Almost Time

The "Big House" is in full panic mode with no revenue from green fees and no membership dues coming in yet.  Two years ago they couldn't collect the money fast enough with opening day on St Patrick's Day.  It is so bad that Mad Dog had to cut way back on buying gold bars since his dividend checks aren't coming in yet.  Rumor has it he built a special room in his basement to store the gold bars. He calls it "Little Fort Knox".  Only he and his #1 son Mini know the combination to get in.

Molasses Boy had to be rushed to the emergency room on Sunday.  He thought he was having the "big one" when Tiger came within 1 stroke of the lead at Arnie's tournament.  The thought of Tiger almost winning and having to pay off all his big money bets that Tiger would never win again (he is very cheap) the stress overwhelmed him.  But before they could hook up the EKG to his chest, he found out Tiger snapped hooked it out of bounds and instantly the chest pains went away.

Dougie has vowed to play more golf this summer and do less hiking since he has conquered all the Presidential Range summits.   He wants to beat Billy D for the most rounds by a Pot Gamer.

CFC has decided to switch to right handed clubs.  He found out his swing speed is 22 mph faster from the right side.  Oh course his swing speed was measured by Jerry Maguire after he had consumed a few cocktails.  Being the youngest "White Tee Slut" he is willing to try anything that will move him back to the blue tees.

Blue Tees has been wintering in Florida for several months getting his game in shape.  When he comes back and consistently shoots in the low 70s, he figures the Commish will have to make him a Captain.

Bear will have to find a new putting stroke because after his knee replacement he put on so much padding around his middle he can't see the golf ball from his normal stance.  Plus he thinks he is going back to carrying his bag and walking 18 holes...can we say oxygen will be needed.

NNN has decided that the Pot Game is a joke (someone else said that once).  He has told the Gazette he will only play in State and New England wide tournaments where he can be challenged by his peers and receive the publicity he seeks.  I guess Chris McL taking his Cities title away from him did a tune on his ego.

Sadly there won't be any Roy Boys playing in the Pot Games this summer.  Danny aka The Mixologist was told by his girlfriend that his golfing days are over.   It may have something to do with her finding out about him playing a few Saturdays last summer when she was away and he missed her call while he was enjoying a cold one on the deck.  So sad...

If you spot any of these former Pot Gamers make sure to extend an invitation for them to come back to play with us anytime.  Scotty-Steve,  Coach,  Donny Roy,  Sr,  Jr,  Sully,  Murt,  New Orleans Nicky and The Cat.

Time To Get Ready

As the snow slowly melts away from the last week's March blizzard, thoughts of teeing it up by St Patty's Day seem unrealistic but opening day is not that far away.  So now is the time to get your swing in shape or plan a quick trip to CT or the Cape to work out the kinks.

Below are the wishes for some of the Pot Gamers for this coming season as told to the Gazette by family, friends, enemies and the rumor mill at the Friday coffees.

House wants Loy to show up every weekend so he can play him a three hole match from the golds after each has consumed at least three beers.  Neither one ever has any cigarettes on them so it will interesting who succumbs to nicotine withdrawal first.

Jimmy The Torch wants Bear to declare auto dogs with him every week.  I would not bet on that happening.

Fireman wants to heal after he hip checked his way onto the injured list playing adult hockey.   He could be joining the knee surgery club this spring.


Chimney wants to continue his reign as champion on the chipping green for mythical dollars.  Chimney's technique of hooding his wedge and stabbing the ball taking mini divots is driving Fireman crazy.

DMac wants to find the player who is ruining the collar around the chipping green taking mini divots.

Cheez wants to find a new group to play with since he has been kicked out of the "Sticks" for the following rules violations:  Failure to pick up any flag sticks during a round, clearing his throat when someone is putting, not knowing where his ball went after he hits it and putting to a palm frond  instead of the hole costing his team the match.

Commish wants to be accident free for 2018 after the following in previous years.  Burns down house using hairdryer to thaw out pipes, squashes finger in truck gate and has Vet set it with an arc to fit on golf club,  Smashes thumb with an axe,  drives Rat Mobile into ditch breaking multiple ribs,  falls down flight of stairs trying to find bathroom,  rolls tractor he is driving backward over hill smashing fencing for alpacas and goats sending them in all directions.

Commish Showing Tractor Skills

Joey M wants to find a way to eliminate all white tee sluts from the Durling since it cost him from being on the winning team last year.  Speaking of the Durling save the dates of August 24th for Pick'em Party and 25-26th for matches.

Billy D wants to find a way to get back in Joey M's good graces having blown off the Durling last year for a fishing trip.

Molasses Boy wants to go to the red tees so he can shot his age every week.  If he pulls another tantrum like last year he will have no group to play with because the head of the Teachers group said they don't want him either.

Skrocki wants to finish his rehab so he and his new hip can tee it up on opening day.  Maybe his bad hip was the cause of his chipping woes.

Birdie wants to challenge Commish to another Battle At the Beav this summer.  But most of all he wants more clear thinking liberals like him to join the Pot Game.

TJ wants his wrists to stop flipping on him at impact causing the his famous duck hook.  He has been scouring the internet all winter to find golf gloves that restrict wrist movement.

BB wants to add 20 yards to his drives to keep up with his sons.  He installed a launch monitor at his indoor driving range to tract his launch angle.  When Nick and Jack were asked for comment they just smiled.

Mad Dog wants to jack his handicap up so he won't have to give strokes in all his dollar-a-hole matches.  He has been consulting with Otis who has a Masters Degree in sand bagging as to how best to go about it.

Mini wants to find another winter job after he quit working for Mad Dog's new venture the Pot Of Gold Pub.  It seems Mad Dog loved Ireland so much he used some of his millions to open an Irish Pub in his basement and hired Mini to be the bartender.   Mini quit when he found out he had to wear a leprechaun outfit during parties.







Chuckster wants all Pot Gamers to call in on time and to not have to listen to their stories recounting every shot when they come in from playing bad.

Andy Mac wants to see if his new swing will turn his hooks into the power fade he desires so he can start racking in the dollars from all his matches he has on auto dogs.

Jay Esch wants the same thing every year.  He wants to figure out which way his putts break at Bretwood without asking his playing partners.  That wish is most likely dead on arrival.

What we all want is to gather each weekend, play a little golf, then laugh and tell stories on the deck.  Which is what makes the Pot Game special.

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...

Opening Day and Other News

18 Pot Gamers showed up Saturday for Opening Day to play on the lumpy frozen south course.  What was suppose to be an 8am tee off became a painful waiting game of watching the white frost turn into globs of freezing cold dew.

Group #1 Bear, Tractorman and Hilow aka the "Secret Weapon" teed it up at almost 10am.  Group #2 Andy Mac, TJ and Rama followed right behind shivering all the way. Group #3 BB, Skrocki and  a one legged Billy D were out of front nine by the 4th hole.  Group #4 DMac, Dickie Mac and Jerry Maguire got off to a fast start only to derail on the 8th hole.  Group #5 Sandy, Chimney and CFC cruised along at a 1 over every hole pace. Bringing up the rear Group #6 lead by the retired Mad Dog, the retired Fireman and the part time school aide Birdie quietly (because no one could see them they were so far behind) slipped in with a cool +5 to take the front.

The back nine was a comeback for Group #1 and #3 as they tied with +3.  With most teams feeling the aches and pains that go with the first time out saw their scores soar on the back.  Which meant that Group #3 sneaked in by one shot over Group #1 for the overall.

Only two Pot Gamers could break 80..Mad Dog 78 and Sandy 79.

There were 5 skins worth $18 a piece.  Chimney, CFC, Dickie Mac, Bear and Sandy.

For those of you who keep tract of the Dollar-A-Hole matches of the Bear here they are:

YTD Mad Dog + $3
YTD Sandy +4
YTD Andy Mac -$1

The first casualty of the year was Billy D who managed to wreck his heel and could barely walk.  Mad Dog is pain free so far (because he won money).  Commish was a "no show" weather related.


Sunday only 16 players showed.  With no frost they were able to tee off on time at 8am.  Group #1 Captain Otis, BB, Fireman and CFC thought they were running away with the front after a -1 (three best balls) on the first hole, only to implode into double digits by the 9th hole.  Group #2 Captain Luke, Andy Mac, Chimney and Jerry Maguire knew they were toast by the 7th hole as they hit double digits.  Group #3 Captain Sandy, Bear, Skrocki and Rama looked good only on the card not on the course, they were all cashed in by the 6th hole.  Group #4 Captain Mad Dog, Molasses Boy, TJ and the Secret Weapon they thought they were playing two best balls as they cruised in with only +5.  Really need to start drug testing.

The back nine was only good for one team #2 who also shot +5.  Group #4 although they crashed and burned out back for +11 it was still good for overall (bastards).

Again only two Pot Gamers broke 80 and they happen to play on the same team (isn't that special) Mad Dog 79 and Molasses Boy 79

There were 4 skins Bear, Mad Dog, CFC and Otis worth $20 a piece.

D-A-H against Bear

Mad Dog $ +1  YTD $+4
Andy Mac $-2  YTD  $-3

Skoog was missing again either the contract that Joey M took out on him last year has finally been cashed in or his wife has him doing house work.  You guessed it Commish was missing again.  Billy D was icing his foot and drinking cold beers at home.  Bear's knee after walking for two days straight looks like a beach ball so he could be on IR.  Tractorman stayed away so he wouldn't have to play South two days in a row.  Otis needs to work on his handicap or else he will be a Captain all summer long.

Most Pot Gamers are shooting in the 80s with a few each day slipping into the 90s with the cold March weather.   North course opened this week we will be playing all 36 this weekend.

Happy Easter

Earliest Ever..

This Saturday will mark the earliest Pot Game ever March 12th..record was March 17th.  The Big House is licking their chops over all that dues money that will be flowing in a month early.

Billy D has been recruiting players to make opening day a success.  After skiing on ice and rocks all winter he has finally decided to concentrate on his golf game.  Although how much can he do when his little fade gives him the most consistent scores of any Pot Gamer already.  He even has his own par of 82.

Mad Dog with the mild winter played the 8th hole 231 times since closing.  He made 31double bogies, 85 bogies, 93 pars and 22 birdies.  No recorded hole-in-one.  He has lots of free time on his hands since he has retired from the grind of watering plants, washing carts and counting cash in the pro shop cash box.  So far he is pain free but the first ailment will show up when he shoots a round in the 80s and loses dollars to Bear

One Pot Gamer who won't be showing up is the one who's name rhymes with Fudge.  He has become the head pro at KCC.  He got the job after the beloved Charlie Kamal was ousted in a coup d'etat led by Fudge's friend on the BOD (rhymes with Leo).  Fudge did have to change his name to Kamal and be adopted by Dottie to keep the legacy in tact.

Fireman installed a chipping green in his garage this winter because he no longer has access to the one in the Firehouse.  He hopes to rack up thousands of mythical dollars this summer against the Bear.  Time will tell if his stroke grooved on fake plastic grass with hold up on the lumpy fringes of Bretwood.

Birdie hasn't had time to think about golf this winter, as he been "Feeling The Bern".  After being trained in the secret Bernie headquarters in Burlington VT, he has traveled with the campaign as a volunteer strategist.  He got the job after he explained that he had infiltrated a right wing group in Keene NH called the Pot Gamers and he had first hand knowledge as to how their minds work.

Commish & Yogi

Former Commish up to his knees in Donkey shit will only be making token appearances this summer as the number of abused animals at his farm has quadrupled in the last few years.  He does have a new baby in his family "Yogi" a golden lab pup.

Joey M has been spooked all winter long with the same bad dream.  His dream starts with the ghost of Deacon sitting on the edge of his bed.  The ghost then starts getting red and starts yelling at him for allowing the Durling Invitational to end in a tie.  But it really starts haunting him when it yells and wags its finger at Joey that he allowed a "Little Liberal" to be a captain.  That startles Joey out of bed every time in a cold sweat.  So he heads to the refrigerator, cracks a beer, hands it over  the ghost and promises to never to do again.

Tractorman will not be showing up for opening day because it will be played on the South course.  His blood pressure goes up 30 points every time he plays there.  He will wait until Sunday when he hopes "his" North course will open up.

CFC after he emptied all his envelopes of the Hole-In-One pool cash and gave it to his Mommy, she did give him back $100 to use for spending money.  But he wanted to save it so he placed it in his Tiger Woods piggy bank, which in his room sits next to his Tiger Woods clock and Tiger Woods fathead on his wall.

CFC Grabbing The Cash

Molasses Boy bought more new clubs this winter hoping for more distance so he can keep up with Billy D.  He even asked for private lessons from Mad Dog to learn "the flick".  We will see on Saturday if it has worked or not.

Jerry Maguire will be looking for a new libation on the deck this summer as he has dropped out of the "rainbow coalition" for good.  It won't be the Maple Bourbon he broke out last November during a round because his blood sugar was off the charts at his physical  and he gained 20 lbs in a few weeks.

If you miss these characters and all the other Pot Gamers head over to Bretwood this Saturday for a 8am tee off.  Remember call in to the Chuckster before 7:45 or you will be playing alone.

Merry Christmas 2023

A Visit From Little Prick/'Twas the Night Before the Pot Game
(reprinted from 2009 with updated names )

 

'Twas the night before the Pot Game, when all throughout Keene

Not a golfer was stirring, not even Billy D being mean;

The golf clubs were polished and ready to go,

In hopes that all the best players would show;

The Pot Gamers were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of birdies and skins danced in their heads;

And Suzy in her G-string, and I in my Yankees cap,

Had just settled down for a quickie and a nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what the f__k was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up on the sash.

The moon on the dew of the freshly mowed grass

Gave the appearance to me of Suzy’s firm little ass,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a dilapidated old golf cart, and eight drunken Pot Gamers dressed as reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be that Little Prick.

More rapid than turtles his coursers they came,

And he tried to whistle, then slurred, and called them by name;

"Now, Timmy! now, BB! now, Sars and Bear!

On, Fireman! on TJ! on, BK and Who the F__k cares!

To the top of the clubhouse! to the top of the wall!

Now stagger away! stagger away! stagger away all!"

Like Loy’s 20 dollars that before the wild winds fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the drunkards they flew,

With the cart full of Mic Lights, and the Little Prick too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The F__kin Bear’s birdie call of woof, woof.

As I stood there bollocky bare ass, and was turning around,

Down the chimney the Little Prick came with a bound.

He was dressed like a golfer from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of beers he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a Pot Gamer who had just bought a rack.

His eyes were all squinty! His hat was on crooked!

His cheeks were all stubbly, He looked pretty snookered!

His droll little mouth was drawn like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was dirtier than snow;

The stub of his cigarette hung from his lip,

And the ash curved down from the tip;

He had popcorn stuck to his face from the bar he just left,

He had so much of it on him, it could be called theft.

He was little and tiny, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know it was not long before he was ready for bed

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all my coolers; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his cart, and called out to his team,

God help me I just saw Sr naked, tell me it’s just a damn dream.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"I’m still The Commish, watch out for the cart eating ditch, I’m not having a good night."

Little Prick
Photo By Elf Enterprises

Back In Action

After months of no news the Gazette is back..maybe..sort of..kind of..

To ease you into it, we will start off with a quiz to see if you really know your fellow Pot Gamers.  The first Pot Gamer responding with the most correct answers will win a free bucket of range balls (compliments of Mad Dog.  Of course it is a small Cheez bucket.  Did you really expect anything else?)

Name the Pot Gamer who says or does the following.  Use their nickname in your answers

1. "Oh Well"
2. "That's Brutal"
3. Hits "Stinger" Drivers
4. Carries bag over his shoulder
5. "Macaroni and Cheese"
6. Dates "Gretchen"
7. Chips for mythical dollars against Bear
8. "God Damit"
9. Created his own Par
10. Putting style "Rammy Jammy"
11. Needs all his putts read
12. Known for his "Dancing Feet" right before takeaway.

Your time starts now!  Get those answers into kmoller@pobox.com

Gretchen The Caddie

Little Bits and Pieces

Commish Buying Another Hat

Birdie has notified Pudge he needs a new opponent to play against in the 2015 Battle of the Beav.  Commish proved to be way too easy over the last couple of years.  Pudge sent him back a short list of potential opponents for him to pick through.  Dougie, Joey M, Sandy or "Comeback Kid" TJ. No word on whom he has selected.

The Big House has announced a dues reduction for the first time in history.  Mad Dog says the course won't be open until June 1st because of the 10' of snow the height of two Minis , so the dues will be $1,045 instead of $1,050.

Otis was mentioned in the Deacon's will.  Deacon left strict instructions to Joey M to never allow Otis back into the Invitational.  It seems Otis committed to play a few years ago and then at the last moment backed out when he got an offer to go water skiing instead.  He never forgot or forgave him...

The One Who Became A Villager has been demoted from the Sticks group to the Toothpicks.  According to our sources players in the Sticks were tired of him putting to palm fronds instead of cups,  backhanding 6" putts that lip out,  asking where is ball went off the tee,  clearing his throat when his team mates where putting and always playing Top Flites.

Randy & Friends Tournament has a new format.  It is a pick your own two man team event that is one hole.  All teams tee off on 15 North and play alternate shot all the way to 12 South.  Low score wins.  Get your request in early because it will be a limited field.

Chuckster has been asked by the acting Commish to do all the selections of the teams for the 2015 Weekend Pot Games.  Mad Dog has agreed to step down after he admitted he doesn't know how to make even teams when there are 18 players.  He is still convinced it has to be 3 teams of four and 2 teams of three.

Pudge took a job as a sales rep for an golf equipment manufacturer.  CNM Company which makes drivers.  Pudge's first three customers Chimney, Fireman and Billy D.  Name of the driver Cut No More.  TJ tried to get fitted but Pudge told to hold off because they are working on a SNM model which would be perfect for him.

If you hear any rumors about Bretwood, Staff or Pot Gamers please call one of our two new tip lines

For reporter Rama call 1-800-Son-Bitc
For reporter Murt call 1-800-FU2-4000

Take It To The Bank

The Gazette has looked into its crystal golf ball and have the following bold predictions for 2015

Birdie will sell his house, move into an apartment next to Billy D and gain 20 yards on his drives with new "Power Move ".

Ginger

Pudge will get a job outside of Keene but still stay in golf business.  Romance continues strong with Ginger..

Commish misses first month of Pot Games with a broken foot after a new orphaned donkey steps on him at the Donna Daryl Ranch .

Skooger attends Popcorn Anonymous to try to kick his two bowls of popcorn a day habit. 

TJ hires a hypnotist to cure his swing woes which results in his duck hooks coming back making him a happy boy.

Joey M creates his own secret hand shake as he takes over the Invitational with a very limited field of players.

Chuckster invents remote control app for golf carts so he can sit in Pro Shop and move fleet from storage to tarmac while he plays cribbage with Ellis.

Mad Dog retires in April, changes his mind in May, waters flowers for month of June,  plays with grandsons in July, loses cash to Bear in August, orders new clubs in Sept, retires in Oct.

CFC switches to playing right handed and out drives Jerry Maquire which makes Jerry stop drinking girly "Rita" drinks on the deck.

NNN goes the way of Tiger and gets the "Yips" which puts him in the running for an actual nickname "Yippy".

Tractorman after going to his time share down south in spring to practice, wins the first 5 Pots of the season and collects the Hole-In-One pool money for his shot on 13 North one hopping into the hole hitting a wedge.

Fireman bought a new truck with his hefty Assistant Chief salary.  It is black and gold stripes.  He thinks it looks like a Steelers uniform everybody else think it looks like a giant bubble bee.

BB gets schooled by "Little BB" all summer long,  so he then starting setting up matches against "little little BB".  Didn't seem to bother him when "little little" had to hand over his new golf balls to him.

Molasses Boy after bragging his speed of play had improved was given a challenge by Commish to prove it.  He set up a match between the semi retired Sr Pro and Molasses Boy.  Each could play at their own pace with the first finisher getting to deduct 1 stroke for every 5 minutes ahead.  Molasses Boy shot 78 to Sr Pro's 82 but Sr Pro finished 25 minutes ahead which gave him an adjusted score of 77 and the win.

Sandy wins the Club Championship again.  For two magical weekends all his putts roll in and towering drives hit the fairways.  Rest of the summer he loses Dollar A Hole matches to Bear.

House was denied again from playing the white tees which put him in deep depression which led him to shoot three consecutive rounds in the 90s which forced the Commish to ban him from the Pot game for the rest of the season.

Vinnie set record sales commissions for his company when Andy Mac his protege picked up 20 new accounts in Northern New England.  But neither one played much golf.

Blue Tees after continuing his weight loss and strength training decides to play from blue tees all season long.  His scores didn't change nor did the melt downs.

Billy D hit his head skiing. Although he looked the same he wasn't acting the same.  He started quoting all things Obama, siding with Birdie when political arguments broke out on the deck and gave up Bud Lights for wine.

Jay Esch adopts side saddle putting stroke wintering in Florida.  It serves him well as he takes home chunks of the Pot all summer long.

Chimney turns over his ladders and brushes to his son and concentrates on his first loves golf and gambling.  He plays in all the week day Pot Games and becomes Week Day Commish.

Dicky Mac laid enough carpet during off season to allow him to play the most golf of his career.  He worked his handicap low enough so he was a Captain most of the summer.  But he still didn't like his teams.

Otis read a book over the winter called "Length Is Over Rated".  He bought it because he thought it was about a different subject other than golf.  But he did put the theories in the book to good use winning lots of Pot money, although it did look weird to see him tee off on the par 5s with a 7 iron.

Skrocki used his fruit picking skills to land a winter job in Colorado hand pruning Marijuana plants.  He made enough money to buy himself new clubs and a few dozen almost new golf balls.

Brett started training his daughter to hit the ball hard the minute she could walk so whether it will be golf or softball she is assured of a full scholarship.

Dr Dave spent most of the winter in warm Florida working on his game.  But a visit to see The Villages ruined his season when he hurt his shoulder.  He tumbled out of a former absent minded Pot Gamer's golf cart when they ran over a gator. 

Dougie ran his fifth Annual Vt Road Trip Invitational.  He of course won as usual, although he claimed it had nothing to do with having Mad Dog, NNN and Mini on his team.

Rama hired a Labor Attorney to negotiate his new employment contract with the Big House.  By the permanent smile on his face and the fact he played in every Pot Game, I would say it was worth it.

He's Been Busy

Weeks ago a Pot Game legendary figure passed away after a long battle with the big "C".  He leaves a huge void especially in the social setting on the deck post round where he held court in his booming whisper voice while consuming a libation or three.  He went by Deacon.  When the Gazette tried to nickname him "Big Al", he sent a email to the editor saying his name was "Deacon"period....

This remembrance is long over due but trying to sum a such a complicated figure in a few paragraphs proved to be harder than we thought.  However a recent news event gave us inspiration to put words on paper (or Web page).  Tiger has chipping yips.  When we watched him on TV all we could think of was that somehow Deacon had convinced the "Man UpStairs" to bless Tiger with his chipping stroke.  The flubs, blades and chunks are all classic Deacon moves.  We are not sure how he did it but we are convinced he had a hand in Tiger (who he despised) getting the yips.

Deacon's lived a colorful life which gave him a endless supply of stories, all of which he was happy to share with Pot Gamers especially newbies.

Like the one about how he kicked a handcuffed suspect down a flight of stairs because he had spit at him and for several hours thought he had killed him.....

Like when he was a Bail Commissioner he sent a hippie to jail for the weekend because he didn't like the way he looked even though he had only J walked....

Like when he got mad when nobody signed up for his "Gold Game" tournament and he went down stairs and ripped up the sign up sheet swearing all the way....

Like when he borrowed some demo Titleist irons from Mad Dog and was still trying them out 12 years later....

Like when he cleared the deck of a young Mother and her children in less than 90 seconds when he boomed out a few F Bombs as he was settling in for a Mich Light....

Like when he would consume multiple Mich Lights then pop a half a packet of Listerine tabs into his mouth and head off to Saturday afternoon Mass to read some scripture....

Like when he would fret over who he should invite with the secret handshake to fill out the last couple of spots for his beloved Invitational....

And on and on he would go...

His answer to everything he liked was "That's Big".  Well Mr Al aka Deacon we all think you were "Big" and we will miss you.