To breathe the same air as the angels, you must go to Tahoe - Mark Twain

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025

Gentlemen –

With Labor Day firmly in the rearview mirror, it is time to turn our attention to the true end of summer, our annual escape to the pristine shores of Glenbrook Cove, when we once again reconvene for the Yukon Jack!

Looking forward to our 47th gathering of outstanding cuisine, beverages on the veranda, a copious amount of college football, golf, some trail rides, the annual threat to climb Shakespeare…and most importantly, the rekindling of the friendships we have built and strengthened for many, many years. 

As always, "thank you" isn't nearly enough to the Adams and Cook families to express the gratitude and appreciation we feel each year for the privilege of being able to enjoy their beautiful home for the Yuke weekend. Nevertheless, many "thank you's" from all of us, to both families! We continued to be blessed.

Looks like we’re going to have an outstanding turnout! Currently here's who I have attending this year’s gathering;

THURSDAY

Adams

Balousek

Banducci

Farwell

Hartwell

Hochmuth

Horner

Penny

Roeth

Schlaak

Trutner, E.

Trutner, Ku

Wiley, M

Yarris (departing Saturday)

 

FRIDAY

Roach (or Saturday)

Wiley

TBD

Hagg

Pehanick, J.

Schwartz

Wiley, R.

For those who are unable to join us, we will raise a glass to absent friends…

"Here's to the future, a toast to the past, and a toast to our friends, far and near"  

Doors open at the house 3p on Thursday, Oct. 3. With a little luck and cooperating weather, there could be a Gar Woods run in our future. Opening night dinner will be at approx. 7:30/8p for those arriving a little later. And after the table is cleared, games will be watched and fortunes – or at least large appliances – shall be won and lost at the Buck ‘em table.

Friday is all about bike rides, hikes, swims, some warm up golf, cocktail banter on the deck and so on. Maybe even a little Allman Brothers. Or Van Morrison. Or Little Feat. Or the Dead.

On Saturday, The Yukon Jack Golf Tournament returns this year returns to a jewel in the Yuke Rota – Old Greenwood, last played in 2017. We have several former Yuke champions in this year’s field who have conquered OG - including Kevin Horner, Jim Penny and your humble Commissioner - who will be standing in the way of a George Roeth unprecedented Yuke three-peat. Coincidentally, 3 will also be George’s handicap.

We'll be playing from the TWO TREE/ONE TREE combo plate tees, which measure 5,870 yards, with a gracious Rating of 68.2 and Slope of 128. Green fees for this privilege are $225, which includes cart, range balls and the round.

For those who wish to do a little homework, here's a link to the course overview.

https://www.tahoemountainclub.com/golf/old-greenwood/

And if you’re looking for in-depth info, here's a ChatGPT analysis of the course from our selected tees, for men of a certain age…

Here’s a structured, in-depth course analysis and recommended playing strategy for Old Greenwood Golf Course in Truckee, California—tailored for men in their early 60’s playing from the 2 Tree / 1 Tree combo tees (5,870 yards).

 Old Greenwood Course Analysis & Strategy (2 Tree / 1 Tree Combo Tees – 5,870 yds)

Overall Character

• Designer: Jack Nicklaus Signature

• Altitude: ~5,800 ft, which makes the ball fly 8–10% farther—important for club selection. A 150-yard shot at sea level often plays ~165 here.

• Style: Mountain meadow with pine corridors, strategic bunkering, elevated greens, and Nicklaus’s trademark risk-reward doglegs.

• Conditions: Fairways are generous, but rough can be thick. Greens are large with tiers and false fronts—short-siding yourself makes recovery tough.

Profile for Early 60’s Golfers

• Average driver carry: 180–200 yards (200–220 with altitude boost).

• Comfortable fairway wood/hybrid approach distance: 160–180 yards.

• Scoring keys: keep tee shots in play, aim for center-green targets, and avoid forced carries longer than 150 yards.

Hole-by-Hole Breakdown

Front Nine

1. Par 4 – 360 yds
Dogleg left. Bunkers guard the corner.

• Play: 3-wood or hybrid ~190–200 down the right side leaves 130–140 in.

• Tip: Don’t cut corner—better to be safe right. Middle of green is always fine.

2. Par 3 – 135 yds
Elevated tee to a green sloping back-to-front.

• Play: Club down for elevation, aim center. Avoid long—tough chip back.

3. Par 5 – 480 yds
Reachable for longer hitters at altitude.

• Play: Driver to the right side (avoid left bunkers).

• Second: Fairway wood or hybrid—no need to reach.

• Strategy: Lay to 100 yds. Birdie chance.

4. Par 4 – 325 yds
Risk-reward short par 4.

• Play: Don’t chase green—hybrid/iron to 180–200 leaves wedge.

• Green is narrow with bunkers—better angle beats distance.

5. Par 3 – 145 yds
Well-bunkered with tiered green.

• Play: Middle of green, take par. Don’t chase pins.

6. Par 4 – 360 yds
Dogleg right with fairway bunkers left.

• Play: Aim at left center with driver/3-wood.

• Approach: 130–140 in—avoid short right bunker.

7. Par 5 – 485 yds
Sweeping dogleg left.

• Play: Driver down right center.

• Second: Lay up short of creek ~100–120 out.

• Strategy: Birdie chance if approached smartly.

8. Par 4 – 340 yds
Bunkers left/right pinch landing.

• Play: 3-wood/hybrid ~200 to center.

• Short wedge approach—favor center of green.

9. Par 4 – 375 yds
Tough driving hole uphill.

• Play: Driver up right side.

• Long iron/hybrid in—accept bogey if approach misses. Par is great.

Back Nine

10. Par 4 – 335 yds
Wide fairway, slight dogleg.

• Play: 3-wood/hybrid to 200 yds. Wedge approach.

• Avoid left fairway bunker.

11. Par 5 – 495 yds
Scenic, reachable.

• Play: Driver down right center.

• Second: If comfortable, go at it—else lay to 100 yds.

• Birdie hole.

12. Par 4 – 370 yds
Nicklaus dogleg right, bunkers left.

• Play: Driver at left fairway bunker—ball feeds right.

• Approach: Green is narrow—middle is safe.

13. Par 3 – 150 yds
Large green with tiers.

• Play: Choose tier carefully—short putts if correct, long if not.

14. Par 4 – 355 yds
Dogleg left, bunkers inside corner.

• Play: 3-wood to center fairway, wedge in.

• Avoid left side—bad angle.

15. Par 4 – 365 yds
Strong par 4 uphill.

• Play: Driver up middle, 150–160 in.

• Green slopes front-to-back—stay below hole.

16. Par 3 – 135 yds
Water short right.

• Play: Always middle left. Don’t flirt with water.

17. Par 4 – 330 yds
Short par 4, risk-reward.

• Play: Hybrid/long iron 190–200 to fairway.

• Leave wedge to a receptive green.

18. Par 5 – 495 yds
Closing hole uphill, bunkers both sides.

• Play: Driver right center.

• Second: Advance to 100–120.

• Third: Full wedge into elevated green.

• Finish: Par or birdie chance if smart.

Strategic Recommendations for 60+ Golfers

1.    Club Down Often – Many par 4’s are under 360 yards; hybrids/3-woods off tee reduce risk.

2.    Center-Green Approach – Ignore tucked pins—focus on two-putt pars.

3.    Altitude Adjustment – Trust the extra 10% distance; don’t over-club.

4.    Par 5 Management – Play them as true three-shotters; avoid forced heroics.

5.    Key Holes to Score: 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 17.

6.    Tough Holes (play conservative): 9, 12, 15, 18.

 Summary:
From the 2 Tree / 1 Tree combo tees (5,870 yards), Old Greenwood sets up beautifully for men in their early 60’s. At altitude, it feels closer to 6,400 yards at sea level. The smartest play is precision over power—hybrid tee shots, center-green targets, and disciplined par-5 management will keep scores steady. Opportunities come on the short par 4’s and reachable par 5’s, while holes 9, 12, 15, and 18 require respect.

Better living through technology…

Tee times begin at 10:30a, and here's who I have playing; 

Balousek

Banducci

Farwell

Hartwell

Hochmuth

Horner

Penny

Roach

Roeth

Trutner, E.

Trutner, Ku.

Wiley, M.

As always, please bring your own towels, sleeping bags, pillows, etc. The gate code is 1738 – no # sign

All in all, the weekend is very similar to what we have done in years past - nothing's broke, so why fix it? 

Lots of questions to ponder before we gather –

-       In the pantheon of bad games by the Bears, where does the SDSU game rank?

-       On a related note, how much do we love/hate the transfer portal now?

-       Can anyone explain the Giants this year? Streaky? Wildly inconsistent? Snakebit? Badly managed? Discuss.

-       Are the 3-0 Niners for real? Or is it the last place schedule?

-       Is Jayden Ott in witness relocation?

Lastly, late breaking news…with regret, I have to inform the Gentlemen, that due to the recent move to Nashville and his new job, the Commissioner will be unable to attend this year’s revelry.

While I will miss you all and Van Morrison playing as we cross the lake, the exceptional feast that awaits, the lazy round of Glenbrook golf and the three 2’s that inevitably beat my pair of queens on three, my heart is full knowing that my dear friends are enjoying each other’s company in the aptly and often described “God’s Country”. I will be with you all in spirit, and will be tuned in and texting as Cal takes on Duke on Saturday night.

In my absence, you will be in great hands as former Commissioner and first ballot Hall of Famer George Roeth will be taking the wheel for this year’s gathering. He has promised that the traditions will remain alive and well, and that if anyone needs a place to stay, there is plenty of room at Edgewood.

This time together continues to be a great gift we are so fortunate to enjoy. Create memories, relive our youth and cherish the friendships that continue to blossom after all these years. How lucky we are…

Be well, Gentlemen! I’ll be back next year!

Flip the last card...

Kirkles