Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi.
Well done Bradley, were the two of you playing together?
I’m sure it feels good to have a win under the belt, hope you get a few more in 2011, are you planning any Nationwide events?
The rules debate within the thread is interesting, I do think a seperate thread should be started on it. I have to say, I completely disagree with the notion that golfers are taking random drops everywhere, I’d hate to be playing competitions with those types of people. Perhaps a new thread could be started to talk about the rules. Although there are a few daft rules, overall I think they do a brilliant job of policing the game.
Didn’t know that the original Rat Pack hung out there. Sounds like a natural fit for a Range Rat…does pose interesting possibilities. What’s the entry fee…is 6572 the correct yardage?
Yes Lag and I played both rounds together. That was fun to just cruise around watching each other. It probably hurt as in the 2nd round because we were just playing match play instead of the course so it was a bit lethargic in the second round but a lot of fun nonetheless.
As for the rules…who polices them?..the players themselves. It’s not as if a USGA official is roaming around with every group. You may be lucky that you play events at a higher amateur level or people you play with around your area understand the rules and abide by them.
On the other hand when you have played as many rounds as I have with thousands of different players in pro ams and at club level - you will see what I am talking about…I even think my statement of 50% of people taking incorrect drops was an exaggeration…it is probably closer to 60%… so 6 out of every 10 amateurs I get to play with or have played have no idea where to drop the ball correctly…wrong side of the hazard…back in line with where it crossed not back in line with the flag…wrong side of a path or tree so they can get a swing at the ball and not take the closest relief but the best relief for them…lost balls, they just drop one near where it went in and just play from there… I just let them go in pro am events because they are having plenty on the hole anyhow so it won’t affect our team score, and then I try explain to them after the hole is finished what they should have done and seriously not many know what to do…It is actually astounding, even if you don’t think it creditable information on my behalf.
True story.
I went online really quick yesterday to check on the score for the Las Vegas tournament. I didn’t remember the exacct name of the organization or web site and thought it was TGRA dot something. (TGRA = traditional golf (?) association). My third try was TGRA.org. Uh…The Gay Rodeo Association. Wow, I thought that would be an oxymoron for sure…imagine my surprise. Congrats to whoever won as I’m still working my way through the thread!
The above was almost as good as when a buddy of mine where I used to work wanted to show me some NASA videos and put in NASA.com (instead of NASA.gov)! At the time NASA.com was a very hardcore gay porn site. Well both sites did deal with boosting their rockets and not rupturing O-rings. The look of incredulity on his face was priceless. 
Captain Chaos
Captain, you mad mother. 
I had a similar problem when i accidentally typed “hard core porn” into Google.
Perhaps, Golow is Tim Finchem? 
Excellent Mr. Two! 
Any photos of the event?
I know you hinted early on in the post that the rest of the field were almost lapped by you two but what did they all score in the end? Do they not put any details up of how everyone else scored. Still waiting to hear how the other ABS’ers did and their story of the event. Looking forward to hearing all about it from an amateur’s viewpoint.
macs and 1teebox I am sure will add something about their involvement in the event when they get the opportunity
Congratulations!!! Two and Lag
You guys make old school cool… Rock on…[size=200]
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Well played Bradley, always good to put one over Lag especially after what he did to you in Canada!
Well done also to Macs and 1teebox for taking part, personally I have absolutely no desire to know exactly what they shot.
I think it was pretty brave of them to tee it up and if they are so inclined, I am much more interested in hearing their learning experiences.
Yeah, I agree. I wouldn’t like to play a game knowing my score was going to be published on line. Just hope everyone enjoyed the game.
Congrats to all the players i’m sure it was pretty cool looking at all the equipment being used. Just curious how long were the rounds 2.5hrs ?
I think they both may still be on the craps table. 
The event was certainly very enjoyable again and run very professionally by the staff at The National. All players received a dozen tournament balls (Srixon Soft Feel) which is a bit lower compression and I think the best modern ball to play off persimmon. The staff was there early to greet everyone, we had a nice meal to enjoy during the awards ceremony, and the golf course was set up properly for a competition. The greens putted well and were quick, the fairways were cut down so you had to be precise with your low point control. The pin placements were set into positions that were fair, challenging but never stupid.
Playing persimmon, all the fairway bunkers are back in play, and the size of the greens are appropriate to receive the type of required shot. There is a lot of shot shaping required off the tee and the fairways were pretty narrow in spots. You have to play this course with strategy in mind, and most all the holes offer some kind of risk reward element especially the 5 pars.
I don’t think I hit less than a 5 iron into any par three all week.
The rules were clearly spelled out on a sheet called TRGA basics. There is not much to it really. The main difference would be the option to putt with the pin in on the green. You either leave the pin in or have it taken out. Again this speeds up play, and keeps a lot of extra foot traffic from trampling around the hole. The universal drop procedure makes the need for rules officials basically non existent. The idea that professional golf can be easily self governed within any particular group is more than refreshing… and again does wonders to speed up play… particularly when mixing in amateurs playing off higher markers. I think we were playing easily within 4 hours. That included a group with two players in their 80’s.
Anyone interested in playing next year, let me know, and I will make sure to get notice out in advance so you can make plans to participate in Las Vegas. It’s always fun to Visit Las Vegas!
Among the high points of the TRGA event was meeting John, Bradley, John’s mother and father, Macs, Vic Wilk, Gus Vasquez, Bob Coffin, and seeing the other participants, all enjoying the gathering. The Las Vegas National Golf Course was one I would like to play daily if that were possible and the helpful staff were efficient and cheerful. We enjoyed some of the best weather this winter. My father, rest his soul, was a shill at the tables in Las Vegas in the 30’s as a teenager after following a circus from the mining towns in Arizona. That precious strip of DNA did not make its way to me. I learned a long time ago while getting cleaned out in about 10 minutes playing poker with merciless fellow Marines in Da Nang that I have no business at a poker table. So no, poker was not part of my fun in Las Vegas.
Another high point came after our first round when John and Bradley coached how we can easily achieve full shoulder turns in our back swings setting us up to make the most of our 4:30 line and demonstrated how most golfers fail to achieve a full turn while overstraining. Telling this is so quick, but the memory is burned in deep.
One of the major reasons I attended was the rare opportunity to get an in-person look at both John and Bradley’s swings and shot making. Video is wonderful, but there is no substitute for reality. It was a once in a lifetime chance, and I was extremely fortunate to fit that opportunity into my life. They are gifted, and they have worked hard and resourcefully and sacrificed to develop their talent. If you can find a way to meet them or to get to a TRGA tournament you can see for yourself. I will remember them in person as confident, considerate, down-to-earth, hard working, straight thinking, straight-talking, easy going, tough professionals, and extremely motivated and highly capable to assist our development. You probably already know that, or suspect it, or you would not still be here.
As for my performance in the tournament, please be forewarned the following is suitable only for mature adults with a taste for carnage. RR and the Captain, stick around. The last round of TRGA, day before yesterday, I shot 111. In 1968 the first time I played 18 holes I shot 109 with four borrowed clunker clubs with slippery hard grips at a fried dust track. Yes, I regressed the past two days and it is irritating, but I see it as a temporary aberration with insulting timing. I intend to banish it with better play like I experienced at home prior to TRGA. If memory serves at all, the second 9 of the first round was a 43 which used to be a little above average for me, but that is no consolation whatsoever. I don’t remember the full score from the first day and I attribute failed memory to my self-administered bludgeoning. Excuses creep their way into daylight and disguise themselves as reasons, merely a desperate veneer offering fake dignity in a losing quest to offset disgust. I’d rather harvest real, useful reasons and build on them, but the stunning effect of the concussion lingers, I simply did not consistently execute what I have been learning. Experience tells me some resolution will eventually come with the balm of diligent work and plenty of sweat. That work will be with the ABS lessons.
I applaud you for your courage and dignity 1 teebox. Thank you for your wonderful post. I know that you will succeed with a spirit like yours.