To: RSG-OHIO@yahoogroups.com From: Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 02:57:36 GMT Subject: [RSG-OHIO] RSG - Hershey 2004 As Jon Green observed earlier in the week, the weekend weather wasn't looking good... but let’s all face it by now as Thor moved closer all that seemed to take care of itself Unfortunately, Thor was held up and seriously detoured Friday evening and didn’t get close enough to prevent a light rain from falling on DaveT, Jon, Mark and his dad Roger Georg as we met as planned at Armitage. But they closed the course so after some refreshments inside the Caddy Shack we rerouted towards Mount Joy to play Groff’s Farm. (http://www.groffsfarmgolfclub.com) It’s so great having a golf course very close to where you live, especially if it’s half-way decent and has a grass practice range! Well, there weren’t very many people out playing (and I was called away on some personal business) so these four got to test drive the course for themselves. They can report on their front nine golf adventures and brushes with nature, but I got to join them on hole 11 for the back nine where we played as a fivesome. Was pleased the course was in good shape and the group seemed to be enjoying playing there. Folks had settled into their game by the time we reached hole #14 ­ a downhill slight dogleg right with shoulder bunkers, and a green that half borders an old pond that a sink hole years ago took all its water and now is filled with don’t-bother-looking-too-hard-for-your-ball high vegetation. So, while we’d arrayed our balls left, center and right off the tee, we were all on the green in two and all made par! It certainly helps having some local knowledge on the next hole. When DaveT was considering his second shot from where he was standing I could understand. You can’t really tell how much it doglegs or how far you can hit it till you might run outta fairway. Anyway I give him a line and approximate yardage and he executes perfectly. We got held up looking for a few balls, then Mark was doing an excellent job finding balls ­ especially his Dad’s, in the high grass ­ which we were calling ‘friendly gorse’ ;-) Anyway, we didn’t have to look very far for DaveT’s ball ­ sitting in the center of the fairway! The clouds didn’t help. It was near dark as we finished, but not before we played the long 431 / whites closing hole. You tee off towards a rising slope with mounds left and a fairway that doglegs slightly right to a smallish narrow green that drops on the right side into marsh. As we got close enough to the 18th green we saw Mark Georg had rolled his ball just past the pin in two. I will let him fill in here, but Mark was having an exceptional second nine, shooting slightly over par. Mark woke up on the second nine the next day, too. He’s like me, probably benefits from some serious warm up prior to playing. We make the short drive to Bube’s Brewery (http://www.bubesbrewery.com) where we dined on spicy seafood and wild rice soup and drank Red Ale till Jon Green ­ if anyone gets more from his swing I want to know ‘em ­ had to hit the road. Shortly after that we called it a night. Now, I’m a fan of giving new people a chance to play a course before a tournament roundv which is one of the reasons we’ve played the tournament in the afternoon. But this year we played the tournament in the morning at Dauphin Highlands and with the exception of David Hayes everyone had played there before. (Sorry David, if anyone asks you tell ‘em this is why you didn’t win :-( ) Here’s who played: Thor, BillPA, Mr10; MrJFB, Roger and Mark Georg; and, me, David & DaveT. A beautiful day, the course and greens were in good shape. Will let others comment on their play, but in the meantime, hearty congratulations to Thor who won over the field by two strokes to win the 10th annual RSG ­ Hershey!!!!!!!!!! There are some pictures which perhaps someone will post. We played MPM in the afternoon where the "Brotherhood" -- Thor, Mr10, DaveT and BillPA -- edged the Hop Devils -- Coops, David, Marcus and MrJFB -- by one match ;-) The day ended at Gilligan’s for beer, food, pool and the Trophy presentation to Thor! Today was overcast but no bad weather at Sunset Golf Course. We played skins and I think those who won skins put a few bucks in their pocket or broke even. The rest (me) just payed ;-) The pace of play ahead of us was slow, so at the 13th hole till the end we played as a fivesome. So, just a quick report but a big thanks to everyone who came! --Coops