CODY Is The 2021 "CHAMPION OF THE WORLD" (Again)

After having 2 full weeks off, I posted the blog about the "Championship of the World" (COTW). At this point, I know we are only missing Harry because he is in the State Police Academy.

Five hours later, Dan realizes he has a wedding that day. As I recall, Dan has had this issue in the past when a wedding just jumps up and bites him in the ass but, at least he addressed it... I’m just glad that has never happened to me.

On Saturday, I went to Big Y and bought all of the water, Gatorade, hard seltzer, ice, and chips for the BJG Championship O The World. It cost $104, and I immediately think that there is no way Dan is going to reimburse me but, we do have 18 people golfing and Rock, the current COTW, wanted Hard Seltzer.

I load up two coolers (one water & Gatorade and the other with Hard Seltzer. I grab a couple of trash bags along with the 2 large bags of assorted chips, and I’m ready for tomorrow.

Sunday morning rolls around, and the commitment to BJG starts to take a BIG hit. First, Bryan bails at 7:52 am. Then at 8:53 am Chris lets us know that Rey is out. At 8:53 am Matt T has something come up, and he is out too.

When Matty Ice rolls in, he lets me know that Nic isn’t coming, and then, last but not least, I found out that Juan is still on vacation. For those of you that still have your shoes and socks on, that’s SEVEN people that are not going to be playing in the COTW.

There are now just 13 out of 20 golfers playing at the 2021 COTW plus Rock, and Jake are running late.

At 9:26, I ready get this party started. I grab the top 4 golfers and move to the 1st tee box. Matt is now in charge, and I tell him to stack them and send them out as they get there.

As we get to the first tee box we have a couple of guys in front of us. In front of them are 3 first-time golfers, and they only have one golf bag.

A father and young son get between the first and second group but it looks like everyone else is playing follow the leader.

Front Nine Scores:

1st: Joe – 26

2nd: Dave – 29

3rd: Cody – 31

3rd: Rock – 31

5th: Jake – 33

5th: Tim – 33

7th: Jon – 34

7th: Chris – 34

9th: Adam – 35

10th: Matt – 36

11th: Joe T – 37

12th: Dustin – 38

13th: EJ - 39

Joe is smoking the front nine with 3 birdies as he should be, this is his home course and he has been practicing here over the last 2 weeks.

The Back:

The 2 guys in front of our first group (Dave, Tim, Joe & Chris), skip a hole so that they are no longer behind the "3 Amigos". Now the 3 Amigos are in front of us.

As we finish up the 13th hole, the 3 Amigos let us play through, turns out they are exhausted and needed a break, probably from carrying that lone golf bag. As we are waiting to tee off, one of the guys is telling us about the cart racing accident he was in the day before which was really affecting his golf game.

The leader of the 3 Amigo's is talking to Chris about the magical red cooler that was at the start of the 13th hole. Chris tells him that the course put that cooler out so people would have free water and Gatorade during this hot summer day. I just want to hit my ball and make the noise stop. Tim and Dave are looking at the sky, trying not to make direct eye contact.

As the 1st group finishes the 18 hole, we wait to see who else will have an opportunity at the COTW. Meanwhile, the 3 Amigos come to play the 18th hole.

Of course, by now, the red cooler has magically (EJ) moved from the 13th hole to the 18th hole so that the BJG golfers could have water and Gatorade while we wait to see who the COTW will be.

Dave and I are sitting at the picnic table by the “check-in” building when I notice that the leader of the 3 Amigos is on the ground in front of the cooler and it looks like he is filling his bag with free stuff.

To be honest, I didn’t have a problem with them helping themselves to a drink, but I felt like they were taking advantage of this opportunity. I walk down to them and explain that the cooler is mine and the contents were for the 20 Golfers behind them. Boy, did they look surprised.

Back Nine Scores:

1st: Joe – 29

2nd: Dave 31

2nd: Cody – 31

4th: Rock – 32

5th: Adam – 33

6th: Jon – 34

7th: Jake – 36

8th: Chris – 38

9th: Tim – 39

9th: Matt – 39

11th: Dustin – 40

12th: Joe T – 42

13th: EJ – 43

18th Hole COTW

From Group One, Joe and Dave score a 3 and the right to play for the COTW. In the 2nd Group, Cody and Rock also score 3. Cody was close with a birdie but couldn’t close the deal. Dave does not compete because he has to go to the Hartford Yard Bird’s game. Group 3 and 4 have no one make it to the playoff round.

On the 3rd try, we are all off the green. Of course, Rock chips in, putting the pressure on Joe and Cody. Cody makes his putt. Joe cannot take the pressure, and finish with a 4. Joe has to walk away from his dream of winning the COTW but, he s happy to have finally made it to the playoff round.

By the 4th try, I think Rock is tired of walking up and down the 18th hole, and he is the one to score a 4. Cody closes the 18th hole out with another 3 to become the 2021 COTW.

COTW Final Scores

1st Place: Joe – 55

2nd Place: Dave – 60

3rd Place: Cody – 62

4th Place: Rock – 63

5th Place: Adam – 68

5th Place: Jon – 68

7th Place: Jake – 69

8th Place: Chris – 72

8th Place: Tim – 72

10th Place: Matt – 75

11th Place: Dustin – 78

12Th Place: Joe T – 79

13th Place: EJ – 82

Joe finally wins a trophy in 2021 but more importantly, first place points. It is nice to get that monkey off your back.

COTW Points:

1st Place: Joe – 45

2nd Place: Dave – 43

3rd Place: Cody – 41

4th Place: Rock – 39

5th Place: Adam – 35

5th Place: Jon – 35

7th Place: Jake – 32

8th Place: Chris – 29

8th Place: Tim – 29

10th Place: Matt – 26

11th Place: Dustin – 24

12Th Place: Joe T – 22

13th Place: EJ – 20

Race to Big Y (Dubai) Points

1st Place: Jon – 293.5

2nd Place: Matt – 291.5

3rd Place: Joe – 255.3

4th Place: Cody – 226.5

5th Place: Dave – 225

6th Place: Adam – 224.8

7th Place: Bryan – 217.8

8th Place: Rock – 216.5

9th Place: Chris – 208

10th Place: Rey – 195

11th Place: Joe T – 174

12th Place: EJ – 162

*** CUT LINE ***

13th Place: Jake – 141

14th Place: Juan – 140

15th Place: Nic – 138

16th Place: Tim – 107.5

17th Place: Dan – 94

18th Place: Dustin – 86

19th Place: Matt T – 31

20th Place: Harry – 18

There are just four rounds of golf left in the BJG Regular season. Matt and Jon have a big lead but, they will have to play better golf with the latest changes coming to their handicap. Right now, only 2 points separate 1st and 2nd place but more importantly, the Big Y $50.00 gift card.

Joe, now in 3rd place, has a lot of ground to cover while Cody & Dave are even farther back than Joe. Over the next 4 rounds, they must play the best golf of their lives if they want to finish number one on the leaderboard in the Race to Big Y (Dubai).

At the other end of the leaderboard, there are just 24 points separating 12th through 15th place.

Next up is the "Time Travelers Championship" which will be played on July 11th, at Veterans Golf Course.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July.

Respectfully,

Broken Joe

Commissioner