2008 SHELL'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF GOLF
JEFE VERSUS JIMBO
ARCADIA BLUFFS GOLF CLUB
12th Hole: Par 4, 431 yards
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The 12th hole is easily the best hole on the golf course. The entire length of the hole plays high above the banks of Lake Michigan. You can be agressive and aim down the left side to shorten the approach, or bail out right and leave yourself a very long approach to a tough green. When the pin is tucked back left, you either need a short iron in your hand or you have to try to run one up with a low right-to-left approach shot.
The 12th hole is also the site of the time-honored tradition of blasting one into Lake Michigan. We've been doing this ever since we started playing the course 5-6 years ago. I can't imagine that we're the only ones. There's probably hundreds of balls sitting in the bottom of the lake about 275 yards from the shore. I love it because it's the only chance I get to match the hang time on one of Jefe's normal drives. I was sitting out this round but had to bring my driver along just for this tee shot.
By all accounts, Jimbo is a man's man, seemingly without fear. However, the 12th hole exposed a potential chink in his armor...an acute case of clubacopterphobia, or fear of your $350 driver flying out of your hands and into Lake Michigan. Whereas Jefe and I don't think twice before swinging from the heels (just like every other shot), Jimbo was a little apprehensive on his honorary tee ball.
The previous night, during our speed round, my hole was over before it started after hitting into the water (for real) off the tee, thus eliminating any chance for birdie. So I just zoomed up to the green and waited for the guys to catch up. It was about 8:55 pm so I could barely see Jefe and Jimbo back in the fairway, but I could definitely see their approach shots. Jefe hit a great shot about 12 feet left of the pin. Probably the best approach shot I've seen on this very difficult hole (although the pin was front right, the only spot you can really go at it). Then Jimbo proceeded to top that by rolling one up that nearly went in the hole, grazing the cup and ending up about 6 feet past. Unfortunately, neither player made birdie, but they were by far the shots of the evening.
Fast forward to the next day, and the good feelings must've carried over. How else can you explain Jefe actually hitting his first fairway? 1 out 9 and somehow he's still in this match. Jimbo (aka Bizzarro Jefe) continued his solid play with yet another ball in the short stuff.
The pin was placed back left for the championship, so there would likely be no near eagles today. Both players proved how tough it is to get to this pin with their approaches. Jefe hit it a little wide right and long (his post-shot reaction is priceless). Jimbo hit a very good run-up shot but it still ran through.
Jefe was faced with a far more difficult chip shot and executed it very well, ending up about six feet past the hole. Jimbo had what would be considered a routine chip, but hit a below-average chip that was just inside Jefe's. Now, both players faced similar 5-6 footers for par. With only one stroke separating the two, a make by one and miss by the other could definitely swing the match.
Jefe was up first, and after going wide left on the 10th and wide right on the 11th, he split the difference here with one center cut. That put the pressure squarely on Jimbo, and in one of the few instances of clutch, he responded by drilling his well. Two pars? Stop the presses! Jimbo maintains a one stroke lead.
Jefe: I was able to find my first fairway of the day on this hole. I was at a good angle and tried to sling a six iron from the right to get at the back left pin position. It didn't sling, and I went a little long. This was the first in a series of really good chips that kept me in the match and it allowed me to make par on a tough hole.
Jimbo: The 12th is also a tremendous hole, maybe Arcadia's best. A pretty good drive left me with my hybrid, yet again. I hit a solid approach but the ball ran just through the green to the back. The lie for my third was a bit hairy, and when I first hit it, I thought I hit it fat. However, my ball trickled down the hill giving me a 4 footer for par. It is a good thing I actually didn't hit the ball like I had originally planned, otherwise I might have gone through the green on the other side. Anyway, Jefe tried to apply the pressure by making his par putt first, but I countered with a par putt of my own.
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After 12 Holes: Jimbo +6; Jefe +7
