The Shoot-Out is a bit of an intimidating affair with twelve teams and approximately 75-100 spectators on hand; playing two holes, alternate shot, to determine the final four teams to advance to the concluding elimination holes.
Amazingly, I was not terribly nervous as we approached the first tee box. It may have had something to do with the celebratory shot and two pints! We played solid golf with a net par on both holes. John executed two tidy pitch shots to set the table. Unfortunately, we finished fifth out of the twelve team field, failing to advance to the final two elimination holes.
For the first time in countless 3-Day Member-Guests, I felt as if we finally belonged and weren’t having to tuck our tails between our legs as we jettisoned from the clubhouse.
Epilogue: Having absolutely no reason to anticipate the Shoot-Out scenario, I scheduled my return flight for late Saturday afternoon. After a mad dash to the airport, I made my flight with mere moments to spare.
Resting comfortably in my Barcalounger on Sunday morning, I received an email from my brother which contained the following information:
“There was an incident at the Shoot-Out after we had departed for the airport. While driving a golf cart, an inebriated participant in the tournament and spectator at the Shoot-Out, turned the corner between the 17th green and 18th tee box and smashed into the back of our Club’s beverage cart. Unfortunately, our beverage cart girl was in the cart at the time and had her hand resting inside the steering wheel. Upon impact, the wheel of the cart turned violently and broke her wrist in multiple places.”
It just so happened that the driver of the golf cart was the very same three-handicap who we competed against in our final match.
I spent the balance of the morning considering the plight of the beverage cart girl as well as the legitimacy of our final match and the legitimacy of our participation in the all-important Shoot-Out.
I somehow knew this entire Shoot-Out situation was just too good to be true! Had demon rum already taken its toll during our final match? Would our eight-point finish be considered a tainted victory by the field, or worse yet, the golf version of stolen valor? I think not!!!!!!!!
I anxiously await my next 3-Day Member-Guest invitation!
Thank you for following Bad Golf Guy…
The back nine can only get better!
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