Rain, rain, go away!

I am writing this blog on an evening in which I am contemplating building an ark. I am home because my daughter’s ball practice is cancelled tonight…two days after a game was postponed because of rain. I am looking at the online weather reports and hoping we don’t get the weather that is being forecasted. I am not overly optimistic.

I should quickly apologize. Lately, this blog seems to be more about weather than golf. I know that the crappy conditions outside aren't life or death for me. I recognize also that there are people whose livelihood depends on good weather.  But for many of us, golf is an important part of that work / life balance. During the summer, I look forward to Wednesdays more than Fridays.  Many of us are happiest when Mens’ Night is warm and sunny, sad when it is rainy, and grateful on nights like last night when at least you could at least dress warmly and play.

I mistakenly said during March break that I would try to stop complaining about the weather. Unfortunately, that was nine weeks ago. This prolonged poor weather is getting old fast. I can’t even remember the last time I golfed on a really nice day. I think that it may have been early September of last year…which was eight months ago.

Despite the les than stellar conditions, 29 guys showed up for Mens’ Night this week. The best thing about the increased numbers is that it results in more carry-overs for skins, leading to bigger prizes down the road. With a higher number of players, only three skins were won – Rob Anderson / Jason Gorrel ($20 on #1), Neuf / Sport ($20 on #5), and Dan Stokes / Terry McTavish ($20 on #7).  Neuf split the deuce pot with Darcy Kowalchuk and Brad Benton. Neuf and Jamie McCutchin were closest on #5 and #9 respectively.

I have to sign off now. My dog needs to go for a walk. Fortunately, it will be quick. She hates the rain too.

Don’t forget that the Lions’ tournament is next weekend. It should be a fun day. I checked the long range forecast and it isn’t supposed to snow.

Windy Wednesday

It was a windy Wednesday for those that attended Mens' Night. I will get to that shortly...but first a few thoughts about today's weather.

 

Writing on this golf blog is sort of like golfing itself. Sometimes I am eager to do it and I put other things aside to make it a priority. On other occasions, it is something to do just to pass the time while I am waiting for something else. I hope today is the latter…although I need the weather to cooperate a bit.

This morning I woke up enthusiastically, albeit earlier than expected because my dog likes to mess with me. My enthusiasm was borne from the prospect of golfing all day. Then I just looked at the forecast for today, for tomorrow, and the next week. If you are prone to profanity, I would recommend not looking at the Environment Canada site for Shoal Lake while in the presence of children. I am now uncertain whether I should dig out my rain suit for some golf or perhaps get some lumber and start building an ark.

I guess my enthusiasm can shift to our next Mens’ Night, when potentially our friends and neighbours in the farming and agricultural business might be able to join us.

Or, I can enthusiastically look back to this past Wednesday, when we had 23 golfers out for Mens’ Night.  On an extremely windy evening when the low round was just 41, only three skins were won.  Phil Ostash and I claimed $20 on #1 while Scottie Maynes and Milt teamed up for two winners ($21 on 5, $20 on 7).  Mr. Maynes had good fortune all around, hitting it closest to the pin on #5 and splitting the $34.50 deuce pot with Jamie McCutchin. The other closest to the pin was recorded by Brad Benton on #9, putting it to inside of three feet before missing the birdie.

This week, I had the pleasure of golfing with Jamie, Brad, and Garry Williamson, who apparently had to come out to deter Benton from heckling him. We golfed behind four Ostash’s. I was impressed with the care and time that each of those four took in lining up every putt, no matter how short. I mistakenly thought slow, deliberate golfing was a Milt thing. Now I understand that it is a family trait.

The future looks bright

I have some predictions about this year’s Mens’ Night…but before I get to that, I need to briefly mention what happened on the golf course.

During our first round of the season, nineteen golfers showed up after a long winter of hibernation. Skins went on five holes, including those won by Neuf and Gorrell ($20 on #1), Dale Watson and Blake Cramer ($23.50 on #3), and Jamie McCutchins and Dan Stokes ($20 on #4). Benton and Butch teamed up for two winners ($20 on #2 and $20 on $7). Brad was closest on #5 while Dwayne Blackbird hit it tight on #9. Brad and Dwayne split a $60 deuce pot with me. The only news that anyone offered were a few stories about how Robin and Brad argued about gimmies.

So back to my foretelling of the future of Mens’ Night. I have gazed into my crystal ball to make some predictions about the 2013 season. They are as follows:

• There will be two hole-in-ones recorded...including one on a par 4.
  Sadly, neither ace will be recorded by Dale Watson or Robin Kimpinski.
• Someone will make a cash bet with a playing partner and show poor
  sportsmanship later when they collect their winnings.
• Five people will throw clubs from the eight tee box into the swampy
  wasteland adjacent to it. One of them will go in to find their lost club,
  only to find one tossed their by Chris Hrysak during a previous season.
• Milt will talk to himself at length after hitting a shot which causes
  him displeasure.
• Many of you will buy Weber barbecues from John Deere after seeing how well your steaks cook on our new grill.
• Someone will shoot a max score of 63 on nine holes. Two golfers have been close at 61, including a poor guy this past Wednesday.
• Ron Huberdeau and Ron Susinski will get into a fist fight in the middle
  of a round while arguing about who is more handsome.
• On a windy day in late July, Luke Funk will hit the lake with his tee
  shot from #2.
• Jason Gorrell's scoring will improve by 3-4 strokes per nine hole round
  based upon the elimination of his super slice.
• On one mens' night early in the season, Clayton Hunter will register a score which is less than half his age.
• Brad Swereda will win the ringer board with a score of -8.
• Scott Maynes will tell someone his round wasn't that great after shooting a 38.
• On the same evening, Wes will tell someone he lit it up after shooting a
  38.
• Every night someone other than Benton wins the deuce pot, he will yell "Throw it back" as they try to claim their prize.
• Jason Hunter will follow a score of 51 one week with a 36 the next week.
• We will play on a night in which the lightning will be dangerously
  close. While no one will be struck, we will tell stories to our
  grandchildren about how brave we were playing in those conditions.
• John Gill will smile and be friendly after every round, regardless of
  his score or the weather conditions.
• Neuf will say the "F-word".
• I will hit someone 150 yards away with a low flying golf ball hit from a
  pitch mark by a 3 wood...similar to what I did last year.

Mens' Night 2013 starts Wednesday

 

 

After a winter that requires no description or further attention, Mens' Night begins this Wednesday. All of the same elements continue as last year, including weekly skins and the ringer board.

 

The blog will be updated on a weekly basis...some times right away...and occasionally not until Sunday. The speed of the update depends on how busy I am with other things and what the weather is like.

 

The links on the left side of the page have been updated...including the skins for this week.

Seven holes were won during our last round of 2012, so only two holes are carried over. There is a nice hole-in-one prize of $1241.50 if anyone gets lucky.

 

During the course of the season, feel free to update me on unique things that happen within your group. Great shots, thrown clubs, and feats of strength are always worth noting.

 

Hopefully, we will see you all on Wednesday...when the forecast is 20 C and sunny. I golfed a bit this evening and the course is in really good shape. We are aiming for a 6:30 pm tee off time for the first few weeks.