Minnesota 2010

After nearly a decade the Doctor has come to the conclusion that there are certain systemic problems with the system for handicaps for the yellow sweater as well as certain chronic conditions as well as subjective complaints that prevent an objective initial evaluation of the handicaps and often prevent a reasonable prognosis as to the outcome being fair for all.

SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS

These are the inherent difficulties with the Yellow Sweater system.

1. The gunch rule. Because this system is played in all games the golfers play at Dodge and around Omaha. It is accepted as proper for the Yellow Sweater. This clearly penalizes the golfers who keep it in play, and although the claim is to speed up play fivesomes are usually the preference. It does help to alleviate the problem with lost balls but ignores the fact that the second shot may be in the gunch as well.
    
2. The maximum score rule. This clearly penalizes the low handicappers but is justified since there is a pretense that the GHIN has some relationship to handicaps, and since it tosses out the highest ten of twenty , the high handicappers rightfully claim they only get to record three over so five over is more than fair on a hole . The fact that many putts are conceded in the money games also creates certain false handicaps. Some people have to putt out regularly some do not.
    
3. Failure TO COMPLY WITH THE GHIN reporting. Only a few golfers regularly remember to post scores the day or day after they are shot, some are accused of forgetting the low scores while others claim that certain players massage their handicaps.
    
4. Failure to vote individual beliefs. Often a handicap will be voted up or down to balance out what a person believes is a fair handicap. Originally the low and high scores were thrown out to avoid this, but there is a tendency to go to consensus.
    
5. Fear of the low score. Players who can shoot low are more often penalized than the player who shoots high. Memories of low scores linger for years.
    
6. Everyone loves Tommie. There is a tendency to root for Tommy resulting in his usually being close at the end, This has more of an effect on the Calcutta.
    
7. The misguided effort to allow the winner to declare the following year's handicaps. Personal beliefs have suggested that some past champions have been lowered significantly while others have been raised above their GHIN. While unintentional this has affected both the Sweater and the Calcutta.
    
8. PAIRINGS Nothing has as much influence as pairings an examination of traditional matchup's results in favorable pairings for some, for some the luck of the draw and a penalty to others.
    
9. Tee times. Kris gets up early so everyone should. Early tee times abound, but there is also the order of tee times. Pace of play offends some players some use it as a psychological tool Efforts to have everyone play with the others as much as possible have often been overlooked or for the third nine are forgotten.
    
10. Players under the radar, Attention is often focused on certain golfers to avert the gaze upon their own performance or play.

Traditionally past performance is consider, recent sweater contentions and current play. However this standard is not applied uniformly to all participants

This is the field any sweater participant enters, like golf sometimes it is not fair, but it is always interesting.

THE FIELD

Kip (GHIN 2.4) Current Champion, 3 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 3

Kip won as a five and is playing better. He rightfully complains that recent past champions have not been reduced because of lower GHINs but Kip is the best overall player. He does not gain anything from the max rule or the gunch rule, but he usually gets pleasant pairings. He knows the courses and should never shoot over 75.

Billy Jake (GHIN 2.2) 2 or 3 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 3

Jake plays well most of the time but the wrong pairing or opponent can take him out of the event. Jake is probably better than Kip but so far he has not won a sweater.

Jeff (GHIN???) Minnesota HC: 4.5

He has won a sweater playing Ward even. He needs to give Ward and Cuts at least two strokes overall for the tournament

Ward (GHIN 4.5) 5 or 6 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 5

He hasn't won in eight years does not contend often, his swing is erratic but played best in Pine de Palm this summer. Ward needs one a side from Kip and Bill The stroke tournament will harm him.

Billy Cutler (GHIN 4.8) 5 or 6 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 5

Cuts is hitting it as well as anyone however courses do not fit his game and he still leaves the reservation, Favorable pairings will help him. He has to beat Ward straight up to win a sweater.

Mike G (GHIN 5.8) 6 or 7 Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 6.5

Mike is playing well played great at Lakeshore event. However having to putt out requires significant inebriation for him to win a second sweater. His handicap is fair.

Tom (GHIN 6.4) 7 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 7

Tom plays better the more rounds he plays. Finishing at Detroit Lakes is in his favor.

The Pro is playing well, he can shoot below his handicap but this is the Sweater. Four from Jake is right.

Kevin (GHIN ????) Minnesota HC: 7.5

By far the toughest golfer to handicap. He could be as low as 6 or as high as 9 but getting one from Mike and three from Jeff seems fair.

Junior (GHIN 8.8) 9 or 10 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 9.5

Doctor would not argue with ten but J.P. won in Minnesota. This is only 6.5 off of base As always what JP thinks is right probably is.

Fritz (GHIN 10.7) 11 or 12 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 11.5

Although he is the highest of him Jon and Kris He has length no one else has and can putt the greens up North. Not playing foursomes will benefit him far more than the rest of the

Boys who love fivesomes. He has contended before at 8.5 off base.

Kris (GHIN 10.5) 11 or 12 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 12

He is erratic could well be a thirteen but he is still significantly better than John. He will miss the opportunity to play fivesomes and the winnings. He should give John at least one, but has lost his edge.

John (GHIN 10.6) 11 or 12 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 12.5

This gives John less than 10 strokes from the base but one more than Fritz which is five strokes over the tournament. This should be fair.

Doug (GHIN 12.7) 14 or 15 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 14.5

Doug's new found length and lessons form Jake has dropped his handicap significantly. However this still gives him only 11.5 against the base. Although he has a lower handicap than Doctor he should play him even or get half a stroke.

Doctor (GHIN 13.6) 15 or 16 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 14.5

Doctor has lost length, putting more stress on chipping and putting. Recent accident does not help his turn. Age and accidents combine. His five lowest tournament index averages range from 12.4 to 13.7 averaging 13.1 overall or a 15 handicap. His last eight tournaments average 14.3 index or a 16. or 16. However he is the Doctor and getting 11.5 off of base in a stroke game is probably fair. If he can't beat Doug he needs to take lessons from Jake as well.

Tins (GHIN 15.8) 17 or 18 in Minnesota, Minnesota HC: 16.5

Tins needs a bunch from everyone but hopefully can find his ball in Minnesota. Doctor needs to give him two just for that many gunch penalties a round. This is the number that Tins was near when he won his sweater

Pete (GHIN????) Minnesota HC: 21

Pete needs a stroke a hole off of the base. He will probably WD the second day. Will not care and would prefer to play Ward even. Is looking forward to seeing Shirley

Doctor has factored in the different slopes and course ratings only the Doctor has been significantly reduced from his GHIN entitlement. However, this should be a level field.