2018 Handicaps: Up, Up, and Away

Byron Center, MI--As expected, and as has been the case historically, the 2017 tournament courses at Garland were brutal on scores and handicaps. Almost every player in this year's tournament who also played last year saw their handicap indexes go up--some significantly so. A few players remained even, and only two players saw their indexes drop--a truly remarkable achievement given the brutality that is the Monarch and Swampfire courses at Garland.

Jim Warners has been a model of consistency for a long time.

Since 2015 Jim's index has never fluctuated more than one point, always bouncing between +15 and +16. The tough Garland courses had no affect on him, as he proved by being one of only two players dropping his index that week, going from +16 to +15. Congratulations JW!

The only other player to drop his handicap index is, of course, the ageless Dick Anema

Uncle Dick entered the 2017 tourney with a sizeable index (+30) which was a full six strokes higher than his 2016 index. Nonetheless, playing at a +30 in 2017, Dick managed two scrape a full 2 strokes of his 2018 handicap index. He enters the 2018 tournament at +28. Sheesh, who is this guy?!

Every other player either went up or stayed the same, some suprisingly so and it is important to note them, perhaps as warning signs for those who will face them day one of the 2018 tournament.

Most surprising, perhaps even shocking, is Master Samuel Vos.

Like Jim Warners, Sam has been a model of consistency. Since the 2015 tournament, his index has never gone above +5. Perhaps that's why his 2017 scores of 89-91-88-85 are so shocking--even hard to believe. Nonethelss, his 88 average puts him at a +13 going into the 2018 tournament. Woe to everyone who has to deal with this beast on day one of the 2018 tourney.

In like fashion, Dan Vander Wal, fresh off a 2017 hip replacement surgery, entered the 2017 competition +9. While medically cleared to play, he was advised to swing easy (a term Dan has zero concept of) and play from white tees, which he did. Danno gets hero status for even playing and his scores reflected his healing hip. His 89-97-93-92 gave him a 93 average and a +17 index. Dan will move back to his normal blue tees for the 2018 tournament, but still, Danno on fresh hips at a +17 from the blue tees. Ouch.

Sam and Dan: enjoy tournament day one. Day two will be a different day....!

There are other notable upswings. Players will be wise to watch out for:

Jim Baker, who moves from +14 to +20
Tony Vroon, who moves from +20 to +25
Bob Warners, who moves from +17 to +22

These are three exceptional players who are always dangerous, especially with higher than normal handicap indexes. Beware.

All this sets up for a terrific 2017 tournament. Indexes and tee assignments are below. Tees assignments indicate the tee played in the last tournament to achieve the current handicap index (with the exception of Dan Vander Wal). Rookie handicaps are estimated.

Name, Tee, Index
ANEMA, DICK, Red, +28
ANEMA, JOHN, White, +26
ANEMA, THOM, Blue, +17
BAKER, JIM, White, +20
ELENBAAS, BEN, Blue, +6
ELENBAAS, STEVE, Blue, +15
MULDER, JOHN, White, +22
RICE, MARK, Blue, +13
RICE, RODGER, Gold, +22
TANIS, DAVE, Gold, +13
TANIS, DIRK, Blue, +11
TANIS, JEFF, White, +12
TANIS, OWEN, White, +18
TERPSTRA, KEN, White, +18
TOPLIFF, JOHN, Blue, +16
VANDERWAL, DAN, Blue, +17
VOS, JACK, White, +20
VOS, JON, Blue, +10
VOS, SAM, Blue, +13
VOS, MAX, Blue, +9
VROON, ANTHONY, White, +27
VROON, TONY, White, +25
WARNERS, BOB, White, +22
WARNERS, JIM, White, +15