I made tees time at Chicopee County Club early the Monday before. They told me that there was a shot gun start at 7am. I almost didn’t take it because I really wanted an earlier tee time and sometime a shot gun start can be brutally slow. The other issue was that it has been HOT the last couple of weeks and I didn’t need HOT and SLOW.

I get to the golf course and I tell the guy behind the counter that I have 8 golfers and that I had called on Monday. He asked for my name but for some reason my name wasn’t on the list (there were only 4 or 5 holes assigned at the time. He said “you must be Jim and you are on 7a and 7b” and I said “If you say so”. He then asked if I was a resident or non-resident. Leon said, "I'm a resident... a resident of AMERICA" and then he got his senior discount. I said "no" and had to pay more than I thought the course was worth.

Next I go outside to see the starter so I can get a cart. This guy was not just unfriendly; he was the epitome of “grumpy old man”. After I tell him may name is “Jim” he has me sign my life a way for the use of his cart. In his defense, it was a nice cart.

I text everyone to let them know that our tee time is now under “Jim” and we are starting on 7a & 7b. Leon and I head to the practice green to practice our putting. After we practice our putting, Leon and I walk back to our cart when we see Matt walking over to us. I go into the club house to make sure the group got my text and understand that we are under Jim and we are starting on 7a & 7b. By now the place is crowded and the boys are deep in line waiting to pay. I go back to my cart to wait.

After what seem to be more than enough time for this process to be completed, I go looking for Chris. As I walk up to the club house I see Chris having a conversation with the grumpy old starter. As I walk up I hear Chris say 8a. I interrupt and say 7a. The Starter says “What’s your name?” And the circle jerk goes round and round. Finally the guy from the club house says 8a. I say “Jim, 7a & 7b. The club house guy points to a guy two people behind Chris and says “That’s Jim and he is 7a & 7b, you are 8a & 8b. The Starter says to Chris what’s your name? Chris says 8a, why do you need my name? I am thoroughly confused at this point and getting a headache. The guy behind Chris tells the starter “His name is 8a”. I go back to my cart and try to figure out where the 8th hole is.

When I get to the 8th hole, Dan, Dave and Rock are already there and each of them has the own cart. This place is messed up.

As previously noted, Matt submitted his (medical) resignation last Friday so it is now official that he will not be a repeat Winter Classic Champion (not that anyone thought that would happen but…)

Matt was supposed to ride with Dan but Matt’s Step Daddy (Chris) had him ride with him. This meant that Matt was also with me and Leon. Maybe it was because I was hitting my driver like crap but GOD Matt was annoying. Leon thought so too but he didn’t want to give Matt the satisfaction of knowing he was making him crazy. All he did was run his mouth, I felt like I was listening to Charlie Browns teacher. I was surprised that his jaw didn’t get tired. I just kept thinking, why couldn’t he have hurt his tongue instead of his leg. I will ask the Competition Committee to grant me a restraining order.

And finally, to add insult to injury, it was HOT. It was hot like HELL. It has been so hot that Leon brought a cooler full of water and still had to get water from the water coolers at the tee boxes. Even Rock had a couple of cups water after golf instead of alcohol.

Rock played a great game at Chicopee CC, in fact we haven't seen this Rock since the first two weeks of the season. Welcome back Rock

Chris also had a good game, in fact he hasn’t seen the 90s since the first two weeks of the season. Again, welcome back Chris. As far as Chris beating Joe, I think Matt gave Chris the edge.

Also of note, Dan gets a high score of 14 on the 17th hole. Leon fairs a little better by getting a score of 12 on the 7th hole. Leon also assessed a 4 stoke penalty by losing a ball in the water (stroke and distance) and then hitting the wrong ball. In fact the ball he played belonged to the people behind us.

Dave has been having a rough time as of late. He scores a 96 at Chicopee but Chris shoots a 99, just 3 strokes off what many people easily considered our best golfer.

Jake was MIA this week but according to social media the Mountain Man was getting a suntan.

Joe closes the gap on Leon and he is now only 6.5 points back.

Actual Scores:

Dave – 96

Chris – 99

Joe – 103

Rock – 106

Leon – 117

Dan – 118

Jake – MIA

Matt – MED

Handicap Scores:

Rock – 70 (-1)

Chris – 72 (+1)

Joe – 76 (+5)

Dave – 78 (+7)

Leon – 81 (+10)

Dan – 83 (+12)

Weekly Points:

Rock – 8

Chris – 7

Joe – 6

Dave – 5

Leon – 4

Dan – 3

Jake – 0

Matt – 0

Total Points:

Leon – 127

Joe – 120.5 (6.5 points from 1st Place)

Dave – 89.5 (31 points from 2nd Place)

Rock – 77 (12.5 points from 3rd Place) Rock jumps from 6th place to 4th place.

Dan – 75.5 (1.5 points from 4th Place)

Jake – 74 (1.5 points from 5th Place) Jake falls from 4th place to 6th place

Chris – 70.5 (3.5 points from 6th place)

Matt – 44 (26.5 points from 7th Place)

Handicaps for Westover next Saturday.

Chris – 26

Dan – 35

Dave – 18

Joe – 27

Jake 25

Leon – 36

Rock – 36

Matt – MED

Group 1:

Cart 1 – Dave & Leon

Cart 2 – Joe & Rock

Group 2:

Cart 3 - Dan & Jake

Cart 4 – Chris

Upcoming courses / events

August 6/7 – Cold Springs

August 13/14 – TBD – 3 Club Challenge

August 20/21 – Franconia

August 27/28 – Franconia

September 3 / 4 – Franconia

September 10/11 – Franconia – Carabine Foundation Invitational