Poor Boys Golf Classic(PBGC) June 10/11/12

Over the last, let's say 12 years, I have been a part of a group of eight guys that get together every June to play in the incomparable PBGC. It's 3 rounds of golf, starts with a seeding round on Friday that then determines partners for the weekend. Saturday is a two man scramble followed by the high pressure individual stroke play on Sunday, so our own kind of Ryder cup or final Sunday round heat is created!
 It is somewhat of a typical guy's weekend; bad food, alcohol fuelled for the hardcore, male camaraderie and the usual stories that get told year after year!

When we started this all, it was designed to be a cheap weekend; best deals we could get on golf, cheap hotels, cheap food, and within Ontario. Only a couple of the guys were married, couple kids in the mix, few obstacles for our weekend away.

There has been a couple of fill ins over the years but the core remains strong; Bubba, Goalie, Gus, Tuna, Bully, Hursty, Mikey and Wendell. We have been through the good and bad, wives and ex-wives, I think 15 kids among us ranging in ages from a newborn to 17!
I love these guys, 5 I have known for 35 years or more, the other two, over 20 years.

For those that know me, I have loved golf for all of my adult life. "No, no", as I used to say to Susan  "I really really love golf!"  Susan knew this when she married me, and to this day, she is my number one fan and supporter of me playing golf. For this alone, I love her!

I look forward to this weekend every year, despite what may be going on(doesn't hurt that I'm the leader in wins, I believe!lol) It's always fun, yes we get on each other's nerves, some guys crack up, but all in all it is something that I have always cherished, time away with these 7 characters!

This year, 2011, I had to withdraw. Even as the boys encouraged me to give it a shot I knew that my hands and arms wouldn't make one round never mind three. So while still able, I attended as ambassador, rules official, snack and drink boy, lackey all those things just to be a part of the weekend.
My spot was filled, unanimously I might add, by one Antonio "Tony" Martino. Big shoes he had to fill, golf wise I'm talking, otherwise I'm Kindergarten Cops with Tony, I'm Devito to his Schwarzenegger!

Ceremonial First Drive

The Boys

The weekend was perfect. We actually upgraded our hotel all the way to a Radisson and it felt like a 5 star based on some of our past accommodations! Stanley Cup playoffs are generally on which provides the lightweights a reason to stay in while our hardcore "players" head out to the local establishments. The boys quietly looked after me, but in true fashion, and I wouldn't expect or want anything different, the abuse and banter still flew among us and it felt like any other year! For that, I thank the boys and look forward and will press hard to keep the legs moving to fulfill my role again in 2012!