The Gold Cup Member-Guest Invitational – July 12th-14th, 2012 – written by Craig Goleno
La Dolce Vita (the sweet life) of playing Rainier Golf and Country Club in the Annual Gold Cup was an opportunity presented to Craig Goleno that he could not refuse.
“My game was in shambles, but when Todd Keiper called and said get to Seattle for a golf party known as the Gold Cup, I was in!”
The weather was a welcome break from the 110 degree Vegas heat, as the temperatures in Seattle were in the upper 70’s.
Once I landed, we headed immediately to the course for an 18 hole practice round (walking) followed by a few TK’s in the clubhouse. You do lose track of time in Seattle in the summer, as it seems as if it is daylight forever.
The tournament began Thursday. There were eleven different six team flights, and we were in the colonial flight. We had to play every team in our flight in a nine hole best ball match. The scoring system was unique, and may be something we can use at the MGI to spice it up.
If your team won the hole you were received 2 points, lose it 0 points, and tie the hole each team receives one point. Your team gets a 2 point bonus if you win the match, 1 point each if you tie, and 0 bonus points if you lose. You played off the low cap guy in your group.
The Keiper/Goleno group played solid and finished second in our flight which did pay back some cash. The final day drama was there with our final match being against the leaders in our flight – the Kane brothers.
“I rolled in a miracle putt on our first hole in the match to halve the hole, and the match was on…..but our work horse Todd ran out of fuel, but that was expected after carrying me for 36 holes”
If we had won our flight, we would have gone into the championship match with the other flight winners, but it wasn’t meant to be (see pictures below of all the golfers in carts watching the finals).
Other Highlights:
- The Keiper/Goleno group did come in second overall in the 66 team horse race event which was so much fun, and the first time I have ever been involved in something like this on the golf course. I learned a new term when there where 10 teams on a tee box, and they said when you get to your ball just hit. It is rambo golf. Todd added “To come in second overall, and beat some of the low cap guys straight up, yeah, that surprised me! Good win!” See the presentation video below.
- The Swag (see photos)
- Great to see Jay D, Brooksy, Ashley, and everyone else that I have met up in Seattle.
- The Rainier course was in beautiful shape, and is an incredible challenge. Note: Pine trees on a course play a lot different than palm trees on a course.
- TODD KEIPER WAS AN EXCELLENT HOST!
I hope to be able to do it again, as it was a fantastic golf event with a lot of great people and it was a blast.
Click on each photo for a larger image view. Thank you.
