Mickelson Finds Humor in Chamber's First Season League Play
A great big THANKS goes out to those who participated in the first ever, Greater Maple Valley Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce Golf Team: Adrien Zeumault, Ed Glenn, Heath Anderson, Brett Habenicht, Cory and Tina McDonough, Kevin Patterson, Mario Sorci, and Sue VanRuff. We enjoyed some smiles and suffered through many tears. We lost many balls but found twice as many in the woods and lakes trying to locate them.We persevered through lightning, high winds and rain.But also enjoyed some of the nicest days the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
We also made some new friends and business contacts along the way.Plus, the LakeWilderness staff spoiled us with drink specials and awesome (yet inexpensive) buffet and an affordable, first class golfing experience.
Kevin Patterson and myself enjoyed watching Tina McDonough learn golf.She and her husband Cory are pretty new to the game.The first time they were out I had to pick up pink club head covers that Tina had littered along the course ahead of me.I entrusted Cory to get them back to her.Later in the season Tina got her first par.I wasn’t there, but I heard it.OUT LOUD!Next year Tina insists we will be wearing matching, pink shirts.
In Tina’s words, “I personally just want to say thanks to everyone for making this such a fun experience and being patient with me.”“Kevin P is a great coach!”“Thanks for the fun & memories!”
Kevin and I managed to be teamed up quite a bit.One of our outings brought us into contact with the “Colonel.”As one of our golfers was in their backswing, the “Colonel” came running out on the course yelling, “the hole is in that direction.”We later learned he had been on his deck the day before (cleaning his M-16) when a careless golfer overshot and hit him square in the head.Instead of walking over and apologizing, the golfer and his two buddies got in their golf carts and started to take off.The “Colonel” wasn’t going to have that happen and ran into their path.The inconsiderate golfer got out of his cart, grabbed a 7 iron and began to threaten the “Colonel.”At that point the “Colonel” stated, “I dropped him.”No formal charges have been pressed by either party.Thank God.
None of this could have happened without the extensive support of Sue VanRuff.Although I think she is in it more for the memorable moments like when she was on hole number 16, par 3, and Noel Pudwell drove it over the fence into the roadway and hit the carnie truck arriving for Maple Valley Days.As she states, “It was like watching a disaster in slow motion.”They were all expecting the driver to be really pissed and come after Noel . . . turned out the carnie had a sense of humor.However, Noel wasn’t laughing.He thought he had hit two balls out of bounds and his third into the sand trap. Sue, his competitor, was on the green in one.Noel lucked out though.The ball that hit the carnie truck had bounced back on to the fairway short of the green; he was only laying 3.
That was just a sampling of the fun stories and memorable moments we had.If you would like to experience this for yourself, I would advise you to sign up for golf league next year with the GMVBDCC.
Editor's Note:
This team made it through its first year due to the determination of our team coach. Little did he know that winning the putting contest at the Lake Wilderness 'Business After Hours' last year would lead him to captaining our golf team. Thank you, Tim, for stepping up and making this fun!
Sue
