The Wilderness Golf League started in 1990 at Pine Valley and moved to Campbell’s Scottish Highlands Golf Course in 1994. There are only 5 original Wilderness League members left and there have been many new members that have come and gone over the years but the one constant has been the great camaraderie and great golf.
We have played two out of the first three weeks in typical New England weather for early April, not at all like last year.
Bob Trottier has started off 2011 just where he left off in 2010. He has already chipped in against McGill on 14 in week one. He has 3 birdies already and it looks like he is on his way to an MVP year.
Dennis Croteau is right on Trottier’s heels with 28 points so far this season. Can this be Dennis’ break out season.
Steve King has really bounced back as he seems to be in mid year form as an almost perfect round yesterday leaves him two points out of first place for MVP. His pure sweet swing led to a one over par 36 in week 3 and it looks like he will give Trottier a run for his money.
Norm “The Shark” Comeau has started out this his 22nd season with the Wilderness League like gangbusters as his great play has helped lead his team to the top. Norm is just warming up. Only 2 points out of first place for MVP.
Rich Appel subbing for George Vigneault has been playing like he has been a regular for years. Rich doesn’t seem to affected by the winter blues. Rich as a sub is in the hunt for MVP. Too bad work keeps him off the league on a regular basis.
Glenn Acciard has also helped prop his team to the top with some steady play and if his back can hold out this season we see great things from Glenn as he is only 4 points out of first.
Rich Juknavorian coming off some stellar play last season has started off on the right foot this season as he has climbed the ladder to within 4 points of Trottier.
Norm Pelletier bounced back after week one with a perfect round of 35 and it seems he has that draw cooking and he squares off against Trottier next week on the front nine. This match will be the match to be paired up with.
Mike Berry seems to be making his move to the top early this season as his improved play has his team in third place. Berry will need to be more consistent this year if his team is to take over first place.
Alan Imlach also in his 22nd year has been playing pretty steady except for a couple of bad holes where the number 10 is not what you want to see on your card. Once the weather warms up look to see Imlach start to play like his typical winning ways of years past.
Jim Waterman last years Most Improved Player has started off this season needing to improve a little more if he plans on catching Trottier for MVP. Jim hasn’t been feeling well the last couple of weeks so once he is feeling better look for Jim to make his charge.
Jim Marnie “the Scotsman” has started to turn things around after a lack luster first week and a four over 39 this week in the all unfamiliar B flight. Marnie will need to start playing the way he has always played when he was in the A flight if his team is to make a run for first place. It’s still early so we will see his team make a charge real soon.
Tom Hale also in unfamiliar territory in the D flight needs to get back to his A flight status in order for his team to stay in contention and move their way to the top. He needs to get that three wood to start working for him like in years past.
Mike Landry needs to be commended for his gutsy play with a bum knee. Mike may need season ending knee surgery in May and we can only hope that doesn’t happen as Mike’s steady play is needed for his team to get out of the cellar.
Bob Cairns subbing in week one played the course and played very well to help his team gain 15 points. Hoping Bob can sub more this year and hoping his good play continues.
Rusty “the Long Driver” Gill is contemplating bringing his regular driver to play this season as his drives seem to be going astray early on this season. Also his regular set of clubs are back home in India and someone should send them to him asap as his team is only two points behind league leading team 5 and these two teams square off next week on the front nine. Rusty’s long drives should give him the advantage this coming week.
New Sub Vinny Serafino helped team 5 on week one climb to first place with some great play against Mike Landry. If we new Jim Zaherious wasn’t going to play Serafino could have helped that team as well.
Rick Maloney back from sunny Florida got to play the course this week in our new scoring format and scored well with 13 points. Rick has always been in the hunt for MVP and look for Rick to start climbing the leader board soon.
Another new comer is Dominick D’Orio who has signs of some great play and some signs of struggling but what has been impressive is his play on the 15th hole this week as a near hole in one brought him closest to the pin. He was only a couple of feet away. Yes he made the birdie putt. Week one he was close also on hole 11 but didn’t get in closest too the pin.
Brian Steeves is back subbing again this year and this week he fell a little short to once A player Jim Marnie. Looking forward to seeing Brian more often this year.
Skip Gray lead his team with some great play and with the struggling McGill Gray is going to need to step up if team 5 is to maintain first place in the weeks to come.
Erkan Duzenli is off to a so so start as his rookie season last year saw some great play and we know this season is early and we have no doubt Erkan will bounce back as his team desperately needs Erkans steady play if they want to make a charge to the top.
Steve Maddox started off 2011 with some solid play against Glenn Acciard this week and he too is going to need to step things up for his team to be successful this season.
Jay McGillicuddy who is dead last in the A flight really needs to start getting it together for his team quickly, if his team is to remain on top. After losing 30 pounds and hitting the gym on a regular basis McGill is able to walk the course again and is feeling great but his game is in dire need of something. Look for McGill to bounce back soon.
Paul “I wish I was in Myrtle Beach” Comeau started this season off as a B player and will face stiffer competition this year and will he be able to meet the challenge? We think so, as Paul is a very steady player and being retired
just may be what the doctor ordered.
George Duffiield now a regular missed this week and started off a little shaky in week one as he was downed by an improving Mike Berry. Look for Duffield to bounce back soon.
Last but certainly not least Ed Miele subbing in week one gained four points for his team and we all know every point counts. A big thanks for Ed for stepping up and playing hard.
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