Neil Krech
PERSONAL – Neil lives in Poulsbo, Washington with his dogs Kane (7) and Charley (3) and his fleshlight, Oxana (15 and well traveled). He’s done well for himself with all things houses – buying, selling, investing, fixing, building. Neil has been a recreational golfer most of his life but has seemed to pick it up a bit more the past few years.
TIE TO THE MONTEMAR - I can’t remember exactly when I met Neil but it was sometime back around 2000 to 2001. I was coaching lots of baseball at the time and had become friends with one of the older brothers of the kids I coached. The kid was Nasty Nate Brown and his older brother was Ryan Brown (now Bradley – long story – no Flo), past and future Montemar player, older brother of Ian Youngblood (confusing, I know), current Montemar player, and, like Neil, somebody I’ve been great friends with ever since. Neil and Ryan played high school baseball together, both liked to steal bases, were great pals, and Ryan was actually living with Neil’s family up behind Poulsbo middle school. Neil started hanging out and we’ve been doing so now for 22 years.
Over the course of those 22 years, I’ve probably lived with Neil for at least 5 of those and across the street for another 2 or 3. We’ve lived in at least 4 different cities and we owned a company together for almost a decade. We’ve been on many adventures and journeys and know more about each other than most men should. He knows about my life mistakes and I know about his. We have some stories about each other that should never ben told, but probably will.
Neil first met my California buddies when he came to visit for my 30th and immediately became good buddies with all of them himself. Neil moved to California a year later and those friendships have blossomed over the years to the point where now it’s hard to remember a time when we all didn’t know each other.
He’s an incredible guy for this group – fun to be around, surprisingly easy-going, and probably won’t miss a Montemar for the next 40 years.
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MONTEMAR – As a member of the Original Ocho, Neil has played a big role in getting this thing going. He’s become a guy who’s always the first to do the little things and it’s really appreciated. I have a feeling/hope that Neil will use his incredible sales abilities to find us a couple foursomes to donate from Washington State courses.
WHAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN IN 2024 - He’s doing all the little things right again – payment points and referral points are at the top. My money on this year’s champion will come down to somebody who took advantage of those referral points and Neil is right near the top of that small list. He’s been hitting the gym hard and last he told me he was bench pressing a large horse – not sure if this helps or hurts a golf swing but at least he’s taking care of himself and it would be fun to see him try to put that tiny jacket over his shoulders. His tournament handicap actually got higher after that opening round 102 so he could have some extra help in round one. If he can catch on with another good scramble team – very good chance the crew of Addison, Kenyon, Wat, and Krech do it again – there’s no reason Neil can’t win his first jacket in Idaho.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN 2024 - Neil did most of the little things right and, although he didn’t play the round of his life, still managed to finish in the upper portion of the field. The scramble team of Addison, Wat, Kenyon, and Krech… one that had been so dominant the year before, came out gangbusters on the front 9 at Circling Raven in the first ever lose your club scramble. The 32 on the front topped all teams. The problem? There were a couple. The group was too good on the front and had no clubs left for the back. The group needed a really shitty player for the handicap side of things.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN 2025 – I don’t know if Neil’s been playing as much golf this year as he did the last. Looking at his individual scores from last year, that may be a good thing. His 3rd place finish in 2025 is proof that he’s capable of winning a jacket but it will all come down to two things - 1) How he handles the butt sweat. 2) Who he pairs up with. The 30 handicap is friendly.
ODDS TO WIN 27-1
FUN FACT – Neil once called his shot and holed-out from 120 yards at the Nile with a Sponge Bob Golf Ball. The ball never left the ground and rolled the entire way to the green and into the hole. Neil was not trying to hit a ground ball.
MONTEMARS PLAYED – 3 (2022 – Sacramento, 2023 - Scottsdale, 2024 - Coeur D’Alene)
MONTEMAR ROUNDS PLAYED – 8 (2022 – Yoche, Darkhorse, 2023 – TPC Scottsdale, TS Piipaash, TS O’odham, 2024 - Circling Raven x 2, Coeur D’Alene Resort Course)
LIFETIME POINT TOTAL – 707.50 (4th)
JACKETS WON – 0
TOP 3 FINISHES – 1 (3rd in 2023 – Scottsdale)
TOP 5 FINISHES – 1 (3rd in 2023 – Scottsdale)
TOP 10 FINISHES – 1 (3rd in 2023 – Scottsdale)
BEST FINISH – 3rd (2023 – Scottsdale)
RECORDS – 1 (Scramble low round – 59 with Kenyon, Wat, Krech, Addi - TS Piipaash/2023)
TOURNAMENT HANDICAP - 31
INVITED BY – Original Ocho
PLAYERS INVITED - 5 (Mike Lee, Will Fenton, Tyler Bjarnson, Justin Driscoll, Derek Barker)
PRIZES DONATED – Something to do with little people would be fun.
