Lincoln Senior Men's Golf League

The Lincoln Senior Men's Golf League began in 1990, when 14 two-man teams played a summer schedule of golf at Holmes Golf Course every Wednesday morning. Holmes course PGA professional, Bob Schuchart helped to refine the competition and the handicap system. When the two-man teams were competing the lower handicap player on one team played 'match play' against the low handicap player on the other team, for two points. The higher handicap players competed in the same way for two points, and another two points were given to the team with the lowest net score in 'medal play'. This same scoring system is used to this day.

The Lincoln Senior Men's Golf League is a competitive 'handicap' league open to all men 50 years of age or older (Lincoln residency is not required). League competition is by two-man teams. At the beginning of the year, the two man teams are formed into divisions according to the total league handicap indexes of the two players. Typically, each division will have 12 teams playing a round robin schedule over the summer. Most divisions have 18 hole play each week; we have had at least one 9 hole division for many years. In 2007, we had 114 teams, 228 players, in 10 divisions, with 57 additional players signed up as 'substitutes'. The League contains, and welcomes, players of all ability levels. Season ending handicap indexes for individual players in 2007 ranged from 5 to 50. The handicap system and the arrangement of divisions guarantee that you will be competing with other players of similar ability, regardless of your handicap. The League maintains its own handicap system and handicaps are recalculated each week, based on league play. The League plays with modified USGA rules.

At least one Wednesday each month the League conducts 'fun days'; competitive events among teams made up just for the day (normally you do not play with your own partner in these events). The events might be scrambles or 'best ball' events or even unusual events such as 'Trifecta' or 'Orange Ball Special.' Players must 'sign up' for each of these events if they wish to play; sign up sheets, carrying all the details of the event are posted in a special section of the bulletin boards at each of the municipal golf courses. Substitutes as well as regular members of a team are eligible for all special events.

The League plays it's league match schedule at the four municipal courses in Lincoln (Highlands, Pioneers, Holmes and Mahoney) on Wednesday mornings, using three of the four courses each Wednesday. Regular League activity begins with a 'fun day' on the last Wednesday in April and League competition begins on the first Wednesday in May. The regular season ends on the last Wednesday in August, when the last 'fun day' is held along with the Leagues annual meeting.

In 1998, the Lincoln Senior Men's Golf League started its season with a Warm-up Scramble at the Ager Junior Course to benefit the Junior Golf Programs in Lincoln and raised nearly $1000. Since that time the League has played two benefit events at the Junior course each year. To date the League has raised over $15,000 for the 'Friends of Ager Junior Golf' and the Youth Golf Programs of Lincoln.

For the past several years the League has held extra 'fun days' on Wednesdays through September and October (Fun in the Fall) and occasionally on days other than Wednesdays during the summer. Many of these extra events have been held at courses in the area in addition to the Lincoln Municipal courses. Courses such as Wilderness Ridge, Yankee Hill, Quarry Oaks, Arbor Links, Table Creek, Crooked Creek, Iron Horse, The Players Club at Deer Creek, Beatrice Country Club, etc..

If you wish to join the League in 2008, plan to attend the annual organizational meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 2 pm at the Auld Recreational Center in Antelope Park. Attendance at the meeting is not mandatory, but you can get a lot of information there and it is especially helpful for new members. Team membership fee is $25 per person. If you wish to play at your leisure, and not make a commitment to every week, you can join as a substitute for $15 per person. Application forms are available at the City courses.