TD and AssTD warmed up for FYMA '21 at A.C. Read Golf Course on NAS Pensacola. Both had rounds that could have made a difference in the tournament. So much for practice. We're talking about practice! Practice!

Virtual G-money kicks off the Southern Shillelagh Shake with a virtual "wooooo!"

With respectable rounds all week, our champ just couldn't make up the Champion's adjustment as he had left his putter in Arizona. "These greens are just like my home course" P.K. repeated throughout. Our Cuppers proceeded through the round in a single 5-some. This made for some great banter as opening day coincided with St Patrick's Day 2021. Slàinte Gentlemen!

Scenic Hills came in, much like this spring, like a lamb, but finished like a lion. Scores were relatively high on this opening round. Muddy is your Day 1 leader. Four strokes back was Kinger, followed by PK, Vis, and Fratt. While in fifth, Fratt's performance was somewhat remarkable. Only weeks since shoulder surgery and a lack of Bon Vivant, Fratt disobeyed doctor's orders and posted a score, albeit crap. Fortunately, Bloody Mary was there to dull the pain of recovery and a bad round.

Not wanting a long drive back to NAS Pensacola, the TD & AssTD called an audible and proceeded to Tiger Point. The weather from the previous evening had cleared out and sun was aplenty. But sunshine wasn't the only element in abundance, the overnight front that came through the panhandle also turned up the fan. Cuppers now faced 25-30 mph winds on a links style course that meandered 2.8 miles out and downwind along the Emerald Coast. It was the return that was unforgiving. Heading straight back into the teeth of this great wind meant climbing golf scores. Day two saw a higher average round than day 1. Whoever could deal with the wind would, the sun, the jazz juice, and stay focused could wind up on top at the end of this track.

As the day came to a close, there was some movement amongst all 5 cuppers on the leaderboard. Kinger posted a solid net +1 to take the lead. Muddy slipped to two strokes back of the lead after posting a +8 net and now +8 for the tournament. P.K. battled and posted low gross for the day (95), but is losing the war against the champion's adjustment and sits 12 behind the leader. Fratt got back on track, but the damage done on day 1 may prove to be too much. TD developed a new and innovative way to approach the game, but he still hadn't work out the kinks by the end of the round and slipped further behind.

Back at the Casa de TD, two Big Bears arrive and promptly find their den parked in the driveway. Whitey and Clarkie bring the group to #uberhyped and our total to 7 cuppers in person, 8 with virtual G on the phone. Movies, Proper 12 and, of course, the same stories abound. The excitement waned around 4am, just what this tournament needed to test the wills of the participants. FYMA cup is in full swing now.

Stonebrook Country Club...Home of Bubba Watson. Top two are paired in the cart for this final round to prevent any late tournament chicanery. Muddy and Kinger are separated by 3 strokes. Vis and Clarkie there to provide as much distraction as possible. The boys did not disappoint! Both came out steady. Muddy posts a 46 front 9 and Kinger a 55. Taking handicaps into account, this has the in a dead heat. The winner of the back 9 will been the Shillelagh Shake Champion. Clarkie, while not technically out of it, slips a little on the front. The top two are having consistent rounds. Who will falter first? Muddy stumbles on the two back nine par 3's, going +5 to Kinger's +2. This proved to be the difference maker, although Muddy's par on the final hole forces Kinger to preserve his win by putting a 5 footer in for triple bogey.

After a very competitive match, Kinger earned having his name forever etched in the FYMA Cup and the right to sport the Champions jacket for the next year. We look forward to receiving our Christmas cards with Kinger ensconced in the FYMA Blue Blazer. Congratulations Kinger!

Thanks again & Happy Birthday Cheri !!!!