Eventful Days: 2023 Junction at Commonground

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are a few days removed from our first event in the state of Colorado. The Junction at Commonground was a fantastic day at a special place that sets a great example for public golf. It’s affordable, accessible, and offers numerous ways for people to get into the game, whether that be the par 3 course, the putting green, or the caddie program. They are even renovating their clubhouse to have a better environment to hang out at after a round and to improve the offices for the Colorado Golf Association. As you can tell, I could gush all day about their mission, but let’s get to the event itself, shall we.

Takeaways from the 2023 Junction at Commonground

Clint Edger was the MVP of the event. The new Assistant Superintendent at Commonground, Clint played 18 holes with me on Thursday to pick pins for the event, he and his team hustled in the morning to get everything moved and set up, and then he played 36 holes. Oh, and it was the club championship on Saturday and Sunday so he had long days following the event as well. Thanks for all the help, Clint!

Brian Kluck has been a fan favorite at Fried Egg events for a few years but he outdid himself this week. Traveling in from New Jersey and on a mission to play golf in all 50 states, Brian played Thursday in Wyoming before driving to Commonground for our event on Friday. On Saturday, he took the short flight to Utah, played golf, and then jumped on a red eye home to New Jersey. Good on you, Brian. You might love golf more than us.

Whenever you see a +5.8 handicap, you expect to be impressed, and Kale Waaso certainly delivered. The guy was battling a bad back and yet still turned in a 64 in the morning!

Malcolm Craig wins best dressed. I’m a big fan of the shirt that makes a statement.

Monitoring lightning and deciding when it is too close on a course that operates under a “play at your own risk” policy is super stressful. Happy to report that we only had to suffer through a small delay.

There isn’t a man or woman in America that loves their job more than Ed Mate. Eventual net champion with Emily Olsen, Ed was a tremendous help in getting the event setup and was wonderful to work with throughout the process. Very happy that the Colorado Golf Association has him to rely on.

Always fun to find out that you’ve known people for many years. Nice to finally meet you, Clay and Geoff. We’ll leave it at that.

Tom Ruddy has very strong social media handles. Keep it up, @b1g_rud.

I forgot to give Pearce Barringer some shit during the event for his terrible Jason Day takes during The Tailgate last fall. So, Pearce, following Jason Day’s bounceback season, it gives me a lot of pleasure to say I was right.

Shoutout to the whole Wethekam family for making the trip both to see us in Colorado but also to catch some U.S. Amateur golf. More importantly, best of luck to Linnea on her cross country drive! Colorado and North Carolina aren’t exactly close but I’m sure it’ll be smooth sailing.

Champions

Gross Division – Kale and Andrew Waaso

Net Division – Ed Mate and Emily Olson

–

Next Up -> The Gold Jacket at Brookside CC, Canton, OH.