Group One wins the BJG 2023 Pan Am: Pro Am

Ok, it was a slightly bumpy ride at the BJG Pan Am: Pro AM, but we made it through the day, and hopefully, you had some fun.

Eleven hours before our first tee, I find out that Rock would not be playing golf at the Pan Am Pro-Am. I found out from Joe T, not Rock. After Rock not making the Winter Meeting, missing the first BJG event (team event), not calling or texting me, and the fact that Rock already said he was not playing at Airway, all played a role in the Competition Committee removing Rock from the 2023 BJG membership. This means we are down to 11 golfers, again.

The good news was that Joe T had a golfer (a another Chris) that was available with about the same handicap as Rock. And no, he was not a ringer.

With BJG back to 11 Golfers, the Competition Committee decide to re-work the Divisions, this time by handicaps. The new Divisions are:

P. G. A - Cody, Cam, Bryan, Jason, and Chris

L. I. V. - Joe, Joe T, Adam, Alex, Dustin, and EJ

At St Annes, the weather was very cooperative, especially for being late March. It was a foggy, chilly morning, but the temperature was supposed to climb to 57 degrees. In fact, a couple of golfers wore shorts to celebrate the good weather. Driving the carts quickly reminded us that it was just barely Spring.

Unlike in past years, everyone shows up on time, and we even had time to mingle in the parking lot. I asked our Chris how he likes the BJG website, and he looks at me kind of funny so I know he did not read it. Well, he is a new guy.

EJ passes out the BJG 2023 paperwork (schedule, phone numbers, and rules), Dustin brings the Pan Am trophy, Jason brings the Valhalla trophy, and we get the “Closest to the Pin: equipment together.

And just like that, the 2023 BJG season has begun, full of hope for the future.

Front Nine:

Group One is on fire shooting a 4 under, 32, with 3 birdies and 6 pars. The front nine is also were Alex's brand new driver shaft broke while putting on his headcover.

Group Two has a rough start with a bogey on the first two holes. Chris has a beautiful tee shot on our first “Closest to the Pin” hole, and Group Two gets the first and only birdie on the front. Group Two is plus 1 (37) after 9.

Group Three scores a bogey on the first hole and finished the next 8 holes with pars. Group Three finishes the front at plus 1 (37).

Front Nine Scores:

1st Place: Group One – 32

2nd Place: Group Two – 37

2nd Place: Group Three - 37

Back Nine:

Group One goes on another tear with birdies on holes 13, 14, 15, and 16 for another score of 32 (-4)

Group Two starts the back nine with a birdie which is followed by 5 pars. This time Jason hit the green on our 2nd "Closest to the Pin" challenge. Group Two grabs a couple more birdies on holes 14 and 16 and are hoping that is enough for 2nd place. Group Two finishes the back nine with a score of 33 (-3)

Group Three starts the back nine with par, par, par before scoring a birdie on the 13th hole. They then run another group of pars before finishing the last hole with a birdie for a score of 34 (-2).

The big difference was that Group one was hitting fairways and greens in regulation with short putts for birdies while Groups Two and Three were usually on the green trying to make long birdie putts.

Final Scores:

1st Place: Group One – 64 (-8)

2nd Place: Group Two – 70 (-2)

3rd Place: Group Three – 71 (-1)

For Group Two, not all was lost, Chris won the “Closest to the Pin” on the 3rd hole and Jason won the “Closest to the Pin on the 11th hole.

BJG Race to Big Y (Dubai) Points:

P. G. A

1st Place: Cody – 3 points

2nd Place: Chris – 2 points

2nd Place: Jason – 2 points

4th Place: Bryan – 1 point

4th Place – Cam – 1 point

L. I. V.

1st Place – Joe T – 3 points

1st Place – Alex – 3 points

3rd Place – EJ – 2 points

3rd Place – Joe – 2 points

5th Place – Adam – 1 point

5th Place – Dustin – 1 point

After the event, it was great to see everyone hanging out in the clubhouse, unfortunately it felt like the whole town of Agawam was there too.

At the Pan Am Pro-Am, I think Cody put us on notice that he is determined to win it all in 2023, especially after he crashing and burned at the 2022 FedUp Cup finals. With that in mind, you better bring your "A" game.

The intent of the Pan Am, as the first BJG event of the year, is to swing the club, have some fun, and re-unite with the membership on the golf course. Hopefully, at the end of the day, we accomplished that goal.

Don’t forget, this is a back-to-back week with our first Major, The Mister, being next Sunday, April 2nd at Keney Park Golf Course in Windsor, CT, I mean Rolling Meadows in Ellington, CT.

Also, PLEASE READ THE BLOG ON OUR WEBSITE. This is where you will find your groups, tee times, scores, and any other coordinating instructions that you will need to know. If I got something wrong or you have any questions please call or text me.

Respectfully,

Broken Joe,

Commissioner