We're Back, and Better Than Ever?

Amid intermittent rain showers 25 medios showed up in well dressed (some better than others) teams of two to fight for the Am-Am trophies. Everyone arrived looking to get their season going with at least a whiff of victory, but most ended up just whiffing - nowhere near victory. 

The contingent of South OC OGs, some rookies, and even some chapter converts shot their hearts out and left Rancho San Joaquin with their game in similar shape to which we found the course; trying to improve, better in places, but mostly very much under construction. The breakdown in scores reflected this - more than half the field carding triple digits, a scant five rounds in the 80s, and the rest in the Medio’s preferred habitat, the 90s. 

At the end of the carnage, we ended up with three winners to celebrate on the day. Our individual champion, Keith Beall, joins us from another chapter. While we are thrilled to have converts, I think it’s safe to say we’d all prefer they settle in for a few tournaments, play middling golf a while, before they take down the top prize, eh? Well, that ain’t how competition works, and Keith played some excellent golf to take home the big check. Even with his four penalty strokes, he managed to get it done with a truly gross 82, net 86. Congrats on your second MGA title Keith! Now take your new tally of six penalty strokes and chill for a bit. Please.

As for the Am-Am team winners, we got a truly unique pairing of SouthOC OG Joe Mancinelli alongside another chapter convert Ryan Balderian as our champions. For Joe, this is nothing new, a consistent competitive force on the MGA Tour. For Ryan, welcome to the South OC, and nice job on your highest finish yet in an MGA tournament - but please see commentary above regarding chapter converts winning their first outing with us. 

Other notable performances on the day:

- Joshua Soliz nabbed both the Kinda Long and Kinda Close awards, somehow, amidst a 103

- Greg Piper took home his first Red Key, despite being a solid enough player to have six penalty strokes

- We’re calling it a tie for best dressed. Team Biz & Nick share the glory with Team Drew & Eric - Congrats! You looked fabulous

And just like that, one tournament into 2023, it’s Major season. The chapter leadership this year is strategizing the course selection to elevate the major tournaments, so expect a big step up in course quality from RSJ for these next four events. The Bastards awaits, register now!