September 28 1999, Mobile Alabama
Lots of fun in Texas.
On the highway to Houston, a car nudged the side of the Winnebago while
we were doing 60 mph. The guy didn't even stop. No damage really,
just a little dent on the door where the propane tanks(!) are kept.
We got into Houston and practiced the two courses at Tom Bass Park. One was a
fairly short course with Strokesaver baskets, and the other was very long
with Mach Threes. Had a hard time finding camping that night. Later we
found a campground that was just five minutes from the course and stayed there
for the next three days.
Al and I had gotten very low on cash, so decided we'd better play the doubles
on the afternoon before the tournament. It was $40 per team and we just
couldn't get the putts to stay in. Now we were in serious trouble. The
pitiful payout at Tennessee combined with a lot of driving around had caused
a financial crisis: I had $8 in my checking account and wrote $210 entry fee check.
Was hoping we would win some money and I could
buy the check back after the tournament. My bank would cover the check, but
I'd have to pay a hefty surcharge.
Day One, Texas State Championships:
Saturday it became pretty windy. We played the Wilmont course first and I
managed to lead all Open players with a -4. Schultz and Stokely shot -3.
Russell shot a -2 and Al a -1. Dave had a tough time (he was playing in
the Open division) and shot a +6.
The wind kept up for the second round. I shot a pitiful -1 on the regular course.
Al shot a -4, Schultz shot -6, Russell shot -7, and Stokely shot -11. Seth
Lawhead also shot a -11 and exploded into my spot in the lead group.
Day Two, 3rd round:
I shot a +4 this time, on Wilmont’s more difficult layout.
Al shot an impressive -1, Stokely +1, Schultz
crushed the course record with a -7!!!! Lawhead shot a +7. Russell shot
something.
The field got cut to the top third and we played another safari 9 holes in
a ripping wind. Al shot as well as anyone and slid into the #4 spot,
ousting Ron Russell and shortening his tournament. I shot so-so and ended up
tied for 7th with Seth. Youngster Mike Young (The Worm) shot into the #3
spot with some outstanding play.
Final 6 Safari Holes:
Al was 5 strokes out of 3rd. There was a $500 bonus for the lowest score on
the final 6 holes donated by Strokesaver. That was our goal. I caddied and
we went at it.
- Hole #1: Barry 4, Mike 4, Scott 4, Al 5
- Hole #2: Barry 3, Mike 3, Scott 4, Al 4
- Hole #3: Barry 3, Mike 4, Scott 4, Al 3
- Hole #4: Barry 4, Mike 3, Scott 3, Al 4
- Hole #5: Barry 4, Mike 2, Scott 4, Al 2
- Hole #6: Barry 3, Mike 4, Scott 4, Al 2
In the event of a tie, the closest to the pin on #6 would win the $500.
Al was the last person to putt on the hole. He made a 25 footer in a
headwind for the $500.
Barry won the event, and $1000. Scott and Mike Young tied for second,
Al was 4th, and Ron was 5th.
Mike played an excellent tournament but was a little perturbed at taking the
bogey on the last hole. He shook it off quickly though and smiled through
the awards and solicited sponsorship from Discraft or Innova. He seems like
a good guy with a good game. Watch for his name in the future.
We bought our entry check back from the TD and had some money left over, so we
headed for a restaurant and a good meal.
Decided to head for Buddy
Pacatte's house in Mobile, Alabama and run a Maceman doubles.
On the way out of the state, some Texas
troopers pulled us over because "the light over our license plate was sorta
dim." Of course they searched the Winnebago again. We took the incident in
stride and continued down the road. Hyzer was a bit friendlier this time.
-Todd
