 SATURDAY, March 29th: This weekend marked the first official USC Open
It was not only the beginning of a tradition for the Trojan Golf Club It was not only the beginning of a tradition for the Trojan Golf Club, it was the launch of the 2008 almostGolf season. Thanks to the Collegiate Golf Alliance, Trojan Golf club, and our generous sponsors PUMA Golf, Function Drinks and Brandlin and Associates. The tournament took place through McCarthy Quad complete with a tight 6 hole course (par 22) and a bonus hole over the fountain. The format was a two-man best ball scramble, which was designed to guarantee low scores. The field of 105 players saw some healthy although not exactly firece competition. And we definitely have to thank PUMA for sending over their LA DJ Shumpei. He amped us with tunes all day…something you don’t get during most ordinary ‘golf tournaments’. (See photo album)
I know this sounds bizarre, and very LA, but the SoCal winter was still upon us, which means even though the Trojan Golf Club hosted a strong field of players, the chilling 67 degrees with zero humidity and slight overcast ke pt the lightweight Californian spectators down just a bit. As the day wore on, the numbers increased but it was mostly Dodger fans, migrating through campus to get to the Coliseum for Opening day, which had a record turn out. Some of them even stopped by to take a swing or two at the bonus water hole.
THE COMPETITION: The weather card did not stop the early teams from putting up some major numbers. Though we were told that the later teams thought the weather would ‘warm up’ and give them an advantage, the early teams of Chris Cheng, Brad McMahon and Christian G, Mike Coverly set a scorching pace with a mere 16 for 7 holes. (hhhmmm) A score that would late be matched by Eric Chiang solo. The highlight of the tournament was a gentlemanly competition (which we hope will become an almostGolf tradition) between the top two young guns of the Trojan Golf Club Mark and Chris and the almostGOLF ‘factory team’ of Gareth Estwick and our own almostTiger Woods! This was a one round head to head team scramble between the old and the new. The best part was that we filmed it all, so stay tuned in three weeks for the highlight footage.
I have to be honest, the teams were pretty even with one member of each team saving the day on each hole to keep the score even. It all began to change on the 6th hole when almostTiger lit up the Function drinking crowd with a 15ft hole out and his traditional hat throw for good measure. But that was not the end of it. Now the four players and their hardcore followers progressed to the 7th hole shoot out. The first  three players shot and missed.
Finally it was almostTiger's turn and the pressure was on. The almostGolf ‘factory team' could take the crown if he could make the shot. But then a fan set a new challenge. "If you make it in the target, I am going in the water". That must have inspired almostTiger. He swung, made the shot and our fan went swimming.
....but wait, another challenge! Just as things were wrapping up a sign appeared the 4th floor dormitory window above the water hole - HIT IT HERE!! Of course, everyone from the players to the camera crew tried their best to accommodate the request including Gareth who got within a few yards of the window. Maybe next year that dorm room window will become the traditional send off hole for this event. Once again we have to thank all our sponsors and the Trojan Golf Club for making this happen. It was both a blast and history in the making. If you want to get involved, sign up below for the almostGolf network, our facebook, myspace or the puma/almostGolf facebook as well as the Trojan Golf Club, so we can invite you to more of our events.
Finish place Name Score
1. Chris Cheng 16
Brad McMahon
1. Christian G. 16
Mike Coverly
1. Eric Chiang 16
2. Justin Neog 17
Brian Timmins
3. Matt Raichel 18
Max Szentveri
4. Andrew Steiner 18
Scott Sternad
Lisa Okamoto
5. Colin MacMillan 19
Ken Lee
6. Heather Massie 22
Travis Adamson
Tom Goodrich
7. Matthieu Delgrange 22
Jon Chow
8. Eric Sangrin Shin 23
9. Chupacabras 23
Lyons
10. Gary Chan 39
Charles Wang
 Thanks for coming out and supporting the growth of golf. Write back and let us know your favorite part, whether it was the water hazards, the ball, or the look on the faces of passers by as you wailed one across the quad!
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