Great times in and around SF for Neil’s bachelor party weekend, executed to perfection by Mr. Tom Jones.  Thirteen competitors tested their skills at a series of 8 athletic and semi-athletic challenges, with the winner earning supreme bragging rights and a custom-designed trophy.  Plus, according to the official rules: “It is mandatory that each competitor consumes alcohol consistently throughout the day.  If at any point someone begins to slow his drinking he will be subject to derision and disqualification.”

What follows is my recollection and reaction to the events.  Not sure if anyone captured much photographic evidence  but your best bet is probably with Dan.

1. Field Goal Kicking

Having never kicked — or attempted to kick — a field goal in my life, I knew this would be a tough one.  Luckily most everyone else was in the same boat.  We kicked from 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 yards.  I was afraid of Charlie-Brown-ing it but at least made contact every time and even got my 20 yarder through the uprights.  Definitely earned a new respect for field goal kickers and there is nothing “gimme” about a 25-yarder from the right-hash; that’s really far!  Winner: 2 field goals.

2. Football Throwing Distance

Those professional QBs make it look so easy, hitting their receiver in stride with a tight spiral 50 yards downfield.  Not so.  We got 2 tosses, best ball counts.  Everyone was fairly evenly matched here; most people were between 40 and 50 yards.  After a wobbly first ball, I think I reached 47 on my second throw.  Winner: 51 yards.

3. Home Run Derby

As someone who plays softball 2-3 nights a week, I figured I could easily build myself a nice little buffer with a solid performance here.  But of course I choked.  We got 6 outs, with the last ball being a “moneyball” — good for 2 homers if it left the yard.  The fence was 250 ft deep but 20 ft high, so it would take a decent poke to get it out.  Made solid line drive contact but couldn’t even reach the warning track.  Weak.  Winner: 2 bombs.

4. 3-Point Shootout

Stressing after my goose-egg on the diamond, I really had to bring my A-game to the basketball court.  Which was troublesome, because I’ve played basketball one time in the last 5 years (and it’s not like I was amazing before that).  The competition was a total 10 shots from 5 locations around the arc.  I was very happy and pleasantly surprised to hit 3.  Winner: 6 threes.

5. Darts

I said semi-athletic.  Three darts, highest point total wins.  My first two didn’t even stick to board.  WTF?  Luckily hit the outer bullseye with #3 to stay out of the cellar.  Winner: No idea.

6. Mini Golf

Nothing like a busload of inebriated young men taking over the family-friendly mini-golf course and arcade.  The course had seen better days, and so had my short game.  I shot a 52, but an hour was a long time to be out on the “dry” course.  We were happy to get back to the bus and the coolers.  Winner: 47.

7. Closest to the Pin

My moment of glory came on a 120-yard practice hole at the swanky Ruby Hills country club course.  I lobbed an 8-iron up into the wind and it landed right on the green, about 15 ft from the pin.  Nobody got closer.  Thankfully we didn’t have to putt out.  Winner: 15 ft.

8. Bowling

The last competition of the day was a game of bowling.  Not my strong suit but rolled a 122, which was middle of the road.  Winner: 188.

After that, a “closing ceremony” was held and the overall champion crowned.  I was OK with my 6th place finish, given the range of events and quality of the competitors.  At least I didn’t earn the “most likely to become a cheerleader” prize for last place.

The spirit of the games lived on late into the night with several non-scored games of beer pong and flip cup, where everyone could be winners.

-Nick

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Apparently there comes a point in one’s golf skill progression when:

1. You are no longer happy with a good shot, and instead
2. You are super upset with a bad shot.

For example, you could hit 9 amazing shots in a row, shank your 10th, and break out into a Tourette’s-like-swearing fit.  At this point, is it a fun game anymore?  Nobody’s perfect.

Golf (especially) is a game that sets players up for failure.  Think about it.  When you hit par on a hole, what did you accomplish?  You did exactly what you were supposed to do.  Nothing more, nothing less, nothing special.  It is a game that demands perfection, or at least near-perfection, and is pretty unforgiving with anything less.

When I play, I shank 9 in row, hit an amazing shot on my 10th swing, and think it’s the greatest thing ever.  Playing for par is a lofty goal.  Playing to leave with all the equipment I came with is more realistic.

Contrast golf with baseball — as a hitter you can “shank it” 7 times out of 10 and still be an All-Star.  The same player as a golfer is the guy you hope you’re not stuck playing with.  (And obviously a 105 mph fastball is a little harder to hit than a stationary golf ball, but you get the idea.)

The inspiration for this post was a very good golfer Sterling and I played with on Friday evening.  He hit a number of truly professional-level shots that we were really impressed with.  Then he’d hit one not-so-professionally (although still playable, unlike my shots into uncharted rattlesnake country) and curse himself out.  And it’s not that I think amateur players shouldn’t strive for perfection, just that they should go a little easier on themselves when they show they’re capable of a mistake.  After all, they still pay to play — not the other way around — and it’s just a game.

-Nick

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

So I’m hard at work the other day and I look under my desk to find this creature:

No help at all.  He must be resting up for his trip to Club K-9 this weekend.

Golf this morning, then dropping him off, then work, then heading to the airport for another quick trip to Seattle.

-Nick

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

During an otherwise pretty crappy day at the links last Saturday, a miracle occurred.  On the Las Positas Executive Golf Course, Par 4 Hole 6, I shot my first birdie.  It was a money drive, a nice chip, and a clutch 12-foot putt for the bird. Amazing.

I’ve been golfing (poorly) for a while now, and up until recently, Bryn always beat me.  Now I’d say it’s about 50-50.   I have the advantage of being able to hit it a lot further, but she has the advantage of formal training and many more years of practice.  She did get me a golf lesson for my birthday that I haven’t taken advantage of yet.  If the lesson works, I’m afraid that may tip the balance in my favor.

-Nick

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.