Stephanie Champion opened, spotting the field a bundle of strokes. After a drive out of play, she suffered through a snowman. The girl scouts immediately called to protest a driving range that did not allow the use of Drivers. While most of the Tour Players are free to play golf just about anytime and many do, Steph spends many summer mornings educating a very young group of developmentally challenged humans. She appreciates the opportunity to hit a few golf balls before a round of play. Stephanie knew she was in fast company. Mike Deckard had just shaken up the “New League plan” by delivering a Make Up Round at Buena Vista with a net score one below the previous declared winner Marc Bohan. The Doctor, a three time OCAGA Champion, had toasted the field winning Green Tree this season with a gross 83. Joe Champion, Daddy, was gradually increasing his regular season lead with each passing tournament, taking the Closest to the Pin for Points again, seemingly on his way to setting a record in for most in one season. Just ahead of her foursome, the youngest player on tour saw on the leaderboard that the oldest player on the tour, legendary Art Czachorowski, a Five Time Champion, played the first 4 holes just 2 over par. Atlantis was a challenging track, but by the turn Stephanie had caught Artie in Gross score and everybody else had placed higher numbers on the Scorecard. As the tournament unfolded it seemed clear to the gallery, the low handicappers were not going to catch the higher handicap leaders.

Bob Daino and Mike O’Brien carried the biggest handicaps. The Hot Sun forced OB to withdraw. His fair skin never liked the rays and now the rest of the octogenarian’s body just does not like the heat. As the years have passed he increasingly enjoyed sitting in the air conditioned Irish Pub drinking a cold one, signing autographs and bathing in the admiration of the fans. Bob however, brandishing a new Driver, enjoyed the lead through 13 holes. At the Italian Bistro a boisterous fan base was sending “Rookie of the Year” chants out onto the promenade loud enough reach the ears of the selection committee. The Bistro fans groaned when Stephanie finally took the lead on 14, but quickly exhilarated when Daino tenaciously came back to tie on 16. Excitement was building prompting The Godfather to have have Bruno give every patron a shot of Cynar. He toasted “Here’s to a wonderful performance in a Tournament dedicated to the memory of Valerio E. Fransel, born in my hometown of Merlano, Italy.” He told Bruno that Val just before he departed at age 68 during 2014, always weighing just about 100 pound, was still able to hit the ball with the best strikers on the tour. He and the Doctor very mush enjoyed a side Nassau Bet, front, back and overall at Atlantis, adjusting strokes each week based on results to keep the competition strong.

The Hofbräuhaus was also celebrating the memorial tournament with stories about their beloved John Edward Buechner. His portrait hangs proudly in their trophy room along side the famous Letter of Gratitude sent from Atlantis. John was never close to a championship and usually paid out out more in bets than he took in. Yet he truly loved playing and set up Saturday morning tee times at Atlantis enjoyed by many OCAGA Members. He was most celebrated for orchestrating the annual pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach, reaching as high of 16 players. With an agronomy degree from Purdue University he was able to share information about the types of grasses and other vegetation used to create the various playing venues. John was also 68 when he left us during 2020.

At the giant television screen on the promenade, the driving range protest was a long faded memory as the Girl Scouts held their breath. Bob Danio in the foursome just ahead of the final finishers, stumbled to a snowman on 17, slightly opening the door. Lazarchick was making a charge, as the only person in the tournament able to handle the challenging Par 5. Stephanie took the lead over Bob with a double bogey, heading into 18.

Bob’s double bogey finish was on the leader board when Lazarchick hit an errant drive on 18. Stephanie teed her ball, on the doorstep of Making History. Her form was pristine. Her power was majestic. She hit the sweet spot unleashing her best drive on the day, eliciting ubiquitous expressions of WOW! It was a massive drive, with a slight draw, which transversely cut the center of the fairway leaving a short iron shot to the elevated green. The Gallery flew to their feet, exhorting a cacophony of cheers. They knew the men were no longer in contention. The first Woman ever to win an OCAGA Tournament did it in style, making the Par look really Easy.

At Le Petit Café, Pierre played Helen Reddy’s “I am Woman” very pleased to meet the sudden female demand for the 2009 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne. It was clear that Mike Deckard no longer had a lock on Rookie of the Year. VEGAS saw a huge influx of money betting on Stephanie to follow in her father’s footsteps to that Title! Meanwhile President Joe Champion’s approval rating hit an all time high, rivaling the numbers enjoyed by Phil Stocker, considered the greatest leader in Modern OCAGA history. While holding back to back Championship titles, Phil’s most famous achievement was moving players to the Senior Tees, greatly expanding competition and the pure enjoyment of the tour! Clearly, Joe Champion seems visionary and may save the Tour decimated by deaths and relocations. Indeed, there is sharp contrast to the last administration which failed to make OCAGA Great Again, support for a very Humble leader is being displayed by increasing numbers of shirts on the Promenade

POINTS (with an Atlantis Make Up Tournament* still to be played by Bohan, Kissinger, Cole and Borillo.)

While Joe Champion holds a sizable lead, his decision to allow the Make Up option really keeps more people in the hunt for the final four. Purportedly, the International Golf Association is looking closely at the model to consider expanding their member options, if the OCAGA experiment continues to successfully progress.

Tour Player
93 Champion, Joe
77 Lazarchick, Michael
73 Stocker, Phil 68 Bohan, Marc
62 Kissinger, Dave 57 Deckard, Mike
57 Czachorowski, Art
56 Champion, Stephanie
56 Daino, Bob
53 Cole, Chuck*
49 Spickler,Jeff
46 Swanson, Andy
38 O’Brien, Mike
33 Borillo, Ed*
24 Antczak, Rich
13 Mauro, Nancy
8 Gahr, Tom

Joe Champion, Bob Daino and Stephanie Champion were the big SCATS winners at Atlantis with Art Czachorowski and Michael Lazarchick also taking in a few bucks. VEGAS has declared this Joe Champion Administration SCATS Model as Sheer Genius.

After a discussion about venues in a small meeting held by the President, the secretary was directed to book Centerton Golf Club within Parvin State Park, hopefully around 10 am on Tuesday August 9th. Look for a member survey on availability to play. As with all venues visited for tournament and practice, OCAGA Tour Players wear Shirts with Collars to create a sense of professionalism and respectability. When we walk onto the course, we want to look like a professional golfer who takes the game seriously.