I want to thank my new teammate Larry Snow who in his usual style arranged for a few sponsors for us and the dough will help me pay the bills. In no particular order I want to thank Tom Maxwell of Aevitas, Mike Penny of PBW High Voltage, Jack Henderson of Henderson Machinery Moving Inc, Luis Salazar Jr. of L.M. Generating Power Co Ltd. and Larry Snow of G.T. Wood Company. All of us thank you for your sponsorship. My old Trafalgar buddy Glen Wilson sent us a cheque from his company Crossmark Canada to use for the tourney. I will use it wisely my old friend, on either food or booze or both. We all thank you.   

You might have noticed that the shoot-out has a few less groups in it. A couple of the groups have 13 and 14 guys in them and will have to lose a couple of guys per hole over the first two or three holes, but they will still finish up after 9 holes with their winner. I had some complaints that some guys didn’t show for this event and their group only had a few guys in it and it really wasn’t that much fun. Well, not this year. The groups have a lot of players in them. You are going to have to play your ass off to get to the finals of your group. With the extra money I have left over I will make sure there are some wings and veggies to snack on, when you get in.

We have some newbies coming, and some second year guys that think that it will be 75 all week, just like last year. Well my friends, Springfest is all about the elements and you just have to come prepared for whatever nature throws at us. The only thing we wait out is lightning, otherwise, be ready. So commish, if we get some inclement weather what do I need? Good question so I’ll give you a list. 

1. Rain Gear of some description
2. Rain gloves. A must. They sell them at any golf store or Bristol has them.
3. Toque 
4. Mitts
5. Extra towels
6. Shorts. Yes sometimes it warms up.
7. Plastic cup with cover to keep the water out of your drink.
8. Cart cover if you own one. I do.
9. Cart heater if you own one. I do.
10. Ear plugs to drown out your roommates snoring.
11. Rolaids, Excedrin, Advil, Maalox, Absorbine Jr.
12. One iron in case you get caught in lightning.

Other than the above, just regular clothing and lots of money to spend on eating, drinking and gambling. 

Gambling, ah yes, one of our favourite activities at Springfest. That brings me to Sports Book Shaw. SB and his minions will be manning the betting window once again this year. You can bet on the Big and Little Bopper, 5 Man scramble and tournament winner. We only pay off win bets, no place or show, so the payoffs are usually quite large if you cash in. The way SB sets it up is that in the Big Bopper two guys are paired together so if you bet one you get the other. Two Big Boppers for the price of one. Such a deal. The Little Bopper has about 13 lines of 8 guys and you get all of them on the line. Just pick three or four of your favourite numbers for this one. The ol commish has done really well in this format. My lucky numbers have come in more than once. You can also bet the tournament and SB set it up that if you bet yourself you also get the rest of your scramble team. That’s right the scramble teams are the groupings for the tourney. Lastly, you can bet the scramble. This is the most heavily bet event. The reason why, is because you just have to bet on your scramble team. It’s not mandatory, but if one of my scramble teammates doesn’t think we are worth at least a $5 bet, then I don’t want him on my team. We will live and die together over those four hours or so, so a bit of a financial commitment is necessary for team unity. SB will set up starting Wednesday and the more of you that bet early helps relieve the last minute pressure he is always under. I have no idea how he keeps it all straight, but he does and George, we all salute you.  

The Hoove/MMOS matches are all fired up and ready to go. Just a note to the competitors of this event that a group dinner is planned on Thursday night at about 7.30. Attendance is somewhat mandatory, but you want to be there so that the Blade and I can regale you with a blow by blow account of the asskicking we have just laid on Dug and Jabba (the Putt) Mitchell. Unfortunately for me, I’ll also be buying and serving a bottle of their favourite (and cheap) wine to Mssr’s Mitchell, Mitchell and Boyd. I bet them that the Canadians would miss the playoffs. They snuck in but I imagine by the time I’m purchasing their vino, the Habbies will have already been sent packing. It will be a hollow victory for them, but tasty.  

Well that is about it. I collect the Blade on Saturday morning at 6.30am and then we are off to Bristol Harbour for a little tune-up. Now is the time to start saying a little prayer to whatever God you happen to believe in to please send us some decent weather for our most deserving band of crazy Canucks. I look forward to seeing everyone in just a few days and renewing old friendships. If you have a last minute issue and cannot attend, don’t e-mail or call me, tell it to someone who cares. Drive with care. 

9 days and counting 
 

So Commish what’s the latest? Well, we have completed the 4 Par 3 closest to the pin prizes. Number two is Pat Shield’s and he has rooms for us at the Skydome for the winners on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Pat has donated a $150 Fairmont voucher that can be used at any Fairmont property in North America and now he has also come up with a two night stay at the Royal York in Toronto. I am going to use those last two items in the sponsors draw, so bring something down to put on the prize table, so that you have a chance to win something. I also have a SkyCaddie and a Bristol picture for the sponsors draw and will have a couple of other items to give away. The MMOS/Hooves have #15 covered with the Steve Kerekes Trophy and SkyCaddie for the winner. Scott McPhee looked after #8 and the winner will get a weekend for 4 at Bristol Harbour. Brian Lalonde through his store Blazer for Men in Oakville was able to get us luggage from Swiss Army Canada. On Saturday the winner will receive a 27” wheeled travel bag worth $500. On Sunday the winner will get a 24” wheeled travel bag plus a carry-on bag. These two items are also worth about $500 and Brian these are something anyone would love to win. On behalf of all of us, thank you.  

Ken Boyd, our Hoove spokesman and competition commissioner is an employee of RIM. He was going to get the boss to buy us a hockey team and we could donate it to Toronto, but one just wasn’t available at this time. So instead he is donating a Blackberry flip and Bluetooth head set. It is in pink so unless you like pink you can give it to your bride, daughter or significant other. If it is passed on to a teenage daughter you will just rock, for at least a day or two anyway. Now the question arose, how do we get a winner for this prize that is worth well over $500 dollars? I sent out an e-mail to a number of guys to get some feedback and a couple of good ideas came back. However, number one son and I were at Home Depot and I told him I was looking for some way make this as fair a competition as possible so that everyone had a shot at it. The commish-in-waiting said if all the closest to the pins on the par 3’s are taken, why not closest to the pin on #14 in two shots. That second shot down the hill is enjoyed by everyone and you have to hit a decent tee shot to set up a chance at it. And if your tee shot is not the greatest and you stiff a fabulous recovery shot for your second shot, how good is that? Brilliant I thought, so I ran it by Kenny and he also really like it, so this year we will have a closest to on #14. Twenty years of doing this and we still can come up with new ideas. Thanks Ken from all of us and thanks for the brainstorm Scott.  

I’ve heard from a couple of the Meoffs in regards to prizes. Paul Greenwood (Greenie) e-mailed me that he is bringing 4 Blue Jay tickets to put on the prize table. Jim McGuin (jumbo, rook, answers to almost anything) is bringing some items from Proctor and Gamble and some free golf time at Tee Times Indoor Golf. It is located in Vaughan and its web site is located in our Angels section. Check it out the ol commish is going to. It has golf and a bar, everything I am looking for in entertainment. Al Paterson also e-mailed me that he is bringing a couple of dozen Pro V’s to put on the table and lastly Peter Daechsel is bringing his usual assortment of prizes from his company BASF. Well done my Meoff pals and thanks from all of us. Ken Boyd also mentioned that he would be bringing some towels and other assorted golf stuff to put on the table. Paul Fini has checked in and is sending the ol commish a cheque for him to use on behalf of his company, Fini Consulting. I am going to use it to buy prizes to add to the table. Thanks Paul from all of us. Are things rounding into shape? I think so. Let me know if I’ve missed you or if you bringing something and I’ll put it in my next update. 

The trophies are purchased and on their way to Bristol. Another fine collection of hardware awaits 09’s winners. The weekend groupings, Raymond James Big and Canaccord Capital Little Bopper lists, lodging and Granny’s competitors are now up on the site. Please check that your name is there and you are in for everything that you want to be in. Next Sunday (Masters Sunday) we’ll do the Investors Group 5Man Scramble draw and complete the SG Shoot-out groups. Bob should have that on the site the next day. 

Well that’s it for now. I’ll update in about a week. If you have any news pass it on to me, otherwise, 

20 days and counting
 

Well, I figured by this update Springfest would be full and it is. I am out of beds. There is just no room left in the inn. If you want me to squeeze one more of your buddies in, he better be a close one, because he will be sleeping with you in your bed. As for sleeping arrangements, they are up on the site, so you can check out where you are bunking down. One group (Glen Stainton’s) wanted a condo and I just couldn’t do it. There were no more condos I could use, so I had a draw to see who would end up in the hotel and you got the short stick. I apologize for not giving you what you wanted but, I could only do what was given to me. For everyone else who looks and thinks they are being squeezed in, well, so is the ol commishes group. We have six of us in a 4 bed house so don’t feel you got picked on. Besides, if you come to Springfest and worry about your sleeping arrangements, you are definitely coming for the wrong reasons.

Springfest is rounding nicely into shape and we have three of the 4 Par 3’s taken care of and I am almost finished with the last one. Pat Shield has once again come up with hotel rooms for us and they will be used as closest to the pin prizes on #2, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Pat has also given me a $150 gift voucher that can be used at any Fairmont Hotel and they have properties all across Canada and the US. I am going to use that as a sponsors prize so whoever wins it should be able to make use of it. Thanks Pat from all of us. I was going to use Scott McPhee’s sponsorship for a trip for 4 to Bristol Harbour on #15 but am moving it to #8 for a reason that will soon become clear. That is a wonderful prize and thanks Scott. One large group that comes to Springfest is a group where most hail from Kenora and seem to be either of Scottish or Scandinavian heritage. They call themselves The Manly Men of Scotland and the Hooves of Scandinavia. I was invited to join this group a few years ago and thoroughly enjoy the camaraderie these guys have for one another. They are unmerciful when it comes to denigrating each others heritage, but it is done in fun and no one ever takes any offence. In subsequent years, the Blade, Chunky Ferguson, Sports Book, Wilson and Al “Smitty” Smith have been added to the teams. We all enjoy the Ryder Cup action this group brings. Well sadly, one of their number, Steve Kerekes passed away last year from Lou Gehrigs disease. In his honour this group, spearheaded by Jim Oattes decided to sponsor a closest to the pin on #15 for the Steve Kerekes Memorial Trophy. This was Steve’s favourite hole at Bristol so they asked if they could use it for his memory. I knew that Scott wouldn’t mind, so #15 is for Steve. A trophy will be made up and left at Bristol Harbour to be competed for annually. A keeper trophy will also be given to the winner to take home. Lastly, the group is donating a SkyCaddie for the winner and that is a prize anyone would love to win. I have given them away to our event winners and overall champ and will do so again this year. Thanks guys and please accept our condolences on the loss of your friend.

Larry Snow and his group of 11 have decided to have their own shoot-out group this year. They join the Meoffs and the Brockville maniacs as having their own group. If you have between 10 and 12 and want your own group, let me know right away and I can make it happen, otherwise you will be placed in a group of your own handicap peers.  

I will be doing the Saturday and Sunday groupings in the next day or two, so keep your eyes posted for that. The Big and Little Bopper groups should also be up in a few days. Please check that you are in every event that you want to be in and that we have it right. The final draw for the Investors Group 5 Man Scramble will be up the day after Masters Sunday. Also the SG Distributing Shoot-Out groups will be posted then.  

I hope everyone is working hard now at preparing the old body for Springfest. I am and have no concerns about getting it past Booby Mitchell in the Raymond James Big Bop. I know I cannot get it past some of the bombers that will be competing in that event so Robert, if you concede defeat now to the ol commish and pay me the tenner we bet; I can put you in the Canaccord Capital Little Bopper where we both belong. If not, you are going down in front of the world. 

I’ll get back to you in about a week. Keep me posted if you have any news and if you have prizes to bring, let me know about it. 

4 weeks and counting 
 

An economy that is in the crapper and a Canuck buck that has just barely climbed over 80 cents US and I am about four entries away from being full. That’s right my Springfest friends, we are a couple of guys short of 135. I have 130 of you that take beds in the hotel and condos and five that have beds down there already so that is it. By my next update we should be full so if you have anyone that is on the fence and doesn’t know if he can or can’t, well, it’s crunch time. Let me know ASAP if you’re coming or to the wait list you go.  

I am about to get the room lists and the Saturday and Sunday tournament groups under way in the next few days. As they become available, Bob will put them up on the site. It is mega important that you check this out, because sometimes the ol commish can make a mistake (yes it happened once, maybe twice, okay lots) and if you get back to me I can get it corrected. If you’ve entered and don’t see your name listed in the Entries Received section, get to me right away. Maybe your entry is MIA in the mail or I just missed you. Also make sure your buddies names are there as well. I hate getting things done and then having to make a bunch of shuffles. Bob really hates it and we both are turning into Grumpy Old Men so don’t get us started. 

So you are asking Commish what’s up with Springfest for 09? Well, things are really starting to heat up now. First off, Bristol Harbour has had 3 Directors of Golf in the 19 years that we have been going. They were Tim Phelps, Mike Roeder and now Greg Mulhern. I contacted them and all three are taking the Friday afternoon of the 5Man Investors Group Scramble to come and be an A player for us. Three teams are going to get one of these guys as your A player. That will make you an automatic favourite and you will get to watch a real golf swing, not a hack and slash version like the ol commish uses. It will be fun to spend some time with these guys. Also, the first contact I had at Bristol was Mark Knickerbocker. He was the course superintendent and they also made him deal with me. As Springfest grew and evolved into what it is today, poor Mark had to deal with all the crazy ideas we came up with. Some of those ideas are still in use today while others got shit-canned after one try. He has agreed to play as well and will be a B player for some lucky team. His short game is something that just has to be seen. This man can chip and putts like no one else. Lastly, Dale Stoker (Stokes) was the General Manager of Bristol for at least 10 years that we have been coming and he also has fond memories of our group. Unfortunately for him, Dale was the buffer between us and the Home Owners Association. Even though our group has an exemplary record of behaviour, the locals always came to him with a million imagined complaints and he had to handle each and every one of them. He was the best at doing that. Dale is also playing in the scramble and will be one team’s C player.  

My old ball team buddies have had their own shoot-out group (Meoffs) for years. I have played with them the last three and plan to again this year. Well, the boys from Brockville have expanded to 11 entrants and have asked if they can have their own shoot-out group. Since Bob Londry has sponsored the SG Distributing Shoot-Out for years I guess if he wants to, he can. So guys, that is two separate groups now. Therefore if you have a group of a minimum of 10 to a max of 12 guys that want to form their own shoot-out group, let me know right away and I will make it so. Just be sure all your guys want to be in a separate group. Everyone else will be put in shoot-out groups along with other players of their handicap flight.  

Scott McPhee of McPhee Medical has been a wonderful friend of Springfest and has always given the ol commish some dough to make use of for you guys. Once again he has come through for us and the ol commish is going to make #15 the McPhee Medical Closest to the Pin over Saturday and Sunday. I have been able to purchase a weekend for 4 at Bristol Harbour and will use that as the prize for this. Who wouldn’t want to win a weekend for 4 at Bristol and this will be a most sought after prize and on behalf of all of us Scott, thank you once again. I have received e-mails from a number of guys that are firming up some things for us and will let you know as they become confirmed. We will need prizes this year as the ol commish is still being battered by the Canuck buck. Look around the office and bring down anything that you think the guys might like. Money works too, so if you want to make a small cash donation I can make use of that. Everyone who does something gets in the sponsors draw and I am hard at work on that too.

I want to take a moment to pass along something my old buddy John Robichaud e-mailed and called me about. His brother was given a liver transplant and his death sentence was commuted and he can now look forward to long and happy life. John told me that most people do not know how to donate their organs so that someone else can use them after you have passed on. The ol commish thought he had signed a donor card, but you have to register to become a donor. I plan to be an organ donor when I am done with them. They are not asking for money, just your body parts. So if you want to live on through someone else go to www.giftoflife.on.ca  Someone who took the time to do this may increase the life span of someone you love. John will be giving out some green ribbons at Springfest to remind us to sign up.

I forgot to mention the most unusual happening on our trip to Florida this year. Every round we play is a match of low ball and if the two low tie the next two count. We use handicaps and switch every round. The money won goes into a pool and spent on a final dinner. Usually one team will win the front by one or two, the back and back press by a couple with the overall being one or two. Always these matches are hotly contested because we alter the caps by a max of two either up or down based on how you played that day. We do this in case you are having a rough week and can still be some help to your partner. WELL, Dr Don and I were playing against Reid and Rick and lost the front by one. Dr. Don told me that this was unacceptable and we needed to crank it up on the back so that we could win the back, back press and long game. I thought that sounded like a good idea and we proceeded to do just that. We won all nine holes on the back. All nine. That’s never been done before. We’ve never even come close to it. I’ve never even heard of anyone winning all nine and it will probably never be done again. On the drive back we sat together in the back and we kept asking each other how many holes we won on the back, answer nine and then giggle like a couple of schoolgirls. It was sure quiet in the front. All nine, Reid is still shaking his head. When you see them at Springfest I am sure they would love to answer any questions you may have about it. All nine. Jesus.

As he has in past years, Derek Bumstead took a peek at the Farmers Almanac to get a weather forecast for April and our week in particular. Last year they called for sunny and hot for our week and that is exactly what we got. They have been right way more times than wrong. So commish what is the verdict? Well, they said April is going to be warm all month, but we can expect some showers during our week there. Maybe the showers will be at night and not bother us at all. At least they are not predicting cold and snowy. You might be interested to know that Bristol Harbour has had the course open for two weeks already. It is drying up nicely and they will be cutting the greens for the first time this week. What that means is that the course can take some rain and still dry quickly so that we won’t have to spend all our time looking for plugged balls. A dry fast course is what we are all praying for. 

I will be updating almost weekly from here on in so keep your eye peeled to the site. A reminder to my Hoove team-mates in our hotly contested matches with the Manly Men, the ol commish has cranked up the training regimen to prepare for Springfest and if I hear any whining about sore backs and muscles because you didn’t get in shape there will be hell to pay. Svenny Boyd and I may toss you into the middle of a frenzied MMOS team love fest on the Friday night and that will be the end of you.  

4 ½ weeks and counting 
 

I’m back from sunny Florida and happy to report that my shoulder held up. I can give the pill a real whack once again and am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to kick Robert Mitchell’s ass in the Big Bop. Rick Bishop jumped off the plane and shot 76 the first day and kept it up the whole week. What a peckerhead. He played great and if you get him as your scramble captain you have a great chance at winning. You just have to make the putts; he’ll take care of the rest. Rick took Sports Book Shaw’s spot as George remained at home to take care of his bride Jane. She had a kidney removed and it was found to be malignant, however the surgery went perfectly, she is recovering quickly and expects to be back at work by the end of this month. SB is breathing a huge sigh of relief and I’m sure will be cutting loose at Springfest to celebrate.  

Now that I’m back we can start cranking up Springfest fever. We have just passed 100 entrants. I have been told by the management of Bristol Harbour that the number of condos available to us has been reduced once again. We can only accommodate 130. I have a couple of guys that stay with Brian Wight so I can take 135 and that’s it. So, I have about 30 spots left and then there will be a waiting list. Check out the entries received on the web site and if yours or your buddies names aren’t there, get moving if you want in. All the meoffs are accounted for except Dan Butko, so MO’s get to him to see if he’s coming. Since this is year 20 my baseball buddies who started this with me are celebrating by coming down by Tuesday noon. They plan on putting a hurt on the ol commish real bad and by Friday I may be MIA. Nah, I’m an old catcher and no matter what, we always show. Let’s see if they can keep up with me. I’ve been practicing the full week extravaganza for years now so bring em on. Another big group is the Manly Men and the Hooves and there are a number of them that I haven’t received entries from. It is up to their respective captains to get on them. Pokey Johnson are you reading this? Anyway, I am letting you know that at least ten more entries are on their way. I know this from e-mails I’ve received so there are not many spots left. Another Springfest sell-out. You guys are the best. 

What’s new with Springfest you ask? Lots actually. First off I am thrilled to announce that Andrew Shaw has answered the call and has stepped forward to sponsor the 5 Man Scramble on Friday afternoon. It will henceforth be called the Investors Group Five Man Scramble. Andrew is the son-in-law of Brian Cox. Brian and a number of Xerox employees have been coming to Springfest for years. Almost since its inception. Andrew and his brother Ken came with that group a number of years ago and haven’t missed since. Andrews’s office is in Pickering and he specializes in estate and tax planning. Although he is centered in Pickering, he covers the GTA and surrounding areas. If you are looking for some expertise in these fields give him a call. His number is in the Angels section along with his e-mail address. On behalf of everyone that attends Springfest we all thank you. I want to thank some other sponsors that have stepped up to help us out. Paul Henry of Maple Dale Cheese has sent something along for the ol commish to use on your behalf. BTW, Mrs. Commish buys their low fat cheese all the time because it is the only one with any taste. Paul and I were team-mates the only time I ever won the scramble. Maybe 09 is when we hook up again. Thanks Paul. Try and stay healthy this year. Tony (the eggman) Wouters has also sent a little something along for the ol commish to use and we all thank him. Tony is fairly easy to spot at Springfest. He’s the guy about 6 feet 5, is surgically attached to the bar and may have the most fun of any of us there. Somehow we have to get on the same scramble team. I may never stop laughing. Lastly, John Robichaud of Ontech Electrical has sent along some help and we thank him as well. Johnny has been coming for years and is another guy I have never had the opportunity to play with in the scramble. Hopefully this year. John sends me hilarious e-mails all year long, so when you see him down there get added to his list. You will enjoy a year of morning laughs and it certainly helps me get my day started. Thanks John. I budgeted for a 75 cent dollar, hoping I would win on that deal and be able to offer a few extras. Well, as of today the Canuck buck is at 77 cents so there will not be a lot left in the pot. However, we are still in okay shape thanks to sponsors stepping forward. You are still going to get most of what you have received in the past and I do not think anyone will be disappointed. I am going with Skycaddies as prizes for our event winners and have bought one extra to use as a sponsors prize. Speaking of prizes, Glen Stainton told me he is bringing down a golf bag to put on the prize table. Thanks Glen. If you are bringing down something, e-mail me and I’ll let the world know.  

My son Scott is coming with 5 of his buddies this year. They have decided to rent a big Suburban to get them there. My dad, Sam is also coming with them and I wish I could get a ride with them; it should be a load of fun. I’ll bet that will be one noisy truck. Fortunately for Sam his hearing is not so good so the rap music won’t bother him. Sam wants you to know that he plans on winning his E group shoot-out once again. He is practicing his swing every day, walking and exercising and is more limber than many of you that are 30 or 40 years his junior. You E flighters have been forewarned. Kenny Sine is bringing his son this year so he should have lots of younger guys to hang with. These guys bring our average age of Springfestors down to about 45. Bristol waitresses beware, young Canucks are coming and they are 100 percent man, not like that watered down American type. It’s the same as comparing beers. 

Lastly, I am still stretching and swimming and feel much better. We are not that far away so try to remember what those sore aching backs and muscles felt like last year. You didn’t get a year younger this past year so maybe just maybe start getting ready. Anything is better than nothing, so start ASAP. You will thank yourself. The clocks go forward today so we are another step closer to spring. I’ll get back to you in a week or so. 

42 days and counting 
 

For those that were wondering and I am sure that is all of you, Commish, how is your reconstructed shoulder working? Perfectly, thank you. The swing feels great and I am hitting the net every time. I am deadly accurate from eight feet. Mrs. Commish has been on my ass for the last few years to start an exercise regime that is a little more strenuous than the one I have been employing, which is to turn my massage-a-chair up to high. It seemed to keep my back muscles loose and totally relax me. She would roll her eyes and give me that “what an idiot” look. You’ll all know the one. I am positive your spouse gives you the same one from time to time. She has convinced me that I am not getting any younger, so I am now swimming 3 to 4 times a week at my parents pool, I hit balls when I am there and every morning I have a 40 minute stretching session while I watch the golf channel. I hope to be a lean, mean golfing machine in 09. I am starting to feel better. Can I imagine myself doing this in July? Fairly unlikely, but at this time of year with not much else to do, it is fairly easy to get into this routine. If I can do it anyone can. Maybe we can all make Springfest in year 40 if we take a little time to look after ourselves.  

I have received about 40 entries in the first three weeks and have received enough e-mails and phone calls to know that we should go over 100 in the next few weeks. I expect that even in these most difficult economic times, we can expect our usual crowd. It seems everyone I know is still working and staying busy so hopefully that will continue. I have received an e-mail from Kenny Sine, one of the Brockville maniacs, and he is bringing his son to Springfest this year. He will join the Walker, Warren and Cartan clans as having father/sons at Springfest. My son Scott is also bringing four of his buddies with him, so the Springfest crowd is getting younger. If your son is interested in attending but was concerned that he wouldn’t have many guys his own age there, well tell him to come, he will have some Springfestors his own age to hang with.  

I have heard from some sponsors and things are starting to shape up. Brian Steele and Chris Scheafer have the Big and Little Bopper covered. Bob Londry has the SG Distributing Shoot-out looked after. Pat Shield has told me that he has some prizes for the closest to the pin prizes he sponsors on hole # 2. Dr Don and Dr. Wallace both felt that year 20 at Springfest should have a kick ass hat for everyone so they are making that happen. You can expect a commemorative hat in your arrival goodie bag. Al Smith, John Doucette and Dr. Peter Matthews have confirmed that they are looking after the two cart covers that we give away as the first prize in the Granny’s Crotch 2 Man Scramble. We hate having to use them, but love having one if it is needed. For Springfest rookies, a cart cover allows you to play in any kind of weather condition and since we play in about anything, a cart cover is as necessary as our putters. A great prize to win. I met up with Bruce McWhinnie and Ken Kennedy of Sportcover International a couple of weeks ago. They have been supplying our welcome bags of golf goodies for years and for year 20 we are working on something special. What is it? Can’t say too big, you will have to wait until Springfest. Bruce also got me an unbelievable deal on 20 premium golf shirts to use as prizes, so I got 20 of them to put on the prize table. Reid, George, Rick and I will once again supply the Bristol pictures that we give away in the Tombstone on Wednesday. Not a bad line up in only 3 weeks that we have been open for business. Let me know if your company has anything that you can supply as a prize and we will prominently display it. If you do not have a prize, cash works and I will make good use of it. As always anyone who sponsors cash or prizes gets in our sponsors draw for a chance to win some great prizes. At the end of the day, it is the generosity of our Springfest sponsors that allow me to run this tourney so that I can keep the amount I charge for each package as low as it is.  

I will update our entries received section in the next few days. Please check this section to make sure I have got you listed in everything that you want to be in. It seems the Hooves have twice as many entrants as the MMOS, although, Bobby Mitchell of the left coast e-mailed me that the cheque is on the way. Good news for the Blade and I, bad for Doug Westlund. The Thursday afternoon grudge match is on and I do not believe the Blade and I have ever lost. It is the easiest $20 I win all year. I expect the Hoove/MMOS e-mail banter to heat up considerably over the next few weeks.

I am third after two weeks in Derek Bumsteads golf pool. I fully expect to win it this year as my daughter got married this month and I am broke, so I really need it. Can I get paid off now Derek? Congrats to Derek. It is a very well run pool and I look forward to his e-mails every Sunday night to see how I did. The numbers don’t lie and you have close to 200 entries so it shows what a good pool it is. 

I’ll get back to you just before my trip to Florida. 

84 days and counting 
 

Jan 01/09

Welcome back Springfestors. I have been a little slow getting going as I wanted to wait as long as possible to see where the economic situation was going to take us. It seems like things have stabilized somewhat so we are going to carry on as only we Springfestors can. As I pause to reflect back, the words of the Bob Seger song “Like a Rock “are playing in my head. Bob wrote in that song “20 years, where’d they go, 20 years I don’t know, sometimes I sit and wonder where they’ve gone”. Truer words have never been spoken. 2009 brings year 20 of Springfest at Bristol Harbour and this will be a special year for so many of us. This event has spawned a million stories and many are retold every year. Twenty years is a tribute to all our participants as to how much fun we have had and how much we all look forward to attending. Many of us have either made all 20 years or are close. This yearly get together has become an important few days to each of us and we would all feel a void if we did not get this opportunity to spend some quality time with people that have been and are important to us in our lives. Springfest has become the catalyst for a yearly get together of friends and acquaintances to help us shake off the winter blues and welcome in summer. As frozen but thawing Canadians we are ready for this rite of passage and have persevered through some bad weather to kick start the golf season. However, like 2008 we have also had some wonderful weather and perfect playing conditions and have only missed one event in 19 years. Incredible actually. If you are reading this update then you must be a Springfestor or a Springfest wanna-be, so once again welcome to Springfest 09. 

As is the ol commish’s custom, I always start the first update with what I was up to in 08. Not much actually. Firstly I’ll rehash Springfest 08. Congrats go out to this years overall champ Dave Izlakar. Welcome to the blue tees in 09 Dave. Everyone who wins must pay a penance the following year. This year our week weather-wise was nothing short of spectacular. When I picked up the Blade from the airport and drove to Bristol Harbour that first Saturday, the thermometer hit 90F. A new record. The rest of the week was dry, 70F plus every day and I wore shorts the whole 9 days. A month later on Victoria Day it was cold and rainy all weekend. I was building my garden in my backyard and remember it quite clearly. Some have said we go too early but weather-wise you never know what you are going to get and our weekend seems to be blessed. Hey, after 19 years, who can argue? I know you all want to know if the Blade and I kicked Mssr’s Mitchell and Westlund’s ass on our Thursday afternoon grudge match. Well, even though I have never seen Bobby Mitchell play better than he did that day, the Blade and I persevered and their cash was ours. Life unfolded as it should. Oh yeah, Hare and Egers beat up on us again in our Sunday match. I know they cheat but I cannot quite figure out how. They also seem to be very good at keeping track of how many blows the commish has each hole. That can be harder than Chinese arithmetic. Bob Londry won our Canaccord Capital Little Bop sponsored by Chris Scheafer with a deadly accurate shot from 100 yards with his 7 iron. Bob said he caught it flush and that is why he won. The Raymond James Big Bop sponsored by Brian Steele was won by Mark Egers whopping drive of 321 yards hit uphill. The Lama, Ian McLean was second a mere 6 yards behind him. Nice blasts boys. We had at least 8 drives over 280 yards and I congratulate all those that are able to hit such prodigious drives with 100 odd smart asses all making humorous asides while you are trying to concentrate. Really though, that may be the best part. I am pleased to report that both Brian and Chris will once again be sponsoring the Big and Little Bop. We all thank you both for your support in past years and once again in 09. The 5 man scramble was won in a 100 yard shootout this year and I think it was Garth Mitchell that stuck it the closest to win it for the Reid Ferguson team. Reid was joined with Garth, Ross Traub, Paul Patterson and Grant Somerville. Well done guys. In an unprecedented upset, the Manly Men of Scotland persevered over the Hooves of Scandihomovia. This was just not expected and ranks right up there with one of the great upsets of all time. How a team so athletically challenged as the MMOS, could overcome such a strong golf juggernaut as the Hooves means only one thing, they cheated, drugged us and cheated. Being on the Hoove squad I know we got screwed big time. In 09 we will return victorious and you can make book on that. Also, congrats to my dad Sam, who at 83 years young, won his shoot-out group again. He is some kind of tough on all those young guys. Sam plans to attend again this year and as always I will be looking forward to another Saturday round with three generations of Walkers. All the results of Springfest can be found in our Yearly Results section of the web site.  

As I have mentioned I worked on redoing my backyard in 08 and got finished in June. I didn’t play much golf until then. In July, Dr Don and I went to Bristol Harbour to play in their member guest. We went as a team and Sports Book played with Rick Bishop and Reid played with Glen Wilson. They let our 3 teams in the M/G and we all did OK. Reid and Glen won the A bracket, Dr Don and I won the B bracket and George and Rick were runners-up to Don and I in the B flight. It was nice of them to let us in and playing Bristol Harbour in the summer is certainly different than when we play it in April. I think in 19 years that is only the second time I have played Bristol in the summer. It was nice to see the ball bounce when it landed.  

The last weekend of July, Sports Book and I headed for Brockville for a little R&R with the maniacs that reside there. As always, we played golf, ate and drank lots, played some Texas No Limit Poker and laughed constantly. However, on the Monday morning instead of heading home we pushed on to Montreal with Smitty, Eddy and Dan. Upon arriving there we met up with Dr Don and we all spent the next couple of days with Billy Mitchell playing Royal Montreal. The course is unbelievable and a real test. We even got to stay overnight in the clubhouse as they have some rooms to rent out for guests. That was really cool. Bill bet the ol commish he wouldn’t break 85 seeing it for the first time, but I am happy to report the ol commish got in with an 84 and scooped up Billy’s tenner. And I did it just as easily as when I get his cousin Bobby’s dough at Springfest. Actually the ol commish caught a break on that bet. The greens were not that fast that day and if they had been their normal warp 9 speed I wouldn’t have broken a 100. They are cruelly sloped and 3 to 5 putting could have been commonplace if they had been right up to speed. If you see Bill at Springfest this year try and organize a day where you can get out with him and play the Blue Monster. It will be a round you will never forget. Thanks for having us Bill.  

The first weekend in August I had Dr. Don to my M/G and we were not too good. Don actually played not too badly, but I sucked. As always, we had a good time hanging out together, playing golf and drinking a few beers on a wonderful day. On this day, Don faced one of the most difficult putts I have ever seen in my life. It was about 15 feet downhill on a green that was about 12 on the stimp meter. It would also break about four feet as it got near the hole. Although his putt was for birdie the ol commish had already made a bogey 4, so he needed to at least make a par. He had to get it close and it was like putting and getting one to stop on your driveway. Good luck Doc. After asking what the ol commish thought it would do and getting an answer of “F’d if I know”, he proceeded to roll it in. The putt was so fast it took about a minute and a half to go 15 feet. Million dollar hands those surgeons. Best putt I have ever seen made, that wasn’t made by Tiger. Thanks for being my partner again Doc.

Later on in August I was Sports Books guest at his M/G and as usual I had a great time. They certainly do it up right at Station Creek and it is a very classy event. However, I was right in the middle of my mid season slump and wasn’t much help to SB at all. We did finish in the prizes though and considering neither of us played up to our potential, the end result was not too bad. I also lead the field in the number of oysters consumed at the cocktail party. Thanks George for a super day. 

I didn’t get up to much the rest of the year, however in October our club holds a Pro-Am scramble that uses one pro and three of our members in a 4 man format. They bring in about 25 pros from around the area and it is a great chance to watch how a pro plays for 18 holes. I always learn something watching these guys. None of them have been able to help me with my chipping although they have all tried. I could make Dave Pelz go insane. My pro asked me if I wanted to play in it and I said yes, but he forgot to sign me up. I arrived the day of the event and found I wasn’t on a team. Oh well s—t happens. I told our pro I would stick around and if someone didn’t show I could play. Well one of the pros was a no-show so 3 lucky members of Trafalgar got the ol commish as their pro. You’re right, they did want their money back, but were told tough luck that’s the way the old cookie crumbles. Well the ol commish led his all-amateur squad to a one shot victory over the rest of the pro led teams and I became quite the club celebrity for a week or so. That was the highlight of my golfing year. 

At the end of November I went into the hospital to get the plate out of my shoulder that had been in there for a year. It was put in after they fixed my separated shoulder. It did affect my swing all year, but I am now completely pain free and am really looking forward to the 09 golf season. At this time of year hope springs eternal and I am looking forward to hitting balls into a net at my Dad’s condo starting next month. I should get the Doc’s okay next week. Hmmm, maybe the Big Bop for the ol commish in 09. Now I really am dreaming.  

This brings me to Springfest 2009. Economic crisis. Oh yes there is one of those going on and from all accounts may get worse. I have spoken to as many people as I can to try and get a handle on things. No one has a crystal ball so we will have to forge on as best as we can. For 2009 I cannot get any idea where our dollar will be at the first of April. The best guesses are that 75 to 85 cents compared to the US dollar is what we can expect, but who knows. Thankfully I used an 85 cent dollar last year and when it came in at par I was able to add a lot more things. My sponsors also showed up and that allowed me to run by all accounts, the best Springfest ever. This year I am using a 75 cent dollar and am budgeting from that. We have not had a price increase in three or four or more years, but this year I have to raise the prices a little. Bristol Harbour is keeping their rates to us the same as last year, so the increase is only to cover the lowering of the Canadian dollar. The increase is not significant and is only a hedge in case the dollar drops below 80 cents. If it rises as we head toward April, we all win and I can do more things with the increased revenue. It also covers us if I have a drop in always needed sponsorship dollars. On the positive side, I am pleased to report that all the mainstays of our tourney that you expect every year will still be included. Prize money, 4 lunches, cocktail party, beer on the course, Thursday morning breakfast and Granny’s 2 man scramble, Thursday night poker, arrival gifts, spectacular trophies and self induced hangovers will all be available to all our entrants. My hope is that many of our past sponsors and hopefully some new ones will still be able to step forward which will allow me to do more things. We’ll see how that goes in the coming months. At this moment we are slightly ahead in the Can vs. US dollar game and hopefully that will improve in our favour.  

The entry form is done so if you are planning to attend please take a moment to fill it out and send it in along with your cheques. The sooner they start coming in, the quicker I can get a grip on where we are at. We always have a few rookies and this year I have already been contacted by some interested parties that want to join in our festivities. They are most welcome so send in your entries ASAP and join the party. I should have more news in the next little bit so I will be updating again within the next couple of weeks. 

Derek Bumstead runs a first class golf pool that the ol commish and many Springfestors enjoy every year. We even have our own Springfest side pool. You can find the entry form for it on the Watson’s Springfest web site and you have to enter before the start of the Sony Open to get in. It gives you the opportunity to win some cash and is very inexpensive to enter. This pool gives you PGA players to cheer for every week which makes watching golf on Sunday even more interesting. Anyone can enter and the more the merrier. Every Sunday night, Derek keeps us posted on how our teams are doing and that gives us bragging rights with our fellow poolsters. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed. 

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year. I am looking forward to walking my daughter down the aisle on January 3^rd so 2009 is starting out on a most memorable note. Everyone I know seems to be healthy, working or enjoying retirement, not losing their homes and not fazed by the global economic crisis one little bit. We are all old enough to remember that good times follow bad times and we all will be just fine as we travel down life’s road.  
 

137 days and counting