John Milby and Shannon O’Brien fired identical 64’s to edge 2012 Champ Mike VanZandt by one shot to share first place in the 2013 Ranch Par 3 Championship. Mark Meents shot 34-37 and David Buck 36-37 to round out the foursome. VanZandt opened with a 3 over par 30 on the front but the putter went South as VanZandt only managed one par on the back along with 8 bogies. Head golf pro

Head golf pro Mike Mitchell came within inches of his first Par 3 win Tuesday at the Ranch when his four foot par putt veered offline. Mitchell’s miscue allowed regular Par 3 winner Mike VanZandt (ahem)to tie for first place with a four over par 31. In all fairness to Mitchell, his golf game has approached excellence recently, but an unusually balky putter has prevented him from entering the winner’s circle. On Thursday, Mitchell balooned to a 9 over par 36 but scratched out a birdie on #7 for a $45 skin. Shannon O’Brien fired a nifty two over par 29 and appears perched to contend for the Par 3 Championship on June 29th. Missing from the Par 3 action lately have been legendary local fisherman Dewey Jones, Ace-maker Will Armstrong, and always dangerous King Sonny Wong.

A nice four under par 32 was turned in by Aaron Comeaux, Jentry Weisinger, and Keith Ringer on Father’s Day to edge Pat Kelley, Jason Pettit, and King Wong by one shot. At two under were John Milby, Dabney Harrison, and George Flores and the team of Sweet Charlie Brannan, Joe Ball and “El Hombre Sin Miedo” Dewey Jones. One under par was all Will Armstrong could coax out of his team consisting of Ray Petronale (sp) and Mike VanZandt. Armstrong birdied the short Par 5 4th hole on his own ball to carry his teammates. In last place were Sonny Makin, Lance Ferguson, and Shannon O’Brien. Nice turnout for Father’s Day.

Your golf writer shot a four over par 31 Tuesday to win the Par 3 shootout at the Ranch. Preparing to defend his 2012 Par 3 Championship at the Ranch on Saturday, June 22, VanZandt missed three putts under 3 feet long to deflower what could have been an outstanding round. Missing Tuesday were Shannon O’Brien and John Milby. O’Brien finished second

Mike Mitchell, Shannon O’Brien, and John Milby did not wrongfully appropriate Michael Comeaux’s skin winnings last Thursday. Michael Comeaux received his winnings. It was a joke. Sorry if anyone was offended. Please appreciate the difficulty of trying to make golf scores interesting.

Crystal Beach Community Golf Course will be hosting their Benefit Tournament the second weekend in August. This is the biggest tournament of the year and all proceeds go to maintenance of the Golf Course. The tournament will be a 27 hole event, with the first 18 played on the regular layout, and the final nine played on the Par-3 layout. This will be a 4-man scramble with teams chosen by

By Mike VanZandt
Head golf pro Mike Mitchell, Shannon O’Brien, and John Milby pinched Michael Comeaux’s two skins Thursday at the Ranch. Comeaux was forced to leave the course for a family emergency before all the golfers completed their rounds. Dabney Harrison and Mike VanZandt tried to save Comeaux’s winnings and prevent the

By Mike VanZandt
Head golf pro Mike Mitchell and local percussionist Aaron Comeaux have a lot of things to be thankful for. Par, however was not one of those things Thursday at the Ranch. Neither golfer managed a single lousy par in the nine hole tourney. Mitchell struggled in with a 16 over par 43 while Comeaux stunk up the course with a 39. On Friday afternoon,

The round started like many others for Will Armstrong, Charlie Brannan, and Mike VanZandt May 11th at the Ranch. Two quick pars and the team headed for the 125 yard Par 3 third hole, called the Road hole because it parallels Highway 87. VanZandt and Brannan had already missed the green with their tee shots when the 81 year old Armstrong set his ball on the tee. Armstrong, tired of being

Jentry Weisinger calmly strolled up to a fifteen putt on the second playoff hole and knocked it in the jar for a winning birdie. Jentry’s team also consisted of his Dad Wes and always dangerous Shannon O’ Brien. Because I lost the scorecards, I can’t report many other scores, but the team of Dabney Harrison, Mike VanZandt, and Dewey Jones shot a horrific 3 over par to finish dead last. Much of the threesomes lack of success is traceable to Dabney Harrison’s putter, an old blade style putter which Harrison modified by cutting off an inch or so from the blade. The resulting flat stick has had its share of success, but is mainly known for the oohs and ahhs it evokes from fellow competitors as it narrowly misses putt after putt. The Tuesday/Thursday Par 3 events are being held at 5:15 p.m.

The driver formerly known as Blue Thunder, the hideous royal blue driver owned by Head Golf Pro Mike Mitchell, had deservedly earned a terrible reputation after countless tops, slices, pushes, pulls, pop-ups and mishits in Mitchell’s hands. In a misguided attempt to beautify the offending club, Mitchell coated the offensive relic with neon green paint. Blue Thunder was a $19.95 poor copy of a fairly popular driver shape when it was new at Academy, while most new drivers cost up to $400, so it will be no great loss when it lands in the Cut on an outgoing tide. For whatever reason, however, the driver formerly known as Blue Thunder experienced a rejuvenation in Mitchell’s hands after the paint job. For the last two weeks, the club now known as the Green Weenie has been an awesome weapon in Mitchell’s bag. It is suspected that Mitchell has done something illegal to the club but no proof has surfaced.

Michael Comeaux, Sonny Wong, and Brad Orr overcame two bogeys with an eagle and two birdies to shoot two under par in the Sunday scramble. Tied with Wong’s team after regulation were Jason Pettit, Wes Weisinger, and golf course architect Will Armstrong. The playoff ended when Armstrong’s team couldn’t make a three foot par putt on the third playoff hole. Orr, son of long time local

High Island freshman sensation Cindy Campbell’s third place finish at the District Golf meet in Diboll Tuesday at Neches Pines Golf Course led the Cardinal Girls to the 24-A District Championship. Overcoming the adversity of carrying their own bags for 18 grueling holes in make-up threatening 85 degree weather, the lady Cards persevered to the delight of Cardinal Golf Guru Troy Sparks. Also competing were Holly O’Brien, McKail Ochoa, Kaitlin Norris, Lexi Smith and Lexcey Welty.

High Island Seniors Jentry Weisinger, Chris Schroeder, and Cody VanZandt led the male Cardinals to a second place district finish and a berth in the Regional Golf Tournament next week in Nacogdoches. Also competing were Clay Shipp and Thomas Blevins. Congratulations Cardinals. The secret of your success is safe with me.

In a repeat of Tuesday, Mike VanZandt shot 32 to again edge Dabney Harrison by one shot in the Thursday par 3 contest. Comeaux picked up a skin on the tough eighth hole with a par and Harrison made a nice birdie on Number 3 to split the skins pot. VanZandt calmly drained a six footer on the last hole for par and watched as Harrison missed a five footer that would have tied him for low score. David Buchanan, recently returned from the Middle East, tied Shannon O’Brien whose golf game has gone to the Middle East with a 38. Mike Mitchell’s 34 tied him with Michael Comeaux while Jason Pettit finished strong to shoot 35. 4/4/13

After missing 10 days due to injury, your golf writer returned to action on a windy Tuesday, carding a 32 to edge Dabney Harrison by one shot on the latest incarnation of the Par 3 Course at the Ranch. Harrison’s putter was hot and cold Tuesday, making several and missing some, with a two foot miss on number 2 making the difference. Prior to heading to the Ranch for the event, I predicted my win in closing the Links Report about Sunday’s scramble. Recently hot Shannon O’Brien couldn’t slow me down as hew as was eight over par after 6 holes and seemed to be headed for his all time worst Par 3 round until he righted the ship and parred he last three holes to finish at 35. Head Golf Pro Mike Mitchell, perhaps dismayed by my prescient prediction of victory, and in spite of hitting what he described as “crisp, awesome iron shots”, couldn’t get it in the hole, managing only one par to go with three double bogies and five bogies. Delusional disorder, previously called paranoid disorder, is a type of serious mental illness called a “psychosis” in which a person cannot tell what is real from what is imagined. 04/04/13

Mike Mitchell almost singlehandedly carried his team to victory Easter Sunday at the Ranch. His team, which included streaky Shannon O’Brien, surf fisherman extraordinaire King “Sonny” Wong, and grizzled veteran Will Armstrong fired a neat four under par 32 that included four 3’s and five 4’s. Two strokes back were Dabney Harrison, Jason Pettit, Aggie to be Jentry Weisinger and Rob. David Hoelzer’s hand picked team including Howard, Chuck and “G”, had a rare scramble double bogey on the tricky eighth hole to finish one over par.

Two days earlier, Mike Mitchell’s driver (which he calls Blue Thunder) was rescued from the water hazard on Number 7 after being hurled there by Mitchell after a particularly horrid shot. When queried about the rescue, salvor Michael Comeaux explained that the golf course was an environmentally friendly operation that could not tolerate “Blue Thunder” leaking its poison into the pond where so many birds and animals congregate. Tough choice to make there Michael.
The links report has been a little spotty lately due to an on the course injury suffered by yours truly. Nothing serious and this afternoon’s Par 3 win should be just the ticket to full recovery.

Jason Pettit and Michael Comeaux tied for first place in the Inaugural Bolivar Peninsula Championship Saturday at the Ranch. Pettit had three birdies on his way to a 40-40 round while Comeaux eagled number 9 to finish 38-42. Surprising Wes Weisinger tied for second place with Shannon O’Brien at 83. Mike VanZandt had an 84 and Dewey Jones finished at 85. Garry Korry edged

Your golf reporter fired a nice two over par 29 Tuesday to capture the Par 3 event at the Ranch. A birdie on number 9 provided the only skin of the day allowing VanZandt to take home all the cash. Thanks guys.

By Mike VanZandt
The wind was the big winner Thursday at the Ranch. Mike VanZandt held on to win the Par 3 event by one shot over Michael Comeaux, Course Supt. Mike Mitchell, O’Brien and a few others. Five over par took home the title while several other golfers came in at 6 over. Friday at Anahuac Shannon O’Brien took low score with a 84, followed by

By Mike VanZandt
Alex Garza, Michael Comeaux, and Shannon O’Brien tied for first place on the Par 3 course at the Ranch Tuesday afternoon. On the first playoff hole, all three sank lengthy birdie putts to move on. After Garza bogied the second playoff hole and Comeaux was faced with a 10 foot par putt, O’Brien calmly sank a 20 footer for birdie to

By Mike VanZandt
Mitchell, Harrison Ride Jones to Victory
(Sunday, Feb 24) One under par after eight holes, Mike Mitchell and Dabney Harrison watched in glee as Dewey Jones, man without fear, stepped up to a thirty foot long putt and calmly stroked it into the hole for a tournament winning eagle. The team of Mike VanZandt, Charlie Brannan, and Aaron Comeaux three putted their last hole for

Charlie Brannan hit the shot of the day on the 125 yard fourth hole Tuesday afternoon in the 4:00 twice-weekly Par 3 event. Charlie, aka Charlie Chan, ripped a wedge to two feet and watched in disgust as VanZandt chipped in for birdie from 10 feet off the green to keep Chan out of the cash. VanZandt shot a three over par 30 to edge Michael Comeaux by two shots. Shannon O’Brien had three double bogies to finish at 8 over par. Head golf pro Mike Mitchell had a nifty 10 over par 37 on the course he and Charlie Brannan laid out for Tuesday’s tourney. The ageless Marine veteran Dennis Whitmer shocked the field with a no-par 12 over 39, tying Aaron Comeaux and besting Howard Porteous by two shots. Missing in action lately have been the serene Will Armstrong and multiple winner John Milby.

Long-knocking, sweet-rolling, flounder-killing Dewey Jones led his team to yet another win in the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Scramble at the Ranch. Joining the man without fear were Shannon O’Brien, rapidly improving Charlie Brannan and previous winner Strake Jesuit High School standout Bob Brown. O’Brien, who has owned the Sunday Scramble for the last month, put the white sphere on the greens and watched his teammates roll in five birdie putts to edge favorites Jason Pettit, Joe Corona, Brian (visiting Dewey from Houston), and Mike VanZandt by one shot. Dennis Whitmer, Aaron Comeaux, lumber baron Dabney Harrison, and Howard Porteous were third at three under par. In solo fourth place were Michael Comeaux, Robert Brown, Mike Mitchell and Zachery.

Lots of changes going on at the Ranch. Greens are being hydro-mulched thanks to Shannon O’Brien and Wes Weisinger. Course Superintendent Mike Mitchell continues to amaze with his management and upkeep of the course. If he didn’t have to work sixty hours a week, his golf game might be in a little better shape. Mitchell, once a semi-fine player, has seen his game become sporadically inconsistent. David Buchanan has returned to the Middle East and will be missed at the Ranch for a couple of months. Buchanan, a close personal friend of golfer and United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, hopes to play every day while he’s gone.

Shannon O’Brien parred the first six holes on his way to a 3 over par 39 to win low score, one skin and both closest to the hole payouts Friday at the Ranch over a struggling field. Dennis Whitmer took home two skins while the foursome of Michael Comeaux, Allen Lind, Mike VanZandt and Mike Mitchell were shut out of the cash. For the day, O’Brien and VanZandt tied for low score at 82, Comeaux and Whitmer and Mitchell shot 87’s, and Lind a 91.

VanZandt had two birdies to go with seven bogeys on the second nine. Whitmer’s peculiar round of 87 included an eagle, three pars, four double bogeys and 11 bogeys. Comeaux had a bird, 6 pars, six bogeys, and 5 double bogeys. Mitchell had one bird, three pars, two doubles, and 12 bogeys. Lind had one bird, two pars, nine bogeys and six doubles.

Sweet Charlie Chan was forced to withdraw Friday with an undisclosed illness. Apparently his two putt birdie on the Par 5-4th hole couldn’t overcome his disgust at the four double bogeys he made on holes 1,2,3, and 5. Wish Charlie’s golf game a speedy recovery if you see him.

The Ranch has never been in better shape. It’s time to plan this year’s golf fundraisers. Stop by the Ranch and visit with Club Secretary Mike Mitchell for more information. See you on the links.

Three strokes down with four holes to play, Mike VanZandt confidently stepped up to the sixth tee and pushed his #4 hybrid both right and short of the green. Bogey seemed probable, and double bogey not out of the range of possibility. Reminiscent of Babe Ruth’s call shot home run, VanZandt told Whitmer he was going to bump the ball into the fringe, have it hop once onto the green, and trickle down the hill to the cup. And of course, that’s exactly what happened.

Following two brilliant up and down pars on holes seven and eight by VanZandt and a missed two footer by Whitmer, the score was all tied going into the 168 yard ninth hole. Whitmer lashed a five iron 25 feet past the hole and two putted for his par. VanZandt hit a #3 hybrid short and fat, chipped to six feet and missed the putt, giving Whitmer the win. Michael Comeaux opened with four straight pars but played the last five holes four over to finish in third place with a 31. Shannon O’Brien couldn’t overcome three double bogies and fired a miserable eight over par 35, edging head golf pro Mike Mitchell by one shot and Alex Garza and David Buchanan by two. Buchanan had eight bogies and one double bogey on his card.

By Mike VanZandt
His golf game being held tenuously together by a combination of good luck and the improbable return of “Blue Thunder” to his bag, Head golf pro Mike Mitchell stunned six other golfers with a three over par 39 to capture the Friday skins game by one shot over Mike Comeaux. The steady elder Comeaux continues to shine around the greens with his

Tired of watching the same players take home the money on the Tuesday-Thursday Par-3 events at the Ranch, Course Superintendent Mike Mitchell changed the format from low score to skins. To win a skin, you have to beat everyone else on a hole, skinning the field. Mike Comeaux picked up two of the four skins earned this week, with Shannon O’Brien and Mike VanZandt each getting one skin each.

When the days get a little longer, Mitchell indicated he might play a regular 9 hole event on Thursdays, with only one Par 3 tourney weekly. No matter the format of the tournament, practice is what improves one’s golf game. Golfers need to get off the couch and back on the links as we enter the spring round of benefit tournaments. Special thanks to the shareholders of the Crystal Beach Community Golf Course and local golf godfather and godmother Wallace and Julia Smith for their continued support at the Ranch. Kudos to Lance Ferguson for furnishing fertilizer and weed kikker for the greens.