August 11, 2010

PRESTONSBURG, KY — With a patch on his eye and more than a few 'arrrrgh's', Pat Boland more than dominated the inaugural 'Hurricane Classic' in eastern Kentucky. The 7-year mmeber of the Carl Spackler Open won his own tournament with lots of points and strokes to spare.

Boland scored three birdies at Stonecrest Golf Course on Sunday worth 30 points. "He was playing out his ass," says Dave Lauerhass of Boland's 84-point round. "The four hockeysticks on Sunday were the only tangible results that will keep him from scratch golfer status. The patch served him well out there today."

StoneCrest Golf Course in Prestonsburg, KY is municipally owned and was developed as part of a reclaimed surface coal mine. The views from the golf course in all directions is as much as 50 miles. The golf course is generally flat, however there are holes that drop as much as 170 feet.

Boland, who played as a pirate because of a Kentucky bar skuffle that left him with a bruised eye, carded 5 pars and 3 birdies during his round.

"Arrrrgh!" yelled Boland after birding the 5th hole. "You guys might as well walk the plank. How many skins is that now?"

The bar skuffle was the first for Boland, a.k.a. Hurricane, since his trip to Texas four months ago. "The red necks are much faster than the bikers," said Boland of the punch. "I need to spend more time in the hotels."

Boland shot a 14-over 86 and 84 points. Greg Long, a.k.a. Slick, shot a round best 12-over 84 with 8-over par coming on the first 4 holes.

The other half of the Kentucky event took place on Saturday at Eagle Ridge, where the golf course applied a beating to many golfers. The 12-player tournament field played 36 holes.

Things got so bad for Chad Long off the tee in Saturday's first round of the 'Hurricane Classic' that he started to play with a pocket full of balls.

Long followed up his worst front nine ever at Eagle Ridge, a 30-over 66 on Saturday, by nearly matching his worst round ever, a 61-over 133. When he made the turn and realized his score, the 2009 Carl Spackler Open champion said, "I played horrible, but realize what I was doing wrong. I was not swinging the club correctly."

It was not just bad swings, but finding immense trouble repeatedly. "He scored his first points of the day at the 8th hole," said Jack Schone. "The bogey seemed to turn his round around in a positive direction. He dominated the back nine by dropping 20 strokes off his game and finishing with a 112."

The 8-year member carded two 9's and four 8's in the first seven holes. "He single handedly slowed down the pace of play at Eagle Ridge," says Ron Saxe. "To just say 'he opened poorly' would be finding something nice to say."

In other words, he was all over the course, visiting spots that the game’s best hackers seldom see.

Partner Jack Schone battled all day to shoot the best score on Saturday. The 3-year member shot a very impressive 10-over 81. "The course is extremely difficult," said a happy Schone. "I did not make some putts, but my 43 strokes on the front nine was very good considering the shots required."

Schone scored an event high 67 points during his first round, however scored just 3 points during the front nine of his second round; 18 points total. Tom Fowble scored just 17 points.

Justin Gorby shot an event high 13 strokes at the 14th hole on Saturday.

The USGA grades the front nine of Eagle Ridge with a 152 slope rating from just 3,300 yards. The back nine is so much easier than the front that the 18-hole slope rating is 142. Eagle Ridge is situated in extremely rugged mountains within Yatesville State Park. The 18-hole Arthur Hills designed course opened in 2004.