Boyne Mountain beckoned, and the Wacoffs appeared, traveling from not so near and indeed quite far to mark the 27th anniversary of our annual autumnal bacchanal.  We were greeted by quintessential Northern Michigan early fall weather, crisp mornings and evenings punctuated (for the most part) by sunlit days of moderate but appropriate temps.  The weather brought out the fashionistas amongst the faithful, with a plethora of sweaters, shorts, pants, rainpants, hats, shirts, vests, raincoats, in every conceivable color, logo, style and fit imaginable.  Most of us have learned to at least look the part of semi-competent golfers if not play like such, but some of us (who shall remain nameless, but The Committee refers you to the pictures on the website for proof) have some way to go in this department.  Perhaps a seminar by John Stimson on sartorial minimums on the course will be in order next year.
As we have often stated, one might think that after 27 years of this event, a certain sameness or “been there done that” attitude might be evident amongst the faithful.  But 2017 had enough novelty, surprises and new twists on old themes to disabuse our boyz of any such thoughts.  Some of the highlights and lowlights of the weekend, in no particular order:

The scene at “Club Oban” on both Friday and Saturday nights as Marshal “Hennie” Hyman hosted and entertained the boyz with his case of high end single malt and his best Poconos stand-up comic routines. Next year he is selling tickets;
The overall level of energy and enthusiasm at Unit 706 on those same nights, with 16-20 of us crowded into a small space, drinking, smoking, drinking, jawing, trash talking, drinking, cheering on Oklahoma, and re-discovering the bonds we have forged over these last decades.  Felt like a biker bar without the fighting; 
The incredible edibles furnished by Randy “Goldfish” Moss, baker extraordinaire.  He couldn’t pass ‘em out fast enough.  I’m mellow, are you mellow?;
The invigorating and growing presence of men of a different and younger generation filling our foursomes and our tables.  What a treat to share this time with sons and nephews of ours and our friends.  It looked they had as good a time as anybody. Please come back;
A fabulous (and fantastical?)  physics lecture delivered at Club Oban by the resident rocket scientist in our midst, Ben Coughenour.  The most amazing thing is that the whole room went quiet and was actually listening (if not necessarily understanding);
The resonant and resounding recitation of The Benediction at Saturday dinner, led by basso profundo Prof. Mann.  That unassuming little verse from 1992 (©B. Goldman) has stood the test of time and unerringly distills the essence of the WACOFF ethos;
The simulated shark skin shirts in primary colors provided by the Shirts, Hats, Fobs and Baubles Sub-Committee this year. When the sun struck us in a certain way, the shirts gave off a subtle shine that made me think of Weak Kneed Wille, Go-Kart Mozart and Big Bones Billie from a Springsteen song about the Jersey shore;  Marvelous togs this year Ron;
The only thing worse than Paul C. having to suffer the indignity of an undeserving hassle from the course Ranger was having to tell and retell the story at least a dozen times, and in each telling having to face anew the fact that the bogey ultimately made by Team Raven on that hole might have been the difference in the Scramble Championship.
On the darker side, the pre-event threats of mutiny and secession by a small group of extremists, obsessively focused on tee designations, threatening the very existence of our merry band.  The Committee was saddened to hear of this insurrection and the piling on that followed.  We suspect that in the future some misbegotten souls will no doubt seek to raise statutes and monuments in (dis)honor of these rebels, despite their treachery.  Let it be boys, its only a game;
All in all, a spectacular weekend.  The competitions were also spirited and well fought.  Here is the breakdown:
THURSDAY -Bay Harbor Links/Quarry
19 showed for the Thursday game.  We were treated to one of the most spectacularly picturesque golf courses in Michigan on the Links course, offering stunning views of Little Traverse Bay and the surrounding area from almost every hole.  One to remember.  The Quarry jarred us back to reality with its steep cliff like fairway edges and ravine carries to almost every hole. The Stableford ended with some of the usual suspects in command:
A/B Flight:
PCoughenour /JStimson                    47 Stableford Pts
DBretz /RMoss                                    36
NGuerriero/JLabarge                         36
NPavle /TBenson                                35
PNeilsen /Voshell                               33

C/D Flight:
DHardesty/JCoon                             37 Stableford Pts
TimG /Mantey                                   35
PhilN /JBretz                                      33
RHardesty /Hyman                           30
Palmer/Mantey                                 26

FRIDAY-Arthur Hills @ Boyne Highlands
While perhaps not as visually stunning as Bay Harbor, the Arthur Hills course was every bit as pleasing and pleasant to play.  Lauded by some as the best overall course of the weekend, the weather gods cooperated fully and offered up another spectacular day for our labors.  The full WACOFF complement went at it hard and furious, with the veteran Glenn Coughenour leading his team to the finish with the assistance of a nice little  87 from B player Tom Benson, who over the course of the weekend (Skins winner twice Friday, Flight winner on Sunday)  cemented his status as the most over-handicapped player of the group.  Given the scores posted, it is hard to fathom why the Paul Coughenour team did not sweep this event, but that is the beauty of this game.  You never can tell.

GCoughenour 92/TBenson 87/PeterC 92/JMantey 112                                2 Man Best Ball = 130
PCoughenour 80/LMann 92/PhilNeilsen 94/JCoon 98                                  2 Man Best Ball = 132
DBretz 86/GVoshell 104/DHolefca 96/DHardesty 107                                  2 Man Best Ball = 135
JStimson 91/SCoughenour 94/TGuerriero 103/MCoughenour 112           2 Man Best Ball = 138
PNielsen 87/RHardesty 97/JLabarge 100/JBretz 110                                     2 Man Best Ball = 139
NGuerriero 83/JCoughenour/94/BPalmer 106/ABaran 129                        2 Man Best Ball = 143
NPavle 93/RMoss 93/BCoughenour 104/MHyman 120                                2 Man Best Ball = 145

FRIDAY SKINS   
TBenson #4 (3/2) and #10 (3/2)
PNeilsen #18 (4/3)

SATURDAY:  WACOFF SCRAMBLE CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE ALPINE @ BOYNE MOUNTAIN
With 7 teams, each with clear strengths on paper, the pundits were all over the place in their prognostications on the outcome of the 27th Annual.  Conditions were excellent, and the course was amenable to going low and every team came in under par.  Conditions were excellent, and the course was amenable to going low and every team came in under par. As it played out, it came down to two teams, as it often does. Team Grosbeak (widely reviled as the worst team nick- name in WACOFF history. WTF is a Grosbeak?) was led by first time Captain Nick Guerriero. The other contender, Team Raven, was led by wily and battle tested veteran Paul C, the winningest Captain in WACOFF history.  Team Grosbeak posted a bogie free 9 under to claim the Trophy from Team Raven by one stroke despite the Blacks putting on an amazing rally and finishing with four straight birdies.  The young Captain delivered birdie opportunities to his team all day as an A player should with pin seeking accuracy and incredible shot making. The senior Guerriero contributed primarily by providing four bottles of Jack Daniels Fireball swing oil in key moments. It was a “no stress, no bogies” day for Team Grosbeak.  It was noted by the Golf Committee that it was the first time that a team that posted an 8 under 64 did NOT win the event. Congratulations to Nick on his fine debut as a WACOFF A and Captain and to the entire Team Grosbeak who made major and significant contributions to the win, including but not limited to a Joe Mantey solo birdie on #3.   The Trophy will return next year for the taking.  
 
SUNDAY:  The Monument at Boyne Mountain
As per usual, Sunday has a tendency to separate the players from the posers, as the effect of the weekend’s festivities begin to show.  An early and chilly start gave way to sunshine and grinding play, with most of us scrambling to stay in play and avoid horrific numbers, with varying success.  Quality will out, and Paul C ran away with A Flight as did Tom Benson and Phil Nielsen in B and C Flight respectively.  Congratulations to Marshal on an outstanding performance in D Flight. Well done Henny.  The Paramutual winners on Sunday (Tom Benson and young Phil Nielsen) revealed the quality of their games and highlighted the major handicap adjustments that will issue in 2018.  
A FLIGHT:
PCoughenour    80/73
DBretz                 87/78
GCoughenour   95/81
PNielsen             93/83
NGuerriero        90/93
NPavle                96/83
JStimson             98/85

B FLIGHT:
TomBenson       86/72 (Parimutual Winner)
LMann                95/77
RMoss                92/78
RHardesty          97/79
JCoughenour     96/81
GVoshell             100/82
SCoughenour    100/84

C FLIGHT:
PhNeilsen           95/75    (Parimutual Winner)
JLabarge             100/81
TGuerriero         104/84
PCoughenour    105/85
BCoughenour    110/90

D FLIGHT:
MHyman            107/81
JCoon                 106/83
MCoughenour  110/84
JBretz                  119/95
JMantey             121/95
 
We finish with kudos and thanks to all who made the event work. Ron Hardesty for delivering duds that proved the maxim its how you look that counts.  To Marshal for performance prizes and Oban, to Joe Mantey for his increasingly competent work on the Friday skins game, to Glenn Coughenour for his masterful management of the paramutual book and a special note of thanks to the Chicago contingent for getting up at 3am to make the 8 hour drive north and for exposing themselves to the Nielsen Honda once more in the name of WACOFF.  Finally, and as always, a special and heartfelt thanks to the Golf Committee in the august personage of Paul Coughenour, for his tireless efforts to select the venues, set the Rules, determine the handicaps and pairings/teams, and conferring on all of us the legitimacy and honor of competitions well waged and victories well earned.  Nobody does it better.

Check out wacoff.net for pictures and information.  An urgent reminder for those of you who have pictures on your phones or elsewhere to please send them to The Committee for posting on our web site. We intend to see each of you next year, venue TBD,  but hopefully one that will please all. Stay well and keep the WACOFF spirit alive in the interim.  
Yr. Obt Svts
THE COMMITTEE