7/4/2009

RSG Cincinnati 2009 -- Did it really happen?

            I think there will always be a question surrounding this year’s event:  Did it actually happen?  How can you prove it happened?  I seemed to have lost my digital camera and typical shutter bugs like Rob Pyle and David Sneddon did not snap a single shot of which I am aware.  So, if people travel great distances to play golf and no one takes any pictures did it really happen? 
            I moved the dates of the event this year from mid July to late June in a (vain) attempt to avoid some of the heat and humidity that is rampant during the mid summer and my tradition July dates here in Cincinnati.  My plans were thwarted by Mother Nature as it was typically hot and brutally humid for much of the weekend, especially on Friday.  However, as I sit and type this the forest is for the high 70s and humidity in the 40% range so I think we just got unlucky with the weather.  Of course, no water fell from the sky during the event so I don’t think it was a bad trade. 
            I have to say from my perspective as the host this was the most disorganized I have ever been.  There were a number of minor details that slipped through the cracks and a few things that were completed only at the last minute.  I was very lucky to be assisted by my co-host, Nick “SMOG” Mock, who was invaluable in doing some things that I just plain did not have time to do. 
            Now, on to the report………

Prelude
            You will not find many descriptions of actual golf in this report.  Personally, I find descriptions of golf – “I hit a 4 iron with a slight cut to the back right pin” or “The putt was a triple breaker downhill”, etc – incredibly boring.  Golf is not a game to be described like baseball but rather a game to be played and experienced. 

Friday – Warming Up
            I rolled out of bed early on Friday morning and staggered to the kitchen to start the coffee.  No power.  Crap!  A big thunderstorm had gone through the area the night before and knocked out the electricity.  Luckily, I had some iced coffee made in the fridge and a gas hot water heater so coffee and a shower were still possible.  Luckily, the course we were playing is only about 10 minutes from my house and a breakfast run was easy.  The McDonalds’ drive through lane was packed as was the lobby.  Clearly, I was not the only one without power.  I have to admit I really enjoy a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit every now and then.  Plus, I need the calories. 
            One of my favorite moments of any RSG event is driving up to the golf course on Friday morning and looking for my friends.  I only get to see most of these people once a year so it is a real treat.  Climbing out of the car I renewed acquaintances with Joe Darmogray, Gary Hayenga, the King Brothers, Mark George, and a host of other friends.  Handshakes and hugs were shares all around. 
            We played The Vineyard on Friday morning– a Mike Hurdzan design that opened back in the late 1980s.  I just saw that this course was rated the best municipal course is all of Ohio by Golf Digest.  I play at this course a lot since it is only a few minutes from my house.  It is very walkable with only two hills of any significance, a good mix of holes, and is usually in excellent shape.  I played with Meryl Freeman, John King, and Joe Darmogray.  Meryl is quite a good player and was hitting some monster drives.  We men were joking with her that she was going to have to start giving the three of us shots in a match since she was hitting the ball so far.  After a particularly good drive on the 8th hole we informed her that she would be giving us 8 shots on the back nine just to make things fair.  It was a hard fought match but we ended up winning 4&3.  Hehehe. 
            Traditionally, Friday afternoon golf is always held at my father’s club, O’Bannon Creek GC.  Dave “Thor” Collard jokingly refers to it as the Humidity Vortex of the Universe which has certainly been true in years past and this year continued in that tradition.  There is just something about the place that seems to collect the heat and directly it right at you.  I know of at least one person who quit early due to the heat.  The official packet SPECIFICALLY mentions dehydration I should point out.  I was paired with Fred Stulka, who I had not seen or golfed with in years, and Joe Conte, one of my favorite playing partners of all time.  It was a most enjoyable round with lots of good natured ribbing, trash talking, and camaraderie.  The only thing missing was good golf except for a few holes here and there. 
            Normally for dinner each night we find some local watering hole and belly up to the tables for dinner and drinks.  This year, however, a new tradition was started.  John “Mother of God” Mock graciously hosted a cookout at his house for all of the golfers and pretty much anyone else who wanted to attend.  The food was outstanding – home made bratwurst, raised corn on the cob, guacamole and more.  Rob Pyle and Mark Georg brought a variety of delicious home brewed beer to share, as well.  It was a great way to end a day of golf.

Saturday – Tournament Day
            As is typical on tournament day, I woke up quite early in order to get to the course.  Thankfully, the power was back on so I had electricity (and coffee).  I had also packed the car the night before with everything I needed so there wasn’t much rushing around prior to leaving the house.  The rushing around, of course, would happen once I got to the course.  Unloading the car, settling up all the greens fees (which I should have done ahead of time), handing out scorecards, putting on sunscreen and a variety of other little things took all of my available time prior to my tee time.  Then, the started called us to the tee about five minutes early.  It worked out fine, however.  I took a drink of Jura from my flask, thought about my trip to Scotland [1], and striped one down the left center of the fairway. 

[1] Yes, Tom Yost.  I’m working on that write up as well.  Geez.

The Winners
            The 2009 RSG Cincinnati Women’s Division Champion:  Meryl Freeman!  Meryl accumulated 30 net modified Stableford points to win the first ever Women’s Division Championship.  She took home the Pink Brick Trophy to proudly display in her office, bathroom, or the back seat of her car. 
            The 2009 RSG Cincinnati Supreme Golfer (Gross):  John “Sparky” King!  John accumulated 20 modified Stableford points on a course he had never played before.  John received The Jug which he will keep until next year’s event and will be able to inscribe with his name.  A win this year made John a three time winner of the gross division.  The King Brothers finished 1-2 with older brother William finishing just 6 points behind.   Keith Torrance was in third place just a couple points behind William.  Full final gross results: 

            Finally, announcing the 2009 RSG Cincinnati Champion golfer, winner of the Red Brick Trophy, is:  John “Mother of God” Mock!  John accumulated a staggering 46 net modified Stableford points.  He earned 30 of those points in a five hole stretch in the middle of the round that where he was +2 including a kick-in birdie on one of the most difficult holes on the course.  In second place was Rob Pyle with 38 net points, followed by Keith Torrance, again just a couple of points behind.  Full net standings are:

Other Prizes
            Closest to the Pin #5 winner: Keith “Super Scot” Torrance.  I was also on the card but beaten by Keith.
            Long Drive #8 winner:  John “Sparky Spanked It” King.  John was in the first group with me and just nuked his dive so no one else got to put their name on the card.
            Closest to the Pin #14 winner:  William “Bill-O” King. 
            Long Drive #15 winner:  William “Bill-O” King preceded by Mark Georg, John “Mother of God” Mock, and David Sneddon. 

The Aftermath
            More golf was played on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday.  As before, I won’t bore you with details of what shots were hit and who won what match.  I will, however, mention that Team Bones (Chris Titschinger and me) defeated Team Meat (Rob Pyle and Mark Georg) in a Saturday afternoon match. 

Epilogue
            Thanks to everyone who came to the event this year especially Fred Stulka and Meryl Freeman, both rookies this year.  Thanks to Nick “SMOG” Mock for helping out with the host duties.  Thanks to EVERYONE who attended.  It sounds trite but you are the people who make this event so much fun and are the reason that organize it every year. 

Next Year
            2010 will be the tenth year of RSG Cincinnati.  Right now I have it tentatively planned for June 25, 26, and 27th.  That is the week after the US Open at Pebble Beach.  I have a couple things planned but either way I plan properly celebrating the first decade.   

4/4/2009

The Ninth Year -- June 26 - 28 (Friday through Sunday)

Here we go again!

It's hard to believe this is the ninth year of my get together but here we are.

There are a few details to finalize but the courses are all set. There is more information on the Events Page but here is a quick summary:

Friday: For the morning, 18 holes at The Vineyard, one of the top munis in the area and designed by Mike Hurdzan. Then in the afternoon 18 holes at O'Bannon Creek sometimes known as the humidity vortex of the universe.

Saturday: Lassing Pointe Golf Course. The morning round will be the official Tournament round followed by 18 holes of more social golf in the afternoon. I may try and set up some team event in the afternoon to make it interesting but I'm not sure at this point. The format of the Tournament will be Modified Stableford as it has been in years past.

Sunday: Elks Run GC. This Greg Norman course was the site of the 2007 RSG Cincinnati Tournament round. It is quite an interesting course with a lot of variety. There might be an "emergency 18" after the Sunday morning round.

Not that you do not have to play in all of the rounds to attend. Heck, you don't have to play at all. If you just want to show up and have a drink and a bite to eat that would be great.

I'll have more information coming soon with recommended hotels, the final sign up form, dinner spots, and directions.

If you have any questions please drop me an email and I'll get back to you ASAP.