September 10, 2006

TERRA ALTA, WV — The Founding Fathers, on behalf of Golfapalooza, have announced several scoring changes for the September 21 event. The two changes effect both the 2-man Scramble and overall point target.

Rumors surfaced last year that a new scoring system will be in place at GX for the two man scramble.  Many of the top golfers have been critical about the previous point system and the Founding Fathers have stepped up to the plate.

"Scramble scores are much lower than traditional rounds posted at Alpine Lake," said Pat Boland. "Distributing handicaps for team events such as a scramble must include some relative statistics. The Founding Fathers have taken the advice and acquired a solution."

Boland has been a leader of the proposed change including his public protests. He renamed the scramble to the shamble over 2 years ago.

The updated handicap system will not distribute 4 and 5 points for par as in the past to teams of bogey and double-bogey golfers. It handicaps the teams and distributes independent handicaps based on projected strokes.

In addition of the scramble, the target of 35 points will be elevated considerably to 60 points across the board. This point change will eliminate aggressive and conservative handicaps including 1 point for double bogey and 1 point for bogey. It also removes 1 point for bogey and 5 points for par as examples.

"As far as a scramble, Slick and Blankenburg would be handicapped at 71 strokes and receive 2 points for par and 7 points for birdie achieving a target of 60 points," said a happier Boland. "A pair of Flanagans with 21 handicaps would be scramble-handicapped at 81 strokes receiving 1 point for bogey, 3 points for par and 9 points for birdie."

The new individual handicapping will be available sometime this week with team handicapping available after a Saturday pairing announcement.

Long gone are the "out of whack" scramble scores!  GX promises to be a three day tournament with all rounds counting the same!  Will the MELC Championship be taken from the "House of Flanagan"? Perhaps the trophy will find it's way into the hands of a Kaniecki?  Shoot, theyve got a 20% chance, for Pete's sake.....(actually, it's more like 12%.....you can't really count Brent or Jack)

Only time will tell, fellow Loozers!  So bring your "A" game, the practice round is 10 days away!