Ringer-score golf system can be fun to calculate | CPT PPP Coverage

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Most golfers are familiar with the multiple versions of competition in the wonderful sport of golf.

One of the more obscure types, however, is a competition known as an individual’s “ringer-score.”

Sometimes referred to as an “eclectic score,” a person’s ringer-score is calculated by determining the lowest score a golfer records on every hole of a particular course, over a set period of time — a sort of “individualized” best-ball score.

Some ringer-score competitions involve keeping track of scores over an entire season, but more interesting stories come from lifetime ringer-scores, a total of the lowest scores a golfer has recorded on every hole at their home course, during their lifetime.

Golfers who have played the same home course for decades have been able to post some amazing scores. A skilled golfer’s lifetime ringer-score can reach totals as low as 18-under par or better, with some even posting sub-50 scores.

One local golfer who fits this bill is Hollidaysburg native Lynn Grove, whose lifetime ringer-score at Park Hills Golf Club is an amazing 44 — 27-under par.

Though not quite a record among area golfers, it’s certainly near the top.

Now 83 years old, Grove became a member of Park Hills during the late 1960s. He and his wife, Darlene, were active members of the club for nearly five decades before scaling back their golf activities about five years ago.

During his nearly 50 years at Park Hills, Grove was able to post birdies at every hole on the course, on multiple occasions. So, in order to calculate his lifetime ringer-score, Grove only had to determine the holes he had eagled during his time playing the Altoona-area links.

“I remember scoring holes-in-one on the third and 16th holes,” Grove said. “I know I hit an 8-iron at the third. It was during the mid-1980s and was my first hole-in-one ever.”

Like other skilled golfers, Grove was able to record an eagle at each of Park Hills’ four par-5 holes during his playing days. To determine a final ringer-score tally, Grove would just need to account for the par-4 holes.

Holing any second shot on a par-4 is a memorable event, but Grove’s still-sharp mind didn’t need much prompting.

“I scored an eagle on three of the par-4s — No. 2, 7 and 11,” Grove said. “I still smile when I recall the one on No. 2. When I holed it out, Scotty Stultz was playing in the group ahead and yelled out, ‘Who in the (heck) invited Grove?”’

When Grove’s final ringer-score is totaled, the tally includes an impressive nine eagles and nine birdies for a grand total of 27-under par, 44 at the par-71 Park Hills course.

Again, there may be a few that can beat that score around here, but not many. The ever-humble Grove can name at least one, though.

“Dutch Coho has my score beat,” Grove said. “I just recently saw him and know that his ringer-score is a 42 at Park Hills.”

Interestingly, the known world-record ringer-score is held by Jock McKinnon, the former head professional at Capilano Golf Club in Vancouver, British Columbia.

During the middle of the last century, McKinnon posted an amazing ringer-score of 33 at his par-72 home course. McKinnon’s incredible score included four double-eagles and four holes-in-one.

While that amazing score may never be equaled, it can be fun for any golfer to calculate their own ringer-score. What’s your’s?

Ken Love covers local golf for the Mirror. He can be reached at GLTR777@

atlanticbb.net.