Sandbagger XIX: Record-setting performance gives Michel Ranger first Pewter Mug
Michel “The Lone” Ranger (the golf artiste formerly known as ‘The Shiv’) put on a stunning display of golf at Smugglers Glen on Sunday, en route to his first Sandbagger championship. His record-setting performance in Sandbagger XIX saw him shoot a 2-over par, personal best score of 74, moving him up from a tie for 6th going into the final round to a satisfying first place finish. At the end of his impressive, personal (and Sandbagger Championship) record-setting round, Michel was alone at the top, with a comfortable 6-shot margin of victory and a new nickname.
When Michel made his first Sandbagger appearance in 2006, his reputation as a solid ball-striker and his status as a rookie saw him saddled with a target of 78. The first-year jitters in 2006 saw him stumble his way to a last-place finish after carding a 98 at La Bete and a 103 at Le Diable. His +45 that year was the second highest score above target ever recorded.
Fast forward 8 years, and Michel has clearly come into his game and become accustomed to the burden of a low target. He recorded an impressive 5 birdies and was in complete control of his game until he approached the 17th tee, at which point he foolishly accepted the advice of his playing partners as to which club to use off the tee. The poor advice from a slew of also-rans pretending to be coaches led Michel to a tense situation in which he was compelled to sink a pressure-filled 20-foot putt to avoid his first double-bogey of the day. He calmly got the job done. (Well, perhaps not so calmly, but Michel is known for being very good at keeping it together.)