Thursday, August 9
Here we are, the morning after the big shuffle. At Worlds, all players shoot each course once over two days, then everyone's scores are compared and the pools are reshuffled. There are four Open pools, but only the top 54 players are in 'A' pool after the shuffle. Out of 81 Masters, 54 made the 'E' pool, which is our top pool.
The Great Shuffle itself is a huge administrative nightmare. Last year at the Michigan Worlds, where both the pros and ams competed, we had torrential rainstorms that shorted out our computer system and we were unable to publish the new pools until 11pm. Minnesota did a great job. Open was done and published by 7pm; Masters was done and published by 10pm, which is phenomenal. Congrats to head scorekeeper Chuck Kennedy!
The tourney hotel was the place to be last night. Most everyone was there to find out what his or her new pool would be.
The lobby and bar were overflowing with golfers, but the most fun was up on the second floor for the annual Innova party. We're talking open bar, mountains of chilled shrimp cocktail, and an entire buffet line of scrumptious morsels.
In addition, the generous Innova folks were giving out all manner of cool merch. The bystanders in the lobby kept watching all these people coming out with beers and hats and t-shirts filling their arms. It was a great party, thanks to Harold Duvall, Dave Dunipace, Tim Selinske, Sammy Ferrans, Jonathan Poole, and the whole crew. I don't have a real clear memory of the end of the party, but do know that the bar stayed open late.
This morning, I was quite happy to remain in the top Masters pool - just barely -- and I got to play with Larry Ast from Wisconsin and Kent 'Thumper' Parsons from Oregon. Once again, it was a great group. I've had great groups every single round. Thumper was really positive and energetic this morning, he got whole group going. He's really fun to watch, and has huge power. Thumper can throw a frisbee through a wall and not dent the frisbee.
It looks like the humidity has broken for the moment. There was a real threat of rain this morning, but it never materialized. Just a few drops. It was a little windy, but after this week's heat, a little wind is welcome!
Yesterday afternoon we played Kapoisa and arrived at hole #5, a 425 foot tight anhyzer that goes down a hill, then up a hill and then down a hill. There was a bit of a backup, and I asked the spotter 'hey, has anyone deuced this today?' He says 'well just one guy, but I don't know what his name was. Really tan with a knockout girlfriend.' The group immediately realized the deucemeister was Javier Kowalski, last year's second place Masters player.
We've just finished the first round at North Valley, and are standing at course central. PDGA Commissioner Jim Challas is overseeing the process. Among the bystanders are Chuck Kennedy, Barry Noakes, Michael Glass, Jordan Halprin, John Houck, Doug Corea, J. Gary Dropcho, Joe Mela, and Rocky Russell. Having just turned in my card, I'm going to pack it up and head to Damon's for lunch.
