight members competing for the top spot on the podium. Coming in at the fourth spot was Will Ector with a score of Net 40. Jim White made into the third position with a Net 38. Frank Garcia played to his handicap and posted a Net 36 (Par.) Reaching the top step with a one under par, Net 35 was Ron Speer. All eight competitors finished at seven over par or less.

The top putter for this day was Jim White with 16 putts, helped by three one puts when his approach shots came up short, but luckily within ten feet of the green.

The Pinseekers Executive Board is aware that some of our members are not comfortable with an early morning tee time. Other members feel that the “pace of play” is slower than they would like. Both points have some validity; however, the 8:00 to 8:30 tee times allow us to finish before the high afternoon heat arrives in the “Valley of the Hearts Delight,” As to the time to finish nine holes, our slowest groups tend to finish in less than two hours and 15 minutes. This is rarely exceeded. Since the wait time is typically at a par three tee box, this gives us two or three minutes to stand in the shade and talk with our play partners. Today, our final grouping was off the ninth green in two hours and thirteen minutes.

Pinseekers– June 21, 2024

By Jim White

June 21st^h was another day designed for golf although quickly warming to another hot afternoon. However, this was a day that the Pinseekers stepped down to make room for the Villages women’s Invitational. We were glad to see that the Villages Championship Course was a source of a great event.

As the 2023-2024 season ends on June 28^th, we have had a lot of fun, made a few new friends and continued to enjoy one of the many opportunities we have here at the Villages. Next week we will announce our 2023-2024 Sweeps Champion,  commence modifications in our Annual Championship and weekly winner format, and start the new season with a “clean slate.”

We have made some minor changes in how results will be tallied: For Club Championship Points. Weekly winners for low Net will receive four points, the next low net will earn three points, finishing in third place will earn two points, and fourth place will earn one point. Only the four low net players will earn points. If there is a tie for first place between two players, they will divide the first and second place points, the next low net will receive third place two points. And the next low score shall earn 1 point. Points will only be awarded to the lowest four net scorers and any ties. Another change will be on “No Sweeps” days, each group or foursome will maintain a scorecard for all players in that group. The team’s score keeper shall submit the scorecard  to the Secretary or the Pro Shop at the end of the round. The final change will be on the Calculation of Sweeps. Each week’s payout shall be determined by the sweep’s fees collected by the Pro Shop during the pre-game registration. If less than 10 players  are registered, we will pay “sweeps” prizes to the three players (and ties) with low net scores. If 10 or more players register, we will pay to the lowest four players (and ties) with low net scores.

We invite all Villager golfers to consider joining us on our Friday adventure on the fairways. It’s a great bunch of guys who love the game and accept that our number one priority is to have fun. Give me a call or send a text message to Jim White, 408-348-8370. If I don’t answer your call, leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

A final note, one last time,  if you want to change your preferred tee selection, tee #3, combo tees # 2/3, or play only from tee box # 2,  notify Jim White. Jim will work with the Pro Shop staff. Your Course Handicap will be determined by your tee box selection and that selection will remain static  throughout the entire fiscal year. You must notify Jim White before the Pro Shop Close on Tuesday, July second.

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Pinseekers – June 14, 2024

By Jim White

June 24^th was a beautiful morning, slightly brisk and quickly warming as the Pinseekers teed off from the 10^th tee. After the intense heat from the previous week, the 80-degree Friday seemed quite pleasant. With the dry fairways and shorter than normal rough, our members had no trouble finding errant shots and getting through the nine holes right on target at two hours.

On July 5^th we will begin our 2024 – 2025 season. We have made some minor changes in how results will be tallied. For Club Championship Points. Weekly winners for low Net will receive four points, the next low net will earn three points, finishing in third place will earn two points, and fourth place will earn one point. Only the four low net players will earn points. If there is a tie for first place between two players, they will divide the first and second place points, the next low net will receive third place two points. And the next low score shall earn 1 point. Points will only be awarded to the lowest four net scorers and any ties. The Club Secretary will send details of this change to all Pinseekers before our July fifth nine-hole event. Another change will be on “No Sweeps” days each group or foursome will maintain a scorecard for all players in that group. The team’s score keeper shall submit the scorecard  to the Secretary or the Pro Shop at the end of the round.

We invite all Villager golfers to consider joining us on our Friday adventure on the fairways. It’s a great bunch of guys who love the game and accept that our number one priority is to have fun. Give me a call or send a text message to Jim White, 408-348-8370. If I don’t answer your call, leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

A final note, one last time,  if you want to change your preferred tee selection, tee #3, combo tees # 2/3, or play only from tee box # 2,  notify Jim White. Jim will work with the Pro Shop staff. Your Course Handicap will be determined by your tee box selection and that selection will remain static  throughout the entire fiscal year.

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Pinseekers – May 17, 2024

By Jim White

Friday, May 17, 2024, no golf this day as Golf Moose held a special event on our Championship course.  We used this idle day to hold our annual meeting for the election of officers and discuss several issues concerning changes in club rules and membership.

The below message from new President, Jack Bindon, is a summary of our meeting:

Today’s Business Meeting and luncheon had 12 participants.  Secretary Jim White noted that the twelve present plus five proxy votes we had a quorum.

Beginning next Friday, May 24,  we will return to early morning tee times.  When you sign up on Chelsea, our tee times begin at 8:03 am. (This will continue until the first Friday in October when we return to our winter schedule beginning at Noon.)

The annual Budget 2024-25 was reviewed in detail.  We decided to continue with the Putting Contest and recognize the monthly winner with a photo in the Posting Room in lieu of awarding wine. 

Our guest speaker, David Cook, detailed the costs of websites and our participation. Check out our website through the Villagers Portal or at  www.pinseekers.vgcc.club

It was decided to continue existing sweeps payouts through the end of June. In the new  fiscal year beginning July 1, we will revisit the payouts with assistance from the Pro Shop. Followed by an email vote of the membership.

New Officers elected: President – Jack Bindon; Vice-President – Jim White; Treasurer – Mario Silva. We are still seeking a new Secretary.

A final note,  if you want to change your preferred tee selection, tee #3, combo tees # 2/3, or play only from tee box # 2,  notify Jim White. Jim will work with the Pro Shop staff. Your Course Handicap will be determined by your tee box selection and that selection will be maintained throughout the entire fiscal year.

As always, we love golf, we love fun, and we enjoy the fellowship of our membership. Please stay tuned for upcoming social events.

 

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Pinseekers – May 10, 2024

By Jim White

Calling all Villagers golfers of every age and every level of skill. You are invited to join the Pinseekers to play with us on Fridays for a couple of hours, squeezing in nine holes of our favorite game.

We meet every Friday at 8:00 for a light competition toward best net scores. In October we will switch to tee times beginning at noon.

Your membership includes a spring meeting with paid lunch. Each fall, a club wide meeting & BBQ for members and significant others. We are also planning a bi-monthly gathering for snacks with no host beverages.

Get information on the Pinseekers, ask at the Pro Shop, and contact Jim White or Jack Bindon.

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Pinseekers – May 3, 2024

By Jim White

As we enter the season of Tournaments and Special Events on The Villages Championship Course, the Pinseekers must move aside to allow these events to happen. So, it was on Friday May third. The Men’s Club hosted the annual Member to Member tournament that utilized the entire course, and all Villagers played from a “Shotgun Start shortly after noon. In that situation, the Pinseekers cannot play a competition as each foursome would begin from a different tee. This situation will recur on Friday, May seventeenth as a full course event will be taking place beginning at noon and utilizing all eighteen holes. To accommodate Villager golfers, a Shotgun start will have everyone teeing off at 8:00AM, each foursome from a different tee box.

A reminder to all Pinseeker members, our annual meeting and luncheon is on May seventeenth. We will gather at the Bistro “alcove” dining area  at 11:15. Should you wish to participate in the Shotgun start, please play only nine holes to finish in time for our meeting. We will be electing a new Board of Directors and voting on some changes to our procedures for determining weekly sweeps winning and annual sweeps champion. This meeting is for members only, no spouse or guests, please. Contact Jack Bindon or Jim White to RSVP and select your lunch choice. (Fish and Chips, Reuben Sandwich or Santa Fe Salad.).

Also, a reminder, we will move our weekly schedule starting on May 24th to begin with the first foursome teeing up at 8:06PM and continue every 9 minutes until all our members have left the tee box.  Don’t forget to sign up with Chelsea as early as possible so we do not have to forfeit any of our allotted slots.

Finally, in golf we always want to “hit it straight, hit it long (at least as far as you are able,) and HAVE FUN!

 

Pinseekers – August 2 , 2024

A small crew of Pinseekers hit the first tee this week. Not our best scores, but, as always, we had a great time. As with most 8:00AM starts, the grass was still a bit moist from the early morning sprinklers, we are constantly reminded that if you hit a stinger on damp grass, or, as we used to say when I lived in West Texas, “A worm burner,” you will not get much distance. No problem, when the ball stays in the short grass, you can always recover on your next shot.

Before we began our round, the July low put winner was recognized. For the three weeks we were on the course two players, Jeff Rose and Jim White, finished with a total of 51 Putts, a tie.  As for the entire squad of Pinseekers, we had 31 total nine-hole rounds in July, combining for an average of 18.3 Putts per round.

The final finish on this day was first place by John Mueller, with a net 39. Jim White finished second, with a Net 40. Coming home in third with a Net 41, Ron Speer, closing out the pedestal in fourth was Jeff Rose at Net 43.

We all can learn something new. even at our age. After finishing their round and heading to the 19^th hole for an “Arnold Palmer.” a couple of Pinseekers overheard two players talking about their game. They weren’t familiar with some of the terms being used by these gentlemen as they were discussing their game. The two Pinseekers headed to the Pro Shop for a conversation with one of the pros. They asked, “I’ve been playing golf for a long time and thought I knew all the terminology of the game, but what is a “Rider?” The pro said, “A ‘Rider’ is when you hit your ball far enough to get into your golf cart and ride to it for your next shot.” Sadly, some of us Pinseekers have an deep understanding of this term.

 

Meet Lee Thompson,

Pinseekers President for 2022-2023

Hey guys. I thought that as the newly elected Pinseekers Club President, I would share with you a few personal facts about myself as I try to lead the club over the next year.

My wife, Pamela, and I have lived in the Villages since 2014, when we moved here from San Carlos, immediately upon my retirement from my position as a Chief Deputy with the San Mateo County Attorney’s office. I played very little golf before I moved here to the Villages. Now, in addition to playing regularly with the Pinseekers, I play regularly with the Ironmen and a couple times a month with friends within and outside of the Villages. I am an Officer of the Ironmen, have served on the Club Board, and belong to several Villages clubs and activity groups. I think my biggest claim to fame is that I am the Bingo Caller for the quarterly VMA Bingo-Buffet events.

I turn 73 in a few months, so I will no longer have to face the stress of having to shoot par to shoot my age. Of course, with my handicap, it will be 2049 before I shoot my age on a regular basis.

As stated in the recent email I sent to the membership, our objective is to make the Pinseekers a more meaningful and active group by incorporating into our golf play the activities, events and social opportunities that our members desire and ask for.

Lee Thompson

July 1st News

By Jim White

We’re Back!!  Following last Friday’s day off from golf, the Pinseekers returned the course for our weekly nine-hole mini tournament.  The morning temperature, when our first groups teed up, was in the high fifties.  The overcast soon lifted and, when our last foursome came off the 18^th green, the temperature had risen to a quite comfortable 80 degrees. A reminder to all, on days when we do not have sweeps cards printed by James, in the pro shop, we need to remember to print our name clearly on the card, sign the card, and have a playing partner “attest” to your score.

July 1^st began a new year for the Pinseekers. Let the ball fly and we’ll see who becomes our Club Champion at the end of June, 2023.  Sixteen Pinseekers teed up on hole ten.  As the sand settled, and the last ball dropped in the cup we saw our first week results: Doug Canepa with a net 35, good for 4 championship points, emerged as the leader; close behind with a net 36 tie, each earning 3 points, were Tom Carson and Evan Marks. In a third-place tie, Patrick McMordie and Don Minami with net 37, good for 2 points each.  Finally, in a day loaded with tie scores, Jack Bindon and Richard Henderson each posted a net 39 tying for fourth and 1 point each. Our putting winner for this week is Will Ector; Will’s 15 putts earned custody of the Wooden Putter Trophy until next week’s winner takes possession. Good job Will.

July 8^th, we play our regular foursomes from tee number three with first tee time at 7:54.

On Friday, July 15^th we will not play, stepping aside for the 54^th Annual Evergreen Invitational.  Regular play will resume on July 22^nd.

Just a parting thought, a couple of board members had a chat during the last week regarding days that we are not playing due to a tournament.  How many members would be interested in travel to a reasonably inexpensive golf course in the Silicon Valley or even as far as Monterey or Livermore.  Many courses have excellent Senior and/or veteran discounts that would allow for a day of fellowship while experiencing a new golf venue.  If you’re interested talk with Jim White, Ron Speer, or Lee Thompson.  Currently not a plan, but a thought to broaden our golfing camaraderie. As we said in the Air Force, “let’s run it up the flagpole and see if anybody salutes.”