Labor Day Weekend Reminder

Pudge's Labor Day Red, White and Blue Tournament will be Saturday at 7am sharp.  Remember to wear appropriate patriotic colors (Birdie).  He is looking for a great turnout.

Monday will be weekend Pot Game format and hole-in-one eligible starting at 7am.  Don't call in from parking lot Mad Dog hates that and he will put you on a bad team if he finds out.

If you get Cheez or 99 on your team do not stand to the right of them when they are hitting their iron shots.  I think you get the picture, it could mean your life.

Billy D is hot so try to get him on your team.  Ever since he began playing "juiced" Pro Vxs with blue lines around them he has been shooting in the mid to high 70s instead of his usual 82.

Fireman has probably bought another new driver by now so complement him on how pretty it looks rather than its trajectory of his shot to the right.

Razor Thin Margin

Deacon's Invitational ended on Sunday afternoon in spectacular fashion as the outcome was hanging in the balance as the final few matches played the 18th hole.

Pic'em Party

Pic'em Party

Sandy and family again hosted the Pic'em Party on Friday evening in their backyard poolside complete with tables and plenty of comfortable chairs.  The food was plentiful and delicious with hot dogs, burgers (beef and venison) and different types of salads.  To say nothing of the variety of beers on hand in large coolers. All you had to do was raise up your empty beer bottle and magically a smiling waitress was running to get you a new cold one.  Great service...  Birdie brought his special potent "Gimlets" and Chimney his unique blend of "Margaritas".  Billy D kept sampling both to see which one he liked better.   The Director along with (his partner, keeper, landlord and saint) Barbara made their appearance a little late as they had to make a few stops along the way.  One of the stops was to bring a beautiful birthday cake to celebrate Blue Tees 72 birthday.

(The Gazette has it on good authority that Barbara had to pick it up because the Deacon has been banned for life from at least two grocery stores in Keene that we know of).

The two 2013 Captains Tractorman and Molasses Boy both with their lists of players and their scouting reports watched as Deacon flipped a coin which gave Molasses Boy first pick and then Tractorman the next two.  When the dust cleared they both had 12 players and were scrambling to see how they would pair them up.

The first round on Saturday to played on the north course was Four Ball.  Followed at noon on the south course of Alternate Shot.  Leaving Sunday for the 12 Singles matches.  As each Captain laid out his choices of partners for each round the well lubricated crowd voiced their reaction with plenty of hoots and hollers.  With darkness setting in and the temperature dropping, most (not Chimney) players made their way to their cars after thanking their hosts and prepared to do battle in the morning.

Saturday

Under very cool temps (low 50s) Invitees warmed up on the chipping green and putting green with plenty of dew on both.





 A new tradition started this year (Joey M's idea) that the Director would hit the first shot to open up the Invitational.  The Masters has nothing on the Invitational.

Deacon Hitting Opening Shot

Captain Molasses Boy's Red Team vs Captain Tractorman's Blue Team  

Four Ball

Matches

Bear & Cheez vs Bayou Bomber & Jerry won by Red

Jay Esch & Penguin vs DMac & Chimney won by Blue

Sandy & Billy D vs Brad-Brian & 99 won by Blue

Dougie & House vs Andy Mac & Blue Tees won by Blue

TJ & Rama vs Nick F & Joey M won by Red

Birdie & Molasses Boy vs Tractorman & Skrocki won by Red

Total

Red 3 Blue3

Alternate Shot

Matches

Sandy & Penguin vs DMac & Jerry won by Blue

Bear & Billy D vs Brad-Brian & Chimney won by Red

TJ & Birdie vs Andy Mac & 99 won by Blue

Dougie & Cheez vs Nick F & Skrocki won by Blue

Jay Esch & Rama vs Bayou Bomber & Blue Tees won by Red

Molasses Boy & House vs Tractorman & Joey M won by Blue

Total

Red 2 Blue 4

Total After Saturday

Red 5 Blue 7

Sunday     

Singles

Matches

Sandy vs Skrocki won by Red

Bear vs DMac won by Blue

House vs Blue Tees won by Blue

Rama vs Chimney won by Blue

Cheez vs Jerry won by Red

Jay Esch vs Brad-Brian won by Red

Birdie vs 99 won by Red

Dougie vs Andy Mac won by Blue

TJ vs Nick F won by Red

Penguin vs Joey M Halved

Billy D vs Bayou Bomber won by Blue

Molasses Boy vs Tractorman Halved

Total

Red 6 Blue6

Overall Total

Red 11 Blue 13 

Congratulations to Captain Tractorman and his Blue Team for their spectacular play

   

After Party

The Deacon with the closing of Gino's (rest in peace) chose McCue's for the after party.  This is where all the Invitees come together to celebrate, eat drink and let all the hooks, shanks (yes, 99 I mean you), lip outs and one railers melt away from their memories until all they remember is what a fun time it is to play in the Deacon's Invitational.  There was a lot of bonding going on as they ate and drank their way into a bill of over $500.  The winners share of the money goes quickly when the losers start ordering pitchers and appetizers by the dozens.  But well worth the price.

After Party

Tournament Notes

The celebration at McCue's was interrupted twice inorder to give a heart felt Thank You and round of applause as a tribute to Director Deacon for all his hard work to putting on a such memorable tournament.  Word is the "Randy and Friends" Tournament scheduled for 2014 may have to wait another year as Deacon was spotted giving out invites and secret handshakes at the after party.  Three players even offered up 2014 entry fee money to ensure their place in next years tournament.

There were six rookies invited this year.  The Bayou Bomber, 99, Andy Mac, Nick F, Jerry and DMac.  They all were picked by Tractorman to play on the Blue Team.  Experience can be over rated as Molasses Boy found out.

The Director in his "Deacon Mobile" was constantly tracking matches and giving updates to all the groups which added to the atmosphere of the tournament.  Plus he was able to dispense medicine as needed on Saturday afternoon to all those players coming down with dry throat disease.  He used all his secret pathways to quickly move between matches.

Andy Mac would have played faster in the Alternate Shot but 99 kept coaching him up before every shot.  It must have worked because they staged a comeback to win in the "Park".  Their opponents blamed crowd noise for their demise.  If you call 12 Invitees zooming their carts within 10 feet of their shots and whispering loudly between sips of libations being noisy.

Cheez and DMac both are selling their drivers.  Cheez for hitting all his drives low left and nowhere and DMac for hitting massive moon balls that drifted right of right.

Billy D played with Bear's spun Pro VXs and hit them 15 yards further than his Pro Vs.  He took the "juiced" one from their Saturday afternoon match so he could keep up with the Bayou Bomber in his match the next day.  But there must have been an expiration date on the ball as it failed him on Sunday.

The Bayou Bomber is in negotiations with the Gazette to be their lead sportswriter covering the Pot Games on a weekly basis.  It seems his current job working for a rival paper isn't as much fun and they didn't give him a cool nickname like the Gazette did.

Rama used the magic of Heinekens to cure his stiff back on Saturday to help win his match but he must have a got a bad batch on Sunday because the results weren't quite the same.

Jay Smith is nervous his new nickname 99 based on where he manages which could become a problem if he changes jobs and works at Pinky's or Gertrude's next.

Who knew that Bretwood created all those mounds behind the greens on South so you could park your carts for great viewing of the matches. (Good thing "The Big House" doesn't read the Gazette)

Cheez cured himself of the Chinese Sidewinders by hitting lots of balls but 99 caught a case of them over the weekend.  Not sure what his cure is yet.

Here is to many more years of Invitationals...

Old Classic Remember When

Remember when Mad Dog fired Deacon for tee marker placement on 16 North requiring a duck hook to hit the green?
Remember when the Pot Game had a Commissioner?
Remember when Johnny Hilow would tell you to keep your putt inside the hole?
Remember when Deacon wanted to have a Gold Game Tournament and only two people signed up?
Remember when Cheez would be a top pick in the Invitational?
Remember when Brad-Brian only had one name but Cheez didn't know what it was?
Remember when Commish wouldn't let Loy have a cigarette until he made a par?
Remember when House played the white tees?
Remember when Chuckie could play the weekend Pot Games?
Remember when Walt was the starter and Sid was just a B Boy?
Remember when Bretwood had a member guest tournament?
Remember when Chimney got a piece of every Pot for two months?
Remember when Billy D's kids use to ask him for money for ice cream instead weddings and new cars?
Remember when Triple N sold used sports equipment?
Remember when Pudge use to run the Frosty Tournament snowing or not?
Remember when it snowed in mid October and the Pot Games were over for the year?
Remember when Skooger ate three bowls of popcorn all by himself?
Remember how much Joey M enjoyed getting "The Vulch" on his team every week?
Remember when Hooky Madison aka Papas declared the blue tees a joke and never played again?
Remember when Commish had an accident three years in a row (falling down stairs, crashing cart into ditch, smashing his thumb) on the same date?
Remember when Dr Dave had the hottest assistant ever that use to take half hour golf lessons from Pudge that lasted three hours?
Remember when how miserable everyone felt when "The One Who Moved To The Cape" played and won all the time?
Remember when there use to be four Roy Boys playing?
Remember when Sr Pro was a huge fan of "Jungle Juice" during the Roy Boy Open?
Remember when Bear's belt broke during the Cities and he was afraid to swing because his shorts might fall down?
Remember when Luke was single and didn't have to look at his smartphone texts to see if he could play golf?
Remember when Birdie and Billy D visited the Cheez at his house in the The Villages and Sally yelled at them to "Shut Up And Go To Bed" at 2:30am?
Remember when Forty ran the Twilight League?
Remember when Fireman's dog didn't have a limp from being run over by BB?
Remember when Jay Esch and Skrocki would tune up for the weekend by playing a gold game on Friday?
Remember when Porky was almost was an owner of Bretwood when he dated a member of the "Big House" family?
Remember when Bill Maguire now known as Jerry couldn't break 90 in first few Pot Games because he was nervous?
Remember when Dougie was nicknamed the Ryder Cup Star?
Remember when Mini declared to his team they should pay his $20 because he carried them to victory?
Remember when Dickie Mac never liked his team on the first tee and wasn't shy about expressing his displeasure?
Remember when there was no Gazette?
Remember when Rama took down the House in last years Invitational despite the fact House played the white tees?
Remember when Pete's nickname reflected what he did for work instead of how fast he plays golf?
Remember when Tractorman's shanks were cured after having his shoulder cut open?
Remember when New Orleans Nicky would wear his tank top and shoot 72?
Remember when Deacon kept track of who bought a rack and who didn't?
Remember when Otis never got to play the North Course because he could only play Sunday which was always the South Course?
Remember when TJ had no nickname and was known as the new guy with a snap hook?
Remember when Blue Tees two minutes after accepting his invite into The Invitational told Deacon he had some changes in the format he might want to use?
Remember when Sully would tell his wife the reason he was late coming home because there was a frost delay in July?
Remember when Brett would hit his drives three fairways over instead of the two he hits now with his 3 wood?
Remember when Sandy drove the 1st green North in the R,W & B and three putted for a par?
Remember when Jay S used Vinny's size 13 EEE shoes to tamp down the snow on the greens in the Frosty in order to putt?
Remember when Ernie with a giant cigar sticking out of his mouth and his glasses on waddled over to Bear and asked him why he calls him "Penguin"?
Remember when Hagen actually worked full time behind the Pro Shop counter?

Slowpoke and Firery

The Invitational Director Deacon announced on Saturday that Molasses Boy (Snail Boy for short) and Tractorman have been named Captains for 2013.  So if you are a very very deliberate (slow) player you should hope Molasses Boy picks you.  On the other hand if you on occasion fling a club or tomahawk your wedge into the turf, then Tractorman is your man.  Neither Captain teed it up this past weekend so both will going into their match a little rusty.  Texting or emailing your favorite Captain asking to be chosen is allowed under the Director's rules.  For the first time ever the Director will be sitting out the matches but he will be riding around in his cart making rulings and watching his creation unfold.  There are few non payees that the Director wants money from Jerry (Bill Mag) and D Mac.  There is one more delinquent but The Gazette can't remember who you are so turn yourself in to the Deacon as soon as possible.  You really don't want him to have to track you down.

The list of Invitees is as follows:
1. Andy Mac
2. Rama
3. Billy D
4. Skrocki
5. D Mac
6. Chimney
7. Jerry Maguire
8. House
9. Jay Esch
10. Joey M
11. Bear
12. TJ
13. Dougie
14. Sandy
15. Jordan K
16. Birdie
17. Cheez
18. Blue Tees (White Tee Slut)
19. Brad-Brian
20. Sports Reporter (Dave L)
21. YTHL (Younger Than He Looks or 99) Jay S
22. Penguin (Possible White Tee Slut)
23. Molasses Boy Captain
24. Tractorman Captain

The Pic'Em Party always the highlight of the Invitational will start promptly at 6pm on Friday at Sandy's house in East Swanzey.  If you don't know how to find it most people don't either so don't feel bad.  If you find a fire station turn up the drive to the right of it that has a giant golf ball mail box.  If you see a party going on you have arrived at the right place, if not get the hell out of there.

Double Sweep Weekend

While Mad Dog was taking the weekend off from the Pot Game so he could ride around with his grandson in his souped up golf cart, the rest of the Pot Gamers were tuning up their games for the Invitational next weekend.  Mad Dog is teaching him the rest the arm on top of the steering wheel and sit on the front edge of the seat technique that he passed down to his #1 son Mini.

Saturday 11 Pot Gamers showed up to the fog capital of America Bretwood's South Course.  With an odd number Mad Dog thought they would play quota until over ruled on the first tee by Bear who chose 2BB even though he only had a threesome.

Team #1 Bear, Forty and Joey M led the way into the pea soup off the first tee.  They were followed by Team #2 Sandy, Luke, Dr Dave and Skooger.  Bringing up the rear was Team #3 Brad-Brian, Skrocki, Cheez and House.

Team # 2 proved to be too strong shooting a solid +1 score despite having only one score in the 30s Sandy's 37.  Team # 1 had +3 and Team # 3 struggled with +6.  All the teams played better on back with two teams shooting +1 (Teams #1 & #2) and the Team # 3 right there with +2.  So Team #2 took 2.5 sides and Team #1 got .5.  Team #2 claimed they would have had it all except two of their players hit the wrong ball on the 11th and they had to use a bogey when the wrong ball players had chances for birdie.

So if you were handicapping the teams always pay attention to what team Dr Dave is on because money follows him as he collects big slices of the Pot week after week.  It doesn't matter what he shoots though good or bad he still wins.  Team # 3 was doomed when nobody broke 80 and House out of the D spot shot the second lowest score.  Team #1 despite having two players with lowest scores of the day proved that three players is still no match for four players.

Low scores of the day Bear 76, Joey M 78, Sandy 79 and Luke 79.  There were 7 skins worth $7 a piece (Luke 2, Bear 1, Sandy 1, Cheez 1, Joey M 1 and Forty 1).

Cheez had no "laterals" but still struggled to an 85 after shooting 76 the day before.  There is no shortage of opinions by his fellow Pot Gamers as to what is wrong with his game.  They range from watching too much Fox News to the need of a confidence transfusion to playing top flites to his swing maxing out at 42 mph to old age taking its toll.  Nobody has fixed him yet but they all think they have the solution.  The "Sticks" Group in The Villages is tracking his scores on the GHIN system to see if they will let him back in the group in September.  Not looking good at the moment.

TJ lost in the semi finals of the Club Championship to Kirk Parsons (part time Pot Gamer).  Congrats to TJ for representing all the Pot Gamers with his fine play and good luck to Kirk in the finals.

Sunday was fog free but a little on the cool side with the temperature in the low 50s (no hope of Commish showing) but 16 Pot Gamers did make an appearance to play a little 3BB on the North Course.  Mad Dog took time out from his busy (not) schedule to create four balanced teams.

Team #1 Triple N, Touchdown Tommy, Dougie and Blue Tees started off rough and it only got worse on the front nine +14.  Team # 2 Bear, TJ, Cheez and House were confident until they imploded on number 7 when lost lost four strokes to end up with +6.  Team #3 Brad-Brian, Skrocki, Billy D and Donny Roy very strong on paper could not stop adding points on every hole and ended up with +10. Team #4 Sandy, Jay Esch, Dr Dave and Chimney found out when you have to use double bogeys your score adds up quickly finished at +15.  The back nine had every team improve their score but that included Team #2 who had a comfortable lead already.  Team# 2's +4 and +10 total proved to be too strong and they swept all sides.  So there were a lot of players drinking $20 beers.

Low scores of the day were Bear 73, Triple N 73, Sandy 77, TJ 77 and Brad-Brian 79.  There were 9 skins worth $8 a piece (Bear 4, Skrocki 1, Brad-Brian 1, Triple N 1, TJ 1, Sandy 1).

House wanted a match with Chimney as soon as he heard Chimney was returning after injuring his back.  However Chimney still clipped him for a buck, bad back and all.

Wednesday's Woes

Although cool, Wednesday proved another sunny day with no wind to start and fall like bluster on the back nine.  Twelve players showed up so three teams were formed to play a little 3BB.

Team #1 Bear, Dougie, Cheez and Bill M teed off first.  Bear brought along a roll of duct tape and bailing wire to try to hold the Cheez's game together in the event it started to go sideways.  Team #2 Skrocki, Walt, Skooger and Fireman looked confident on the first tee after they got a good look at their competition.  Team #3 Mad Dog, Billy D, Birdie and Blue Tees were the favorites on paper to win all three sides, but we all know what happens to "paper" favorites.

Team #1 and Team #3 shot average scores of +7 which in the 3BB format with no superstars is normal.  However Team #2 shot an almost impossible -1 on the front led by Walt's one under 35 and Skrocki's even par 36.  The ever optimistic Cheez when hearing of Team's #2 score said to his team "Well total is gone, but maybe we can win the back".

Team #1 pumped up by the the inspirational words of the Cheez, started out making two birdies on holes 10-12 which launched them to -6 to start out on the back nine.  They rode that hot start which included one more hole (15) with two birdies to a +1 score.  This despite the Cheez's lug nuts loosening and eventually his wheels falling completely off on 15, when he hit a classic hosel rocket into the swamp which was followed up by a super chunk which drowned a second ball.  The visor on his cap dipped down and he slowly walked down the path away from his team toward the next tee to have a Zen like moment to clear his head (didn't help though).

Team # 2 went into a funk on the back when they failed to get a single birdie on 10 and it followed it with a string of poor play which included having to use a 8 on the 12th hole.  They limped in with a whooping +19 on the back.

Team # 3 was cruising along until 13 when they all made double bogey 7s which shot them up to +7 from which they never recovered ending up with +11.  But the real story of the day was record number of trees that Mad Dog shots hit on his way to shooting one of his high scores of the year (84).  The damage to the trees was so extensive that Bretwood maintenance had to hire an arborist to assess the extent of the damage.

So when the smoke cleared Team #2 took one side and Team #1 took two sides.  Low scores of the day were Bear 70, Walt 73, Dougie 77 and Billy D 78.

Billy D was called out by Blue Tees in the Pro Shop before teams were picked calling him "Derailment".  So when Billy D had had enough he challenged Blue Tees to a dollar a hole match.  Then they were on the same team but it didn't stop the match or Billy D from clipping him for $7.

Mad Dog tried to pay off the Bear with a twenty so he didn't have to read off his score card in front of his fellow Pot Gamers, but they wouldn't let him get away with it.  He saved himself some money when they matched cards as it only cost him $13, which makes the YTD Bear up $16.

Close To The Vest

Deacon is being real coy about announcing his Captains picks for The 2013 Invitational.  Usually The Gazette has been given a sneak preview of who the selections are well in advance of the Pick'em Night.  He hasn't even given out a roster of whom he has invited.  Tractorman may have hit a nerve on the deck on Sunday when he announced to everyone that after a few libations at Ginos (rest in peace) Deacon had told him Birdie and Bear were going to be the Captains.  As soon as Tractorman said that Deacon's face got that "oh shit" look.  So he may have given it away already.  Or because he has been exposed he will now change it again to pretend he was not telling Tractorman the truth.  Its anyone's guess.

Here is how the prognosticators at The Gazette see it:

Rama vs House     3 to 1
Birdie vs Billy D   6 to 1
Blue Tees vs Deacon  25 to 1
Molasses Boy vs Skrocki 50 to 1
Cheez vs Bear 100 to 1

Who do you have?

Squeeze Play

This past weekend began the march to see who will be the 2013 Club Champion.  Mad Dog squeezed off the tee times for the Pot Game down to single time.  Obviously he was trying to force Pot Gamers to sign up to play in the Club Championship but forgetting how many Pot Gamers work at the course or are pros or are "old as the hills" and can't play from the Golds.

So when 16 players showed up on Saturday they had to invent their own method of getting a round in by starting on the 3rd hole North and pray that they could somehow squeeze in holes 1 and 2 when they completed the 18th.

Triple N captained 40, Tractorman and Loy first off the tee looked they were winners until they played holes 1 and 2 at the end to lose by 1 on the front.  Team #2 lead by Captain Pudge with Skrocki, Birdie and House got off to sluggish start and never recovered.  Team #3 Captained by Brad-Brian had Mixologist Danny Roy, Cheez and Dr Dave nipped Team #1 on the last two holes and took the front with +6 3BB.  Team #4 with Bear, Sandy, Billy D and Fireman never could get out of their own way and shot a miserable +16 on the front, however they roared back to take the back nine with a solid +3.  Team # 3 won the overall with a great score of +11, when everyone else was +19 or +20.

There were 11 skins worth $7 a piece( Bear 2, Mixologist 2, Triple N 1, Brad-Brian 1, House 1, Sandy 1, Tractorman 1, 40 1 and Skrocki 1).  Low scores of the day were Mixologist 74, Triple N 75, Bear 76 and Brad-Brian 78.  Everyone else was in the 80s or 90s.  Bear continued his match with Pudge and was able to win $4 so YTD Pudge up $4.

Dr Dave continued his streak of taking home Pot money as did the Cheez despite his struggling play which included one Chinese shot on 14.

Brett and TJ were the only Pot Gamers playing in the CC.  TJ prevailed 4&3.  Brett didn't so he can play on Sunday.

Sunday was cool to start but turned into another beautiful late summer day, sunny and in the 70s.  Fifteen players showed so they decided to play 2 BB with three man teams.  Skrocki lead Team #1 with Tractorman and Blue Tees.  They set a new speed record with a time of 3hr 22 minutes.  They never saw Team #2.  Team #2 had Andy Mac, Dougie and House.  Team #3 was Bear, Jay S and Brett.  Team # 4 Mad Dog, Billy D and Cheez.  Bringing up the rear of the pack was team #5 Brad-Brian, Birdie and Fireman.

Team # 3 despite a slow start was able to shoot +2 on the strength of Brett's eagle on 5 and his birdie on 7 and a whole bunch of pars.  The other teams were shooting between +5 and +10.  On the back nine three teams tied with +1 (Teams #1, #2 and #3).  So Team #3 took 2.3 sides and had to take the drink orders.

There were 7 Skins worth $10 a piece (Brett 2, Tractorman 1, Mad Dog 1, Bear 1, House 1 and Blue Tees 1).  Low scores of the day Bear 72, Skrocki 76, Mad Dog 77 and Andy Mac 78.  Everyone else kept it in the 80s.

Mad Dog coughed up $5 to Bear in their automatic match making the YTD Bear up $3.

Cheez with his game on suicide watch had only one fear before tee off,  that he would be matched up with Mad Dog who would have him under his microscope all day long.  When the teams were announced you knew what was going to happen and it did.  Mad Dog after the front nine described his team mates as "Train Wreck" and "Derailment".  Billy D did put his game back on the tracks on the back nine but poor Cheez was done before he started and struggled all day long.

But Cheez wasn't the only one who hit a hosel rocket.  Brett after driving around the corner on 12 promptly deposited his ball in the river to the right with a power shank.  Jay S seeing that could barely pull his club back to hit his shot for fear of copying his playing partner.  Sixty yards from the green they made bogey double bogey.  The fear of the shank is as powerful as the shank.

TJ won his second match and will not be playing the Pot Game next Saturday.  Good Luck TJ.

Dougie's Invitational Road Trip

Pot Gamers Arriving at Okemo

The 2nd Annual Dougie Pot Game Road Trip traveled to VT's Okemo Valley golf course with 16 players on Wednesday.  The weather was perfect and the course was in excellent shape with the exception of newly top dressed greens loaded with sand.  To say it was hilly would be an understatement.  Host Dougie decided they would play the tips 6434 yards.

The host Dougie created four balanced teams with Chuckie's help and kept the secret of who was on which team until just before tee off.

Team #1 Mad Dog, Luke, Dougie and Cheez. They teed off first (huge mistake) when Bear's team was not all assembled on the tee box.  They set a five hour pace backing up the entire course.  Cheez couldn't get his "Golf Buddy" gps to find the Okemo course at first and was preoccupied with it as he teed off the first hole.  His frustration with it continued for the first 6 holes when his yardage didn't agree with Dougie's "Sky Caddie".  He finally asked his playing partners what does 140 m mean.  They said it means you have been playing meters instead of yards for the first six holes...the legend of Cheez continues to grow.

Team # 2 Bear, Sandy, Walt and Hagen got to watch Team #1 not be able to keep pace with four senior women in front of them who were gone from their sight by the second hole.  They struggled with the greens playing break that wasn't there or never matching the speed uphill or down.  Their scores reflected their struggles as they were the only team not to cash.

Team # 3 Triple N, Brad-Brian, Billy D and House were the early favorites to win it all and their + 3 2BB and 3BB on par fives proved the prognosticators correct in winning the front.  Triple N set the pace for his team with a 1 under 34 on the front nine.

Team # 4 Pudge, Otis, Birdie and Fireman got off to a fast start with Pudge's opening birdie but missed out on winning the front by a couple of shots when Otis's driver produced three Xs on his card.

Team # 1 comfortable with their snail pace shot a solid +4 on the back which gave them back and half of the overall for 1.5 sides of the pot.  Team #4 on the strength of Pudge's incredible score of even par 70 tied for overall with +11 for .5 side of the pot.  Team # 3 took the front for 1 side of the pot.

There were 10 skins worth $9 a piece (Pudge 5 (quintuple Roy Boy), Triple N 2, Brad-Brian 1, Mad Dog 1, Otis 1).  Low scores Pudge 70, Triple N 75, Luke 78 and Bear 79.  Those were the only players breaking 80.  Six players shot in the 90s, Six players shot in the 80s.

Pudge picked Bears pocket for $9, Mad Dog and Bear broke even in their match making Mad Dog YTD up $2.

Three and even four putts were more common than one putts except for Pudge.  After rounds of adult beverages on the patio, everyone agreed that Dougie produced another great Road Trip and look forward to next year.  Most also tried to block out of their memory what they actually shot...

Lots Of Leftovers

Congrats to Triple N on his victory in the Sr Division of the Keene Cities tournament a week ago.  He posted a pair of 75s which was good for a two stroke victory.  Otis with a furious comeback from his 83 at KCC shot a 73 good enough for 3rd place.  John Hollar part time Pot Gamer finished 4th and Bear 6th with a pair of 80s.  Other Senior Division Pot Gamers placing were Billy D, Jay Esch, Tractorman, Little Bow Pete,  House, Fireman, Jay Smith, Bill Maguire, Skrocki and Rama. TJ playing with the kids (half his age) had a respectable finish in the Open Division with a tie for 6th.  Rumor has it from the Committee that in 2014 KCC will be eliminated and both rounds will be played a good old Bretwood.  To say KCC was tricked up to have high scores was an understatement.  There were numerous stories being told of three and four putts as well as players putting off the green on 17.

Little Bow Pete was given a new nickname after his slow play at KCC.  From now on he will be known as "Molasses Boy"  as in slow as....  Other members of his foursome were able to take cat naps as he prepared to take his shot.

Cheez after a week long break up north at his timeshare has found his game.  It only took four tubs of range balls to dig it out of the dirt.  He did forget to practice his putting though so those low 70 scores he was planning on peeked in the high 70s.  He did not go out to eat at any Chinese Restaurants while on vacation.

If you have not paid Deacon $120 for his Invitational you are officially on his "shit list" and he is looking for you.  At last count he had 20 players hoping to get 24.  The strongest rumor for Captains is Billy D vs Birdie as of last week.  The rematch of Bear vs Cheez is fading fast along with Deacon vs Blue Tees.  House vs Rama is still under consideration which is making House twitch even more than usual.

There is no truth to the rumor that the Gazette is for sale and that John Henry is looking to buy it for the 70 Million the price he bought the Boston Globe for; although we would have to consider it.

Natasha

Billy D has been going for weekly massages since January to keep his game in shape.  But it wasn't his golf game he was talking about by the look at his masseuse Natasha.

Jay Smith needs a nickname.  It could be about his age looks 60 but is only 50 or anything you can think of; let us know. we will pick the best one.  Speaking of which, Bill Maguire will be known as Jerry for the foreseeable future or until we come up with a better one.  If you have to ask. you don't get out to the movies very often do you.

Chuckie is taking reservations for the month of February for the use of his state of the art driving range in his new "Big House".  January is already sold out.  He told Bonnie the range would pay for itself and he might be right based on the response so far.