MILE SQUARE HIGHLIGHTS 

August Tournament

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My morning started with a few last-minute cancellations, attempts to find replacements, tournament logistics, and musubi preparation.  I also managed to forget my GPS watch, my golf glove, and—of all things—my golf shoes. Nothing says "tournament ready" quite like arriving at the first tee in street shoes and making an emergency trip to the pro shop for a new pair. To top it all off, a squirrel decided my musubi looked like a better lunch option than whatever it had originally planned.

And if that wasn't enough excitement, the course did not have proximity markers available for our tournament. Fortunately, Rainbow Golf Club came prepared with their own markers, saving the day and avoiding a closest-to-the-pin guessing contest.

Another hot summer day greeted us at Mile Square. The temperatures were manageable, but as anyone who played can attest, it was the humidity that really made conditions challenging. By the back nine, most players were searching for shade, a breeze, or both.

 

The course itself presented another challenge for several members. This was their first trip back to Mile Square since the Classic and Players courses were combined following Orange County's lease and financial issues. Unfortunately, some GPS watches hadn't received the memo, and the new course data had not been uploaded. So, for some players, yardage was a matter of trusting their instincts—and perhaps their cart partners.

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Amid all the changes, it was especially nice to welcome Eva back! We're glad you're feeling better and back on the golf course. Several of our members are still sidelined with injuries, and we miss seeing you out there. We look forward to having everyone back soon.

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Of course, no Rainbow tournament would be complete without Nancy's smiling face and her infamous banana and poppy seed bread.  The musubi generated some discussion as well, with several people commenting that it tasted a little different—or better—than usual. Congratulations to those with sharp taste buds! The secret ingredient wasn't a new recipe; it was Robert accidentally buying regular Spam instead of low-sodium Spam. So, what is your preference: Regular or Low Sodium Spam?

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And speaking of tournament refreshments, one group took birdie celebrations to a new level. The traditional Fireball shot appears to be losing market share as players upgraded their selections to Woodford Reserve, Jameson, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, and Butterscotch Schnapps. Group 4 also seemed to have differing opinions on an important Rule of Golf: exactly how much constitutes "a pour"?

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While some players were upgrading their beverages, Sue was busy upgrading her golf cart experience. She continues to set trends with her cart sunshade, providing welcome relief from the summer sun. Nancy was quick to recognize a good idea and also acquired one of her own. We expect additional sightings throughout the fleet before long.

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Sue's round also provided us with what may have been the most unusual rules situation of the day. After hitting a shot near a goose, her ball mysteriously disappeared.  Supposedly the goose ate her ball, so she was assessed a two-stroke penalty for a lost ball. However, an alternate interpretation has emerged among members who believe the goose should have been considered a temporary obstruction, making it a one-stroke penalty for an unplayable lie. The Rules Committee is still awaiting testimony from the goose.

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With beverages, wildlife, and equipment all providing their own distractions, it is worth remembering one of the basics of golf: please repair your ball marks and divots on the greens. One player was convinced a divot knocked their putt off line and cost them  making a 25-footer. Whether that was the actual reason for the miss remains open to debate—but fixing those marks certainly can't hurt.  Lance earned a new nickname after draining an impressive 35-foot breaking birdie putt. His new nickname is "Smokey the Bear."

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Steve described his front nine as "a walk through the forest," which may have been his polite way of describing the amount of time he spent searching for golf balls among the trees. Another anonymous player summed up how he felt he played the round with a colorful five-character description: "%*@!$".  As for Gil, despite his terrific putting performance, he could only manage a fourth-place finish in the money standings. Unfortunately, the winnings fell just short of funding a replacement for his beloved 8-iron.

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And then there was the challenge of the pairings. Pairings are always one of the biggest challenges when organizing tournaments, but judging by the laughter heard around the course, some of you survived your cart assignments and may have even enjoyed them. 

       

​Noteables:

• Kent and Donna, who posted net scores of 68 and 69, respectively.

• Kent and Vi, the tournament's top two money winners.

• Gil and Vi, who each recorded an impressive 27 putts.

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From pre-round chaos and GPS confusion to birdie bombs, forest adventures, humidity battles, spirited beverage debates, and wildlife interference, Mile Square provided plenty of stories, laughs, and memories for everyone involved.

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Next tournament:  EL DORADO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2026

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN AUGUST 22ND...

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