Belize Childrens Golf Tournament - June 29th 2011

What a great day at the Roaring River Golf Course. The first Belize Junior Golf Tournament took place on June 29th 2011. Scroll down this email/post to see the slideshow and Videos of the children in action.

Click on the website to see this slideshow (below) of the children in action : http://belizegolf.blogspot.com/

7 Children who have been practicing since March 2011, entered the competition with the watchful eyes of their coaches and parents on them. The atmosphere was great and the children all did incredibly well under such close scrutiny.

We also had a very exciting finish as 2 of our players tied for 1st place and had to enter a play off.

The full listing of scores over 5 holes is :

1st - Lucas Hunt (29)
2nd - Nelson Gallardo (29)
3rd - Vanessa Gonzalez (30)
4th - Blake Lee (38)
4th - Xavier Gallardo (38)
6th - Lauren Ferrier (41)
7th - Aidan Hunt (48)

We had a spectacular finish to the tournament as Lucas and Nelson tied after 5 holes and were invited to play off the 5th hole again to decide 1st place. They both shot a 5 forcing another play off hole. On the second play off hole, Lucas and Nelson both hit the green in 2 shots. Lucas making his 2 putts for a par 4. Nelson looked sure to push the final to a 3rd play off hole but his par putt came up short.

Well done to all of the children for training so well, practicing and improving so much over the last 4 months.

A big thanks to all who have supported. The list includes Alan Gobie (from the Gobie Challenge who sponsored the Kids Academy), Paul and Jenny Martin (Roaring River Golf Course), Mickey Thornton and Andy Hunt (Coaches), Veronica, Nora and Dora from the golf course, Steve Maestre, Karl Ayres (sponsors).

Gobie has also made a generous donation for the upcoming season, so we will be able to purchase new clubs for the children.

Childrens Golf Lessons will start again in August.

Lucas and Nelson in the 1st Place Play Off



Vanessa





Aidan





Nelson



Blake



Lucas





Lauren





Xavier

Belize Golf Tournament Results - June 25th 2011

Congratulations to everyone that participated in the 6th Official Monthly tournament of the year. Miraculously, the rain held off for the duration of the competition. Even more miraculously we started on time!!

We had some new prizes and thanks to Karl Ayres, Alan Graham and Andy Hunt for their donations.

Here are the results :

Gross Score (without handicap) :

1st Place - Andy Hunt (69) - Won a Case of Beer donated by Karl Ayres
2nd Place - Alan Graham (72) - Won a Golf Glove donated by himself!!
3rd Place - William Mckenzie (72)

Both Alan and Bill shot 36 on front and back 9s, so we decided the 2nd and 3rd places by count back from 13-18.

Net Score (with handicap) :

1st Place - Naim Musa (62) - Won a Putter donated by Alan Graham
2nd Place - Alan Graham (64) - Won a case of Beer donated by Karl Ayres
3rd Place - Steve Maestre (66)

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Las Vegas "2" Pot :

Naim Musa, Steve Maestre and Mickey Thornton.

Longest Drive :

Paul Martin

Closest to the Pin :

#1 and #10 : Steve Maestre
#5 and #14 : Naim Musa - Won a golf Glove donated by Alan Graham
#7 and #16 : Mickey Thornton - Won a golf Glove donated by Alan Graham

Consolation Prize. Highest score on Randomly drawn hole

#5 : Dalix Hernandez with a 6 - Won a Bottle of Wine donated by Andy Hunt

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The yearly Cumulative Points for the 6 official tournaments are :

Gross Score :

1st Place - 60 points - Andy Hunt
2nd Place - 46 points - William Mckenzie
3rd Place - 43 points - Paul Martin
4th Place - 28 points - Tim Heath
5th Place - 25 points - Alan Graham

Net Score :

1st Place - 35 points - Naim Musa
2nd Place - 29 points - Nelson Gallardo
3rd Place - 27 Points - Andy Hunt
4th Place - 26 Points - William Mckenzie
5th Place - 23 Points - Sam Mathias
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Most Pars :

53 pars - Andy Hunt
48 pars - William Mckenzie
38 pars - Paul Martin

Most Birdies :

8 Birdies - Paul Martin, Andy Hunt
7 Birdies - Sam Mathias, William Mckenzie, Jaime Gonzalez

Most Eagles :

1 Eagle - Paul Martin, Saul Barrera, Rene Reyes

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Total List of scores for Saturday June 25th 2011 Tournament :

69 - Andy Hunt
72 - Alan Graham
72 - William Mckenzie
76 - Mickey Thornton
77 - Steve Maestre
78 - Tim Heath
81 - Jim Comber
83 - Nelson Gallardo
83 - Naim Musa
84 - Karl Ayres
84 - John Sansone
85 - John Wongsam
85 - Paul Martin
86 - Ray Garbutt Sr
91 - Carlos Mendoza
92 - Jaime Gonzalez
92 - Sam Mathias
93 - Amir Escobar
93 - Robert Lee
95 - Reni Reyes
106 - Eleazar Portillo
126 - Dalix Hernandez

How do we calculate your Golf Handicap?

We keep getting asked by our golfers why their handicaps are lower than they think they should be.

The reason is that your handicap is not the average of your scores.

For example, if you are a 10 handicap it does not mean that you average 74 (par 64 + 10 handicap) around the Roaring River golf course. More than likely you average around 78-80.

Handicaps are calculated using the best 10 scores from you last 20 scores. So your terrible rounds are not even included in your handicap calculation. This also means that a really good round will bring your handicap down, whereas a really bad round will probably not change your handicap.

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STEP 1 :

For each individual 18 hole we find the handicap differential. This is done with the following calculation :

Your score - Course Rating x 113/116

A score of 74 at Roaring River course gives you this handicap differential :

74 - 66 x 113/116 = 7.79

113 is the average course Slope Rating.

Roaring River Course Rating is 66.

Roaring River Course Slope Rating is 116

Now we have the differential of 7.79. You calculate this differential for the best 10 scores from your last 20 rounds.

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STEP 2 :

Average the handicap differential for these best 10 scores from your last 20 rounds. Add them up and divide by 10.

Mulitply this number by 0.96 and you now have your handicap Index. This handicap Index can be used to calculate your handicap on any golf course you play on in the world.

Example. If you Handicap Index was 12.7 then we use the following calculation to find your handicap for Roaring River Golf Course :

12.7 x 116/113 = 13.03 (116 is Roaring River Slope Rating).

Therefore your handicap at Roaring River would be 13.

Fortunately we do not have to do these calculations for every player. We enter the scores into the computer and it does all the calculation and then gives us the handicaps.

It is also a little bit more complicated than this because there is something called ESC (Equitable Stroke Control). This factors in "Blow up holes". If you want to read more about ESC go here :

http://golf.about.com/cs/golfterms/g/bldef_esc.htm

All the information on Calculating Handicaps can be read here : http://golf.about.com/cs/handicapping/a/howcalculated.htm

Golf Handicaps - Updated 21st June 2011

Here you are ladies and gentlemen. The latest rogues gallery of his and hers handicaps for your consumption. You worked hard for them :-)

• N/A - Abreu, Carlos
• 12 - Allen, Peter
• 46 - Alvarenga, Hector
• 17 - Anderson, Bob
• 16 - Ayers, Karl
• 47 - Barrera, Ricardo
• 16 - Barrera, Rodrigo
• 11 - Barrera, Saul
• 22 - Capdevila, Maria Dolores
• 32 - Capdevila, Roman
• N/A - Casaus, Jorge
• 10 - Comber, Jim
• 25 - Cooper, Ian
• 18 - Cortes, Demetrio
• 37 - Cowel, Gregory
• 18 - Decon Cal
• N/A - Duran, Jose Maria
• 17 - Escobar, Amir
• 4 - Espat, Robert
• 15 - Gallardo, Nelson
• 6 - Garbutt Jr., Raymond
• 15 - Garbutt Sr, Raymond
• 7 - Garbutt, Ryan
• 33 - Garbutt, Raylene
• N/A - Garcia, Bob
• 12 - Geoff, Hatto-Hembling
• 21 - Giesbtecht, David
• 15 - Gillet, Lloyd
• 22 - Giron, Gustavo
• 12 - Gonzalez, Jaime
• 8 - Graham, Alan
• 21 - Guthoff, Oliver
• 18 - Hartshorn, Jim
• 4 - Heath, Tim
• 38 - Hernandez, Dalix
• 23 - Hernandez, Ivan
• 2 - Hunt, Andy
• 14 - Lee, Robert
• 15 - Lizarraga, Pedro
• 24 - Lizarraga, Ryne
• 31 - Lizzaraga, Pedrito
• 11 - Maestre, Steve
• N/A - Manuben, Jean Louis
• 41 - Martin, Jenny
• 5 - Martin, Paul
• 10 - Mathias, Sam
• 3 - Mckenzie, William
• 20 - Medina Jr., Efrain
• 27 - Medina Sr., Efrain
• 22 - Medina, Johnny
• 36 - Medina, Mark
• 21 - Mendoza, Carlos
• N/A - Moguel, Hugo
• N/A - Munguia, Gustavo
• 21 - Musa, Naim
• 22 - Nava, Harold
• 40 - Portillo, Eleazar
• N/A - Prado, Javier
• 23 - Reyes, Reni
• 13 - Rivas Jr.,Guillermo
• 34 - Rivas Sr, Guillermo
• 21 - Robinson, Tim
• N/A - Rodriguez, Alvaro
• N/A - Rojas, Hugo
• 14 - Sansone, John
• 21 - Sharp, Frank
• 8 - Thornton, Mickey
• 38 - Tom, Walter
• 27 - Vestly, Boris
• 25 - Wierum, Tom
• 8 - Williams, Korie -
• 12 - Wongsam, John

Belize Golf Tournament - June 25th 2011

Hello Golfers,

It is that time of the month again. Points and prizes at the official Tournament at the Roaring River Golf Course. Course conditions have changed since the last tournament. You will be able to attack the flags as the greens are US Open soft.

PLEASE EMAIL ME BEFORE THURSDAY IF YOU ARE PLAYING.

Rules :

• 8.30am Start. PLEASE BE ON TIME.**
• Green Fee is $55.
• Extra $10 Side Pot for : Closest to the Pin (#1 and #10), any 1 or 2 on any hole, longest drive or furthest up fairway on #6 and #15.
• Women Tee off from Front Tee boxes on all holes
• Case of beer/soda for the 1st place Gross and Net winners

** Please be on time. We want to start on time so it has been agreed with the board of BAGA and BGA that we make this rule :

Players must be registered to play by 8.15am on Saturday. You must be at the golf course by 8.15am. If you are not at the course by 8.15am you will not be allowed to play. If you think you will be late you can call Andy (651 9929) or Mickey (665 3352) to let us know that you will be there. You will be give a 10 minute extension until 8.25am to arrive. But you will have to donate $20 to the Side Pot to be allowed to enter the tournament. If you do not call and arrive after 8.15am you will not be allowed to play. REMEMBER, Registration closes at 8.15am.

Please email me before Thursday to let me know if you are coming. It helps us to organize the groups for the tournament.

I will be posting the updated handicaps to you all in the next day or so.

See you there.

Golf Rules - Hitting Wrong Ball, Hitting Ball on Practice Swing and Ball In Tree

Hello Golfers,

We are going to highlight every week some rules for players to help in the understanding of the rules of golf. We will use examples of rulings that we have seen at the Roaring River Golf Course in Belize. If there are any rules you want clarification on, email me and we will do the research.

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Hitting Wrong Ball.

Rule 15-3b

If a competitor makes a stroke or strokes at a wrong ball, he incurs a penalty of two strokes.

The competitor must correct his mistake by playing the correct ball or by proceeding under the Rules. If he fails to correct his mistake before making a stroke on the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of the round, fails to declare his intention to correct his mistake before leaving the putting green, he is disqualified.

Ruling is here :

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-15/#15-

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Ball Moved Accidentally by Practice Swing Prior to Tee Shot.

Rule 18-2a/19

You take a practice swing. You step a little closer to the ball and take another. Whoops - you accidentally hit the ball with that practice swing! What happens next?

If the ball is on the teeing ground and you have not yet made a stroke at the ball, then the ball is not yet in play. And accidentally hitting the ball with a practice swing in that situation does not result in a stroke or a penalty.

However, once you've made a stroke at the ball on the teeing ground, the ball is considered in play until you hole out. Then the question of whether a practice swing that makes contact is a stroke or penalty (or both) is covered under Rule 18, "Ball at Rest Moved."

And here's the ruling: If you accidentally move a ball in play with a practice swing, it's a one-stroke penalty. You must replace the ball to its original position and play it correctly.

Failing to replay the ball from its original position results in a total penalty of two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.

Ruling is here :

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Decision-18/#18-2a/19

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Ball lands in tree - What are my options?

You have 3 options :

1 - Play It as It Lies. What this means, of course, is that you're willing to climb up into the tree and take a swing at the ball.

2 - Unplayable. You can declare the ball unplayable under Rule 28, take a one-stroke penalty and, most likely, drop within two club-lengths of the ball (there are other options for continuing under the unplayable rule, but this is the most likely to be used in this scenario). The spot from which you measure the two club-lengths is that spot on the ground directly under where the ball rests in the tree.

But in order to use the unplayable option, you must be able to identify your ball. You can't just assume that it's up there somewhere, and you can't just assume that a ball you see in the tree is yours. You must positively identify it as yours.

That might mean trying to shake it loose from the tree, or climbing the tree simply to retrieve the ball for ID purposes. Before you do either, make sure you've announced your intention to treat the ball as unplayable. If you dislodge the ball without having made your intentions clear (to continue under the unplayable rule), you'll incur a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a (Ball at Rest Moved) and will be required to put the ball back in the tree! (Failure to replace a ball such moved would result in an additional 1-stroke penalty.) However, if you proceed directly under one of the options of rule 28, you need not replace the ball (see decision 20-3a/3).

So make sure you identify your ball before continuing under the unplayable option, and make sure you declare your intentions before retrieving or dislodging the ball from the tree.

3 - Lost Ball. Of course, you may not be able to find a ball that has lodged in a tree, even if you know it's there. The only option then is to accept the penalty for a lost ball and proceed under Rule 27 (Ball Lost or Out of Bounds). The lost ball penalty is stroke-and-distance; that means assessing a one-stroke penalty and returning to the spot of the previous stroke, where you must replay the shot.

Ruling is here :

http://golf.about.com/od/rulesofgolf/f/rfaq_upatree.htm

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If you have any other rulings email us at bagabze@gmail.com and we will investigate.

First Belize Childrens Golf Tournament - Wednesday 29th June 2011

Hello Parents,

The first childrens golf tournament is coming soon.

We will be holding our last Golf coaching session on Wed, June 29th. This will be a tournament for the children with Medals and prizes for the boys and girls.

We will spend the next 3 weeks preparing the children for this tournament and getting them ready to play. We have already started the preparation by playing one hole games from 75 yards from the Green.

The tournament will be 5 holes and will probably last 2 hours. You are welcome to come along and watch and support. Any questions you can call me on 651 9929.


Thks

Andy Hunt

Belize Golf Tournament Results - 4th June 2011

Hello Golfers,

The dirty dozen battled out on Saturday 4th June 2011 for our Stableford/Skins competition. Prizes for best front 9, best back 9 and best 18 hole stableford total with 66% of handicaps applied. There was also prizes for skins.

The results are :

Best Front 9 :

18 points : Andy Hunt and Jaime Gonzalez

Best Back 9 :

18 points : John Sansone and Alan Graham

Best 18 hole :

35 Points : Andy Hunt

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Skins :

Hole #2 - Mickey Thornton (Birdie)
Hole #6 - Alan Graham (Eagle)
Hole #7 - Tim Heath (Birdie)
Hole #8 - Paul Martin (Eagle)
Hole #10 - Mickey Thornton (Par) - Par?????????
Hole #18 - Peter Allen (Birdie)

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Full list of Stableford scores is :

35 pts - Andy Hunt
31 pts - Alan Graham
31 pts - Paul Martin
31 pts - Sam Mathias
31 pts - Mickey Thornton
30 pts - John Sansone
28 pts - Lloyd Gillett
28 pts - Tim Heath
28 pts - Jaime Gonzalez
27 pts - Peter Allen
26 pts - Michelle
24 pts - Slavik

Belize Golf Tournament Results - May 28th 2011

Congratulations to everyone that participated in the 5th Official Monthly tournament of the year.

It was a very hot day but still we saw some outstanding play from many of the Associations members. With the race for the top spots hotting up, we are seeing a very tight grouping of players battling it out in the Net Category, with 8 players within 4 points of the top spot.

Here are the results :

Gross Score (without handicap) :

1st Place - Andy Hunt (67) - NEW TOURNAMENT COURSE RECORD
2nd Place - William Mckenzie (70)
3rd Place - Paul Martin (76)

Net Score (with handicap) :

1st Place - Andy Hunt (64)
2nd Place - Jaime Gonzalez (64)
3rd Place - William Mckenzie (66)

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Las Vegas "2" Pot :

Saul Barrera and Sam Mathias.

Longest Drive :

Alan Graham.

Closest to the Pin :

Tim Heath.

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The yearly Cumulative Points for the 5 official tournaments are :

Gross Score :

1st Place - 48 points - Andy Hunt
2nd Place - 42 points - Paul Martin
3rd Place - 37 points - William Mckenzie
4th Place - 22 points - Sam Mathias
4th Place - 22 points - Tim Heath

Net Score :

1st Place - 23 points - Naim Musa
2nd Place - 22 points - Sam Mathias, Nelson Gallardo, William Mckenzie
5th Place - 21 Points - Jaime Gonzalez

Most Pars :

45 pars - Andy Hunt
37 pars - William Mckenzie
31 pars - Paul Martin

Most Birdies :

8 Birdies - Paul Martin
7 Birdies - Sam Mathias
6 Birdies - William Mckenzie

Most Eagles :

1 Eagle - Paul Martin, Saul Barrera, Rene Reyes

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Total List of scores for Saturday May 28th 2011 Tournament :

67 - Andy Hunt
70 - William Mckenzie
76 - Paul Martin
78 - Alan Graham
78 - Jaime Gonzalez
78 - Ray Garbutt Jr
79 - Steve Maestre
79 - John Wongsam
80 - Tim Heath
80 - Ryan Garbutt
80 - Jim Comber
80 - Sam Mathias
83 - Saul Barrera
84 - John Sansone
84 - Karl Ayers
84 - Nelson Gallardo
86 - Ray Garbutt Sr
92 - Reni Reyes
93 - Mickey Thornton
93 - Harold Nava
94 - David Giesbtecht
95 - Ivan Hernandez
97 - Amir Escobar
103 - Gustavo Giron
105 - Eleazar Portillo
108 - Dalix Hernandez
119 - Jennie Martin

4 Years old.........what the !!!!