Than Us?  A special event was made even better this year by wonderful weather, a course in fast, firm condition and a grill that may be getting too good for us.  Outdoor TVs?  Guinness?  We are living the good life.  

It was a real pleasure to see everyone again and reconnect.  Like so many other things, the best part of the Opening Day Scramble was the people - seeing familiar smiles and laughing at the same stories we told last year.  Greg ran a great event and Woody showed true inspiration in ordering up a barbeque.  The whole thing just felt like summer is back in Westchester.

Winners and team scores are listed on the Events page, but first place went to Fred Appel, Kyle Shearman, Larry McNaughton and Joe DiFiore, who finished 6 under.  Wait - Joe DiFiore - didn't he win the weekly last Saturday?  And the Saturday before that?  He's running the table on us.  Can this be the same JoieD who showed up at the course without ever making home on Friday nights?  Yes, it is - but there's a new wrinkle to the story:  Joe's engaged.  He made it official last weekend.  Our Boom Boom Bachelor is no more.  Congratulations, Joie.  Clearly it's doing wonders for your golf.  Here's hoping that your game and your girl just keep getting better.   

Today's format reminded me what a great game golf is.  I can't think of another sport where people of such mixed abilities could play together, have as much fun and learn from one another.  It really is humbling and plays no favorites.  I mean, I learned a ton playing with two 20+ handicappers.  At one point I watched Greg Schimoler sink 53 feet of putts on three consecutive greens!  15' 20' 18'.  He single handedly put us into the running.  And I learned that sometimes you don't read the putts - sometimes you don't walk the line, plumb the bob or die it into the edge of the cup.  Sometimes you just hit it - at the hole - with authority.  I shouldn't have to learn that lesson, but I didn't make those putts, he did.  And Tom Bair taught me that the joy of a new driver can do wonders for your tempo - and hence your distance.  Tom slowed it down and smashed 'em today.  We went into #17 with a 7 iron after his bomb.  So thanks guys.  That was fun; I played better because I played with you.  Let's not wait until next spring to mix it up again.

Next week is qualifying day for Partners Best Ball.  You can sign up via graphic on right or reach Rich via Tournaments@TheSaxonyClub.com.   If you've confirmed your team and attendance to Richy, then there's a pre-handicapped scorecard waiting for you - just click here.  
  

The paparazzi were stalking us today.  Glenn caught the groups posing on the 1st tee, Woody & Ron roamed the fairways with SLRs - wherever we turned our graceful swings and were being captured for posterity - or at least for a few days on the web.  We took so many photos that I had to break them into three albums below - even with subjects as handsome as ourselves, there's a limit to how many snaps of men in shorts you can look at in one sitting.  So pick one - browse through it and then come back later for a second helping.

        1st Tee & Groups           Around the Course                At The Grill