Where Did The Summer Go?

When the "Durling" concludes this weekend it marks the end of the summer season and the beginning of the fall season with frost delays right around the corner..

So what has happened all Summer in the Pot Game?  Here is recap and a few highlights and lowlights.

The Chuckster is still the smiling face behind the Pro Shop counter but now he wears a badge that says "Director of Golf".  He even handles the pressure of Pot Gamers calling in, making teams up and serving customers who want a cart, range balls or green fees.   Something his predecessor couldn't always handle that's why he once instituted a ban on "calling in" to say you were playing.

The "Rat" aka Commish is back in power after handing the reins over to Bear the last couple of years.  He got off to a rough start when one of his first Pot Games the teams had to made up three times because they kept leaving players off.  When he finally brought the cards over to tee to announce what the teams were all the Pot Gamers greeted him with rolling eyes and had their hats on crooked.  Somewhere he lost his nice straight little stinger driver shot and his putting touch.  Must have been from all those bales of hay he has been moving or the donkey shit he has been shoveling.

Fireman hosted two RW&B tournaments without any riots breaking out like last year.  His favorite tree on the 1st hole of North is healing up after years of abuse because he doesn't slice much anymore.  He waves to it as he passes by from the middle of the fairway.  His swing changes have had him shooting in the mid 70s which means he is raking in the cash from Jerry and Rama.

Mad Dog claims he isn't playing very much golf in his retirement because he is too busy hosting his grandchildren.  Except when you count how many days he plays.  Tuesday night league, always Wednesdays, most Fridays and both days of the weekend, plus he practices every night on 8 North while he waits for supper and after his cocktail hour.  He hired a architect to draw up plans for an addition to his house with the money he won off the Bear this summer.  He seems to be in a better mood this summer since he doesn't have to water the flowers any more.

Gretchen Headed Down The Road

Billy D claims he never cuts the ball anymore after he received a swing tip from Walt.  But if you play with him you may see a little left to right creep into his ball flight about the 14th hole when he gets tired.  I regret to announce that Gretchen and Billy D are no longer a couple.  It seems that she wanted more time for herself.  She used to be able to count on Billy D playing golf in all weather conditions so she could online shop or read.  But he started to refusing to go out of the house if there is even a remote chance of rain plus she said he became increasingly grouchy.   Her parting words to him were "you are nothing more than a big old Pussy Willow".

Birdie has been enjoying his new free lifestyle unburdened from home ownership.  He and his canoe can be spotted on the ponds and lakes around Harrisville and Hancock.  His form of relaxation is reeling in a few bass, knocking down a few adult beverages and filling up a plastic bag full of plump blueberries.  His game has shortened a bit and the ball flight is sinking but his putter still works well so he cashes when he gets the right Captain.  He and Rat may have to throw down before the summer is over in a revised version of "Battle of the Beave" . 

Birdie vs Rat

Molasses Boy bought more new clubs this summer with the hope of finding extra yards to be able to reach all the par 4s in regulation.   He used hours of Golf & Ski pro's time to fit him properly then proceeded to stiff him and ordered his clubs elsewhere.  We haven't seen a big change in his scores though same old 75 to 85 like most of the Pot Gamers.  He still claims he is not the slowest Pot Gamer anymore..but the jury is still out on that one.

Chimney has expanded his betting to include chipping for "mythical dollars" against Fireman and Bear.  He has schooled both of them with his unique closed club face wrist snap mini divot method..  The ball hugs the ground and dives into the hole with regularity inflicting pain on both his competitors.  His ram-a-jama putting technique is still going strong. 

Joey M is looking for an actual winning team this year in the Durling after appointing the twins Billy D and Birdie last year as Captains.  They ended up picking teams that were so even it ended in a tie.  Joey befriended a few more Pot Gamers over the summer (they must have bought him a few beers) so he now has 20 players in the Durling up from 16 last year.  Joey has been playing some solid golf this summer including giving NNN a run for his money in the Cities.

CFC is the only Pot Gamer who carries fewer irons than woods.  In fact he has so many head covers sticking out of his bag it looks like he has no irons at all.  He has missed a total of 6 fairways this summer which is a 100% increase from last summer.  I think it is because he is swinging 1 mph faster to try to find a few extra yards.  He is all the way up to 64 mph swing speed.  He will have his hands full this weekend when he goes head to head against his Daddy the great "Wedge Wizard" Rama.

Rama has the betting bug.  He has taken on a 4 beer House in a 3 hole gold game match after a recent Pot Game as well throwing down challenges to several A players.   But he now has his sights on taking down his son in the Durling.  Both their games are a bit erratic going in so it will come down to who rolls it the best.  CFC is plotting with DMac to break a few machines on Friday night so his Daddy will have to get up early Sat morning to fix them before he plays.

to be continued...