*********************

2005

Gentlemen:

From all reports the recently concluded Fifteenth Annual Invitational was a winner.  Fabulous weather, old friends and new, challenging golf, palatable food and copious amounts of ale with which to wash it down, all infused with an energy level reminiscent of our lost youth.   Perhaps it was the fact that the Thursday golfers didn't blow their collective energy wad on the first night, perhaps it was the comfort of returning to a familiar place, perhaps it was the revitalizing effect of having a few new participants, but in any event the spirit, enthusiasm and energy which has always been the hallmark of the WACOFF experience was omnipresent.  Whatever it was, it was great to see, feel, hear and taste.        

Some noteworthy events on and off the course deserve mention:  Paul Nielsen is forging his own mini-dynasty of sorts to challenge the Coughenour clan, leading his Egret team (Pavle, LaBarge and Baran) to victory in the Scramble Championship, his second in three years.   That Egret was successful should come as no surprise to anyone who saw Nielsen playing Friday where he broke his own WACOFF record for low gross by pounding Stonehedge South with a 74.  We were told that the Scramble victory was fueled by a private beverage cart, the proprietor of which was paid by Labarge to ignore the other teams on the course. The strategy clearly worked, and despite vocal after match complaints by the Jay team, The Committee was not able to identify any Rule of Golf which was breached by Egret.  Congratulations to Team Egret and particularly to Nick Pavle for capturing gold in his rookie WACOFF appearance and to Andrew for finally getting his name on the Cup after 15 years (and winning the Long Drive as well!).  Bretz and Stimson can only sigh and hope for next year. The Committee was especially proud (and hopefully Guerriero managed to channel our sense of pride on Saturday night after dinner) of the virtually bogey free thrashing all seven teams gave to Yarrow from the tips on Saturday.  By their nature WACOFF's love to whine and complain at every opportunity, but the intensity and resoluteness displayed by all the teams in the face of  every one of the 7005 Yarrow yards played Saturday (and for the later groups some fiercesome wind) bought all of you some time in heaven.   Well done to all. 

The Saturday shootout was a beer fueled blast (you all emptied the half keg which was brought to No. 6 tee in less than 35 minutes!).   It was a pleasure to watch Marshal carry Paul C on his broad shoulders to victory with some clutch putting under pressure.  (And there is no pressure like having to hole a 5 footer in front of 27 drunk smart asses sitting around the green dissing everything that moves).  Move over Brad Faxon.  Full results, statistics and pix will find their way to wacoff.org soon and you can spend the winter either basking in your glory or replaying the shots that should have been but weren't.  Either way, some good memories were carved this weekend.  Thanks to all the Sub-Committees for their assistance and dedication, including Ron and David Hardesty (Shirts, Poetry, Photos), Randy Moss (Thursday),  Chuck Brown (ShootOut), Marshal Hyman (Prizes), John Stimson (Archives), Joe Mantey (Skins), Jim Coughenour and Dennis Holefca (Parimutuel) and last but certainly first in our hearts and swings, Paul Coughenour (Golf and Competition).  You guys are the heart and soul of the whole operation.

The Committee is already hard at work on the Sixteenth.  Consideration is being given to the dates for next year, with the only certainty being that we will NOT do another August weekend and we will NOT do Yarrow.  The choices seem to be either a return to the traditional September date (first weekend after Labor Day) in Michigan or maybe a May trip somewhere south.  If you have a preference or suggestion, let The Committee know soon.  It is a privilege and a pleasure to be of service to you boyz.  May we shine for years to come.

Yr.Obt.Svts.

THE COMMITTEE