Weekend Report

#3 green at Goose Pond Old on the banks of the Tennessee River

The legendary #14 at Goose Pond Old

The "new" #2 at Green Valley Old (Hoover)

The views from Vestavia Country Club are often impressive.

As Kiva Cup veterans Mark Skiba and Meelum took the weekend to "work on issues" and "exchange ideas" regarding the golf swing, many other Cup players headed to various historic venues of golf across the state. A report follows, as time allows:

Friday, April 22

Green Valley Old (Hoover)

For the 2nd straight week, the home of the Hawk Brothers hosted a match of Cup veterans. Accounts vary wildly in detail, yet this much is known:

Brian shot"an old school 83". Sean (Fake Hawk) posted an 86. Chief Emeritus managed a 92. (50-42) Chief won $10 off Brian, by virtue of a birdie putt from off the green on #15. It has been confirmed through independent sources that Brian "did not care for this." Also, a sandy par on 18 helped the former Chief's case against the European Captain. As for the main match, Chief and SeanHawk won $5 in what can only be termed as a "massive comeback" over Brian and his partner Hubert Green.

Vestavia CC

Team USA Captain James "Jim" Hartsell matriculated around the mountaintop course in 91 stokes, in windy conditions, in a match with business associates. After the round Hartsell said he felt "strangely encouraged" by his striking, despite the score.

Saturday, April 23

Ross Bridge (The Crown Jewel of the RTJ Trail)

Zac "17" Ward quit golf following his Saturday morning round at the former home of the Regions Brunos Classic. His score is unknown. This marks the 2nd quitting of golf of the 2011 season by a member of Team USA. Late on Saturday night, Ward was said to be reconsidering his retirement from the great game.

Goose Pond Old

USA's J. Hartsell was back in action early on Saturday at the legendary course located hard on the banks of the Tennessee River in beautiful North Alabama. He was joined by future Cup member Jordan Hartsell and Lee Hartsell, aka "Uncle Lee." Jordan fired an 88 and Uncle Lee an 82 in perfect golf conditions. In what can only be termed as his best ball striking round in over 10 years, USA's leader Hartsell fired a 79. After hitting an astonishing 13 out of the first 14 greens in regulation, Hartsell came to the famous 480 yard Par 5 15th at only 3 over par for his round. After a wind aided 300 yard drive, Hartsell was left with only an easy five iron to the green. Alas, a historic round was not to be as the 5 iron was cold topped onto the middle of the bridge spanning the lake fronting the green. After a lengthy rules discussion, a drop was taken and a double bogey ended all hopes of a possibly historic round at the Captain's spiritual home.

The action only continues heat up in 2011, The Year of The Kiva Cup.