2010

 Gentlemen

Just when The Committee began to feel a bit jaded about it all, thinking that it was too much trouble, too much work, not enough return on effort expended, something like the 20th Annual comes along and reminds us why we do this to ourselves and each other every fall. It was, in The Committee's humble estimation, a wonderful event, some might even say magical, but then we would know they had spent too much time with Joe LaBarge or Jerry Snyder.

Attendance at 28 was beyond initial expectations and composed of all veterans.  Everyone was excited to welcome back the now privately engaged S. Pruss after a notable absence occasioned by his civic responsibilities. The return of Mr. Grumpy (sorry, I mean Adams) and Mr. DiDonato for their second try was also welcome and appreciated. It seemed the long trip North to new and untested courses and lodgings did little to deter the tribe from signing up.

 As for those courses, the Thursday opener at Forest Dunes was a stunner, with sand, pines, bentgrass and waste areas doing their best to make it feel like we were somewhere in the Carolinas. A testament to the attraction of this course was the fact that 20 boyz decided to come early. The Forest Dunes experience was marred only by the sight of so many of us wandering the waste areas, looking forlorn and lost, wondering how we got there in the first place and wondering if we had the game to get out. A wonderful golf experience and thanks to Chairman Moss of the Thursday Committee for making it happen.

 The Garland courses were, in the judgment of The Committee, playable, fair, beautiful for the most part, and offered a wide variety of challenges, from the white tees on Friday on Monarch to the tips on Saturday on Fountains. We saw deer, bald eagles, cute drink cart ladies, some rain, some wind, some beautiful Northern Michigan sunshine, and generally were well served by the golf gods Friday-Sunday. Some (who shall remain nameless) complained that playing from the tips as we did Saturday is punitive, and, depending on who was doing the complaining it was because either (a) too long for the poor C and D players who can't hit the ball more than 125 yards (although we did not hear this from any C or D player) or (b) did not allow the highly skilled and serious golfers (who?) to "play their whole bag" or (c ) required all long iron or fairway wood/hybrid shots into the greens which was "really hard". In response, and in full and unequivocal defense of the Golf Committee, The Committee can only respond that those of you who feel this way should stop whining, recall why the Scramble Championship is as worthy a prize as it is, and focus on the fact that the Scramble Championship played from the tips is a true and revealing test of all the golf virtues that WACOFF stands for: Creativity in strategy and shot making, resilience in the face of adversity, inspirational and effective leadership, cooperation and collaboration amongst team members, and remembering when it is time to order the Bloody Marys. Those who master these skills deserve to have their name on the Trophy.

 Kudos and congratulations to the winners of the competition events, some expected some not so expected:

Friday Two Man Best Ball AB  D. Harding D. Holefca

Friday Two Man Best Ball CD: M. Keyes and S. Pruss

Friday Four Man Three Ball- P. Coughenour, C. Brown, R. Palmer, T. Guerriero

SCRAMBLE CHAMPIONSHIP:
JIM COUGHENOUR, JOE LABARGE, RICK DIDONATO, TIM GUERRIERO 68  (by a shot over PCoughenour and company, who could have stolen this with a par on 18)

 Sunday A- Tim Adams

Sunday B- JF Stimson (funniest guy at WACOFF)

Sunday C- Gary Voshel (by tiebreaker over R. DiDonato)

Sunday D- Tim Guerriero

 Sunday AB Parimutuel-J. F. Stimson Sunday CD Parimutuel- Gary Voshel

　As for lodging and related events, the boyz seemed to be quite taken with the Hills of Lakeview, particularly the namesake view and the overall ambience of the place. The food was quite pleasant, particularly the filet mignon with Holefca Morel Sauce on Saturday night.  The main complaint heard was that the facility did not have ESPN to satisfy the NCAA football junkies amongst us. The Committee will pledge to not overlook that necessity in the future. The Committee feels badly that some were relegated to housing at Garland (see: Attendance greater than expectations above), but they seemed to survive well enough, and were most likely happy to have an excuse to leave early Saturday night to sleep.

 As for extracurriculars, The Committee notes that this year's version of the Shootout, whilst not particularly drawing the fevered attention of the throng due to competing with the last five minutes of Michigan-Notre Dame game, was actually a blast to watch. Who would have bet that of approx. 50 balls shot to a reasonably large landing area 110 yards downhill from an elevated tee, most using wedges and 9 irons, only about 6 balls actually hit the mark? See item (c) above in relation to the Scramble and "let me hit my short irons to the green". When it comes to golf gentlemen, it seems we are definitely getting older, not better! The Deke Memorial club toss was also a tour de force, Paul C using the elevated tee for all it is worth. He got the club closer to the green than 50% of the balls that were hit!

 The sentimental moment of the event was probably the WACOFF XX video presentation. It seemed to catch the spirit and history of the thing without being too over the top, and the boyz seemed to appreciate the years and history we have together. For the 25th, The Committee will hire Scorcese to do a full length docu-drama.

 All in all, time well spent, company well kept, humor well enjoyed, games well played and words well spoken. A happy and productive (as you choose to define it) year ahead to you all, till next we gather.

YrObtSvts

THE COMMITTEE