The 2007 opener

Gents,

After a long delay and many requests, here's the recap of the PPGA lid-lifter for 2007. We were too lazy to go out of town (and heard the bugs were killing people at our normal opening spot down in Barry). As a result, we hit lovely Westview Golf Course for our opener.

For the first time ever, we had a split start. The foursome of Marth, Marth's father-in-law, EE and Schuck took off about 45 minutes before the rest of the crew. Maybe one day we'll actually have to close down a course in order to play an event. Dare to dream, baby!

Anyway, this one wasn't one to write home about as we all pretty much blew.

Here are the results (the Linkster had requested that his score not be posted. If he doesn't want his scores posted like an old woman, he can form the LPPGA - the Ladies PPGA, not the Linkster PPGA.):

Maas 86
Anders 94
Broc 94
EE 95
DOB 96
Dyer 97
Schuckman 99
Middendorf 100
Noodlehauser 100
Marth 105
Linkster 112
Marth-in-law 136

Yes, PPGA history was set by a one-time wonder, Marth's father-in-law, who is listed as Hap on his scorecard. Hapless would have been more appropriate. Somewhere, Hausdorf weaps knowing his previous "best" of 129 has been smashed by some Hoosier who only got in because he's married to a PPGA wanna-be.

Has Marth ever played with us before? The last time a WGEM TV sports dude played, he showed up at Palmyra wearing Wrangler jeans. Welcome to the Tour, Ben. We'll see you again in '09.

Hap really was the man. He didn't throw up any Goughs (a 12), but was consistent on the backside with back-to-back-to-back 10s. If this were bowling, we could have given him a turkey.

He wasn't the only one in double digits though. EE made like Roy McAvoy on No.3. He dumped a couple of balls into the drink en route to a 10. In true PPGA fashion, EE bounced back with par on his next hole. As the dude who wore Wranglers used to say, "Excellent stuff, of course."

With no Raymond around to spice things up, there wasn't anything too Slappy that happened. So, we'll give EE Slappy of the Week honors for his 10. I'd give it to Hapless, but it wouldn't be the same. (By the way, from all accounts, Hap was a good guy to play with, no harm meant with the Hapless stuff.)

Hap easily won Hardcore honors, saving the Linkster from a sure season long sweep of that honor.

We had a couple new faces on board outside of Marth and Hap. Jason Dyer, personal trainer to the stars (Rabe, Russ Michna, DOB!!!!), made his first appearance. Joe Middendorf, a Cardinals/Spurs fan who coaxes people into buying ad space in the H-W, also made his debut. Hopefully, we'll see more of you two in the future.

Can't remember who won greenies that day, but the early group didn't pay anyway.

Here are the up-to-date PPGA stats:

Scoring (events entered)
Maas 86 (1)
Anders 94 (1)
Broc 94 (1)
EE 95 (1)
DOB 96 (1)
Dyer 97 (1)
Schuckman 99 (1)
Middendorf 100 (1)
Noodlehauser 100 (1)
Marth 105 (1)
Linkster 112 (1)
Hapless 136 (1)

Birdie Leaders
1. Maas, 1
1. EE, 1

Par Leaders
1. Maas, 5
2. Anders, 4
2. Schuckman, 4
4. DOB, 3
4. Broc, 3
4. EE, 3
7. Dyer, 2
7. Noodlehauser, 2
9. Marth, 1

Wins (place won)
1. Maas 1 (Westview)

Hardcore
1. Hapless 1 (Westview)