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       2006 Summary

The 2nd Annual HVNHSCGMIGT was held on December 9, 2006 at Kokopelli Golf Club in Gilbert, Arizona. The 2006 tournament slogan was “Last time it was personal!” Kokopelli was selected for its lush greenery, diversity of water fowl (according to Matt Chew, PhD and birder extraordinaire) and because it is in the SE Valley where participant Jason Robert had a prior commitment on the morning of the match (then he ditched that commitment).

 

The field doubled from four in 2005 to eight in 2006. Tournament participants were: Brandon Heathcotte and Brock Heathcotte once again for Team Heathcotte, and Jason Robert, Matt Chew, Sean Cunningham, Bob Daquilante, Mike Bailey, and Craig Raymond for Team Non-Heathcotte (dubbed Team Anti-Heathcotte by Mike). Notable absences included Tom Bade (no known excuse), Jenny Brian (out of town), Jenny Johnston (mistakenly thought it was important to play well to be in the tournament), and Marc Sobelman (new baby—no access to wife’s purse).

 

Complimentary golf shirts emblazoned with the tournament logo and slogan, were handed out to all participants prior to the round. The foursomes that played together were: Brandon, Brock, Jason, and Matt (Tradition Group), and Sean, Bob, Mike, and Craig (Additional Wagering Group).

 

Because Team N-H had six members, each one was allotted only six holes toward the team score (total of 36 holes). The members did not know which six of the 18 holes each of them played would count toward the team score until after the round. Team N-H ultimately was composed of these holes played by these participants:

 

Holes 1-3: Jason Robert, Sean Cunningham

Holes 4-6: Sean Cunningham, Craig Raymond

Holes 7-9: Craig Raymond, Bob Daquilante

Holes 10-12: Bob Daquilante, Mike Bailey

Holes 13-15: Mike Bailey, Matt Chew

Holes 16-18: Matt Chew, Jason Robert

 

Team H got off to a good start when Brandon and Brock both made par on the second hole to open a 3-1 lead. But, Brandon struggled on the front nine, and Team N-H took advantage. A barrage of nine front-side pars by Jason (3), Sean (1, 4), Bob (7, 8, 9), and Craig (4, 5, 9) gave Team N-H a 12-5 lead at the turn, prompting Brock to coin the day’s most memorable phrase, “we’re going to dominate the back side.”

 

Pars by Bob and Mike gave team N-H a nine point lead after 12 holes. Then Team H made a charge. Pars by Brock at 13, 14, and 17, and improved play by Brandon made the match close. But, a missed putt at 16 hurt, and the team was three points back with one to play. Needing two pars on the final hole, neither Brandon nor Brock could come up with one, and their tournament title was taken away.

 

The final tally showed Team N-H with 16 points to 14 for Team Heathcotte. Bob Daquilante set a new tournament record for lowest 18-hole total (82) and lowest round in relation to par (+10). In true spirit of Christmas fashion, Bob, the President and Owner of ACCRAM, Inc. donated a putter as the Grand Prize for the lowest 18-hole score. Rather than give the prize to himself, Bob awarded the putter to Mike Bailey who carded the second best score (90) and hit some awe inspiring 300+ yard drives.

 

Of course, a good time was had by all (except maybe Jason during his round).

Tradition Group: Jason, Brandon, Matt, Brock

Additional Wagering Group: Bob, Sean, Craig, Mike

A stylized rendition of Kokopelli

Bob presents the Grand Prize putter to Mike while demonstrating the tournament’s giving Christmas spirit

Relaxing in the clubhouse after the round: Brock, Jason, Matt, Sean, Brandon, and Bob

The special rule for the day was that each player was allowed a free mulligan off the first tee box if he struck his first drive while wearing a “Christmas” item of apparel. Some of the items used were a Santa cap, an animated snowman pin, and some less interesting and marginally acceptable items like a red ribbon. Despite the presence of water on the first hole, nobody utilized the mulligan to good effect.

“Prepare yourself for back side  domination!” — Brock Heathcotte to Sean Cunningham (paraphrasing an earlier comment)