Throwing down the golf gauntlet

There are several charitable golf tournaments throughout the year, but the one which benefits a lot of kids, happens to be one of my favorites to play in.

The Rotary Golf Classic is always a fun event and it brings out some stiff competition among local golfers.

With that said and the scramble less than two weeks away, I figure it?s time to ruffle some feathers.

Now for the past three years there?s been some bragging rights between your two local media outlets. It?s not something we get out and brag about in public, but it?s a private competition between your friendly neighborhood sports department here at the Southern Standard and the fine folks at the radio station.

As most of you know there?s a great friendship between Rob, myself and the employees of WAKI and the crew at Hot Country 104. But for one day a year the friendship turns into a battle on the links.

Now, none of us are by no means great golfers, but on the first Saturday in August our game becomes serious.

For the past two years the Southern Standard team has earned all the bragging rights over the radio station, finishing several strokes lower than our cronies in the broadcasting booth.

I will say this, two years ago they did win their flight, but this friendly competition isn?t about winning your flight ? it?s all about who shoots the best score and that honor, my friend, goes to the good ol? boys here at the paper.

Now without getting too mean about things, I believe it?s time to remind Bryan Kell and the guys a few of the scores posted by these two fine teams over the past two years.

Last year the sports department turned in a respectful 56, just five shots off the winning pace. Let?s see what the radio team turned in. I?m going to have to look far down the list, oh here it is ? a 66.

In 2004 things were a little bit tighter, but the sports department still came away with the bragging rights. It looks like a 62 for the paper and a 65 for the radio station.

I?ll have to do a little research, but it looks like the last time Mr. Kell was on a winning team was three years ago. Mr. Kell happened to land on my team due to our original teammates having previous engagements and in 2003 we just happened to win flight B with a score of 64.

Now I?m not saying it was because of my golfing abilities, but it has been the lowest score Mr. Kell has ever seen.

So it?s time to pull off the gloves and throw out the challenge once again. There are no side bets, it?s just clean fun for all the media bragging rights for the next year.

Rob and I have been very humble with our wins and maybe it?s time to stir up a little dust and put a little fire in the radio station team this year. Come on guys, you need a little motivation. Clean the dust off your clubs and at least get out in your back yard and take a few hacks before the scramble. Step up to the challenge and give us something to aim for this year.

Now before anyone takes this column too seriously, being able to poke a little fun at your friends is part of what makes the Rotary Classic so special. It?s all about having a little fun.

This year Rob and I have decided to check the radio team?s score at the turn and if we?re too far ahead, then we?re going to duff the next couple of holes to make it a little less embarrassing for them.