The Reading Open started early this year as Chief flew in from Chicago joining Witzee (who drove up from NC) for some Thursday Night Margerita activity and Fireworks Show by Kyle “Juvie” Kemble.  The chief paid off a $20 bet with Witzee on a game of horse played 16 years ago at Witzee’s NC spread.  Witzee gladly accepted the cash and waived any inflationary costs.

 On Friday Morning,  Luke, witzee and the Chief sat around watching Springer until it was time to head to Twin Ponds for the Pro/am.  They joined up with Joe Pyott, Cuzzins Ed and Dennis and Wally Gator.  Pops joined us a little later as he took several shot cuts – but he was rewarded for his effort by getting to ride in a cart with the chief who always goes with proper attire.  Chief was on fire – twice carding 3 pars in a row, and that old codger Pops birdied #9.  Dennis and Ed became bored after # 14 Tee shot so they went airborne off the tee box.  Chief was up about 12 skins on Luke when the rain hit at the 14^th Hole and we all dashed for shelter in the pavilion where Pops got to hang out with all the old sea hags having the women’s league party.  After some loud bangs, we decided to call the match (thus nullifying Luke’s debt to the chief – everyone knows you have to finish the round to collect) and headed home for some Stromboli and surprise visitor Josie with Shane and Rachel in tow.  Good thing Burnzee wasn’t there cause the 1 Howard limit was clearly exceeded.   At about 7 PM, the Reading Open First Annual Texas Hold ‘em Tournament got underway – click here to read all about the Poker and the Tremendous Champion.

The Highlights  ~  Photo Album

There was a poor showing at the 8:30 AM cocktail party as Meats and Dugan (who?) were the only ones present for quite some time – Cuz Jim never misses bloody mary time but he seemed to have alarm clock problems this year.  A bad Omen also made an appearance at the pregame party. 

Wolfie kick started the tournament by dropping 3 straight balls in the water at the first tee.  I hope he went for the economy Plan.  Of course, Cuzzin jim showed up after his foursome was already in the first fairway but he teed off and caught up quickly.   The next 4-some pulled out the zany unlatch the golf bags from the cart trick – That one just never gets old- and the tournament was in full swing.  Witzee spent a lot of time looking in Gilbertsville road for his balls and Pops was taking advantage of several senior allowances given during the tournament.  The doll was dancing Down the Fairways and Security boy john was a laugh a minute riot.  The Meats group #1 just  about brought the course to a halt by letting 2 holes open up in front of them – and the group in front had POPS in it – go Figure! The skies looked threatening during the day but the rain held off until the award ceremony  - special thanks to Dugan for going out for more beer – you guys are drinking too much!

 And the results are:

 Dugan won the longest absence award – last playing (shirtless I might add)  in 1986 at the arrowhead golf course

 Witz edged out the tough guy tice (west Virginia fellow on moonshine) for longest drive coming all the way from NC.  Dean picked up 1045 free hours of AOL for the effort.

Jeff george won 1^st to pay and received a photo collection from last year’s ski trip and a bootleg DVD copy of the star wars movie.  Charlie "the butcher" Lutz won the second to pay and was rewarded with a 2005 datebook with 5 good months remaining.

Closest to the line on hole #1 was won by one of the Hate brothers  who was about 5 feet off the line just beating the shot by the young Hate boy by 3 feet.  We HATE those Hate boys.  He was rewarded with a $25 cash prize Courtesy of Kevin Adelsberg (ADS) and Weichert Reality  - Use Weichert Reality for all your real estate needs. 

Closest to the pin was won by Steve Rada-douche but he had to leave early and second on the list was one of the Hate Boys, so Stephanie won the prize by default.  She scooped up the $25 cash prize Courtesy of Kevin Adelsberg (ADS) and Weichert Reality  - Use Weichert Reality for all your real estate needs.  She will make sure Rada-douche gets his cut.

 Hole #3 long putt contest was won by Charlie Lutz with a 25 footer.  He won a really swell currency converter thingy.

 Hole #5 – Closest to the Pin (on a side note Luke birdied this hole) – another Hate Boy victory – who are these guys and why are they here?  Well, we reluctantly handed the spiffy trophy over.

 Hole # 6 – Long Drive – Another card filled out by the Hate Boys.  Invoked some seldom used statute, the Hate Boy was disqualified and Cuzzin Jim took the award.

 Hole # 8 – Drive the green contest  - Another Hate Victory – I hate this.

 Hole #9 – Closest to the Pin for 50 Large – Somebody named MicNick won this won – who the hell is he?

 Hole #10 – Tough Guy Drive Contest – only real dopes need apply.  Witzee and Wolfie both drove past the water but witzee followed wolfie so he surprisingly won the award and one of those fancy currency converters.

 Hole #11 – closest to Pin – Who cares as long as it wasn’t one of the Hate Boys  (cuz jim)

Hole #13  - The toughest par 3 on the course was nailed  by Mike wert.

 Hole 14 – long drive on the monster par 5  - this appeared to be won by a schraffer  - - it couldn’t be mike could it?   Not it was brother Tom – friend of CRAZE.

 Hole #15 – Closest to the pin 2^nd shot – for 50 large.  Another one of them Hate boys won but was too embarrassed to collect so he send the young hate boy up to cash in.

 Hole #18  - closest to the pin for the big dough – 100 large.  The Tuze put one to 10 feet and nobody challenged as the Tuze sat there and watched all the golfers go through to protect his investment  - thus breaking the 19 year streak of the last 4-some always winning this contest.

 AT 129, Mike schaeffer ran away with the most honest golfer award.

 In the elite division (comprised mainly of the Hate Boys), B. Hate edged Brother L. Hate 71 to 73.  The Young Hate was a few strokes back at 81.  

 Pops won the Senior division for the second year in a row but was unable to collect the trophy so the age limit was dropped from over 70 to over 55 and Joe Donahue snuck in for the Win.

 The Hate Boy won the junior division with an 81 – a tournament record for juniors – what a surprise.

 Low net was difficult to decide as Kyle “ juvie” Kemble carded a net of 57 (with a healthy handicap of course) but was whisked off by his dad shortly after the tournament.  After careful consideration of the other scores and repeated attempts by witzee to claim the prize, Meats was declared the winner although his net was higher than at least 8 other golfers – Burnzee included.

 And the moment you have all been waiting for – The 2005 Greater Reading Open Champion is Dean “Tough Guy” Tice.  Carding an 82 while playing with Burnzee is quite an accomplishment.  The fact that 6 other golfers recorded lower scores supports the old adage that winning the Reading Open Championship is “More Than Just a Score”