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"Let's Play 9!" with Mr. Anonymous
"Let's Play 9!" with Mr. Anonymous
For April of 2023 we weren't very proactive with getting a participant of Let's Play 9! so we're going to do a quick article about Mr. Anonymous.
Mr. Anonymous has been on the Siouxland golf scene since the 1990s. He has participated in pretty much every Siouxland "major" just about every year.
Our April guest has never won a local tournament and has probably never really come close to winning but like the majority of us local amateur golfers, that doesn't stop him from stepping up to the 1st tee with the same hopes of putting together a couple of really good rounds of golf. It's not always the glory he seeks but the fulfillment of being in competition with other local amateurs.
Mr. Anonymous has traveled around the Siouxland area playing golf in most of the local towns and cities. 9 hole courses, 18 hole and even a couple 27 hole courses. He has amassed some startling numbers over the years playing 137 different golf courses over 17 states and 2 countries (and he may even still have his scorecard from every one of those courses).
For most of us amateurs, winning a local golf tournament is kind of a pipe dream. The chance to go out and compete against our friends and fellow golfers is what drives us to be better at this game. We hit balls at the range, spend hours on the practice greens putting and chipping and go out and play several times a week because we know that with good practice and a little luck that we're going to have one of those days or weekends where everything clicks and we play out of our minds. For the average Joe, you always hear the phrase "that's the shot that keeps me coming back". For those of us who play tournaments, it's that crazy weekend that drives us back to the range because we know that just maybe, we might have the ability to hoist a trophy some day.
Next month, the race for Siouxland Player of the Year begins with the Elk Point Early Bird on May 6th and the Siouxland Tri-State Masters on May 19th through the 21st. Make sure you sign up early.
Now, let's see how Mr. A does on the back 9...
Which of the local Siouxland Golf Tournaments is your favorite, and why? (Does not have to be a Player of the Year qualifying tournament)
By far the Tri-State Masters. I’ve only missed this tournament once since it’s inception. Played over the 3 states and 3 courses, actually make it 6. If you recall we started at Two Rivers, then Dakota Dunes and now the Bluffs, and of course you can’t forget the flood year playing our last 9 at South Ridge on Saturday. You never know what the weather will be in May for this tournament as we have seen mid 80’s with high humidity and thunderstorms down to the 30’s with sleet and everything in between. The championship cut after 2 days was always a goal.
What has been your best golf moment up to now?
Winning a father son tournament on Father’s day. Having been a runner up in prior years to finally getting over the hump. First time playing in it, my son at 4 years old, actually fell asleep in the cart for 5 holes until I topped my tee shot and had to wake him up so he could hit his tee shot 100 yards in front of where mine finished.
How many hole-in-ones have you had and how many have you witnessed?
I have never had a hole in one, nor have I witnessed one. Which is shocking with all of the courses and rounds I’ve played and the variety of people I have played with.
If money and access were no issue, what golf course would you love to play that you haven't already played?
With the Masters just completing you might think Augusta. I’d love to go to Augusta to watch the tournament, but a bucket list play course for me would be Saint Andrews. I’m hoping to play the Tour 18 in Dallas yet this year which would at least let me play a replica of some of the world’s most famous holes.
What would be your ultimate foursome (you included)?
My buddy who got me into golf, plus if beer is involved, Kisner and Daly, if no beer is involved, Annika Sorenstam and Jack Nicklaus.
Related to golfing, what is there about you that nobody really knows?
In my first ever Siouxland Am tournament, the City Open, I played with 2 old guys (old because I was 25 at the time). I thought I was going to outdrive them and was going to kick their butt. I took a 13 on #2 at Green Valley, shot over 100 for the day, and got destroyed by these 2 old guys. Those old guys were Dale Irwin and Dan Freed. My indoctrination to humility was complete, and I was hooked on tournaments from there on.
With our Midwest golf season of 7 months, do you ever get to warmer climates to play golf in the other 5 months?
I have at times taken many guys golf trips and hope to be able to get to a place where I can golf year round, and will even try to squeeze in golf on a business trip.
In the Siouxland area, amongst all golf courses, what is your favorite:
a. Par 3 Hole
No. 2 at Landsmeer - just love it as a par 3 after an opening par 5. It has everything..water, sand and a small bail out area to the right. Short but tough.
b. Par 4 Hole
No. 6 at Covington - I eagled it!!!
c. Par 5 Hole
No. 6 on Willow Creek Green - it's just a wide open, grip it and rip it par 5 that's usually into the wind
Who/What was the primary influence for you to play golf?
Without giving too much away as Mr. Anonymous, a friend of mine who was into golf asked me if I wanted to go play with him. From there I was hooked, and we went out as often as we could. His dad built my first set of clubs and had built a few more for me over the years. I used to tell him he was terrible at building clubs because they were full of double bogeys. His dad was also just a phone call away for a quick swing fix, just wish I wasn’t so stubborn when I picked up golf and listened to all he was trying to tell me.
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