The 2022 Officers

Indian Creek Men's Golf Association

The board is comprised of volunteers that act as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They develop, organize, schedule, and promote events to create an enjoyable golfing environment. We endorse good fellowship and sportsmanship among the members in playing golf, and participating in our organized events. More details and information on the roles and responsibilities for our board/committee positions can be found in our Bylaws.

This year we welcome back Patrick Connelly as our Secretary. He has done an outstanding job over the last two years. We are thankful that he will be with us for another term. We are welcoming three new board members: Roger Babb - President, Mark Daly - Vice President, and Rich Sabo - Treasurer. Their contact information is provided below, and they are ready for any questions or suggestions on how we might improve our support to the membership. Mark Daly, who is also our Handicap Chairman, can help directly with any issues related to posting scores, or with logging into your GHIN account.

ICMGA News & Updates

All the news about the club, the course, the local scene, and our partners coming at you!

Welcome to our 'News' section. Here you will find important items and information for your periodical review. We will post up pertinent updates from the course management, our committee, some local color, as well as announcements from the OGA. If there is something you deem as 'news worthy' for our membership, we would certainly be pleased to post up here, so as needed contact a committee member.

From The ICMGA Committee & Indian Creek Golf Course Maintenance

Player Guidelines and Course Conditioning - Our spring season is over and with the arrival of June, we certainly welcome the warmer weather. The course is in great shape, however we will see an increase in play, and this in turn requires more attention from all of us. It's the simple things that we do that go a long way to maintaining the course conditions. Please go out of your way to fill divots, fix ball marks, rake sand traps, and report unusual course conditions to the clubhouse. There should be two sand bottles in every cart, and remember to take one when leaving the cart to play a shot.  The teeing areas also need our attention, so please be cognizant of seeding divots that you make and/or even the ones you did not make. Every par 3 has a seed box, and a few par 4's as well. Caring of the course is part of our duties as members as we play the course.

Pace of Play - We here at Indian Creek are not immune to 'slow-play'. On a number of occasions this year the pace of play has impacted, not only the group that is falling behind, but all the following groups on the course. It's an important ongoing group responsibility...to be aware of your position in relation to other groups on the course. It should be a topic discussed on the first tee. Here are a few other tips and suggestions that will help any group keep pace. None of these include rushing or hurrying up, these are USGA guidelines to help you be more efficient with your valuable time and everyone else's. Thanks in advance from your ICMGA committee.

Start smart
Confirm your tee time in advance and make it a point to arrive at the tee early with your golf equipment in order, ready to play. Remember essentials like extra balls, tees, gloves and appropriate clothing for the day’s weather conditions.

“Tee It Forward” unless you are consistently able to reach greens in regulation from the back tees
In other words, play from a set of tees that is comfortable for you – one where you are more likely to hit lofted irons into greens instead of hybrids or fairway woods. It is acceptable for players in the same group to play from different tees. (The USGA Handicap System provides a formula for adjusting handicaps from different tees.)

Try alternate forms of play to speed up your round
Match play, Stableford, best-ball and other formats are easy and fun alternatives to individual stroke play because not every player has to hole out on every hole. There are multiple resources online and in print to learn about the many different golf formats. Try one out.

Minimize your time on the tee
On the tee it is usually acceptable for players to “hit when ready.” You can also save time by playing a provisional ball (Rule 27-2) if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds.

Play 'ready golf'
This basic premise will help keep your group moving on the course, but always be respectful of the players in your group. Don't drive off ahead, or become a distraction that potentially could put you or your playing partner in harms way (or line-of-sight) from someone playing their shot. 

Plan your shot before you get to your ball
Once you are off the tee, think ahead. Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play. Very often, you can do this while others are playing, without disruption. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play. Even a small step like this saves time.

Keep your pre-shot routine short
Pick your line of play once and trust yourself. Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn. Be efficient after your shot too. Start moving toward your next shot promptly.

Write your scores down on the next tee box
After completing a hole, get into your cart and drive immediately to the next tee box. Now you can write down your scores on the last hole.

Aim to play in 20 seconds
From club selection to pre-shot routine to execution, strive to hit your shot in 20 seconds when it is your turn to play. Help keep play moving at a brisk pace.

Develop an eye for distance
You don’t have to step off yardage for every shot. If you need to determine precise distance, try to find a yardage marker before you reach your ball, then step off the yardage on the way to your ball. Or, consider investing in an electronic range-finder or global positioning system for golf and use it when permitted by Local Rule. If others you are playing with are not familiar with the course, the Rules permit players to exchange yardage information without penalty.

When sharing a cart, use a buddy system
Don’t wait in the cart while your cartmate hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs. Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cartmate pick you up. Or, drive to your ball after you drop your cartmate off and then pick him or her up after you hit.

Be helpful to others in your group
Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own. Once in the fairway, help others look for their ball if you already know the location of yours. Volunteer to fill in a divot or rake a bunker for another player if needed. Be ready to attend the flagstick for others.

Keep up with the group in front of you
Your correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you. Arrive at your next shot just before the group in front leaves the area in front of you. If you are consistently not able to keep up and a gap opens in front of you, invite the group behind you to play through, irrespective of the number of players in the group.

Be efficient on the putting green
Mark your ball and lift and clean it when you arrive at the putting green so you will be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play. You can usually line up your putt while others are putting, without disturbing them. Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green closest to the next tee, and leave the green promptly after holing out. Wait until the next tee to record your score.

Remember that picking up your ball is permitted by the USGA Handicap System
If not in an individual stroke play competition, it is generally 'OK' to pick up your ball and move on to the next hole if you are “out” of a hole and want to maintain pace of play. This applies in match play and many forms of stroke play, including Stableford and best-ball play.

Don’t Have Time? Play Nine!
You won’t always have time in your schedule for an 18-hole round of golf. But you can still enjoy the game by playing nine. It’s fully compatible with both the Rules of Golf and the USGA Handicap System. And when it comes to golf, nine is better than none.

June News From The OGA - Ryan Melnychuk

I hope everyone is having a good week so far and has been able to take advantage of the slightly improving weather out on the course! I wanted to reach out and share an exclusive OGA Members only savings opportunity. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is offering OGA Members a special golf-only rate of $160 per member (per round) the dates of July 22-30. Four of the resort's five 18-hole golf courses will have at least some availability July 22-30. Supply is limited and will vary by course.

IMPORTANT: There are specific booking instructions, stipulations, and a special booking phone number for this OGA Member Exclusive. Before taking any action please visit their site for more details: OGA Exclusive Booking Offer

Additionally, the 74th playing of the U.S. Junior Amateur will be conducted July 25-30 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. The competition, which will be played on both Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails golf courses, is open to the public and OGA Members are encouraged to join the gallery before or after their rounds.

If you have any questions please feel free to reah out to an ICMGA Committee memeber and we can help in your taking advantage of this amazing offer at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort!

March News From The OGA - Ryan Melnychuk

Benefits For March & Evans Scholars Program
With golf season underway here in Oregon we are excited to share a few member benefits currently being offered by the OGA in the month of March as well an update on the Evans Scholars program.

• OGA Member Madness Giveaway
  All OGA Members are eligible to win several free giveaways and take advantage of various member benefits during March. This year’s prizes include a $3,000 Gift Card to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Sunriver Resort Stay and Play Package, Salishan Coastal Lodge Stay and Play Package, Running Y Resort Stay and Play Package, Seamus Gift Card, Jones Gift Card and a 2022 Explore Oregon Golf Passport. All active members are eligible to enter through this webpage: Member Madness

• Adidas Employee Store Invites OGA Members
  All active OGA Members are invited to shop at the Adidas Employee Store March 1st-31st, 2022. Members can bring up to four additional guests (who don't have to be OGA Members) each time they shop during the invite period. Please visit the following link for all terms and conditions: More info here

• Columbia Employee Store
  All active OGA Members are invited to shop at the Columbia Employee Store March 11th-April 3rd, 2022. This invite is valid for an OGA Member plus up to four guests that can be non-members (however, the OGA Member must be present). Please visit the following link for all terms and conditions: More info here

• 2021-2022 University of Oregon Evans Scholars
  Here's the updated PDF on the Evans Scholars program as well as information on the current University of Oregon scholars. Each year the OGA donates $1 for each OGA Member to the Western Golf Association to help fund the Evans Caddie Scholarship Program in the state of Oregon.

From The Course

Toughest Hole - Odds & Evens
Recently, I was asked why the par three 15th hole has a lower rating (therefore deemed easier) than the par three 5th hole here at Indian Creek. It's certainly a fair question, yet the premise is based on a common misconception about the Stroke Index Allocation (SIA). By taking the stance that the 'toughest' hole on the golf course should be the No.1 handicap hole may be a good place to start.

The purpose of the ranking of the holes, is to determine where the higher handicapped player deserves the assistance of an extra stroke in order to tie/halve a hole with the low handicapper (during Match Play). That stroke should be assigned on the hole where the relative difficulty of the hole is more challenging for the higher handicapped golfer than the relative difficulty for the lower handicapped golfer. Plus now it's needed to factor in who and how a specific hole is being played. It may sound odd, but some holes are in fact easier for the higher handicapped player vs. the lower handicapper. This commonly is due to the higher handicapped player's landing zones (called 'fairways') are more forgiving and wider, and their tee shots are not constrained by a dogleg, bunkers, trees, or water, that indeed do come into play for the lower handicapped golfer.  But what we are really wanting to just understand is the reason why the 5th hole is the No.9 handicap hole, and the 15th is the No.12 handicap hole.

Have to confess from my 26 years of playing the course, I do believe the 15th hole to be more challenging than the 5th hole. However, when looking at those two holes side-by-side, the 5th hole does have more areas to get into trouble for the higher handicapper, and the statistics agree. The below section on assigning handicaps to the holes will help to shed more light on this topic, but important to note that the 15th hole is being evaluated in relation to the difficulty of all the other holes on the back side (and the 5th hole to all other holes on the front). So while this higher number is based on this process/comparison, it is rated lower than two of the par fours on that side. The 5th hole is rated the fifth toughest on the front, with holes 1, 4, 8, & 9 having a lower rating. So, the 5th hole, given there's more trouble in play, does seem to warrant the tougher rating, plus the green complex is tricky for sure.          

So let's now review the process of assigning handicaps to the actual holes. First off, we need to determine what the 'toughest' hole is on the course. For most layouts this is usually the longest par four, and for Indian Creek this would be our 1st hole (at 411 yards), and yet it's the No. 3 handicap hole. Why you might ask? Well, we need to look more closely at what the statistics say about the average scores on all holes and they point to the 4th hole. But isn't that a par five? Yes indeed, but the reason it's the No. 1 handicap hole is that trouble lines the entire length of the hole (and more importantly) on the right. Add in that the approach to the green has more hazards to the right and behind the green (yikers!), it quickly can become a nightmare. It is the No. 1 handicap hole on the course because the average golfer plays the ball from left-to-right (did I mention trouble is lurking on the right?). More balls going in the hazards equals higher scores, which earns the 4th hole the designation of the No. 1 handicap hole. Again, it may in fact not be the 'toughest' hole on the course, but the relative scores next to par display differently. In my book the par four 12th hole is still right up there as one of the toughest holes on the course. Given all the shots are normally into the prevailing Westerly winds; the length from the back tees; and its wonderfully designed four tiered green (yes four!), all contribute to making this hole wildly challenging.

You've probably noticed that the handicap numbers are all ODD for the front nine, and then all EVEN on the back nine. Another mystery? A better question is to ask is...why not just assign the holes in sequence of difficulty and abide by the statistics? So the answer is we need to spread out the stroke allocations on all the holes to provide equity for Match Play.  Splitting the nines into ODD and EVEN numbers avoids consecutive low stroke index holes. Ok, so the 4th hole is assign No.1, and so now we need to assign the other eight holes on the front side.  This is done by determining the relative difficulty between those other eight holes, and then assign them the No. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 handicap rating accordingly. We do the same allocation on the back nine.  The most difficult hole on the back side (according to statistics) is aptly the 12th hole, just slightly ahead of the 17th hole. So by default it becomes the No. 2 handicap hole and the remaining holes are assigned (again based on the relative difficulty between them) the No. 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 handicap hole designations. 

Hope this article was informational, if not at least a fun read. If you'd like to publish something to our news page, please reach out to an ICMGA officer.

Tuning Up Your Game

TK Golf Academy - The 2022 Season Schedule & Update
We feel very fortunate to be working with the TK Golf Academy. As you might be able to surmise the 'TK' stands for Travis Kane, who has been providing training to many of our members. Below is their upcoming schedule for the 2022 season.

Spring Semester Registration OPENS February 14th!!! Spring semester will be starting on March 19th and run for 8 weeks. Class availability is listed below. As always, direct your questions to Travis (773-562-1294 ) at any time.

Spring Semester 2022 Location / Times / Groups
Indian Creek Golf Course	Times	Group & Ages
	8am	Adult
	9am	7-9
	10am	10-12
	11am	13+
	Noon	Ladies
The Dalles Country Club	2pm	7-9
	3pm	10-12
	4pm	13+
	5pm	Ladies
	6pm	Adult

We’ve also set the dates for Summer and Fall Semesters. Summer Registration will open May 9th with classes starting the week of June 19th. Fall Registration will open August 15th with classes starting the week of September 4th. For more information please visit their website: TK Golf Academy

ProAm Golf Events - Click For Schedule
The Oregon PGA ProAm Schedule has been released! Travis Kane is sharing his current event schedule and inviting whoever would like to join him. Each date is listed with the site, format, starting time and entry per person. Each event without an “x” in a box, means he is looking for partner(s) to play. This will be first come first serve, with waiting list created in the case more request a particular site. Entry fees will be due 7 days prior to each event, to be paid to Travis directly.

There are more events this year, as well as two specific events designed specifically for Ladies! If your schedule permits and you're interested, please reach out to Travis (773-562-1294). Check with him ASAP as these spots will fill up fast!