All is Right in the World

The Champ with his Cup

2011, Year of the Non-Cup

2011 winner Ron Braun seen here holding the special "non-cup" courtesy of an advanced case of senioritis.
At some point (in your dreams Ed.) a photo of the Cup will be Photoshopped in. Nonetheless; here are the four Arbucklians in various states of amusement over the plight of the Cup.

Arbuckle 13 Report. Or was it 14?

The Brokendown Seniors Tour formerly known as the Arbuckle Invitational was held in Michigan from July 11-13. Badman Braun from Motown, aka Ron Braun, emerged the victor in a relatively easy stroll to the title.

Braun zoomed out to an early lead on Day 1 at Leslie Park; held on during a tough day two at U-M Stadium course and then withstood  a couple of meek challenges from Last and Straus on Day 3 at the Polo Fields in Ypsilanti (a great new to us track). Not much to report there.

There was big news at this year’s tourney though, namely that after years of erroneously proclaiming added length off the tee, this year Braun’s assertions actually came true. He was indeed substantially longer off the tee. To this observer’s eyes, the added distance may have been as much as 20, 30 or even 40 yards. Substantial to say the least. Best of all, this was no mere technology boost (nor did it appear to be steroids or human growth hormone induced – take that Tiger). No, the additional yards appeared to come from an improved swing. Badman figured it out. Impressive.  And telling.

We all can derive great strength from knowing that one can improve their game with enough work, concentration and practice. So hats off to this year’s champion, he both earned and deserved it.

Quick words about the other three competitors.


The Little Cat hung in there. Bringing his usual combination of no practice and no time to practice to the tourney had little discernible effect –positive or negative  -- on his game. He was good at times; and had a hard time at others. His swing is still the best natural one of the quartet – no telling how good he could be with a little work on his game, but que sera sera.

Stanley Pesick?  An enigma wrapped in a riddle in 2011. He had played brilliantly in the lead up to the event.  Scoring well. Killing the ball off the tee and yet by the second or third hole on the last day he was out of it; if not by score then mentally. Not much to say other than it wasn’t his week.

Peter Straus? The Commish, as in past years, is clearly a head case. Falling way behind on Day One appears to free his mind to play unencumbered by pressure on the remaining two days. Get a shrink!

One last note. A new tradition was added to the proceedings by the Honorable Judge Walter Shapero who purchased a  green jacket which was awarded to Mr. Braun on the closing night’s festivities in the home of Judge Shapero and Kathleen Straus. Henceforth,  the Old Boys of Summer will be vying for both jacket and cup.

See you next year.

Sounds of Spring and Summer

Now to the latest in our summer series meant to tickle your ears. We're listening to the unique sounds of the season.

(Soundbite of music)
SCOTT TUROW: I'm Scott Turow, an attorney and the author, most recently of "Innocent." My summer sound is related to the game of golf.
(Soundbite of golf swing)
TUROW: For me, the liberty and lushness of this season is most fully summoned by the cool crack of a tiny ball against the metal face of a driver.
In my case, that sound is too often followed by the woodpecker-knock of my ball on an oak's limb, the warning screams of my playing companions to other golfers, or even, in one case, by the honk of an indignant goose I struck with a mishit grounder that left the bird uninjured but outraged.
(Soundbite of golf swing)
TUROW: Yet in my mind's ear, there is always the perfect ping of that sphere on the center of my club face and the faintest vacuum as the ball ascends.
(Soundbite of golf swing)
TUROW: Golf is an untimed game played in a pastoral space, not merely the grass you tread but the sky in which your shots travel, all within the borders of the fully-leafed forests and ravines and ponds that frame our Midwestern courses, the entire enterprise subject always to the whims of weather - people against nature in the most amiable competition, conducted to the music of wind and water and the peculiar sounds of humans striving.
(Soundbite of golf ball rolling)

Next installment at Leslie Park - Monday, July 11.