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My player this week is Laurie Rinker-Graham
Monday: Just missed my goal of not spending any pesos on food
last week. A few of us headed for town for cervazas and dinner before
leaving Morelia. Still got by with spending less than $15.
Went to the main cathedral and it was quite impressive. Unfortunately,
the 6 PM Sunday mass was just beginning and we had to cut our visit short.
Walked around the square for a while than sat down at The Onix Restaurant
for a few cold ones. The menu had an exotic section including such delicacies
as kangaroo, crocodile, wild boar, deer and the piece de resistance,
scorpions in a cream sauce! Danielle Ammaccapane couldn't believe it so Jose our
waiter brought out a jar full. Apparently, they're imported from England
and are non-venomous. Slightly crunchy we're told.
Had dinner next door on the patio of the Best Western and spicy was the
most used adjective to describe our entrees. It was fine with me but a
little too much for some.
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Add another casualty to the list. John Schiffer, Giulia Sergas's
cadero, wrenched his back trying to fetch a rake while still carrying
the bag. One wrong move and you're cooked.
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The transportation to the airport this morning was a classic
cluster you know what! They picked our group up last and, of course, there
wasn't enough room for all the luggage. Golf bags, especially packed
for travel, take a tremendous amount of room. A luggage only van never
showed so the remaining suitcases filled all the empty seats.
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My last memories of the trip to Morelia will be the screaming tykes
seated just behind me on the flight out. A total of four hours in the
air and three of them filled with WAAAAH!
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Dawn Coe-Jones's looper, Jay, had his cell phoned taken from his
luggage at the hotel. Sure, he'll be coming back!
Dumb question of the day; We were boarding the Untied
Express fight from Chicago to Nashville and one of the passengers
asked a gentleman, who was part of the fight crew, "You going to
Nashville too?" DUH! That same gentleman entered the cockpit
passing by a flight attendant. She asked to see his badge and he
didn't respond. Just walked right in. She shrugged her shoulders and
let him pass. Don't you just love the heightened security? I feel
safer already. I go through what is one step shy of an anal exam and
the person flying the plane gets a free ride
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First thing on the agenda is getting the laundry done. The smell
test seems to failing. I may have some spare clothes hidden away. Have
to look.
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This should be a busy week for me off course. Three guys need
computer help. One needs advice on what to buy and the other two on
how to set up their newly acquired purchases.
Tuesday: Cool, wet and windy turned our scheduled 9 AM practice
round to noon and only 9 holes. Played with a well recovered Bernadette
Luce. Fun to work for Rink. We see who will get in the most zingers.
- This will be the last casualty from last week I'm going to mention.
Andy Deardan couldn't work till Thursday cause of an abscessed tooth.
This one has a happy ending though. He was on Carin Koch's bag and
took home the gold.
- Was talking to Natalie Gulbis last week and she mentioned that The
Golf Channel will be following her around in
Williamsburg. I suggested arranging a practice round with The Big Break
Three winner. Should make interesting viewing if she pulls it off.
Wednesday: A few hours of practice and we were done.
- The LPGA has a full time weatherman who posts the day's forecast
each day. Today's was cool and sunny with just a few clouds. When the
rain and hail swept in around noon we wondered which city he was in.
Why is it that a good forecast can turn bad but not the other way
around?
- Jennifer Rosales, who withdrew from last week's event, had to do the
same today for the pro-am. Same wrist problem. This was her 2nd pro-am
withdrawal and cost her a $500 fine. If she does it again, no can
play.
- Great southern hospitality this week. Food in the caddie area was
provided by The Panera Bread Company. Yum!
- The BJ's Charity Championship, on The
Women's Senior Tour, will be a team format. Cindy Rarick will be
playing with Jan Stephenson under the event's provision that the
combined ages of the team must be at least 97 years. I'm not going any
farther with this.
- The Commissioner hosted his annual caddie party which was catered by
Famous Dave's
Barbeque. Ribs, chicken, beer and all the fixin's abound topped
off with some dynamite bread pudding. A few notches had to let out
after this feast.
- A closest to the pin (actually trash barrel) contest was held with
the winner taking home a $100 certificate for Dave's ribs. Johnny
Scott, Janice Moody's looper, took home the bacon, sort of speak. We
even had the Commish take a whack and all I can say is "Shank you
very much!"
- Tomorrow's forecast is for wet and windy conditions. This would be a
great time for a reverse outcome. Not bloody likely!
Thursday: Eighteen holes and five plus hours in a cold,
ceaseless, tormenting rain brought us to a total of 4 over par. Extremely
tough day but Laurie handled it well. You just can't let the weather get
your goat. Just as we arrived on the last green the rain stopped and the
skies lightened. We were on the wrong end of the flop today for sure.
- Considering the conditions today, I fail to understand the way the
fourth hole was set up. It's a 535 yard par five with an option to
move the tee up. The green is 54 yards deep with the front and rear
higher than the middle. Today the tee was back and the pin was 44
deep! We had to hit three wood for our third shot. Some of the pins
were also put in low positions which eventually required the use of a squeegee.
- A notice has been posted reminding the players to make sure the
traps are raked properly. $100 fine if they're not. This was the result
of the inadequate performance of last week's local caddies. At first
they would rake the divot marks and not the footprints. An emergency
meeting the next day had them raking the footprints but not the divot
marks. They eventually got it straight and raked everything.
- Thirty players had to treated this week in the aftermath of last
week's maladies. The doctor suspects a parasite.
- Remember that total of 31 shots the group of Davies, Johnson and
Eathorne had last week. Laura's previous high on a hole was 10 and,
attempting not to top that score, tried to jamb in the putt but wound up
with a three whack for 12. They were making the turn and believe it it
not, Chris had honors with a nine!
- Put in a good night's work on Shawn's laptop. AVG
Antivirus installed, which is free, and a few other do-dads.
Connection was slow so couldn't complete all that was needed.
Tomorrow's another day.
- Went hunting for a better digital camera and narrowed it down to two
models. Hope to pick it up in time for next week's caddie par 3
contest.
Friday: The day started with a 90 minute delay due to a thunderstorm
threat but the "big one" came through just before noon which
compounded the situation. My original DFL time of 2 PM is now 5:15. With
all this extra time the following items were accomplished.
- Washed my Gortex rain suit and revitalized the water repellency with
a product called Nikwax.
First time I used it. Usually Revivex
is my choice but this is supposed to do the same job for a lot less
dineros.
- Hit the camera stores again. It all comes down to feel right now. Be
the camera!
- Took advantage of the free haircut coupon from SportClips
the caddies were given. Once the stylist found out I was with the
tournament, I received nothing short of the royal treatment. Haircut,
two shampoos with a mentholated concoction (ooh, what a tingle), a hot
towel face wrap with massage, blow dry, a bit of hair wax for sheen
and topped off with a neck and back rub. What, no manicure?
More delays moved our time to 5:56. Managed to get in 5 holes before
play was stopped at seven. We tee it up at 7:30 sharp barring any more
nasty weather. We're even so far and the lift clean and place rules is
in effect although it was news to one of our playing partners, Shani
Waugh. She was about to hit her bunker shot on the third hole when she
noticed Jean Bartholomew mark her ball on the fringe. She then realized
her faux pas and failed to capitalize on her two previous tee balls that
found the fairway. Hard to believe she thought we were still playing it
down.
- Had the yardage wrong on the fourth hole yesterday. It was played
from the 578 marker not the 535 which makes it even more nonsensical.
Saturday: An overnight rainfall of .9 inches added to the mushy
conditions but left the greens unaffected. They may be one of the best of
the year and were slicker than a greased squealer. Kudos to the
superintendent and his crew.
Played 2 over for the rest of our second round and made the cut (+ 6)
on the number. Unfortunately, got on the bogey train early and it turned
out to be an express. Shot a pair of hockey sticks (77) and should be
first out in a twosome tomorrow. Bad alignment was the culprit and the
cool and breezy weather just added to the misery.
- Temps will dip to around 40° tonight so the
we just might need a few hand warmers in the morn. Should warm up
nicely though as the day progresses.
- Crowds were sparse today. Only the diehards come out in weather like
this.
- Kudos to the volunteers who stuck it out with us through the rain
and cold. Without them events like this could not be held. Shani Waugh
noted the bountiful spirit of Americans when it comes to donating time
and money to events like this. Endless hours in terrible conditions
and have to pay for their uniforms to boot. BRAVO to all!
- Planning to visit Tennessee? Check out tnvacation.com.
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