Report on the 2013 "Mike's Mug" Golf Outing

Greetings to all in "Mike's Mug" golf diaspora,

Here is a belated summary of our trip to Rome October 6 - 13, 2013:

One week before our trip 16 had confirmed their participation.  Unfortunately, health issues reduced our number to 12 at the last moment as DeMontigny Marchand came down with a bad back; Romano Curti (a friend from Windsor - and ex-President of Beach Grove GC - a Stanley Thompson course)  wound up in Intensive Care with pneumonia; and George Costaris from Windsor tore his MCL.  

With great cooperation from Castelgandolfo Golf Resort which did not charge any penalties for the last minute cancellations, the remainder of the group gamely carried on. It now comprised Bill Clarke, John Bell, Tom Greenberg (Men's Captain at my club - Larrimac) and his wife Sue: Jack Kepper; Bob Merner; Claudio Vallee and wife Louise; Marc Perron; Gabriel Lessard; and yours truly.

The group trickled in on Saturday and Sunday in a variety of vehicles, only 2 of which had GPS.  Even then, finding the Resort was not easy as the entrance gate is hidden off a small road climbing up the side of an old volcanic crater.  All agreed that the effort was worthwhile, however, as the main building with clubhouse and restaurant is a centuries-old villa constructed by a Bishop with a dramatic view of the course nestled in the crater below and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the horizon.   The accommodation was in a newer complex with even better views from large balconies.  The rooms were very large, clean and comfortable and no one complained even though TVs didn't function due to an electrical problem and hot water was occasionally in short supply.  The buffet breakfast offered a wide selection and left no doubt that the Italians make the best cappuccino in the world.  We enjoyed a fine dinner at the Resort and also found (with some navigation problems) other good ristoranti recommended to us. (See photos attached.  The Pope's Summer Residence is on top of the hill above the clubhouse.) 

The weather generally cooperated with temperatures in the low 20s although we played through afternoon showers on 3 days. There were 9 male contestants for Mike's Mug.  We each agreed to put 20 Euros in the pot with the winner of the most net skins each day to receive 20 Euros and the winner of Mike's Mug after 6 days based on daily adjusted handicaps and net  Stableford points to receive 60 Euros.

Day 1 began at Robert Trent Jones-designed Castelgandolfo where Jack (sandbagger?) Kepper lept to the lead with an unheard of 58 points followed by Marc with 38 and Claudio with 35.  Jack won the net skins with 5.

Day 2 was played at Fioranello Golf Club situated right by the Appia Antica and one of the original Roman acquaducts.  It poured rain during our way there and was very difficult to find without GPS (I know because I was driving without one!)  After play, (during which John Bell pushed a dead electric push cart for 13 holes - good work John!!), Claudio assumed the lead with a 2 day total of 72 points followed by Marc and Gabriel with 71.  Jack fell off to 62 thus proving he is not a sandbagger.  Gabriel won net skins with 3.

Day 3 dawned bright and sunny and by now we had figured out the navigation.  Claudio took Tom in his car aided by a Tom-Tom (perhaps it was a Tom-Tom-TOM!) and the rest of us followed in a Mercedes van intrepidly piloted by Bob Merner and guided by Tom Greenberg's Garmin.  We played at a relatively new Tom Fazio- designed course called Marco Simone which was excellent.  I managed 49 Stableford points and won the net skins with 4 (my hcp had ballooned by 10 points by then!) but my 3 day total was only 101 - far behind Gabriel with 111, Marc with 109 and Claudio with 108.

Day 4 was special as we played at the oldest, most establishmentarian course in Rome - Circolo del Golf di Roma Acquasanta, just outside the walls of Rome.  Everyone played reasonably close to their handicaps but the steadiest after 4 days were Marc and Claudio with 145, Gabriel with 142 and Bill Clarke with 141.  The net skins prize was shared 3 ways by Bob, Bill, and me.  Jack Kepper met the President of the Club - Generale Commendatore Dottore Carlo Alfiero whe was very welcoming and charming.  Jack had an interesting discussion with him about the possibility of extending mutual privileges with the Royal Ottawa.  (Let us know how it goes Jack.)

Day 5 was moving day and we played at Olgiata where I was a member in 1967 and 1968.  During that time Al Balding and George Knudson represented Canada in the World Cup at Olgiata.  The U.S. team of Julius Boros and Lee Trevino won the Cup but Al Balding won the individual title.  It was a wonderful, nostalgic, but rather sobering experience.  The pine trees had grown huge and on the 2nd hole, a 180 M par 3 where I used to hit 5 iron, I hit 4 iron from155 M and was still short.  Sic transit gloria.  Making the biggest moves on moving day were Gabriel with 46 points and Bob Merner with 43.  They shared the low net skins prize.  John Bell managed 41 points and Claudio had a steady 36.  So - heading into the final day Gabriel led with 188 followed by Marc and Claudio with 182, and John with 178.

Day 6, the final day, was back at Castelgandolfo, and the 4 leaders went off together.  It was quite a battle, but in the end, Gabriel faded with 32 points, Claudio was steady yet again with 38 but Marc made the big move with 40 points to win Mike's Mug with a total of 222, 2 more than both Claudio and Gabriel.  Bob Merner was 4th with 217 points and Tom Greenberg was 5th with 215.  Marc and Claudio split the net skins with 2 each.  FÉLICITATIONS MARC!!!

It should be pointed out that the BEST GOLFER, in other words the low gross winner, was Tom Greenberg who began with a hcp of 10 and saw it escalate to a high of 15.  But he shot mid 80s every day and managed a sterling 78 on the final day.  Amazing - given that he lost his wallet in London on the way over going through Security.  Perhaps, however, it only proves the old adage that behind every successful man stands a woman!  Good going Sue taking over all the financial and driving responsibilities.

One final item.  There was some discussion of future venues and it appears Louise Vallee will be putting forward a proposal to test interest in a trip to Jamaica during the winter.

I had a great time and I believe the others did as well.  Best wishes to all from this retired- forever Gentil Organizzatore and remember the old Roman proverb:  "Mangia bene, cacca forte e non aver' paura della morte!"

Don Wismer