Old Guys Rule (Again)

In case you didn't hear Gilhooley won his Presidents Cup match over his much younger opponent. That's another major championship for a JR/SR. Not bad for a bunch of guys who can't hit it more than 200 yards off the tee. It is tough to beat wily old vets. I learned that a long time ago in many Old Pal matches.

A few of us tried to play yesterday, but became fair weather golfers when it started to rain. We quit after four holes. Besides it wasn't much fun sloshing around out there. We need for it to quit raining for a few days so the course can drain and dry. I don't know if the rain we encountered while out to dinner last night hit the course, but if so, then there may not be carts for a couple of days.

See ya at Happy Hour.

In The Mud

Well the Mars Vs Venus, previously know as the Pig Open was held Sunday under pretty pig -like conditions. Lots of wet fairways and muddy areas to be sure. In fact we were allowed to use lift , clean and place (cheat). Now I don't know about the rest of you, but I think that is a pretty big advantage if you're from Mars. Needless to say the trophy remains in our locker room for another year. I won't say this win wasn't without some tense momments. OTR and I had to go to the last hole, and win it for a tie. It is really tough to give a total of 65 strokes and win. We were fortunate to hang and get the split. And, I heard one team did lose. Give the opponents credit. They came to play.

I walked around the #2 lake last evening and noted a couple of things. First, the lake level is up a bit after all the recent rain. Actually think I detected some water movement at the inlet pipe from #6. Second, it wasn't as wet as I expected. There is still water some water sitting around, but the wind does really help dry things out. Third, I only found one ball. I don't know what has happened but there haave been a lot fewer balls in the water or the pro shop ran a sale on retrievers. I can't imagine the quality of play has improved that much. Remember there is still time to lose a lot of balls.

Maybe we can play today. I know we are supposed to get showers, but none yet. Hope to see ya at the training table

Mars vs. Venus

Sunday is the Mars vs. Venus tournament (the mixed closing event) with the pig roast to follow with the presentation of the coveted "Pig Trophy" to the winning team. This is the second year for the competition. The women are plotting various ways of beating us after being shellacked last year. Now I don't know what the final outcome is going to be, but I do know we should be prepared for some spirited competition. I expect there will be a lot of mouth wedging going on. So be prepared. I have no doubt we will prevail. After all, the JR/SRS are masters at the mouth wedge and used to all the distractions we throw at each other. I doubt if there is anything we haven't seen or heard.

Twinkle Toes and I attended the TDGA Fall Advisory Meeting held at Hantz Golf Club (formerly Tecumseh Country Club). Not much new from the TDGA, but the 2012 tentative schedule is out and BCC will host the US Open qualifier again on May 15, 2012. Everyone was very impressed with BCC and was eager to return. It was interesting to note every club present has had to deal with loss of revenue and members. There is no magic solution out there. Almost everyone present has had some kind of discounted membership incentive to attract new members. Success rates vary since we are all dealing with a finite universe. Almost everyone said they were trying to attract non golf members with the hope of turning them into regular members in the future. We should be really thankful for great food and swimming at BCC.

Tuesday saw 5 of us tee it up and have a skins game. I think TTS was the only one "Oscar Meyered". It's hard to split $5.00 four ways. A couple of close calls on the SOTD but no winners. The pot is now North of $300.00.

There's a big outing today, rain and all. It can't be much fun out there. Plus it isn't very warm. Personally happy to be sitting inside and gazing out the window.

A Break Through

Finally TTS and I were able to break the stranglehold of the SD and GWH. Saturday we were able to win some of our money back (3 bets). It would have been more but the GWH ran in a monster putt on 18 to make a 5 for 3 (aka a Shang). It would probably been worse but he had been hunting the previous week and didn't recognise his clubs for 17 holes. The next time you see him ask him how to field dress a mouse. Better yet. Ask him how he managed to shoot it with a bow.

Congats to Dr. J. on his Old Pal win. Don't know the details but I'm sure it was an epic battle with his opponents (which included OTR). Next up is Gilhooley in the finals of the Presidents Cup. Not bad for a bunch of old guys to be in the finals of two major club events.

Speaking of club events the Mars vs Venus is this weekend. The crew from Venus (aka our wifes) are making a lot of noise about taking the pig trophy back. I don't really think that is likely, but we need to make sure they don't. Get a patner and call the Pro Shop and sign up. They even think a match play format is to their advantage. Little they know we cut our golf teeth playing that way.

I'm sitting here looking out the window at an outing playing in the rain. I can't imagine that is a lot of fun, but certainly good for the coffers of the club.

Here's an update on the memorial bench. We have $250 donated to date. I talked with Eric last week and he his having a little difficulty locating a suitable bench. Most he has found are all metal and really won't suit our needs. Plus, he got distracted by the weather and the Toledo Open. He has more time to look now and should have answer later this week.

Thought the greens were great over the weekend. Firm, smooth and fast. I expect they will remain that way until the fall aerification (probably early October). According to Eric the work done on 2 & 15 is the approach that will be used on the other greens. The use of deep tining with hot sand is really starting to show benefits. The surface composition is much closer to where he wants it and doesn't require coring. As a consquence the healing process is much qicker. And, I think we're all for that.

See ya at the training table.

The Ottoman Moved!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Last Tuesday night I "kicked " the ottoman in our bedroom on the way to the bathroom and probably broke my middle toe. If I didn't break it should have been the way it turned black and blue and hurt Needless to say it had an impact on my golf game, to the point I dropped out of the inter club at HMGC. In retrospect the same should have been true for the JPK. TZ and I had some serious problems on a couple of holes and decided a WD was in our best interest. Besides it made the field even for Sunday. My toe seems to be healing quickly and I'll probably play tomorrow.

I took my dad to MGM casino in Detroit yesterday. I'm still amazed at the number of slot machines they have. the really amazing part was the size of the crowd for a Monday. He won and I didn't, story over. It's surpising how much you can lose on the penny slots. Still at 87 he enjoys going and is a pretty good blackjack player. I'm sure we'll make the trip again.

The weather looks like it will be fall like for a few days and probably good for golf. With all this wind the course should be drying out. Maybe they can cut the rough since it was pretty brutal for us mortals over the weekend.

A Matter of Degee(s)

Wow what a switch from Saturday to Monday. Saturday we all wilted in the heat and humidity. Monday we were looking for the wind shirt. Today isn't a whole lot warmer. In fact it really looks like an October day. Gray sky, light wind and a chill in the air. Next thing you know the "leaf rule" will be in effect. And, did you check the rough out. Not a fun place to be.

Saturday saw us call it quits after nine holes. Plays was OK, but everyone was hot and tired and decided to watch the football game while having lunch. Everyone maybe a bit of a stretch - the SD was having his best round in recent memory and really begged to go on. His begging fell on hot , deaf ears though. But, he and the GWH did manage to win $2.00.

Friday couples golf was another hot one. We played well in the string tournament, but couldn't get past the teams with a whole ball of twine. Finished a respectable third, and was happy to come into the A/C. Good meal and cold drinks helped ease the disappointment of finishing just out of the money.

Took Sunday off, but played with OTR and his wife on Monday. We played a little preview of the Mars vs. Venus and took $3.00 off the women. They actually paid off. Couldn't believe my hands were cold on the last hole. I actually put on long pants before we had dinner. Next thing you know I may have to wear socks.

This week is a big one. Senior Inter Club at HMGC on Friday and then the JPK this weekend. Both are always fun, but will be a lot of golf in a short period of time. Hope I have enough golf candy.

See ya at the training table. Oh, almost forgot. We have $230.00 donated towards our memorial bench. Still need a few more contributions to be on the safe side.

Rabbits Were Wrangled, Again

Yep it was Montgomery County Jr Fair time again, and the Rabbit Wrangler had another herd. So the Nurse and I got in the car and headed south. If I didn't know better I would have sworn we hadn't been gone. Everything looked, and smelled the same. The only difference was the rabbits were different and the weather was little cooler. No lightning in a bottle this year. The RW did place 5Th in showmanship in his age group (DFL last year). That was the bright spot. He didn't place in the meat pen category. He had to substitute a rabbit at the last minute due to weight problems (sounds like wrestlers) and that changed the dynamics of the show herd. The only bright spot was we got home earlier since we didn't have to stay for the post show press conference. And, we get to stay home Labor Day and won't have to go to the Champions Sale.

Golf on Tuesday was a lot more fun since we won. TTS found out you really do have to wait until the last minute before setting the teams. I think he made four changes before all was said and done. But, we had a good turnout and a great day weather wise to play. Thursday should be more of the same.

Hard to believe it is the 1st of September and the start of college football this weekend. Go Bucks. See ya at the training table.