CLUB NEWS
Desert Dragons Roll at Tucson CGC Invitational
During the prime of the golf season down in the Southwest, nine members of the Dragons Golf Club traveled to Tuscon, AZ, for the 2009 Tucson Chinese Golf Club Invitational, April 22-25. The Tucson Invitational is held once every three years, and this year, the tournament took place over four days, at four different venues: The Golf Club at Vistoso, San Ignacio Golf Course, Arizona National and the Preserve Golf Club.
 Arizona National |
Our own Ray Jeung won low gross in the C-Flight with a stunning 162 total, while Wes Chong (155) took 2nd low gross honors in the A-Flight and Tommy Chong (-6) finished 2nd low net in the B-Flight. Lawrence Ma competed (or tried to) with Wes in the A-Flight, while Tommy, Jon Chong and Jeff Yee teed it up in the B-Flight. Carol Lee is our sole lady competitor, playing in the G-Flight, while Martin Chang and Chris Do bravely entered the E-Flight. For the complete tournament results, please click HERE
The tournament kicked off on Tuesday evening, April 21, with a registration reception at the Sheraton Tucson, where members purchased raffle tickets (14 prizes, including a full set of irons, were being raffled off) and renewed friendships with other Federation members over a few round of drinks. Bright and early, on Wednesday morning, the tournament began with a four-person scramble. Tommy Chong’s team scored a second place finish with a 48. Chris Do wasn’t able to make it to Tuscon in time for the scramble, but his team managed to win the scramble in E-flight without him. They would have won by much more, we’re sure, if Chris had been there!
Jon Chong. |
Chris Do, Jeff Yee, & Martin Chang. |
Ken, Tommy, & Wes. |
Natalie, Chris, & Chucky. |
Jon and Tammy's sumptuous prime rib. |
The medal play event began on Thursday and ended with Wes tied for the lead in the A-Flight, while Jon and Tommy were third and sixth respectively in the B-Flight. Ray carved up the course in the C-flight and built a commanding lead. That evening, the Tucson CGC hosted a Mexican buffet dinner at the Tucson Chinese Culture Center, where Lawrence managed to win a Callaway Hyper X driver in the tournament raffle. It was, alas, a senior driver, and Lawrence was kindly ribbed by the tournament director, Danny Wong, for the dubious honor. The Tucson CGC, through their relationship with the local Van’s/Roger Dunn Golf Store, made it possible for Lawrence to exchange the driver for something else of the same value in the store – Dragons members should know that those items have been donated as drawing prizes for our year-end banquet at The Olympic Club in November!
Wes holds court. |
Following the tournament buffet, Jeff, Martin and Chris organized a dinner at the famed Sullivan’s steakhouse in Tucson. A famous time was had by all present, and per agreement made among those present, nothing more shall be said of that evening! Each night, however, tournament participants would gather at the pool-side bar at the Sheraton, enjoying a nightcap in the warm Arizona night while forging new friendships. Special thanks for our friends from the Vancouver Club for the rounds of drinks you bought us!
The second round of the medal play took place on Friday, and David Yip of Oakland shot a remarkable 72 at The Preserve to catch the leaders in the A-Flight. Wes finished second low-gross, while Tommy moved to second low-net in the B-Flight. Ray easily cruised to low-gross victory in the B-Flight. But the highlight of the day for us was the Dragons Club Dinner at member Jon Chong’s house near Tucson. With the grind of the 36-hole medal play out of the way, the Dragons were able to hang out and relax a bit. Jon and his wife, Judy, put together a sumptuous prime rib dinner at their new home. Good Guys alumni such as Ken Lum and Chuck Chinn, along with a few other friends from the Federation circuit, joined us for the evening. The Club is grateful to Judy and Jon for the wonderful dinner, and hope to see them both back in the Bay Area often.
Carol Lee wins a driver! |
The tournament concluded on Saturday with a 2-person best ball. Tommy’s team (-19) again managed to place; everybody enjoyed the more relaxed team game after the medal play days. In the A-Flight, it was another day of optional skins game, and another opportunity to hang out after the round, talking trash over lunch and rounds of beer, generously picked up by the winners of the skins.
That evening, the Dragons attended the tournament awards banquet at, appropriately, Dragon’s View Restaurant in Tucson. Chris graciously bought a bottle of cognac for Table No. 8 – what Chinese banquet is complete without a bottle of the good stuff? Carol Lee won a driver during the raffle, as we toasted our champion golfers and visited with new and old friends. We also paid tribute to Dr. Jim Wong, the force behind the Tucson CGC Invitational since the 1990’s. 200 golfers participated in this year’s Invitational, and the Tucson Club showed us all a great time.
Congratulations to Wes, Tommy and Ray again on your terrific performance at the Tucson CGC Invitational! We’re proud of you guys!
