Neil Krech
PERSONAL – Neil lives in Poulsbo, Washington with his dogs Kane (5.5) and Charley (almost 2) and his fleshlight, Oxana (13 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 NEEDS TO HAPPEN - If this contest was taking place at the Nile Shrine Golf Course, Neil’s long-time home course, a place he could tell you which way every blade of grass bends, or how the wind will bounce off a specific tree to give you an additional two yards, a place where he once shot a 45 in only 7 holes, we all might as well go home and give him the jacket now. But we are far from Mountlake Terrace and the golf ball will travel much differently in the 105 degree Scottsdale Heat. In order to take home the jacket, Neil is going to have to mentally block out how much he hates the heat, which is a lot, but a task that actually seems possible now since he makes great life decisions and will sleep more in Scottsdale than the rest of us. He’s got the payment points, a fair handicap, a dynamite scramble team, and is stronger than he’s ever been – both mentally and physically. If he drafts right on Friday, can keep those drives long and straight, and maybe get rid of the front toe-lift, Neil has a very solid shot at being in contention come Sunday.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN 2023 – Neil’s result in 2023 is a testament that the scoring system is very close to working as planned. That is, to have a scoring system in which any one of you hackers can catch a little luck on any given year and win yourselves a jacket. Neil entered the 2023 Montemar as the 32nd ranked player, shot an opening round 102, and still managed to finish in 3rd place out of 40. There’s luck involved and it’s intentional. This isn’t to say you can’t help your own cause. Neil got all payment points, caught a good ride on the scramble train, and performed really well on the par 3s, all key things that helped on his way to that 3rd place finish.
WHAT NEEDS 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.
ODDS TO WIN 16-1
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 – 2 (2022 – SACRAMENTO, 2023 - Scottsdale)
MONTEMAR ROUNDS PLAYED – 5 (2022 – YOCHE, DARKHORSE/ 2023 – TPC Stadium, TS Piipaash, TS O’odham)
LIFETIME POINT TOTAL – 398 (3RD)
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 – Haven’t talked to Neil yet about this but he’ll come through with something great. Last year he donated two new putters that were shaped like dicks. Flo’s excited to see what he comes up with this year.
