| The Month in Review |
| A monthly feature recapping all Lefty Golfers Association events |
| August 2005 |
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AUGUST 5, 2005 - VAUDREUIL (STARTED ON BACK NINE)
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
PAUL HORNSBY III
*PIETRO LEWINSKY
PAUL HORNSBY III
*PIETRO LEWINSKY
46-50--- 96
51-52--- 103
64-53--- 117
51-52--- 103
64-53--- 117
As with past seasons in the LGA, the month of August got off to another historic beginning, this time in conjunction with a rare
Friday morning 'official' event at Vaudreuil. Against what must have seemed an extremely weak field, Fred Cupholders coasted
to a seven shot victory over his nearest rival (if you could call it that), Paul Hornsby III. Fred's three pars for the day would not be,
however, what would make history, nor was it the fact that it was Cupholders' fifth victory in only eight LGA appearances this
year, although that in itself is noteworthy. Also not memorable was Hornsby's 103 performance, although sadly it did bring down
his scoring average slightly. The big story on this quiet news day was Pietro Lewinsky, who after almost a decade as a
part-timer in the Association, finally scored his first career birdie. It was of the chip-in variety on the par-4 second hole. After
sinking it Lewinsky celebrated with a fist pump and a dance, befitting the accomplishment. For good measure Lewinsky also
added two pars and a couple of air balls. The birdie masked what was in the end another disappointing round overall for
Lewinsky. Still his 117 was his second best this season. Lewinsky also made history in that he has now appeared in three
consecutive LGA events, something unheard of prior to this day for Pietro. His 30 putts was also a personal record. After the
event, Cupholders was not shy in describing the weakness of his opposition, calling the victory an 'easy' one. Paul Hornsby III
did not make himself available to respond.
Friday morning 'official' event at Vaudreuil. Against what must have seemed an extremely weak field, Fred Cupholders coasted
to a seven shot victory over his nearest rival (if you could call it that), Paul Hornsby III. Fred's three pars for the day would not be,
however, what would make history, nor was it the fact that it was Cupholders' fifth victory in only eight LGA appearances this
year, although that in itself is noteworthy. Also not memorable was Hornsby's 103 performance, although sadly it did bring down
his scoring average slightly. The big story on this quiet news day was Pietro Lewinsky, who after almost a decade as a
part-timer in the Association, finally scored his first career birdie. It was of the chip-in variety on the par-4 second hole. After
sinking it Lewinsky celebrated with a fist pump and a dance, befitting the accomplishment. For good measure Lewinsky also
added two pars and a couple of air balls. The birdie masked what was in the end another disappointing round overall for
Lewinsky. Still his 117 was his second best this season. Lewinsky also made history in that he has now appeared in three
consecutive LGA events, something unheard of prior to this day for Pietro. His 30 putts was also a personal record. After the
event, Cupholders was not shy in describing the weakness of his opposition, calling the victory an 'easy' one. Paul Hornsby III
did not make himself available to respond.
Photos not available
AUGUST 6, 2005 - CAUGHNAWAGA
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
PAUL HORNSBY III
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
PAUL HORNSBY III
49-45--- 94
49-48--- 97
51-53--- 104
49-48--- 97
51-53--- 104
An all-lefty trio graced the Caughnawaga Golf Club for yet another LGA event, the second in as many days. What started out as a
heated three-way battle would turn into a two-horse race by the back nine, with Dr. Mario Blondin emerging victorious by three
over Hale Erwin Norman for his fourth victory of his topsy-turvy 2005 campaign. Blondin chipped in for birdie on the par-3 4th
hole, but the turning point for him would be his par on the par-4 15th, coupled with a triple-bogey by Norman on the same hole,
to give him the three-shot lead which would constitute the winning margin. Blondin also chipped in for par on 18 to become the
third player this season to score two chip-ins during a round, a strange statistic indeed. For Norman it was his sixth straight
runner-up finish. The former 13-time LGA Player of The Year has not won an event since May 8th. Also in the field, as usual,
was Paul Hornsby III, who yet again failed to break 100. As has become the norm for Hornsby of late, his round was effectively a
festival of double-bogeys or worse, and although he managed to avoid really big numbers all day, he also managed to avoid
the small numbers, scoring only one par. With the victory, Dr. Blondin is now confidently setting his sights on the Lefty Masters
for the coveted Yellow Jacket in two weeks' time, the winner of which, as always, shall go into the 'anals' of history as one of the
great athletes of modern times.
heated three-way battle would turn into a two-horse race by the back nine, with Dr. Mario Blondin emerging victorious by three
over Hale Erwin Norman for his fourth victory of his topsy-turvy 2005 campaign. Blondin chipped in for birdie on the par-3 4th
hole, but the turning point for him would be his par on the par-4 15th, coupled with a triple-bogey by Norman on the same hole,
to give him the three-shot lead which would constitute the winning margin. Blondin also chipped in for par on 18 to become the
third player this season to score two chip-ins during a round, a strange statistic indeed. For Norman it was his sixth straight
runner-up finish. The former 13-time LGA Player of The Year has not won an event since May 8th. Also in the field, as usual,
was Paul Hornsby III, who yet again failed to break 100. As has become the norm for Hornsby of late, his round was effectively a
festival of double-bogeys or worse, and although he managed to avoid really big numbers all day, he also managed to avoid
the small numbers, scoring only one par. With the victory, Dr. Blondin is now confidently setting his sights on the Lefty Masters
for the coveted Yellow Jacket in two weeks' time, the winner of which, as always, shall go into the 'anals' of history as one of the
great athletes of modern times.
Photos not available
AUGUST 13, 2005 - CAUGHNAWAGA
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
PAUL HORNSBY III
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
PAUL HORNSBY III
43-46--- 89
44-46--- 90
46-45--- 91
50-54--- 104
44-46--- 90
46-45--- 91
50-54--- 104
The 2005 LGA tradition continued with yet another Saturday morning 'official' event, once again at Caughnawaga. In what turned
out to be one of the most hotly contested tournaments in LGA history, Hale Erwin Norman took advantage of a beer hole victory
on 17 to increase what was at that point a one-shot lead, and hung on for victory by that same one-shot margin, for only his third
victory of 2005. In the process Hale ended a streak of six consecutive runner-up finishes, dating back to May 8th. Norman's
round consisted of a birdie on the par-4 7th hole, and his 89 was his low round of the season, in spite of his 38 putts. Dr. Mario
Blondin, coming off a win the previous week, came oh-so close once again, but a triple bogey on 15, his only triple of the day,
would turn out to be the difference. Blondin has shown considerable improvement since once again abandoning his late night
medical practice, at least on nights preceding LGA events. Top righthander Fred Cupholders entered the clubhouse in third
position with a very respectable 91, possibly the lowest third place score in LGA history. Observers were not sure whether Fred's
visible disappointment following the round was due to his score or his position. This writer would venture to guess that it was
both. Finishing last yet again, Paul Hornsby III continued his crappy season with another 104, completing the 18 holes without
carding a single par. It is now almost certain, only one week before the LGA Masters for the coveted Yellow Jacket, that 2005 will
not be the Year of the Hornsby, as fearlessly predicted by his fan club at the onset of the season. 'Da Turd' just does not appear
to be talented, or at the very least disciplined, enough.
out to be one of the most hotly contested tournaments in LGA history, Hale Erwin Norman took advantage of a beer hole victory
on 17 to increase what was at that point a one-shot lead, and hung on for victory by that same one-shot margin, for only his third
victory of 2005. In the process Hale ended a streak of six consecutive runner-up finishes, dating back to May 8th. Norman's
round consisted of a birdie on the par-4 7th hole, and his 89 was his low round of the season, in spite of his 38 putts. Dr. Mario
Blondin, coming off a win the previous week, came oh-so close once again, but a triple bogey on 15, his only triple of the day,
would turn out to be the difference. Blondin has shown considerable improvement since once again abandoning his late night
medical practice, at least on nights preceding LGA events. Top righthander Fred Cupholders entered the clubhouse in third
position with a very respectable 91, possibly the lowest third place score in LGA history. Observers were not sure whether Fred's
visible disappointment following the round was due to his score or his position. This writer would venture to guess that it was
both. Finishing last yet again, Paul Hornsby III continued his crappy season with another 104, completing the 18 holes without
carding a single par. It is now almost certain, only one week before the LGA Masters for the coveted Yellow Jacket, that 2005 will
not be the Year of the Hornsby, as fearlessly predicted by his fan club at the onset of the season. 'Da Turd' just does not appear
to be talented, or at the very least disciplined, enough.
Photos not available
AUGUST 19, 2005 - CAUGHNAWAGA
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
PAUL HORNSBY III
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
PAUL HORNSBY III
43-40--- 83
48-45--- 93
51-45--- 96
54-51--- 105
48-45--- 93
51-45--- 96
54-51--- 105
Less than 24 hours before the LGA's second major tournament of the year, a made-for-television prime-time Friday special
event was staged at the Cog. As is usually the case under such circumstances, no television networks showed up. Rain was
forecast for the afternoon, and sure enough fell steadily through most of the back nine. What could not be forecasted, however,
was the performance of Fred Cupholders. The righthander scored four pars on the front nine en route to a 43, but he was only
getting under way. Cupholders scored an amazing 40 coming in, on a nine which included three (count 'em) birdies, tying the
all-time LGA record for most birdies for nine holes. In fact, he needed bogey-par on the two remaining holes to break 80, but at
that he failed miserably. Fred's 83 was a career best, 10 shots better than runner-up Costa Doinbiznis, who had a decent round
in his own right, scoring seven pars of his own, but by the time the back nine had started, 'The Biz' was already well back. Top
lefthander for the afternoon was Hale Erwin Norman, who at least broke 100. Norman had a stretch of pars from holes 9
through 12, making it appear as though he was making a charge. Unfortunately, those would be his only four pars for the
round. Scraping the bottom for a third straight event was Paul Hornsby III, who once again scored in triple digits, in spite of a
birdie on the par-4 7th. Paul has failed to post a nine in under 50 for the entire month of August. As was proven once again
today, righthanders have come to dominate the LGA, leaving the lefties a shadow of what they once were, with the exception of
Hornsby, who continues to stink as he always has. The world anxiously awaits the results of tomorrow's Lefty Masters of Golf
for the coveted Yellow Jacket, with the lefties hoping to regain their once proud dominance. Stay tuned.
event was staged at the Cog. As is usually the case under such circumstances, no television networks showed up. Rain was
forecast for the afternoon, and sure enough fell steadily through most of the back nine. What could not be forecasted, however,
was the performance of Fred Cupholders. The righthander scored four pars on the front nine en route to a 43, but he was only
getting under way. Cupholders scored an amazing 40 coming in, on a nine which included three (count 'em) birdies, tying the
all-time LGA record for most birdies for nine holes. In fact, he needed bogey-par on the two remaining holes to break 80, but at
that he failed miserably. Fred's 83 was a career best, 10 shots better than runner-up Costa Doinbiznis, who had a decent round
in his own right, scoring seven pars of his own, but by the time the back nine had started, 'The Biz' was already well back. Top
lefthander for the afternoon was Hale Erwin Norman, who at least broke 100. Norman had a stretch of pars from holes 9
through 12, making it appear as though he was making a charge. Unfortunately, those would be his only four pars for the
round. Scraping the bottom for a third straight event was Paul Hornsby III, who once again scored in triple digits, in spite of a
birdie on the par-4 7th. Paul has failed to post a nine in under 50 for the entire month of August. As was proven once again
today, righthanders have come to dominate the LGA, leaving the lefties a shadow of what they once were, with the exception of
Hornsby, who continues to stink as he always has. The world anxiously awaits the results of tomorrow's Lefty Masters of Golf
for the coveted Yellow Jacket, with the lefties hoping to regain their once proud dominance. Stay tuned.
Photos not available
AUGUST 20, 2005 - CAUGHNAWAGA
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
PAUL HORNSBY III
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
*PIETRO LEWINSKY
PAUL HORNSBY III
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
*PIETRO LEWINSKY
43-44--- 87
47-46--- 93
48-48--- 96
46-53--- 99
52-51--- 103
55-60--- 115
47-46--- 93
48-48--- 96
46-53--- 99
52-51--- 103
55-60--- 115
The Lefty Masters for the coveted Yellow Jacket, the LGA's second major tournament of the season, was held on schedule at
its usual venue, Caughnawaga, in spite of really crappy weather. Regardless, all but one of the usual suspects turned out, with
Chris The 9-Iron Kid, not surprisingly, being the exception. Playing in a steady rain through most of the 18 holes, Costa
Doinbiznis grabbed an early lead thanks to a birdie on the par-5 5th, and coasted to an easy six shot win and his second major
tournament in as many this year, setting 'The Biz' up for a possible run at the Lefty Slam. Doinbiznis made history in many ways
on this day. His 87 was by far a career low, and his two major victories count as the most ever by a righthander in one year.
Finishing in a surprising second place was Paul Hornsby III, who navigated his way through the slop en route to a season low
93. Hornsby actually thought he had won the tournament for a brief moment (I know, what as he thinking?). As the final
grouping was headed towards the 18th green, someone informed Hornsby that the low score was 98, but it turned out to be
just a cruel joke, and another indicator the the LGA is sorely lacking in on course leaderboards. Finishing in a very
disappointing third place, considering his performance of only a day earlier, was Fred Cupholders. Fred apparently used up all
of his great shots during his Friday 83, and could not duplicate the sizzling performance when it really counted. Nevertheless,
Cupholders was able to extend his streak of sub-100 games to 4. Hale Erwin Norman was next on the leaderboard, also
managing to break 100, however barely. Norman's back nine 53 stank in particular. Fifth place dishonours fell to Dr. Mario
Blondin, known to play badly in wet weather. He did not disappoint in that regard. Although his 103 does not seem really all that
bad considering the conditions, it also does not seem really all that good. As predicted, Pietro Lewinsky rounded out the field,
finishing in last place once again. It does warrant mention, however, that Lewinsky posted one of his finer career
performances, although I am sure Lewinsky prefers that I did not mention this. Pietro's day included a par on the par-3 8th hole.
At the Yellow Jacket ceremony following the event, Costa Doinbiznis was gushing with pride, as his lifelong dream had been
finally achieved. The video of him draining a twenty foot putt for the win on 18 is destined to become an LGA classic, that is if it
ever actually gets posted onto this website. Well we can dream, can't we? All eyes are sure to be on 'The Biz' next month at the
Lefty Olympics of Golf, where he will try to become the first player since Dr. Blondin in '02 to complete the Lefty Slam.
its usual venue, Caughnawaga, in spite of really crappy weather. Regardless, all but one of the usual suspects turned out, with
Chris The 9-Iron Kid, not surprisingly, being the exception. Playing in a steady rain through most of the 18 holes, Costa
Doinbiznis grabbed an early lead thanks to a birdie on the par-5 5th, and coasted to an easy six shot win and his second major
tournament in as many this year, setting 'The Biz' up for a possible run at the Lefty Slam. Doinbiznis made history in many ways
on this day. His 87 was by far a career low, and his two major victories count as the most ever by a righthander in one year.
Finishing in a surprising second place was Paul Hornsby III, who navigated his way through the slop en route to a season low
93. Hornsby actually thought he had won the tournament for a brief moment (I know, what as he thinking?). As the final
grouping was headed towards the 18th green, someone informed Hornsby that the low score was 98, but it turned out to be
just a cruel joke, and another indicator the the LGA is sorely lacking in on course leaderboards. Finishing in a very
disappointing third place, considering his performance of only a day earlier, was Fred Cupholders. Fred apparently used up all
of his great shots during his Friday 83, and could not duplicate the sizzling performance when it really counted. Nevertheless,
Cupholders was able to extend his streak of sub-100 games to 4. Hale Erwin Norman was next on the leaderboard, also
managing to break 100, however barely. Norman's back nine 53 stank in particular. Fifth place dishonours fell to Dr. Mario
Blondin, known to play badly in wet weather. He did not disappoint in that regard. Although his 103 does not seem really all that
bad considering the conditions, it also does not seem really all that good. As predicted, Pietro Lewinsky rounded out the field,
finishing in last place once again. It does warrant mention, however, that Lewinsky posted one of his finer career
performances, although I am sure Lewinsky prefers that I did not mention this. Pietro's day included a par on the par-3 8th hole.
At the Yellow Jacket ceremony following the event, Costa Doinbiznis was gushing with pride, as his lifelong dream had been
finally achieved. The video of him draining a twenty foot putt for the win on 18 is destined to become an LGA classic, that is if it
ever actually gets posted onto this website. Well we can dream, can't we? All eyes are sure to be on 'The Biz' next month at the
Lefty Olympics of Golf, where he will try to become the first player since Dr. Blondin in '02 to complete the Lefty Slam.
Photos not available
THE LEFTY MASTERS
AUGUST 27, 2005 - LAFLEUR
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
PAUL HORNSBY III
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
PAUL HORNSBY III
48-41--- 89
49-42--- 91
50-51--- 101
49-57--- 106
49-42--- 91
50-51--- 101
49-57--- 106
The annual post Yellow Jacket downer found itself playing out at Lafleur, on what was finally a nice day for golf. With the Lefty
Masters champion Costa Doinbiznis absent from the event, public interest in the tournament was non-existent, unchanged
from the usually non-existent public interest. In fact it is believed that interest in the tournament would have been nil no matter
who was attending. Anyway, Fred Cupholders returned to the winner's circle, taking advantage of another sizzling back nine,
this time a 41, to extend the righthanders' winning streak to three. It was the second time this month Cupholders was able to
break 90. Top lefty and runner-up honours fell to Hale Erwin Norman, who also played extremely well coming in, but during his
entire back nine 42, Hale could not gain a single shot on Cupholders. Dr. Mario Blondin was next on the leaderboard, finishing
third and failing to break 100 for a second straight week. Blondin was in contention after nine, but could not keep up with the
torrid pace of Messrs. Cupholders and Norman coming in, hence the result. The doctor appeared tired after what was probably
another bout of overnight surgery, although Mario would not confirm as much when asked. Still, Blondin did manage to win the
beer hole. Mired in the cellar yet again was Paul Hornsby III, who put on another crap-tacular display of golf after the turn, this
time finding the out of bounds twice on the par-3 11th (a hole Hornsby himself once called the 'easiest in Quebec'), resulting in
an 8, and repeating the accomplishment by going OB twice on 12, resulting in a 10 and another classic choke, as Hornsby
finished 17 strokes behind after being down by only one shot at the turn.
Masters champion Costa Doinbiznis absent from the event, public interest in the tournament was non-existent, unchanged
from the usually non-existent public interest. In fact it is believed that interest in the tournament would have been nil no matter
who was attending. Anyway, Fred Cupholders returned to the winner's circle, taking advantage of another sizzling back nine,
this time a 41, to extend the righthanders' winning streak to three. It was the second time this month Cupholders was able to
break 90. Top lefty and runner-up honours fell to Hale Erwin Norman, who also played extremely well coming in, but during his
entire back nine 42, Hale could not gain a single shot on Cupholders. Dr. Mario Blondin was next on the leaderboard, finishing
third and failing to break 100 for a second straight week. Blondin was in contention after nine, but could not keep up with the
torrid pace of Messrs. Cupholders and Norman coming in, hence the result. The doctor appeared tired after what was probably
another bout of overnight surgery, although Mario would not confirm as much when asked. Still, Blondin did manage to win the
beer hole. Mired in the cellar yet again was Paul Hornsby III, who put on another crap-tacular display of golf after the turn, this
time finding the out of bounds twice on the par-3 11th (a hole Hornsby himself once called the 'easiest in Quebec'), resulting in
an 8, and repeating the accomplishment by going OB twice on 12, resulting in a 10 and another classic choke, as Hornsby
finished 17 strokes behind after being down by only one shot at the turn.
Photos not available