Bruceton Woods Invitational

It's said that the memory is the second thing to go. Problem is I can't remember the first thing. We know it's been close to 5 years. I do know it's been 3 consecutive years on the day after Thanksgiving. 2008 we ushered in this tradition with an amazingly frigid go at it playing what we consider the last official round at Glen Miller GC on Christmas Eve. That one was an amazing tournament played with only 3 clubs and it came down to the last hole with Brian pulling off the clutch shot needed to win. Of course my memory is good enough that I remember a 25 foot putt with 3 feet of break that scared the hole to tie Brian on the last hole but didn't fall. But it seemed to keep a common theme of Brian's name being on the trophy. Not that I'm bitter about losing last year.

We have a different name for it every year. The names only make sense to us. This year we combined the name we call each other "Bruce" and Hueston Woods into the "Bruceton Woods Invitational". To the outside world it really means nothing but to the Brian, Jeff, and myself it means the one time a year we can get together, play some golf, and throw some good natured barbs at each other.

Brian hadn't played in 10 days though he was fresh off a T7 and a T2 in his past two Hooter's events. I hadn't played since caddying for Brian at the Irish Creek some 30 days prior and even that was just hitting driver off the 9th hole at that course. Jeff hadn't played in 2 weeks - so he said. So the expectations were... well, there were none. I learned my lesson in last years meltdown when I lost a 2 shot lead going into the 17th hole to lose to Brian. Those of you keeping score at home I did keep up my end of the bet doing 20 pushups on the first tee at Q School. Brian came through on his part of the bet (though he didn't have to) and caddied for me at my first Golf Channel Am Tour event in Indy at the Brickyard earlier in the year in April.

Set aside the camaraderie of the day. The day was the best by far in terms of temperature (60 degrees), sun (lots of it), a frisky 1 club wind. We haven't played in higher temperatures then mid 40's and worst by far was in 2008 when rain and sleet ruled the day at Glen Miller. We all agreed that Hueston Woods is a phenomenal track but it loses it's sting a little in late Fall when there's no leaves on the tree to outline and tighten your sightlines of a particular hole. Brian rates it highly for the area and we think that with a little money it can be a top ranked course for sure.

Back to the matter at hand. We don't warmup on the range for this prestigious event so the 2 ball rule is in effect off the first tee. Hit two and play your best and suck it up from there. Brian teed off first which seemed to be an omen as he didn't relinquish that cherished honor most of the day. The expectations based off recent play were Brian to break 70. I'd be happy breaking 80 and Jeff... well Jeff was looking to break 90 though he has had good luck here in the past.

We played Winter rules (of course) so preferred lies helped some. All in all we didn't play poorly except for some stray shots here and there with some against trees (Jeff).

Or bunker shots (Scott). Though we did play it so we could rake the bunkers since they were in rather poor shape (Thanks, Brian).

I've personally never played so many shots in the back of my stance in one round ever! Somehow I hit most of them as I drew them up. I should either be encouraged or scared in my improvement in that area.

Unlike last years meltdown by me the outcome was pretty much clinched at the turn. That's when our revamped "hopes" of what we were going to shoot kicked in though Jeff's approach to the front nine left him hoping to break the century mark on the back nine.  Brian was consistent from tee to green though nothing was really dropping in. His 2 birdies were kick in's on par 5's. After a so-so front nine I was encouraged by reeling of 5 straight pars though the finish of 5 over the last 4 holes didn't really suit me.

Nonetheless... the total damage is below. Only a couple circles on the card by Brian. Had we put squares on the card of bogey or worse I don't think you could read the card. Though the weather was perfect there were a couple snowmen that were found on the course. :)

Once again Brian has another piece of hardware to display proudly on his mantel. I'm thinking we may have to have him play on one foot or something to even up this event. What's funny for me is I'm fired up already to start playing for next year! I'm thinking I can work hard enough on my game I just might be able to take down Brian... well I'd like to think I can anyway.

There's a lot on the schedule for Brian coming up on the Hooter's Tour. He's heading back down to Orlando this week to prep for tournaments the next couple weeks. After a quick return for Christmas he'll turn around and head back South for most of January and February. It's an exciting time for him right now and we both feel that more is on the horizon.

Brian, Jeff and I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday that was full of good eating and love from family and friends. It's truly a blessing to spend time with everyone and enjoy the moments of our lives. I'll work on Brian to get some journal entries from the road. You hear that Bruce?

With that I'll end the blog for tonight and wish you blessings of the coming days. See you next time.