Missouri Golf

Draft Order as determined by the league commissioner

1. Miller’s Major Minions
2. Kroll-inators
3. Nullified Air
4. Taj Mihal – Humps style
5. Mason Dixon Line
6. El Loco Buss-eh?

So the draft and teams are on the board….Here goes the draft.

And with the first pick of the 2008 Rend lake Mock draft, Miller’s Major minions take………Brad Gray out of the University of Michigan.

Franchise’s take- Brad Gray is a very focused player who dedicates a lot of time to his game, unfortunately, his consistency comes into play from time to time, but his new Scotty Cameron putter must have been the difference maker here.

The rest of the first round

2) Kroll-inators – The sound of a dual bob was just too hard to pass up.  Plus the later actually has a short game.

3) Nulliefied Air – Mike Pallia – The overall consistant player that is never good enough to win.  It sucks but maybe, Nulli can inspire him the way only nulli’s can.

4) Taj Mihal Humps Style – Derrick Albers – Do the humpty hump.  Without Sandy or nature boy, this is the only lock of the draft.

5) Mason Dixon Line – Rob Holt – Mason tries to trade down to get Roger, but ends up taking the best available athlete.

6) El Loco Buss..Eh? – Gary Bradley – Buss can’t believe he fell this far so he jumps at this pick.  He’s no Cosman, but then again…who is?

Round 2

7) Buss – Jeff King - A steal?  Not so sure since King hasn’t played much this year.

Mason – Scott Null – Should be an interesting pairing.  Scott has a lot of upside, but then again there’s a lot of downside too.  I wonder which one shows?

9) Mihal – Bryan Pritchett – Paired with the other 2 kids, this team wins the beer drinking contest, wrecks the cart and barely makes it off the course with their clothes on.

10) Nulli – Greg Pritchett – Smart play for Nulli to go with the seasoned veteran

11) Kroll – Gary Gray – Short game, short game and short game.

12) Miller – Todd Cowan – People claim he can’t see but those of us in the know, know better. (and owen is one of those who know) ***Franchise’s steal of the draft***

Round 3

13) Miller – Cosman – Miller spends a lot of time handicapping and smiles as he makes this pick.  Not sure why, but I’m assuming there’s a plan.

14) Kroll – Shaughnessy – Goes with the known quantity and at least one closest to the pin award.

15) Nulli – Reeves – The upset of the draft.  This was Mason’s only must have pick and since Rog broke 100, its not going to be….

16) Mihal – Jansen – Best available for the all humps team

17) Mason – Witwer – Since mason’s still crying, Rob makes the pick on his behalf

18) Bussey – Gallant – Who’s matt gallant?  Who cares…He’s Mr. irrelevant along with a damn handsome Caveman as well.

OK Duffers.  Here’s your chance to tell everybody about your great golf shots.  What was the closest you came to a hole in one?  If you have a hole in one, tell us about that too.  Try to be as honest as you can.  Name the course and hole.  Here’s mine:

L.A. Nickel Golf Course, Columbia   Number 11  one foot away.   Two putts later, I had a nice par.

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Here are my 5 favorite Missouri golf courses and why:

1.  Eagle Knoll  Here’s a rule of thumb for playing this course:  Whatever your handicap is, will equal the number of balls you’ll lose on your round.  Nothing is more rewarding than NOT having to buy more balls at the turn.

2.  Incline Village  If your golf game goes to the crapper, you can always go fishing.  This course is the only place that one of my sliced drives actually came close to hitting a……….water skier.

3.  Links at Dardenne  Flat and easy.  Just like my high school prom date.

4.  Railwood Golf Club  $18.00 plus cart even on the weekend and dollar beers.  Even if your golf game sucks, you’re not out that much money and it’s a pretty cheap drunk.

5.  Golf Club of Wentzville  The first time I played here, I contemplated giving up golf and taking up bowling.  The second time I played here, I had a great round.  Who Knows?  Next time I play here, I might bring my bowling ball.

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 If you live in the St Louis area and are looking for a great golf course to play, I suggest you head west.  Some of the best golf courses in the state of Missouri can be found right along Interstate 70. 

The first stop I would consider making as in the town of Wentzville at the Golf Club of Wentzville.  This course is locate just a few minutes off I-70 and is really easy to find.  It’s not the longest course, but tree lined fairways make it very challenging.  Water comes into play on a few holes and elevation changes force you to be precise with your club selection.  This course is designed to be FUN and it is.

Not too far further west, is Incline Village Golf Course.  The course is located about ten minutes north of I-70 at the Foristell exit.  Tree lined fairways on the front nine make it a very challenging course.  On the back nine, a large lake influences several holes including an “island green” par 3.  This whole is very intimidating because of the fact that it’s surrounded by water.  Good luck.  Several of the holes are short enough to only require a good driver and a wedge but the greens are challenging once you get there.

Just outside the town of Fulton is Tanlgewood Golf Course.  The course is located just a few minutes south of I-70 on Highway 54.  Tanglewood is very affordable and is a very fun course to play.  It’s relatively flat and trees line some of the fairways.  Water comes into play on a few holes including a long par 3 over water.  One of the times I played this course, I had the wind in my face on this hole and could barely make it over the water with an iron.

About 15 minutes south of Columbia on Highway 63 is Eagle Knoll Golf Course.  This is the most challenging course I’ve played in the state of Missouri.  Changes in elevation, water, sand, fairway bunkers and the fact that the course was built in the middle of a forest all contribute to a higher score.  Plan on losing a few balls on this course.  This is a great, fun, challenging course that’s deefinitely worth wherever you’re driving from.  Take a minute to check out the view from the fourth tee box. 

Say you’re driving from St Louis to Kansas City and don’t have time to play 18 hole but have an hour to kill.  Stop by Perche Creek Golf Club and hit a bucket of balls, play their 18 hole par 3 course, drive a go kart or take some rips in their batting cages.  It’s located just west of Columbia at the Midway exit.  You can see it from the Interstate.  The best thing about Perche Creek is their pro shop.  Huge selection of name brand equipment and great prices. 

About five minutes north of I-70 at the Booneville exit is Hail Ridge.  Hail Ridge is just a few years old and has gotten better each year it’s been open.  There’s allot of challenging holes including some very tricky par 3’s.  What surprised me about this course the last time I played it, was the price.  Very, very affordable.  Hopefully that hasn’t changed. 

Well, there’s a few examples of some great places to enjoy golf just a few minutes off of Interstate 70.  Hopefully, you can get out and enjoy these and all of the other great courses our state has to offer.  I’ll have more news about other courses soon.

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