| The Month in Review |
| A monthly feature recapping all Lefty Golfers Association events |
| June 2002 |
JUNE 1, 2002 - LE RIVIERA
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
CHRIS 9-IRON KID
*AL FRED
P.P. HORNSBY
CHRIS 9-IRON KID
*AL FRED
P.P. HORNSBY
51-53--- 104
56-56--- 112
58-57--- 115
62-54--- 116
56-56--- 112
58-57--- 115
62-54--- 116
Near gale force winds blew the LGA back to Le Riviera to kick off the month of June. Our brave golfers battled a rain soaked
course and those same winds, as well as their general lack of talent, to post generally crappy results. Nevertheless, Dr. Mario
Blondin managed to be the best of the bunch, grabbing his third-straight win after being shutout for over a month. Mario's 104
will forever ring as proof that you can win in the LGA with only five bogeys and a par (wow!). It must be said, however, in fairness
to the boys, that the conditions were very difficult. Chris The 9-Iron Kid returned to action posting his highest score of the year.
With 41 putts, his result could have been much worse were he not saved by his ability to put the ball in the fairway, even in the
wind. His second-place 112 was three shots better than Al Fred, who crashed straight back to earth after his illustrious
weekend of last. Unable to keep his short game together in the howling breeze, he still managed to hold off a charging P.P.
Hornsby, who after a front-nine 62 (heave!!!), managed to finish only one behind Al. It was Fred's fourth straight victory over
Hornsby. The day was encapsulated in a most fitting way on 12, when Dr. Blondin called time out in order to relieve certain body
substances. The fact that the doctor executed the above away from the view of his playing partners and gallery members is
greatly appreciated by all.
course and those same winds, as well as their general lack of talent, to post generally crappy results. Nevertheless, Dr. Mario
Blondin managed to be the best of the bunch, grabbing his third-straight win after being shutout for over a month. Mario's 104
will forever ring as proof that you can win in the LGA with only five bogeys and a par (wow!). It must be said, however, in fairness
to the boys, that the conditions were very difficult. Chris The 9-Iron Kid returned to action posting his highest score of the year.
With 41 putts, his result could have been much worse were he not saved by his ability to put the ball in the fairway, even in the
wind. His second-place 112 was three shots better than Al Fred, who crashed straight back to earth after his illustrious
weekend of last. Unable to keep his short game together in the howling breeze, he still managed to hold off a charging P.P.
Hornsby, who after a front-nine 62 (heave!!!), managed to finish only one behind Al. It was Fred's fourth straight victory over
Hornsby. The day was encapsulated in a most fitting way on 12, when Dr. Blondin called time out in order to relieve certain body
substances. The fact that the doctor executed the above away from the view of his playing partners and gallery members is
greatly appreciated by all.
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JUNE 2, 2002 - CAUGHNAWAGA
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
HALE E. NORMAN
P.P. HORNSBY
HALE E. NORMAN
P.P. HORNSBY
57-48--- 105
49-57--- 106
59-53--- 112
49-57--- 106
59-53--- 112
A last minute cancellation by Chris The 9-Iron Kid spoiled what would have been a reunion of The Lefty Foursome at The Cog
on this Sunday afternoon. Regardless, the LGA witnessed more dramatic action as Dr. Mario Blondin rallied from 11 shots back
through 11 holes to defeat Hale Erwin Norman by one. Dr. Blondin now has 7.5 victories in 2002 and has moved to within one of
Hale in the Doculab Senior Challenge. Hale Norman pulled what is commonly referred to as a 'Bonniebrook', completing one of
the greatest chokes (cough! cough!) in LGA history. And the fact that it was performed by a perennial champion is even more
disturbing. Norman coupled his front-nine 49 with a craptacular 57, while Blondin rode the bogey train along the back, after a
lousy first half, to steal the victory. Rounding out the field as usual was a surly P.P. Hornsby, playing more uninspired golf once
again with his new clubs, especially on the front-nine. After taking 7 penalties during the first seven holes, it was no wonder
Hornsby announced at the press conference held after the game that he would be taking a week away from the LGA. Does P.P.
have anything up his talentless sleeves? This is doubtful. Dr. Blondin was radiant after the event, obviously satisfied to take a
victory any way he can. "I needed that", was his only comment.
on this Sunday afternoon. Regardless, the LGA witnessed more dramatic action as Dr. Mario Blondin rallied from 11 shots back
through 11 holes to defeat Hale Erwin Norman by one. Dr. Blondin now has 7.5 victories in 2002 and has moved to within one of
Hale in the Doculab Senior Challenge. Hale Norman pulled what is commonly referred to as a 'Bonniebrook', completing one of
the greatest chokes (cough! cough!) in LGA history. And the fact that it was performed by a perennial champion is even more
disturbing. Norman coupled his front-nine 49 with a craptacular 57, while Blondin rode the bogey train along the back, after a
lousy first half, to steal the victory. Rounding out the field as usual was a surly P.P. Hornsby, playing more uninspired golf once
again with his new clubs, especially on the front-nine. After taking 7 penalties during the first seven holes, it was no wonder
Hornsby announced at the press conference held after the game that he would be taking a week away from the LGA. Does P.P.
have anything up his talentless sleeves? This is doubtful. Dr. Blondin was radiant after the event, obviously satisfied to take a
victory any way he can. "I needed that", was his only comment.
JUNE 7, 2002 - DORVAL - OAKVILLE COURSE
HALE E. NORMAN
*AL FRED
CHRIS 9-IRON KID
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
*AL FRED
CHRIS 9-IRON KID
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
50-48--- 98
51-57--- 108
54-57--- 111
58-DNF
51-57--- 108
54-57--- 111
58-DNF
The LGA made its first visit of the season to the Oakville Course at Dorval, where for once fine weather was experienced. Hale
Erwin Norman found his way back into the winner's circle, for the fifth time in '02, pulling away from a weak field for an easy
10-shot victory over runner-up Al Fred. Hale played a solid 48 on Oakville's demoralizing back nine, with three pars, rendering
any hopes of a comeback by his playing partners hopeless. Fred, after a respectable 51 going out, scored a crap-based 9 on
the par-5 10th and could never get back into the picture. He did share the beer hole with Norman. Chris The 9-Iron Kid saw his
season scoring average rise considerably after a 111, which is actually what he normally shoots at Dorval. Chris nevertheless
retained his thid rank overall, despite not scoring a single par all day long. Costa Doinbiznis made his return to the LGA after
several weeks absence. He, however, had previous engagements and could only play nine. Unlike Dr. Blondin (who missed his
first LGA event this season, together with P.P. Hornsby), the LGA will not take disciplinary action against Costa, even though he
is a rightie. He had declared prior to the round that he would not be able to complete the 18 holes.
Erwin Norman found his way back into the winner's circle, for the fifth time in '02, pulling away from a weak field for an easy
10-shot victory over runner-up Al Fred. Hale played a solid 48 on Oakville's demoralizing back nine, with three pars, rendering
any hopes of a comeback by his playing partners hopeless. Fred, after a respectable 51 going out, scored a crap-based 9 on
the par-5 10th and could never get back into the picture. He did share the beer hole with Norman. Chris The 9-Iron Kid saw his
season scoring average rise considerably after a 111, which is actually what he normally shoots at Dorval. Chris nevertheless
retained his thid rank overall, despite not scoring a single par all day long. Costa Doinbiznis made his return to the LGA after
several weeks absence. He, however, had previous engagements and could only play nine. Unlike Dr. Blondin (who missed his
first LGA event this season, together with P.P. Hornsby), the LGA will not take disciplinary action against Costa, even though he
is a rightie. He had declared prior to the round that he would not be able to complete the 18 holes.
JUNE 9, 2002 - LAFLEUR
HALE E. NORMAN
P.P. HORNSBY
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
*AL FRED
P.P. HORNSBY
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
*AL FRED
49-47--- 96
48-52--- 100
50-53--- 103
56-55--- 111
48-52--- 100
50-53--- 103
56-55--- 111
More summer-like skies greeted our motley foursome as they crossed the Mercier Bridge yet again for another offical LGA event.
Hale Erwin Norman captured his second straight win with a nerve-wracking last hole victory over P.P. Hornsby. Hornsby took the
outright lead after consecutive pars on 7 and 8, and kept it until 18, where P.P., who needed only a nine to break 100 for the
second time this year, shanked his second shot on the par-5 into the water on the right, then compounded his difficulties on his
6th shot, also going for a swim, to wind up with a 10 (hurl!!!) and give the victory to Norman. Hale started the day with
consecutive pars himself, but it was his par on 18 that was the 'nail', bringing to reality the lastest reincarnation of the Hornsby
choke. Dr. Mario Blondin also returned after missing Friday's event, playing overall decent golf, but nines on the two par-5's
caused the doctor to balloon over the 100 mark once again. As a result of today's action, Blondin now trails Norman 5-3 in this
year's Doculab Senior Challenge. Last in the pecking order was rightie Al Fred, who turned in his worst putting performance of
the campaign, a stunning 43 putts, failing to impress at the same course where only a couple of weeks earlier he had scored a
99. Although his playing partners were holding back barf as they discussed how Hornsby had blown yet another lead in the
clubhouse afterwards, Hornsby himself was upbeat. "Hey, I played 17 good holes", he said.
Hale Erwin Norman captured his second straight win with a nerve-wracking last hole victory over P.P. Hornsby. Hornsby took the
outright lead after consecutive pars on 7 and 8, and kept it until 18, where P.P., who needed only a nine to break 100 for the
second time this year, shanked his second shot on the par-5 into the water on the right, then compounded his difficulties on his
6th shot, also going for a swim, to wind up with a 10 (hurl!!!) and give the victory to Norman. Hale started the day with
consecutive pars himself, but it was his par on 18 that was the 'nail', bringing to reality the lastest reincarnation of the Hornsby
choke. Dr. Mario Blondin also returned after missing Friday's event, playing overall decent golf, but nines on the two par-5's
caused the doctor to balloon over the 100 mark once again. As a result of today's action, Blondin now trails Norman 5-3 in this
year's Doculab Senior Challenge. Last in the pecking order was rightie Al Fred, who turned in his worst putting performance of
the campaign, a stunning 43 putts, failing to impress at the same course where only a couple of weeks earlier he had scored a
99. Although his playing partners were holding back barf as they discussed how Hornsby had blown yet another lead in the
clubhouse afterwards, Hornsby himself was upbeat. "Hey, I played 17 good holes", he said.
JUNE 24, 2002 - CAUGHNAWAGA
HALE E. NORMAN
P.P. HORNSBY
*PETRO LEWINSKY
P.P. HORNSBY
*PETRO LEWINSKY
49-45--- 94
49-52--- 101
67-62--- 129
49-52--- 101
67-62--- 129
A puny field of three attended the LGA's traditional St-Jean-Baptiste event at Caughnawaga on a perfect day for golf. Hale Erwin
Norman scored eight pars on the round to rally from five-shots behind a pesky P.P. Hornsby to take his seventh Lefty Golfers
Association event in ten tries this year. Norman was indeed in top form after counting a barfy 17 shots on holes number two and
three collectively. Hornsby, celebrating (for lack of a better word) the sixth anniversary of his last LGA win, also continued his
improved play, but for a second straight round was unable to close out what appeared to be a near-certain sub-100 game.
Hornsby needed 7 on the par-5 18th, but messed around the trees on the right just enough to watch the opportunity go down the
toilet once again. Petro Lewinsky returned to the LGA, making some good shots as always, but three four-putts coupled with his
anticipated air-ball (it didn't arrive until the back nine) helped him balloon once again to well above 120. Despite this, Petro's
scoring average went down for 2002, indicating something. For the record, Hornsby moved ahead of an absent Costa
Doinbiznis in LGA rank as a result of today's action.
Norman scored eight pars on the round to rally from five-shots behind a pesky P.P. Hornsby to take his seventh Lefty Golfers
Association event in ten tries this year. Norman was indeed in top form after counting a barfy 17 shots on holes number two and
three collectively. Hornsby, celebrating (for lack of a better word) the sixth anniversary of his last LGA win, also continued his
improved play, but for a second straight round was unable to close out what appeared to be a near-certain sub-100 game.
Hornsby needed 7 on the par-5 18th, but messed around the trees on the right just enough to watch the opportunity go down the
toilet once again. Petro Lewinsky returned to the LGA, making some good shots as always, but three four-putts coupled with his
anticipated air-ball (it didn't arrive until the back nine) helped him balloon once again to well above 120. Despite this, Petro's
scoring average went down for 2002, indicating something. For the record, Hornsby moved ahead of an absent Costa
Doinbiznis in LGA rank as a result of today's action.
JUNE 29, 2002 - BONNIEBROOK
P.P. HORNSBY
HALE E. NORMAN
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
HALE E. NORMAN
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
50-53--- 103
54-54--- 108
46-62--- 108
54-57--- 111
54-54--- 108
46-62--- 108
54-57--- 111
The LGA took its annual stroll along the Bonniebrook River, scene of last year's 'choke of all chokes'. Coincidentally (or maybe
not), the scenario was repeated as P.P. Hornsby, after benefiting from a seven shot swing on hole number 10 thanks to a
vomit-reeking 12 by Dr. Mario Blondin, built a seven-shot lead by 16, but this time held on to take his first LGA event since 1996,
a five stroke victory over both Blondin and Hale Erwin Norman. Hornsby raised his arms in victory as he drained a six-footer for
bogey on 18, but his body language indicated more relief than celebration. Hale Norman once again proved his dislike of the
narrow Bonniebrook layout, coming in with a crappy 108, and in the process once again foiling his plans to reduce his season
scoring average below 100. Dr. Blondin, after a sizzling front-nine 46, played a crap-based 62 coming in, and has now not
played a sub-100 game in his last four. Costa Doinbiznis returned to the LGA after a month off, at times displaying his patented
temper which was so sorely missed during his absence. Despite carding a so-so 111, he only ended up 8 shots back, proving
once again that you don't have to shoot low scores in the LGA to contend.
not), the scenario was repeated as P.P. Hornsby, after benefiting from a seven shot swing on hole number 10 thanks to a
vomit-reeking 12 by Dr. Mario Blondin, built a seven-shot lead by 16, but this time held on to take his first LGA event since 1996,
a five stroke victory over both Blondin and Hale Erwin Norman. Hornsby raised his arms in victory as he drained a six-footer for
bogey on 18, but his body language indicated more relief than celebration. Hale Norman once again proved his dislike of the
narrow Bonniebrook layout, coming in with a crappy 108, and in the process once again foiling his plans to reduce his season
scoring average below 100. Dr. Blondin, after a sizzling front-nine 46, played a crap-based 62 coming in, and has now not
played a sub-100 game in his last four. Costa Doinbiznis returned to the LGA after a month off, at times displaying his patented
temper which was so sorely missed during his absence. Despite carding a so-so 111, he only ended up 8 shots back, proving
once again that you don't have to shoot low scores in the LGA to contend.