The Third Annual Vukelic Cup was played at Bismarck's Pebble Creek Golf Course on Saturday, September 18.  Rather than stay inside [like sane people], nine stalwarts braved winds gusting to 40 m.p.h. and temperatures in the low 90s.  It was playing golf in a blast furnace.

The Force featured Scott Halvorson, Dennis Steele, Chuck Ortlip, Bruce ["I can't tighten my cap any further"] Mikkelson, and yours truly.

The Dark Side consisted of Nick Kjos, Dale Hoerauf, Jim Potter, and Dave Cantrell.  Curt Dahme had to bow out at the last minute so the other four got an extra shot on each scramble stroke.

Mr. Control gives his teammates a pep talk.

Jim demonstrating the "Potter crouch" on #1

Dennis Steele was the steadiest player of the day, as things turned out.  He has a better record in the match play event than Tiger Woods.

Bruce had a "hogger" birdie on #8 during the scramble. We used his drive which landed next to the green on a short par 4, then his chip to just a few feet from the pin, and his putt for a 3.  Scott also had a hogger on #5. Those efforts lifted The Force to four under par for the 9 holes, enough to whup The Dark Side in the scramble event [okay, by one stroke, but hey, a win is a win].    Notice the flag.  It was North Dakota "breezy."

Chuck, a member of The Force, tees off on the signature hole, #4. On the second nine, we played from the green tees [2,132 yards] to compensate for the wind.  On this hole, everyone easily carried the water with the tailwind, except for the author who made it into the rocks. But I mustered a par on the par 5 with a good pitch and putt.

Scott does his best Leon imitation, giving Dave some friendly advice.  The two were matched on the second nine where players were limited to using 3 clubs.  Scott started off on a tear but Dave came back to win the match with steady play.  I matched my card against Dave's and despite birdies on #7 and #8, I, too, succumbed to Mr. Control.

Dale teeing off on #4.  He edged out Chuck after a shaky start, sending his drive on #1 into the trees.  In other matches, Jim Potter and Bruce battled to a tie while Dennis defeated Nick.  Final score:  The Force: 16.5 - The Dark Side: 7.5 points.  Dennis was the individual winner with six points.

Afterwards, the boys came over for spicy chili.  Nothing like hot food on a hot day.

There were a few yuks and prizes awarded to all those deserving of the same.  'Til next year...

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