The Fall is my favorite time of year to play, and I successfully teed it up a few times in September. I’m also off to a great start here in October. This is the most I’ve golfed in many years. The Lycoming College Warriors and I are currently en route to Shawnee on the Delaware. It will be our last fall tournament. My guys have been outstanding. They are playing well and posting some fantastic scores. We set a single- and two-day school record in Allentown a few weeks back. We celebrated with a trip to Pizza Hut. Teach is buying.
I don’t play my own ball. I prefer to golf in scrambles now. The teams and organizations we represent will sometimes vary, but I will almost never pick up the tab. Golf is way too expensive, sports fans. I simply sit by the phone and wait. I’m a hired gun in the North Central PA Flaming Foliage Scramble Circuit. There was a time.
A four-person scramble or best-ball format is the most popular way to raise funds. Golfers hit away, select the best shot, and continue to play until the ball is holed. You can totally stink and still have a splendid experience. I prefer playing in these types of formats, because I hate to putt and there’s tons of free beer. I still hold my own from tee to green. My friends call me Steady Eddie. Nothing flashy. Just solid. But when I get to the back nine — Johnny Goodtimes comes out. It tends to get ugly. That was then. Laura Rich wants me to quit.
My teams always place. OK. We usually win. I get called a ringer from time to time. But that comes with the territory. It’s like riding a bike. Our scores all depend on the gimmicks. Scrambles are fundraisers, remember, and you have the opportunity to buy some incentives. Didn’t like your putt? Use this mulligan at $5 a piece. Red tee challenges are my personal favorites. You pay money to move to the reds for a hole. Hit one inside of six inches? Use a ribbon and it’s good. We made eagle on 16. Did you hole out your second shot? No. Ribbon. Give us $20 and you can deduct a stroke. Duh. I’ve even played in tournaments where you throw a Nerf football to improve your position. It’s great. 26 under par? Gimmicks folks.
I’ve had the opportunity to play several of the area’s premier courses these past few weeks. I contemplated doing a review of each, but decided to pass, as I can’t afford to lose any more friends. People are sensitive. Clinton Country Club was nice. Played both of the courses at White Deer, and WCC is always a blast. Dude.
Many folks have asked what’s currently in the bag. Like it really matters. But here it goes. I finally pulled the trigger on a new set of irons. TaylorMade Qi 5-PW. Regular shafts because I am almost 50. The jury is still out. They replaced my Titleist DCI 962s that I had had since college. I have two Titleist Vokey wedges. 54 and 58 are the usual setups. I just bought a new 20-degree hybrid, but I never actually swing it. I only keep it around because it has a cool head cover. I have an old, reliable Nike 3 wood and a Callaway XR 8.5-degree driver. I’m always looking for the right putter. I rotate between twelve. The original PING Zing BeCu better start producing, or it’s going back in the garage. Jensen has all of my hand-me-downs.
Golf is a great game, and I enjoy the camaraderie. But it’s expensive to play and it takes a lot of time. I love it when folks ask me to join, especially if they are paying. I can’t tell you the last time I played my own ball. It’s cool. I’m a hired gun. Scrambles are fun. Turkey Shoot anyone? Cheers.
