Geneva 2026

Date: 10/06/2026  

From: Frank Alexander

SKINS & SKILL SHOTS WRAP UP

MANY WINNERS

     When a man shoots 64, recording 9 birdies in a round, it stands to reason that he will win a Skin or two. In fact, he earned 4 Skins for Saturday’s round and collected $60 (15 bucks for each). That golfer was Rick Jonas. Add the Gavin Cup Trophy and his $80 winning purse and he has been declared the Geneva Golfer of the Year. The reason his Skin total was so low, “A” flight recorded 11 Skins on Saturday. The other 7 Skins were snatched by 7 different individuals, Bryan Shoemaker, Nick Boggess, Dagon Abdon, Legend Gary Glanzman, Richie Heskett, Dick Plageman, and Mike Pagnanelli.

     The assault on the Geneva course continued with the “B” group. Only 6 Skins were earned by these dudes, so their take was $30 apiece. The victors were Tom Black, Tim Black, Legend Frank Alexander, Greg Gudenkauf, Legend Vince Gatto, and Mark Kovachy. The dry, hard track conditions shortened the track and many of the perennial, multi-winners did not dominate the field as in the past, except Rick Jonas. The short, hard Geneva course fits the DNA of short ball hitters. It gives us a bone to wrap our lips around and suck out a usually evasive Skin.

     Manakiki’s Skin Game was a whole different story. All golfers were in the same ante, and Skins were calculated using handicap. Only 3 Skins were paid. The pot was $360 and each winner pocketed $120. Billy Boggess and Todd Abdon birdied the two par 5’s on the front side netting eagles. Bryan Shoemaker birdied No. 17, the tough par 4, also netting an eagle. Manakiki proved to be the challenge that its reputation has earned throughout the years. It is the best conditioned and best test of golf on our Friday rotation. Golfers need many more skills when playing Manakiki than Geneva. Wait! I won a Skin on Geneva. Maybe I should say golfers need skills to play Manakiki.

     Speaking of Skills, Saturday also hosted a Skill Shot competition. Each

winner collected $30. The par 3’s held Closest to the Pin challenges and were

won by Mark Kovachy, Richie Heskett, Mike Pagnanelli, and Jacob Davis.

Closest 2nd Shot on No. 5 was struck by Jamie Vernon. Longest First Putt was

sunk by Ray Ballard on the 9th green. He is staking a claim on that hole. It was

on No. 9 where he scored his Hole in One in 2025. The Longest Drive was

smacked by Richie Heskett on the 12th hole. Now that the Doobie Brothers are

eligible to play from the up tees, they became a greater force to beat in future

Geneva Opens. Rick Jonas was named this year’s Geneva Player of the Year,

but Richie’s play earned him plenty of consideration. Those magical cigarettes

they puff all weekend, may be the answer to a better quality of golf.

     Whether you won or not on the golf course, there is no excuse for not

having a good time. Hope there were good shots, either plenty or few, and a

slew of laughs to store in our memory bank from this year’s outing. If that is

the case, then we are all winners.