On this memorable Master's Weekend in April down in Augusta, Ga., the golf world witnessed history in watching Rory McIlroy win the green jacket for the first time but more importantly accomplish the feat of earning the lifetime Grand Slam - one of only four golfers to ever do it.  Well, while there was no history made here in Central California this April, Riverside Golf Club did see Frank Escobar win his 4th Foot Wedge Golf Tournament in five seasons on tour - one of only two members to accomplish that feat.  The other, 2021 Club Champion, Brad Pendergast.

Riverside Golf Club is always a challenging track and it did not disappoint again this year.  While the sun was out, the wind was up and the greens were elusive!  No member shot sub 80 for the first time in history at Riverside and that definitely helped Escobar's cause in earning his 4th trophy on tour.  Escobar ended the day with a 40, 40 round of 80 just outlasting Gunner Seher.  Escobar's round did not start well as he double-bogeyed the par 4, first hole.  Then, a bogey on the par 3, second.  But, then he righted the ship going par, par, birdie before arriving at the par 5, 6th hole.  At this time, it was he and his playing partner, David Gray atop the leaderboard as Gray continued to save par after par remaining even on the day.  The par 5, 6th hole struck back and Escobar ended with a double.  After his front nine, Escobar was just one back of the lead, shooting a 40 on the front.   

The 10th hole started much like the 1st.  After an errant tee shot and duffed second shot, Escobar somehow managed to save bogey and then again another bogey on the short par 4, 12th hole.  Earning another bogey on the long par 4, 13th, it was the par 5, 14th where Escobar started his back nine run to victory.  A par on 14 and a "fiery" 5 iron to the long par 3 , 15th hole for another tap in par.  Escobar managed to par the last three holes coming down the stretch that concluded with a tap in on the 18th for the win!  

Rounding out the top 3, it was Gunner Seher for another trip to the podium in consecutive years placing 2nd and just outlasting his playing partner, Kyle Mcalister, who placed 3rd on the day.  McAlister had jumped out to the lead on the back nine and was showing promise down the stretch to get his first win of the year but missed a par putt on 18 to fall to third.  That said, McAlister still stands atop of the Mafia Cup points list at 405 points tied now with Frank Escobar.  Seher moves up the Mafia Cup points list from T23 to 16th with his 2nd place finish.  David Gray, Cain Castro and Eagle Springs winner, Darren Crisp, now round out the top 5 on the Mafia Cup points list.  

Next up is Ridge Creek Golf Club, home of the 2024 Club Championship and a course that many members are familiar with.  We are just about half way through the season and things are heating up on tour.  May will no doubt bring more drama and movement within the season standings.  Best of luck to all the members at Ridge Creek! 

The 2024 season has proved to be a season to remember and a season of redemption for third year member, Kevin Matta.  Matta, one of the founding members of FWM,  experienced a life-threatening brain injury just before year one of play and as a result, the inaugural year was dedicated in his name while he was still in the hospital fighting to recover.  The following year, Matta would join the tour but still in the process of recovering motor skills and his golf swing.  Matta would finish his first year well outside the top 20 and no further than the first round of playoffs.  The following season of 2023, Matta started to regain form and finished the year inside the top 10, which included a 2nd place finish in Tournament 5.  But, it was 2024 that Matta's road to recovery found true redemption!  Matta recorded three top 3 finishes, including an outright win at Valley Oaks in June and oh by the way, finished atop the Mafia Cup Points List at the end of the regular season.  Now, Matta also holds the top trophy, the Mafia Cup, and claims his right to be named Club Champion.  Congratulations to Kevin Matta!   

With just 16 members in this year's Club Championship, there were four groups battling for the trophy at Ridge Creek Golf Club in Dinuba, Ca.  Heading into the championship round it was Dillon Kelley who held a 3-stroke lead on the field after an unbelievable 2-under 70 (gross) at Tulare in September.  Behind Kelley were three other members at 2-under, including 2021 Champion, Brad Pendergast, Club President, Frank Escobar, Kevin Matta and club rookie, Cameron Kelly.  In the final pairings, Kelley, Pendergast, Escobar and Matta, the lead never left the group on the day.  at the turn, it was Matta and Escobar tied at the top at -3.  Kelley had somehow given the three strokes back after a less than average front nine.  However, on the back nine, Kelley started to fight back while gaining momentum after a couple of birdies.  Escobar dropped a couple of shots after a pair of bogeys and a double on the par 5, 15th.  Going into the 17th, Matta was atop the leaderboard by two.  But it was on 17 where sparks would fly and Matta would close the door on the tournament.  Escobar dropped a six foot birdie putt while Matta sat off the green about 60 feet from the cup hitting his third.  Matta chipped in from over 60 feet out for his own birdie.  Kelley parred and Matta would need to bogey while Escobar and Kelley birdie for any chance of a lead change.  Well, Kelley did his part, birdying from the 13th green where he landed off the 18th tee box.  But, Matta did his job too.  Another solid drive down the middle, approach to 30 feet above the cup, steady lag to 3 feet and a boring par for the win.  

The 2024 Foot Wedge Mafia Season was a great one.  New members, new winners, new champions.  Can't wait to see what 2025 has in store!