It is a big party at a golf course, with many people (almost 180). The bank brings 60 extra carts so that everyone is assured a seat. Everyone has golf clubs and everyone rides on a golf cart... except, because of the rules, there isn't much serious golf played. That is why the "tournament" (officially "outing") has an "unofficial" scoreboard, and usually recognizes first and last place... if either can be determined and there are more prizes for those who hit a lucky shot, like a closest to the pin, or straightest drive. There are prizes like these on every hole!
The outing ends with a great meal inside the clubhouse. This time, because it was "Cinco de Mayo", a holiday of Mexico, fittingly, the food was Mexican food. Authentic Mexican food. Really good Mexican food! Whose idea was this, Bob Maine's or Mark Russell's? 
Once the tournament, excuse me, "outing" started, Brandie and I spent all day riding around the course taking pictures and talking to the golfers, the aspiring golfers, and party crowd that didn't care if they made a four, or multiples thereof. Some teams were family members, some were company employees or CEO's, and some teams, Jamie masterfully paired up, and I mean this sincerely, because I know that pairing those who do not have a team is not as easy as it sounds, and by what I saw, he put a lot of effort in the process. 
Brandie and I, witnessed some really nice swings, and some not so good ones, and no one seemed to care one way or the other, because you are at a party. As I mentioned, there were prizes on every hole, and the best shot I witnessed was not by someone you would call your daily, serious, championship type golfer. It was the tee shot at the short #10, which ended only a few inches from a hole in one. Jerry Eden was the performer and you could not put a bigger smile on his face. If anyone beat that closest to the pin later, it had to be a fantastic shot!
The worst shot? Many, but one stands out (sorry, can't say who), it was a near miss from the teeing area that traveled exactly 2 feet sideways and spun backwards (Tiger Woods could not do this is if he tried, though lately he seems to hit many bad shots for his caliber of play). The ball was hit perfectly with the toe of the club in a manner that it traveled about 24 inches forward, then spun back and sideways, and ended up resting against the tee marker. A beauty of a perfect lag,l that required a bunch of wasted energy. Did he get mad? No, he just laughed, as did everyone around him. Again, this is a well organized day party hosted at a golf course, and the first and seemingly ONLY RULE is: HAVE FUN!!
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| Wrapping up a long day! |
Now, the tournament, I mean the "outing", has been such a success that there is serious talk of doing two shotgun starts next year. On one hand, participating golfers, would not see a 6+ hour round; on the other hand, it would present the challenge of getting all invited customers together at the end of the event, which is part, or the biggest part of the fun of this particular event. Once golfers leave the place, it will be tough to get them to come back to mingle with others. Tough call here.
I say, think about it. This is a great party, that most everyone, if not everyone, seems to enjoy being part of, just the way it is... Whatever the decision is, see you next year in May!