NRDG on the PDGA Tour 2007
Surprise of the fools 3/31-4/01
Just two hours south east of Us In Bath New York hank Foss held the second annual Surprise Of the Fools At the Hickory Hill Campgrounds.
This event Is turning Into the Unofficial (or Official) start of the NRDG tour, and with 15-20 NRDGers (including three ridge rats) It’s Easy to believe.
The course is set on a sprawling campsite in the hills surrounding bath, With woods, water, elevation, and open shots, it’s a good place to blow the dust off and see just how the winter affected your game.
The course itself was in great shape (less some heavy mud in the hills, and some soft spots in the open). Temps for the first day started out a bit chilly, but quickly warmed into the mid fifties for the second round, Day two was great until a cold rain and big wind came up ½ way through the only round.
The field was made up of folks from as far away as Pittsburg, and Canada (Elaine King was there making her the first world champ to attend the event). Short only 3 to make it a full field (22 holes in total) it was easy for a few last minute players (including our own Paully O) to get in and compete with a good showing in all divisions. The open Lady's had the smallest showing (3). But, competition was tight and at last check the lady's had a blast.
Derek Reid cashed his first tournament ace during the first round on hole 8 (a short but tight down hill shot through the trees). I also hit the face of the basket during the second round but was not as lucky. Scott Kirby had an amazing first round shooting just two over par 68, but could not hold on and ended up tacking 3rd place. Also Bobby Jones avoided chocking and held on to take his first (?) win of the season. Derek also held on to make it into the money in the open (as did Doug O but Derek finished better). Needless to say there was some awesome (and brutal) golf shot during the two days.
Friday night was the best night to get out and meet the neighbors, with a Sabres game on the tube, a poker game up the hill, and grills going everywhere (I was the lucky one cause man that Derek can cook and the steaks were so good I ate two). When Tony Inzana brought out the light up beach lids and “declared war ‘’ on one of the cabins, it was just as much fun to sit back and watch. In fact he and Mike Broderick were at it so long (I finally dropped at midnight and they were still going) I was amazed anyone made it two the 8 am players meeting.
So if for some reason you missed it be sure to add it to next years list…
You wouldn’t want to be a fool, Would Ya?
-Reported by Billy T.
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Second Annual Chili Cookout Chili New York - April 28th
John Alloco held the second annual Chili cookout this weekend in Chili NY, and with only a little over a month prep time [and this his first event] John, Tony, Mick and Bill pulled off a winner.
With light drizzle and temps barley out of the forty’s the turn out was nothing short of amazing,[70+ including a ghost hole & even then folks were turned away]. Several folks from the Buff made it in though including George Mai who placed well in the F.O.G. division.
The course was extremely wet but still in good shape [early spring/summer is a great time to play this course with the grass still short and the willows not filled in yet], But with the wind and rain the scores for all divisions were higher than expected, extra long tee’s for the pros didn’t help much either, [but they should have to work for there money anyways I say].
All holes had extra long tee’s added, the monster 11 hole [911 feet] was stretched out to a staggering 1000+ foot killer, [amazingly enough Liam the open winner pared [3] the hole from the long tees].
In between rounds there was Some killer chili [and bobby jones fajitas for the lucky few] and a fun little putting contest, [10 shots from increasing distances], the finals were 4 folks [ three 8s and one 9] including Nick Schmidt, to mix it up they had them putt the shots in reverse order [who knows were they got that idea], Nick started them out taking 7 of 10 but one of the locals [Swamp thing] sank 9 and took the basket.
After lunch we went out for the second round and the Drizzle and wind never let up,[ note to all a BIRDIE is NOT a good wind putter…ask me how I know]. Then the top players went out for the final 9.
The open played 1-6&16-18, Derek Reid went in with a two stroke lead and held on until the final hole [800ish feet with ruff and trees on both sides of the fairway] All four drives were decent, With Ryan Reid sending out the monster, Derek's drive was decent but his up shot placed him in the pines to the right of the basket leaving him a tough out [6 foot push out of the pines] his fourth shot was nice but the wind carried it over the hill and down the other side, Even worse his next shot an easy up hit the pole and rolled long leaving him a long putt to tie Liam and force a playoff, this shot hit chains high but failed to stay in the basket, Still Derek should be happy, he played Great all day and this is his second, second place this year [wont be long till his first win I bet].
All in all it was a great time lots of buffalo folks, a few ridge rats [they keep popping up all over don’t they] and a healthy mix of others made for a lot of fun, Can’t wait until next year!!!!!