Monday, July 19, 2010

July 19 - Days 31 - 36 - Mansfield

It's been a while since our last post. We have been relaxing and playing golf at Corey Creek Golf Club in Mansfield, PA. Actually, both Suz and I have played more golf than we had expected, but the company was great and the weather has been beautiful. Tuesday was a set up day, getting everything ready for a prolonged stay. On Wednesday, I played with local residents Jack Alexander and Tony Fiamingo (sorry for the spelling Tony!), a man with a wicked golf swing, and Andy Lyman. Tony and I won, but lost later in the bar. It seems that the local rule is if you win, you use the proceeds to buy drinks, and continue to do so even after the proceeds are used up. In this case, you can win for losing!

Wednesday night, our Florida friends Joe Murphy, alias "Mr. Goodshorts", the Adinolfis, Fulfords, Roches and Viscounts arrived from Stuart, Boston, Kingston, Ontario, Stuart and Atlantic City respectively in preparation for the annual Corey Creek invitational to be held Saturday and Sunday. The preparation includes much socializing (and drinking). Thursday saw our Florida friend Ty Haubert (who is camped in his Fleetwood next to our coach (his is bigger!), Joe Murphy, Jack Alexander and I hit the links again. Ty and I took and Murph and Jack. This time Ty and I conveniently lost a little to gain a lot - if you catch my drift (old men do learn).

Thursday night is "wings night" at the world famous Colonial Inn. You can't eat or drink for less anywhere! The wings were great as was the other food from all accounts. The Colonial has become a tradition every year on the Thursday night before the tournament.

On Friday, we played the practice round and played in the annual "skins game." My partner Morris Morgan (a local) took on partners Kenny Folgeman and "Mouse." We did well on the course, then came the bar. Oh well, you can't lose, er, win them all. Not sure which is which.

Saturday began the tournament, and the ladies departed for their one-day tournament at the River Valley Golf Club. My partner Morris and I, the defending champions in the Senior Division, shot a best-ball 74 and were tied for the lead after the first round. As part of the tournament, the contestants (190 of them) each get free continental breakfast each day, a lunch on Sunday and a sumptuous dinner Saturday afternoon/evening comprised of a dozen peeled shrimp (large), 2 dozen or so little neck clams and a strip steak, along with baked potato, corn-on-the-cob and salad.

Believe me, you can't eat it all! Most of our group eat either the shrimp or the clams and save the rest for our traditional after tournament feast in the campground on Sunday night (more about that later). Oh, and I should mention, Budweiser provides a beer trailer with Bud, Bud Light and a Birch Beer during the two days - all free. Step up and pour what you want!

On Sunday, the tournament ends. Mo and I took on Terry and Pete, with whom we were tied after day one. The match was intense. Mo and I faltered badly on the front, taking two double-bogies on the 4th and 5th holes after birdying the 3rd to go three down. But we came back with birdies on 9 and 10, and our opponents bogied a hole to bring us back to even.

We parred 11 and they bogied to go one up. They birdied 12 to bring it back to even. We halved 13. They bogied 14 and we parred - one up. They birdied 15 - all square. We parred 16 and they bogied - one up. They birdied 17 - all square. Then, on the final hole, Pete rammed in great put for birdie to top our par and the match was over. We lost one down. A great match and a deserving champion. But we will be back next year!

The girls had been off to Wellsboro to play golf at Tioga Golf Club. They returned around 4:30 and we all watched the Championship Flight finish their round (this is the flight for the "flat bellies," although a sort-of "round belly" would up the winner). The tournament is a lot of fun. After day one, the teams are divided into two Senior flights and 8 or so regular flights. The winners and runners-up of each flight get equal prizes. The winners of the Championship and Senior flights get more and also get their names put on the appropriate trophy boards in the clubhouse.

Sunday night is the traditional feast for all our group, plus many of our local friends, at the campground (about 36 or so). We BarBQ the saved clams and steaks, eat the saved shrimp and add salads, hot dogs and more. It is a great time. As the sun sets, the non-campers head back to their motels and prepare to head out in the morning. The locals head for their homes, and the campers sit back and watch a bit of TV and have a last drink together.

Monday is a "day-of-rest". No golf, laundry to do, general clean-up. Maybe a ride on the bike if the weather holds out. Until next time, Cheers!

John, Suz and Dixie the Wonderdog

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