The League managed to get in its nine holes last Wednesday. Our wondrous wizard of league stats, Joe McDermott, called with the results. There was enthusiasm in his voice and wouldn’t you know it, the week’s winners were McDermott and Tony Papa.
In second place with a tie were the teams of Jay Morris and Bill Babcock, and Bob Piper and Kent Booker. Tied for third were Dan Mocarski and Ian Drewette, and Jim Spinney and John Hanna.
Closest to the pin on nine was Tony Papa at 3 feet, 10 inches. Low putts went to McDermott and Papa with 12. Closest to the middle line at hole 7 was our dean of golfers, Charley Richards. Standings at the halfway point in the season have McDermott and Papa solidly in first place.
The highlight of the morning was seeing Jim Adderman in short pants with insulated Bean boots half way to his knees. He stayed warm and dry all morning!
Besides golf, Bud has other passions. Certainly his wife, Janet, is number one, but coming in a close second has to be the Boson Red Sox and the greatest Sox player of them all, Ted Williams. “I know more about Ted Williams than Ted ever knew about himself,” says Bud.
The other day I walked into the Club House Fairway Restaurant and hanging high on three walls were six or eight beautiful Red Sox shirts and jackets, all emblazoned with Ted’s number nine. “Ah,” I said. “Bud’s been here!”
Sharlene Feltis was tidying up some tables and said something like, “You’re right. Bud is offering these for sale to help pay for his trip to the Red Sox Fantasy Camp.” Later Bud told me that the shirts and jackets commemorate Ted Williams and his career. They range in size from medium to extra large and are priced from $75 to $250. The quality is excellent!
The Fantasy Camp will take place in Ft. Myers, Fla. from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7 and about 25 former Sox players will be there like Jim Rice, Louie Tiant, Bill “Spaceman” Lee and Butch Hobson. There will be nearly 100 Fantasy participants and one must be 30 years or more to attend. Bud qualifies.
Once there a participant receives training and instruction and will try out for one or more positions. Teams of 12 will be chosen with a former Red Sox player as manager of each. They will play games twice a day and play one game against the Sox players.
Each day they eat with the former players. Attendees receive two Red Sox uniforms, one for home and the other, away. At the end of the camp each will receive a highlight video of their experience.
Bud is preparing carefully for Fantasy Camp working out at the YMCA and he will be given indoor batting practice during late fall and early winter. Hopefully Bud will write about his camp experience. This will truly be a dream come true for Bud, and we sincerely hope he has the time of his life
On the sixth hole my second shot landed on the top of the slope in front of the green and rolled back into the water. I was certain that it would be at the bottom of the pond, but discovered that it was about a foot from the bank and completely submerged. I said to my playing partner, Marty Olson, ” I think I am going to try to make this shot,” remembering Charley Richards’ similar shot out of the brook a month ago. Marty said, “Go for it, but don’t fall in.”
I don’t think he wanted to get wet pulling me out of the pond. With my left foot high on the bank and the right one almost in the water I addressed the ball somewhat magnified by the rippling water. I swung as hard as I could and pond water covered my glasses, my face and just about everything else. Marty exclaimed, “Good shot,” and said that the ball went high over the flag stick and landed 10 or 12 feet from the hole.
I was thrilled with the shot and even happy with the resulting bogey.
The best resulting score of the day, 26.25, was turned in by Ann Knott. Judy DiNucci was second with 27.75, and Punky Adams and Carol Lindquist tied for third with scores of 29.
For the second week in a row, there were no chip-ins.
Thanks to reporter Carol Lindquist.
