GIANT EAGLE CLASSIC 

SQUAW CREEK COUNTRY CLUB

VIENNA, OH

My player this week is Charlotta Sorenstam

Monday: I'll be looking for a bag this week but not worried. Shouldn't be a problem. Heard a few more of my compadres bit the dust last week.  No plans for Evian and The British but have Jill McGill for Toledo.

There is a double Pro-Am at Squaw Creek, morning and afternoon, so the qualifier will be held at Trumble Country Club.

Rooms are in short supply due to the beginning of the local county fair (nice scheduling) and a few caddies failed to make reservations. Good luck!

I'm staying at the Super 8 along with many other caddies. Our favorite watering hole, The Station Square Restaurant is adjacent to the motel which avails a direct route from barstool to bed if the need arises. This is where the veterans have a distinct advantage over the rookies in knowing where to stay.

The link on my home page for the BMO Softball Pics will should be operating shortly. It's a large upload and I plan on using the Hampton's Wi-Fi

Tuesday: Played 18 with the defending champion Rachel Teske and almost had the course to ourselves. With yesterday's Pro-Am and today's Best Buy Pro-Am in Minnesota, there aren't many players left to practice today.

One of the retired loopers, Jeremiah O'Malley, showed up at The Station Square and old war stories were on the menu. It's a amazing how good his memory is after all these years and many gallons of Budweiser. 

Wednesday: If you have been on the edge of your seats regarding Deeogee the Canadian hound, fear not. She made it across the boarder without a hitch. It seems she was a replacement for a pooch Mike bought last year that developed hip problems. All her papers were in order and is now in the States. She is answering to the name Zoie, so that may stick.

A couple hours of practice interspersed with a few rain delays was the extent of our day. Our annual rib feast is scheduled for this evening with Montgomery Inn providing the main attraction. If you ever visit the Cincinnati area a stop at one of their eateries is a must. They also ship ribs around the globe so you might want to take that route for a taste.

Thursday: Sorry for the delay in updates. This motel has only 3 outside lines and my IE became unstable and had to reformat again.

A repeat of yesterday's nasty weather was forecast but never materialized. Our Pro-Am group consisted of some fireworks moguls, their son and a ringer. Matt, the ringer, hit the ball as if out of a cannon. His average tee shot carried over 300 yards and what usually is a practice round for the pro turned into pitch and putt. This team won yesterday but came up a couple shots short in today's competition.

We were enlightened with the expanse of their fireworks biz, subtle braggadocio, which included a little name dropping and an invite for Lotta to stay at their new 17,000 square foot home next year. But when it came time for a  little compensation at the end of the day for my effort, the pockets were deep and the arms short. Tipping is not a city in China!

Lotta reminisced about the time, back in 1984 at age 11, she tried to caddy in a men's event in Sweden. Sitting in the caddy pen was another young lady named Fanny also looking for her first pro bag. Both got a bag and went on to notable careers. Lotta became a professional golfer and Fanny the caddy for Nick Faldo. Small world.

Pat Chetian, caddy chairperson of years past, had a few caddies over for dinner with Dave Baker  as the celebrity guest. Good food and conversation ensued with laughter and other peoples expense the norm. Just your typical caddy  assemblage.

Friday: A disappointing +3 for today's round puts us well back in the pack. Need to bring it tomorrow. A flurry of birds would be welcomed to make up for the only one we had today. 

Saturday: A two hour rain delay had the field finishing with little light to spare.

It was more of the same for us and down the road was the result. Too many putts and the birds never came to compensate for our miscues.