Mason-Dixon
AC-XIV, Spring 2007
(more like summer actually, but you know, "tradition")
Kevin Dominates Golf to Take Cup!
The first ever
Mason-Dixon
ACup
(July 7-8-9)
Is was looking like Ocean City (MD) this year until... what? An injury?? Yes, these days (read: years) it's a real crap shoot as to who will be visiting the doctor most often. Paul dared use the fitness center during a late winter Florida vacation and has been on meds and in physical therapy ever since, officially on the DL (Decrepit List). Because OC golf packages are structured around foursomes, the remaining trio opted to reduce costs and do a regional ACup. Beginning in Gettysburg on Saturday, July 7, they will traverse PA and MD to complete the quadrathon. Derek has apparently recovered from the ankle injury (inflicted by Paul, no less) that put him in a cast, then in PT, then to the doc for a shot of magical cortisone to return to competition shape. So it's Gettysburg, then Ijamsville (hometown of former PSU QB Zack Mills), and then on to Middletown for the closing round.
One new twist this year: tennis has been restructured to be best of five sets (vice three), with sets being defined as a first to 6 points, win-by-2 format. This year's hoops three point line will remain at 19 feet, 9 inches, but next year will be moved to the new collegiate (and pro) distance of 20 feet, 9 inches.
Day 1, Saturday, July 7th
Tom and Derek arrived in Gettysburg early to do some loosening up exercises at Quail Valley, which coincidentally features a golf course. The locals have a standing, unofficial competition each Saturday morning (not unlike a mini-ACUP), so Tom and Derek went off on their heels with Jay and Jimmy (no, I am not making those names up). Play was slow for a few holes, but the locals knew their digs and the round was completed at a brisk pace. Derek made the mistake of hitting to a blind hole while the locals were still putting out, but there was no bloodshed. They finished just in time to depart for the Links of Gettysburg and their 2:20 tee time.
Kevin "BIGCHEESE" Wagner arrived almost simultaneously with Tom and Derek. The course held a tournament in the morning and the crowd was still milling about when the ACUP guys went looking for food and drink in the clubhouse. After a quick bite they headed for the starter, who (like the starter at Quail Valley) had extended roots in Maryland. They bantered about Maryland and the course, and were sent on their way. The first tee gave clear visual indication this was a special locale. Kevin's first swing was a harbinger of things to come -- a smooth drive in the fairway. As they moved through the course, it became obvious this was the nicest course ever on the ACUP circuit, surpassing Mystic Rock (Nemacolin Resort). With many holes cut right out of the red rock, it gave spectacular views and challenges (see pics). Most distracting was the wedding ceremony taking place just above the 18th green as they were finishing the round. All players shot above their handicaps, and though Tom joined Derek in carding a "10" for a single hole, he claimed a three stroke net lead.
With Gettysburg insider Wayne Wheeles advising the Civil War Re-enactment was just ending as the gents finished their round, the Appalachian Brewing Company was no longer an option, so they headed to Brewer's Alley in (also busy) Frederick (MD), where Paul met up with the gang to complete the foursome. They sample the fine brews, got a quick meal, and headed to Tom's house for the night, where they played some bumper pool, Texas Hold'em with the "special" deck, and killed a bottle of Brinley Gold. By 3:30am, it was time to get some sleep.
End of day one -- no scoring.
Day 2, Sunday, July 8th
If Saturday was hot, Sunday was even hotter. The guys crawled out of bed by 9am to devour some doughnuts, then headed to nearby Blake High School to complete the basketball and tennis before the heat became unbearable. There were plenty of courts, all vacant, giving professional sports photographer Paul plenty of space to work.
Taking advantage of the one hoop with a mostly intact net, they set about warming up, which took all of a few minutes due to the heat and humidity. Tom got off to a quick start and held a three point lead at the end of the first quarter, but it was Kevin and Derek who heated up in the 2nd, as Tom dropped to 3rd place at the half. Derek remained consistent in the 3rd, pushing his lead to 20 points. Their shooting was clearly spent by the 4th quarter, and Derek held on for the win.
Tennis began right on the heels of hoops on the adjacent (very nice) courts. By random draw, Derek and Kevin started it off, using the new 5-set format. It was a nip and tuck match, with Derek narrowly taking the first two sets and finishing in three. The next random pairing pitted Derek against Tom. The temperature was clearly becoming a factor, but Derek huffed his way to another straight set win. In the finale, Kevin edged Tom 8-6 in the seesaw first set and went on to win in three.
With a somewhat tight schedule, all four meandered to the nearby Leisure World Burger King for a nutritious lunch. Then Paul bid farewell to the trio, who headed to Whiskey Creek for stroke golf play. The heat was sweltering as they headed to the first tee, where they set about challenging the waist-high grasses in the rough. This was another very fine venue, which thankfully featured HUGE fans near the greens where the guys took refuge from the soaring temps. Again, there were some spectacular views, but none more spectacular to Kevin than the net 75 he carded to take 1st place in stroke play, as well as a 3 stroke lead in overall net play. Despite being an absentee, Paul claimed 3rd place over sporadic Derek. With the day's events completed, they traveled to Derek's where Tom picked up his car to head home for the night, while Derek and Kevin chowed down on Papa John's pizza, beer, and Brinley.
End of day two - Kevin 20, Derek 19, Tom 14, Paul 7
Day 3, Monday, July 9th
Bowling was the first order of the day. Having scouted the "Walkersville Bowling Center" via Google the prior day, Derek and Kevin arrived at the destination first to find out this "Center" was a ramshackle bar with about four paved spots, assumably having a few duckpin lanes inside, and though it was supposedly open at 9am, the door was securely locked at 9:10. Abandoning Google guidance for the trusty Garmin Nuvi (which failed to accurately pinpoint WBC, however), they quickly located Terrace Lanes in nearby Frederick. This was a very classy place with 30+ lanes, computerize scoring, and excellent air conditioning. As the only souls in the joint, they got to the lanes and went straight to business. Tom rolled very steadily and Kevin had some strong games, but Derek's handicap finally caught up with him and he slid to the back of the bus. Tom secured huge points and as they grabbed their scorecards and headed to Hollow Valley, the Cup remained up for grabs.
By the noon tee-time, the temperature had already soared into the 90's, but there was a slight breeze going which made it tolerable, albeit with plenty of sunscreen and constant beveraging. Once again, Kevin played this third impressive course very consistently, and though Tom and Derek had flashes of brilliance, there wasn't nearly enough to catch the damn Yankee. Kevin eased to a three point win in match play, and along with his solid finishes in the other three events, took the championship comfortably for his second Cup.
Final Standings - Kevin 35.17, Tom 28.17, Derek 27.17, Paul 9.5
Epilogue
Having been so close so many times in the past, Kevin was due for another big Cup win. Despite playing the least golf of this year's threesome, he brought home solid performances at all three courses, which were all challenging as well as beautiful and well maintained. They never did make it to Appalachian Brewing Company, but it's definitely on the list of most-wanted watering holes.
OK, we'll try this again -- next year, the beach!! (?)
2007 Individual Trophy winners:
Kevin Derek Derek Tom
