He's Gone Soft

Softy

With reports of temps in the 60s, Commish made an appearance today to take stock of his Pot Gamers.  One of Banished Brothers Huslander was standing around the signup area, when Mad Dog asked if he was playing today.  He said he wanted to but had to wait for the Commish to give his blessing.  Unbelievably Commish allowed him back in.  When the teams were created guess who played together.  That's right Commish and Huslander with 40 keeping the peace.  18 Players showed up making 6 teams of three.  Mad Dog went to the whip early on his team which produced a best ball of two score of even par good for the win, but his heavy hand proved too much on back nine as they collapsed to 11 over.  Tractorman's team got off to a fast start but leaked some oil to go 7 over on the front but roared back with a even par on the back which got them tie on back and overall with +7.  They tied Bear's team which had an identical score back and front.  Bear's team started +6 on first two holes and played +1 the last 16 holes.  There were five skins worth $18 a piece by Mad Dog, Pistol Pete, Deacon, Mini and Fireman.  Mad Dog's team somehow ended up with one dollar more than any of the other teams (go figure)

Trendy

After several weeks of Pot Games we have noticed certain trends: Stiff shafts are disappearing for Regular shafts, Strong gripping Lefties are moving to Tour Shafts instead of weakening their grips,  TaylorMade Rocketballz woods/utility clubs are multiplying by the week,  White is most popular color of Driver, Titleist Golf Balls are being replaced by Bridgestone & Srixon (Not Topflight), Girlfriends and Wives still dictate who shows up,  Greens are firmer and faster, Bunkers are soft, deep and unraked, Shorts are still in closets, Windbreakers a must,  Fireman straightened out his slice, Deacon still sends out email with Angels, Blue Tees plays from the whites, Hilow moved retirement house to the North instead of South,  Birdie loses Mythical Dollars not real ones to Bear, Commish spends more time with Alpacas than Pot Gamers and Mini moved into Daddy's compound.

Back On Track

Cheez Celebrating His 79 And 12 Cent Victory

Cheez checked in with the Gazette yesterday to report he is starting to pack up and prepare for his long drive home.  He should arrive on the scene by May 5th.  Billy D and Fireman are in training so they can maintain pace for the seven day a week pounding their bodies will take trying to keep up with the Cheez.  After weeks of duck hooks and putts that never reach the cup, Cheez finally broke 80 on one of the little nine hole courses at The Villages.  He had to drop out of the "Sticks" group due to bad play.  He now plays Lenny for a penny a hole.  He was excited when he broke 80 but he was more excited because he took 12 cents off of Lenny.

Notice A Pattern

Bear's son Andy went to The Masters on Sunday with his best friend JR.  JR wore a Garmin GPS watch which recorded his movement walking around Augusta National.  It was his first time so Andy made sure he saw the whole course.  If you study their pattern you will notice they visited a few areas multiple times.  Guess what are located in those areas...that's right the food tents where the $3.00 beers were sold.  The intersecting trails also lead to the Men's rooms.  They would fit in well with the Pot Gamers.

Heathen Open

Easter Sunday brought out eight Heathens to do battle in cold windy conditions.  Mad Dog made his 2012 debut and captained Billy D, Skrocki and Rama versus Pudge, Bear, Birdie and TJ.  Pudge's team jumped out in front with a +2 (three best balls) to Mad Dog's +4 however they collapsed on the back with a +11 to Mad Dog's +7.  Giving Mad Dog 2/3 of the Pot.  Billy D said his team had extra incentive after Birdie has whispered to him on the first tee that his team stood no chance today. After beverages were paid for Mad Dog split up the money rounding up his teams share leaving Pudge's team a dollar short.  Mad Dog shot a best round 70 which included missing several bunnies on this Easter Sunday.  There were 4 skins one for TJ, one for Pudge and two for Mad Dog.  After wishing each other Happy Easter they headed off to eat special dinners and watch The Masters. 

Master Leftovers

Bear had two orders for Master hats from Fireman and Birdie.  Fireman wanted a green paneled Trucker hat and Birdie a fitted light colored hat.  Bear presented Birdie's hat today and it fit like a glove, Pudge paid for and picked up Fireman's hat but was eyeing it closely so I hope it makes it to Fireman.  Bear bought himself an official green Caddie hat but his melon size head was too big to fit it, so Pudge is now the proud owner. The Light Beer at Masters is Miller Lite (Murt's favorite).  For the first time The Masters had a lottery for one day tickets, you could pick the "one dayers" out of the crowd as they don't know the rules like not sitting in patrons chairs and wore glaze looks on their faces. The roars for a Tiger or Phil are very different than any others just like they say on tv.  The "Payday" candy bar is extinct everywhere except at The Masters.  Informational booklets filled with Masters facts and trivia are free along with pairing sheets.

Augusta Day Two

Bear Holding The Flag

Bear & Jed At Clubhouse

Jed arrived from Boston last night to go to the Masters on Friday and Saturday. Bear takes each of his sons the first two days and then they have the tickets over the weekend to each take a friend. Driving down from Columbia to Augusta in the early morning with light traffic and 80 mph seeming to be the normal speed limit in SC, it only took 50 minutes. The gray cloudy skies and NH like temperatures of 52 degrees made it cool add a 25 mph wind made it down right cold. Tradition was broken when they placed their chairs in the 18th seating area for the first time as they walked the back nine when nobody was playing yet. No they didn't find Phil's ball in the ice plant on the 10th. The fairway grass is amazing to see, Keegan Bradley's caddie was measuring to the hole on the 16th tee with his rangefinder, Bear guessed 147 and asked him the actual yardage 143. They watched three groups all miss the 7th green with their second shots with most failing to up and down. They next ventured to the 8th hole grandstands to rest their feet and attempt to get out of the wind. Didn't really work as wind was blowing across the stands and straight down the fairway. They did notice brightening skies over Butler Cabin off in the distance. When they went to the range to watch real golf swings it actually got sunny. Ricky Fowler, Lucas Glover and KJ Choi all warmed up right in front of them. After a quick peek of the par three course they ventured over to front side of the Clubhouse for look. What they found was a new tradition of Augusta National having a professional photographer awaiting to take your picture for free. Nice touch. A leisurely stroll down the hill to 8th tee to see some drives, a few more beers and they ended the day sitting in their chairs on 18 where they left them earlier. They visited the Pro Shop on the way to the car and then the 2012 Masters was in the books for the Bear. Highlights: Barbecue sandwich is the new favorite, Tiger's coach had his camera with him at all times on the range, Jim Nance rode by in a cart, he is a big boy, dozens of the cutest girls you will ever see at the checkout counter at pro shop, the pouch that holds the folding chair can also hold six empty beer glasses.

Live From Augusta

VIP Parking Spot

After a smooth flight in the SteelPen jet to SC, Bear visited with his son Andy and family. He checked his barely walking Grandson's golf swing (looks good) and played a challenge match with son Andy at the Walker course on Clemson University's campus. They were chased from the course by thunderstorms after 15 holes with Andy holding a one shot advantage. After a two hour drive to Augusta they pulled into VIP parking for the National Press. They placed their chairs inside the ropes on the 16th hole to have great seats later in the day. Big News: beers now $3.00 and there are no tuna sandwiches anymore replaced by a club sandwich (bummer). A few highlights Tiger is not as buff in person as he is on tv, Rory really hits it different than most big high draw effortlessly, Gentle Ben looking a little old, Bubba Watson moves all over the place when he swings, Oosthuzien beautiful swing but huge ears, 5th green looks like they buried an elephant in the middle, Watson receives applause on every green and tee no matter how he hits it, Euros all wear pants tight with slits on bottom cuff, worst dressed Scotsman Sandy Lyle, Sergio hasn't shaved in a few days, walk ways a little soft and muddy, and rain held off until late. 84 degrees and sunny most of the day. More reports tomorrow...

Off He Goes

Bear the Publisher of the Gazette has his credentials in order and will be heading off to The Masters on Wednesday morning.  He will be flying in style thanks to the generous loan of the SteelPen Corp jet compliments of CEO Murt. It is fully stocked with Miller Lites.  With stops in Greenville SC to see his Grandson and a quick challenge golf match against his son Andy.  Bear and Andy will be headed to Augusta on Thursday.  They usually hang out behind the 6th tee to watch tee shots and be within a few steps of a beer tent and bathrooms.  Then on Friday son Jed joins Bear where they hang by the 13th fairway and bet on whether or not the players will go for the green in two. On the weekend the boys use the badges to bring friends to their first Masters.  If all goes well Bear should be back for Sunday's Pot Game.

Oh For A Minute There...

To make one of our newest Pot Game members Joe D feel welcome, an old long time Pot Gamer decided he needed a nickname.  So last weekend the word spread he shall be called TJ for Trooper Joe.  When the Gazette let him know that the other members had bestowed a nickname on him, he said "Cool, I like that. Thanks."  Within a half hour though he emailed back to say "I hope TJ doesn't stand for Trooper Junior.  It doesn't does it?"  We assured him that the longtime Pot Gamer would never do that.  Would he...