| The Month in Review |
| A monthly feature recapping all Lefty Golfers Association events |
| August 2008 |
AUGUST 2, 2008 - CAUGHNAWAGA
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
PAUL HORNSBY III
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
PAUL HORNSBY III
46-45--- 91
43-52--- 95
52-54--- 106
53-55--- 108
43-52--- 95
52-54--- 106
53-55--- 108
The traditionally historic month of August got under way with an official event at Caughnawaga. Costa Doinbiznis returned to
the winner's circle after seeing his LGA record winning streak ended at 10 the previous week, by rallying back from a five
stroke deficit to bypass Hale Erwin Norman coming in, in the process taking his 12th tournament of 2008 in only 14 tries.
Costa's round featured seven pars as well as the usual couple of blemishes standard on practically all LGA scorecards. As
for Norman, he appeared to be coasting to a rather easy victory, thanks in great part to his opening hole birdie. However, after
his 8 on the short par-4 11th, immediately folowed by his 9 on the next hole, another par-4, Hale found himself three back
thorugh 12. The rest, as they say, is history. The other battle of the day saw Fred Cupholders and Paul Hornsby III scratching it
out for third place, which at the end was claimed by the rightie Cupholders. Fred continued his struggles in '08 as his 106 so
painfully shows, but Hornsby's 11 on the par-5 5th, as well as his return to Magnet Lake (twice, of course) on 14 would deny
'Da Turd' any respectable showing for this event. Some good news was in store for Hornsby as he would par the beer hole
17th, but the consolation was minor indeed. With the second LGA major, the Lefty Masters for the coveted Yellow Jacket only
four weeks away, Costa Doinbiznis continues to solidify his position as heavy favourite to retake the Jacket from defending
champion Fred Cupholders.
the winner's circle after seeing his LGA record winning streak ended at 10 the previous week, by rallying back from a five
stroke deficit to bypass Hale Erwin Norman coming in, in the process taking his 12th tournament of 2008 in only 14 tries.
Costa's round featured seven pars as well as the usual couple of blemishes standard on practically all LGA scorecards. As
for Norman, he appeared to be coasting to a rather easy victory, thanks in great part to his opening hole birdie. However, after
his 8 on the short par-4 11th, immediately folowed by his 9 on the next hole, another par-4, Hale found himself three back
thorugh 12. The rest, as they say, is history. The other battle of the day saw Fred Cupholders and Paul Hornsby III scratching it
out for third place, which at the end was claimed by the rightie Cupholders. Fred continued his struggles in '08 as his 106 so
painfully shows, but Hornsby's 11 on the par-5 5th, as well as his return to Magnet Lake (twice, of course) on 14 would deny
'Da Turd' any respectable showing for this event. Some good news was in store for Hornsby as he would par the beer hole
17th, but the consolation was minor indeed. With the second LGA major, the Lefty Masters for the coveted Yellow Jacket only
four weeks away, Costa Doinbiznis continues to solidify his position as heavy favourite to retake the Jacket from defending
champion Fred Cupholders.
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Photos not available
AUGUST 5, 2008 - LE CARDINAL
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
CHRIS THE 9-IRON KID
PAUL HORNSBY III
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
CHRIS THE 9-IRON KID
PAUL HORNSBY III
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
52-46--- 98
52-51--- 103
52-56--- 108
49-60--- 109
52-51--- 103
52-56--- 108
49-60--- 109
The LGA headed to Le Cardinal for another event in the 2008 Weekday Series. Costa Doinbiznis rallied from behind for a
second straight game after posting a 52 front nine, scoring four pars over the last six holes to pull away for a five shot win over
Chris The 9-Iron Kid. The Biz got off to a horrendous start, carding three eights over the first four holes, so he was happy to
see things even out in the end. As for The 9-Iron Kid, he never had the outright lead after hole number one, where he scored
par, but he kept his game steady enough to take second spot as he witnessed the leader at the halfway point, Fred
Cupholders, fade badly coming in. Sadly, the aforementioned par by Chris would be his only one on the scorecard. Third
place fell to Paul Hornsby III, almost by default. Although he failed to score even one par on the round, Hornsby benefitted
from the Cupholder Collapse. Defeating anybody has been a rarity for 'Da Turd' in '08. Arriving at the cellar dweller spot on the
leaderboard, we find a name already mentioned several times in this report, Fred Cupholders. Leading at the turn after going
out in 49, Cupholder's back nine 60 was highlighted by his tee shot on the short par-4 14th hole, which hit some fixtures and
flew 100 yards behind the tee box, deep into the trees, leading to an 11. "Whatever", was all the 2007 Lefty Masters champion
had to say to reporters as the event concluded.
second straight game after posting a 52 front nine, scoring four pars over the last six holes to pull away for a five shot win over
Chris The 9-Iron Kid. The Biz got off to a horrendous start, carding three eights over the first four holes, so he was happy to
see things even out in the end. As for The 9-Iron Kid, he never had the outright lead after hole number one, where he scored
par, but he kept his game steady enough to take second spot as he witnessed the leader at the halfway point, Fred
Cupholders, fade badly coming in. Sadly, the aforementioned par by Chris would be his only one on the scorecard. Third
place fell to Paul Hornsby III, almost by default. Although he failed to score even one par on the round, Hornsby benefitted
from the Cupholder Collapse. Defeating anybody has been a rarity for 'Da Turd' in '08. Arriving at the cellar dweller spot on the
leaderboard, we find a name already mentioned several times in this report, Fred Cupholders. Leading at the turn after going
out in 49, Cupholder's back nine 60 was highlighted by his tee shot on the short par-4 14th hole, which hit some fixtures and
flew 100 yards behind the tee box, deep into the trees, leading to an 11. "Whatever", was all the 2007 Lefty Masters champion
had to say to reporters as the event concluded.
Photos not available
AUGUST 10, 2008 - CAUGHNAWAGA
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
PAUL HORNSBY III
*PIETRO LEWINSKY
PAUL HORNSBY III
*PIETRO LEWINSKY
46-43--- 89
45-55--- 100
57-60--- 117
45-55--- 100
57-60--- 117
A barely official field of three returned to Caughnawaga for yet another LGA event. Entering the tournament anticipating an
easy win against a weak field (the weakest possible in the current LGA), Hale Erwin Norman nevertheless had to rally from a
one shot deficit at the turn, and made an easy job of it with a back nine 43 which included a chip-in birdie on 16 to enter the
clubhouse with a score in the 80's, his first of the 2008 season, and an easy eleven stroke victory over Paul Hornsby III.
Runner-up Hornsby displayed some fine form of his own on the front nine, also carding a chip-in birdie on seven, going out in
45 which was blemished by a 9 on the par-5 5th. Reality came back to bite, however, on the back nine, as 'Da Turd' managed
only a single bogey through the final nine holes, to finish at a disappointing 100. And while we're on the subject of
disappointment, Pietro Lewinsky, the sole rightie in the tournmanent, also entered the tournament with high hopes, as he
has been showing steady improvement this season. Pete's 39 putts would prove expensive however (among other things),
as he would leave the 18th green a full 28 shots out of the lead at 117. Lewinsky continues to seek his first career LGA
tournament victory, almost a full decade after making his Association debut.
easy win against a weak field (the weakest possible in the current LGA), Hale Erwin Norman nevertheless had to rally from a
one shot deficit at the turn, and made an easy job of it with a back nine 43 which included a chip-in birdie on 16 to enter the
clubhouse with a score in the 80's, his first of the 2008 season, and an easy eleven stroke victory over Paul Hornsby III.
Runner-up Hornsby displayed some fine form of his own on the front nine, also carding a chip-in birdie on seven, going out in
45 which was blemished by a 9 on the par-5 5th. Reality came back to bite, however, on the back nine, as 'Da Turd' managed
only a single bogey through the final nine holes, to finish at a disappointing 100. And while we're on the subject of
disappointment, Pietro Lewinsky, the sole rightie in the tournmanent, also entered the tournament with high hopes, as he
has been showing steady improvement this season. Pete's 39 putts would prove expensive however (among other things),
as he would leave the 18th green a full 28 shots out of the lead at 117. Lewinsky continues to seek his first career LGA
tournament victory, almost a full decade after making his Association debut.
Photos not available
AUGUST 17, 2008 - CAUGHNAWAGA
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
PAUL HORNSBY III
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
PAUL HORNSBY III
47-50--- 97
50-49--- 99
47-54--- 101
58-55--- 113
50-49--- 99
47-54--- 101
58-55--- 113
The LGA returned to Caughnawaga for a third time this month, to more fine weather. The battle on the golf course turned out
to be quite interesting, as Dr. Mario Blondin had to fight tooth and nail against both Costa Doinbiznis and Hale Erwin Norman,
but would successfully hold off both for a 97 and a two shot win, his fourth of the season. The fact that Blondin's only par
came on the par-5 1st hole did not help his cause, but he was also able to avoid the bad holes, which was a factor in the
victory. Runner-up Doinbiznis was never more than three shots out of the lead at any given time during the event, and in fact
pulled to within one through 17 after scoring beer on the final par-3, only to score a vomit-stenched triple bogey on the final
hole to squeak into the clubhouse under the century mark. It was only the third time in 2008 that 'The Biz' failed to win an LGA
tournament. Hale Erwin Norman finished in third place, only four shots behind the winner. Norman was also in contention
throughout the day, but his inability to score more than a single par was also a determining factor in his failure to win and
break 100. Despite his 101, Norman only putted 30 times. The most interesting round, however, and probably the most
eventful, may have belonged to Paul Hornsby III. After opening the round with a spectacular birdie on hole number 1 after
draining a 40 foot snake, Hornsby had a literally painful day. 'Da Turd' ruined a decent drive on three by losing two balls in the
woods and scoring a 10, then would injure his hand, apparently rather severely, after trying to landscape his way from under
the lip of a fairway bunker on the par-5 5th. For the rest of the event, Hornsby's swing looked more like that of a contortionist
than a golfer, as he was forced to dance wildly after each one handed swing in order not to fall over. Actually, the more I think
about it, the more I realize that the injury actually didn't cause Hornsby's swing to change all that much. And, all things
considered, Hornsby's 113 was not much worse than what he usually scores.
to be quite interesting, as Dr. Mario Blondin had to fight tooth and nail against both Costa Doinbiznis and Hale Erwin Norman,
but would successfully hold off both for a 97 and a two shot win, his fourth of the season. The fact that Blondin's only par
came on the par-5 1st hole did not help his cause, but he was also able to avoid the bad holes, which was a factor in the
victory. Runner-up Doinbiznis was never more than three shots out of the lead at any given time during the event, and in fact
pulled to within one through 17 after scoring beer on the final par-3, only to score a vomit-stenched triple bogey on the final
hole to squeak into the clubhouse under the century mark. It was only the third time in 2008 that 'The Biz' failed to win an LGA
tournament. Hale Erwin Norman finished in third place, only four shots behind the winner. Norman was also in contention
throughout the day, but his inability to score more than a single par was also a determining factor in his failure to win and
break 100. Despite his 101, Norman only putted 30 times. The most interesting round, however, and probably the most
eventful, may have belonged to Paul Hornsby III. After opening the round with a spectacular birdie on hole number 1 after
draining a 40 foot snake, Hornsby had a literally painful day. 'Da Turd' ruined a decent drive on three by losing two balls in the
woods and scoring a 10, then would injure his hand, apparently rather severely, after trying to landscape his way from under
the lip of a fairway bunker on the par-5 5th. For the rest of the event, Hornsby's swing looked more like that of a contortionist
than a golfer, as he was forced to dance wildly after each one handed swing in order not to fall over. Actually, the more I think
about it, the more I realize that the injury actually didn't cause Hornsby's swing to change all that much. And, all things
considered, Hornsby's 113 was not much worse than what he usually scores.
Photos not available
AUGUST 23, 2008 - CAUGHNAWAGA
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
CHRIS THE 9-IRON KID
PAUL HORNSBY III
CHRIS THE 9-IRON KID
PAUL HORNSBY III
47-44--- 91
45-58--- 103
50-57--- 107
45-58--- 103
50-57--- 107
Whether due to high gasoline prices, lack of creativity, need for tobacco, simple laziness, or all of these reasons, the LGA
headed to Caughnawaga yet again for an all-lefty 'official' event. Anticipating an easy win, as Hale Erwin Norman usually does
when teeing up against the league's weaker opposition, Norman nevertheless had to battle well into the back nine before his
inevitable victory became easy. By the time Hale drained his second birdie of the round though, on the par-3 beer hole 17th
no less, Norman's win was a foregone conclusion. Norman rallied from a 2 shot deficit at the turn to take the event by a dozen
strokes. It was Chris The 9-Iron Kid who jumped out of the gate early, scoring par on holes one and two. 9-Iron's front would
also feautre a chip-in birdie on the par-4 7th hole. Two bad holes, however, both nines, would effectively destroy Chris' round,
one on the par-4 15th, and the other on the finishing par-5. Chris would leave the 18th green in triple figures at 103, and as a
result has yet to break 100 in 2008. Rounding out the field, nursing an injured hand, was Paul Hornsby III. After opening with
an 11 on the par-5 first hole, Hornsby defied the odds by scoring pars on his next two holes, but as the day progressed he
appeared to be favouring his left hand, so stupidly disfigured after last week's attempt at landscaping from the under the lip of
a fairway bunker. Hornsby was optimistic despite the result. "Had I not scored 28 on the three par-5's, who knows?", Hornsby
wondered out loud. What everybody was too polite to point out was that 9.3 shots per hole is only slightly worse than what
Hornsby normally scores on par 5's.
headed to Caughnawaga yet again for an all-lefty 'official' event. Anticipating an easy win, as Hale Erwin Norman usually does
when teeing up against the league's weaker opposition, Norman nevertheless had to battle well into the back nine before his
inevitable victory became easy. By the time Hale drained his second birdie of the round though, on the par-3 beer hole 17th
no less, Norman's win was a foregone conclusion. Norman rallied from a 2 shot deficit at the turn to take the event by a dozen
strokes. It was Chris The 9-Iron Kid who jumped out of the gate early, scoring par on holes one and two. 9-Iron's front would
also feautre a chip-in birdie on the par-4 7th hole. Two bad holes, however, both nines, would effectively destroy Chris' round,
one on the par-4 15th, and the other on the finishing par-5. Chris would leave the 18th green in triple figures at 103, and as a
result has yet to break 100 in 2008. Rounding out the field, nursing an injured hand, was Paul Hornsby III. After opening with
an 11 on the par-5 first hole, Hornsby defied the odds by scoring pars on his next two holes, but as the day progressed he
appeared to be favouring his left hand, so stupidly disfigured after last week's attempt at landscaping from the under the lip of
a fairway bunker. Hornsby was optimistic despite the result. "Had I not scored 28 on the three par-5's, who knows?", Hornsby
wondered out loud. What everybody was too polite to point out was that 9.3 shots per hole is only slightly worse than what
Hornsby normally scores on par 5's.
Photos not available
AUGUST 30, 2008 - CAUGHNAWAGA
DR. MARIO BLONDIN
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
CHRIS THE 9-IRON KID
*PIETRO LEWINSKY
PAUL HORNSBY III
HALE ERWIN NORMAN
*COSTA DOINBIZNIS
*FRED CUPHOLDERS
CHRIS THE 9-IRON KID
*PIETRO LEWINSKY
PAUL HORNSBY III
47-47--- 94
45-52--- 97
49-48--- 97
48-50--- 98
55-47--- 102
55-56--- 111
54-60--- 114
45-52--- 97
49-48--- 97
48-50--- 98
55-47--- 102
55-56--- 111
54-60--- 114
The Ninth Annual Lefty Masters was destined to witness someone claiming the coveted Yellow Jacket for either the first or
third time in their career, as four players (the top four, who else?) came into the event with two Jackets apiece. Sure enough,
four players (guess which ones) battled the entire day, with Dr. Mario Blondin emerging victorious after scoring pars on the
two final holes for a three shot victory and his third career Masters crown. Blondin hasn't worn the Jacket since his
consecutive wins in '01 and '02. This was one of the closest majors in LGA histrory as the top four were never separated by
more than five shots, and that was early on. Tied for second spot were the two favourites, Hale Erwin Norman and Costa
Doinbiznis. Doinbiznis suffered from an opening hole 8, and was not able to gain back the ground. It was the second
consecutive tournament for Costa that he was unable to win, a rarity for 'The Biz' this season. As for Norman, he led by two at
the turn, and was tied for the lead as late as through 17, after sharing beer hole honours with Doinbiznis and Lewinsky, but
his triple on 18 demolished his hopes for a third Jacket. Fred Cupholders rounded out the top four with a 98, four shots back
of the win. Cupholders also contended all day, but just couldn't close the gap on the finishing holes. Chris The 9-Iron Kid was
the best of the first group to tee off, matching the best back nine of the day with a 47, after a front nine 55 which featured a 10
on the par-5 5th. Actually, the lower rung of the Association, as represented by the first trio on the course, had a close fight of
their own until Chris pulled away during the secong half. By the time the dust had settled, Pietro Lewinsky grabbed sixth spot
by three over Paul Hornsby III, once again topping 'Da Turd' in LGA competition. Lewinsky's 111 included a share of the beer
hole victory with Norman and Doinbiznis, and was his sixth straight round under 120, which would not normally merit mention
except that for Lewinsky, it merits mention. Sadly, his score would have been much lower had he not scored 12 on the final
hole. And of course while we're on the subject of merit, or lack thereof, Paul Hornsby III finished in last place, three behind
Lewinsky and a full twenty shots from the lead. Hornsby had a truly lackluster day, which became more difficult over the final
few holes as his injured hand appeared to swell up. The LGA credits Hornsby for not using this as an excuse. We know he
wanted to. With Blondin's taking this, the second of three majors on the LGA calendar, Costa Doinbiznis can no longer
possibly complete the Lefty Slam, victory in all three major tourmanents, in 2008.
third time in their career, as four players (the top four, who else?) came into the event with two Jackets apiece. Sure enough,
four players (guess which ones) battled the entire day, with Dr. Mario Blondin emerging victorious after scoring pars on the
two final holes for a three shot victory and his third career Masters crown. Blondin hasn't worn the Jacket since his
consecutive wins in '01 and '02. This was one of the closest majors in LGA histrory as the top four were never separated by
more than five shots, and that was early on. Tied for second spot were the two favourites, Hale Erwin Norman and Costa
Doinbiznis. Doinbiznis suffered from an opening hole 8, and was not able to gain back the ground. It was the second
consecutive tournament for Costa that he was unable to win, a rarity for 'The Biz' this season. As for Norman, he led by two at
the turn, and was tied for the lead as late as through 17, after sharing beer hole honours with Doinbiznis and Lewinsky, but
his triple on 18 demolished his hopes for a third Jacket. Fred Cupholders rounded out the top four with a 98, four shots back
of the win. Cupholders also contended all day, but just couldn't close the gap on the finishing holes. Chris The 9-Iron Kid was
the best of the first group to tee off, matching the best back nine of the day with a 47, after a front nine 55 which featured a 10
on the par-5 5th. Actually, the lower rung of the Association, as represented by the first trio on the course, had a close fight of
their own until Chris pulled away during the secong half. By the time the dust had settled, Pietro Lewinsky grabbed sixth spot
by three over Paul Hornsby III, once again topping 'Da Turd' in LGA competition. Lewinsky's 111 included a share of the beer
hole victory with Norman and Doinbiznis, and was his sixth straight round under 120, which would not normally merit mention
except that for Lewinsky, it merits mention. Sadly, his score would have been much lower had he not scored 12 on the final
hole. And of course while we're on the subject of merit, or lack thereof, Paul Hornsby III finished in last place, three behind
Lewinsky and a full twenty shots from the lead. Hornsby had a truly lackluster day, which became more difficult over the final
few holes as his injured hand appeared to swell up. The LGA credits Hornsby for not using this as an excuse. We know he
wanted to. With Blondin's taking this, the second of three majors on the LGA calendar, Costa Doinbiznis can no longer
possibly complete the Lefty Slam, victory in all three major tourmanents, in 2008.
Photos not available
THE NINTH LEFTY MASTERS