On the Promenade, there was utter mayhem within the Irish Pub when the young lads arrived. They had no idea who OB was. When they heard he was widely considered the best player ever to not have won the championship with the record for regular season wins, they said “You mean that old guy that drinks Guinness at the end of the bar?” The old guard ignored them. OB was leading the pack at the turn placing a very respectable 49 on the scorecard.

The day started cool, with a more than a slight breeze, not unusual for McCollough’s Emerald Links. Norwegian Cruise Lines was running a promo highlighting Phil Stocker’s 2012 Monday League Championship with partner Michael Lazarchick. They both knew the vicissitudes of windy golf. On this day however, they both quickly fell behind their respective threesomes. While Mike O’Brien and Eddie Borillo were in a battle, Phil was suffering with double and triple bogeys, still healing from a fall he took in the off season.

Le Petit Café was crowded as usual because of Marc’s two straight Championships. Pierre imported Inniskillin Niagara and Icewine Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 to celebrate opening day. Of course, they were not as rowdy as the nearby Polish American Tavern or the Italian Bistro. Marc missed a few putts but still posted the low gross 41 on the front.

Patrons quaffed Zywiec Lager at the Tavern on special in honor of Art Czachrowski nearing 90 and still holding the record of 5 OCAGA Championships. Stanisław and Kazimierz were lamenting Czach’s decision to not compete this season. No one was pleased with the Doctor’s opening 9 holes and every now and then an “Artski Sixski” shout would prompt toasting cheers from all. Stan asked Kaz why the Doctor was also called LZ and they decided it was because Lazarchick was too long! They did not understand why there had to be a new website ocaga.golf, but agreed they could remember the address if they practiced saying it. They found the Rules using the About Link but did not read them.

Meanwhile, at the Bistro, the play of Dave Kissinger and Eddie Borillo was causing a rainfall of Nastro Azzurro as splashing mugs were hoisted repeatedly with patrons continuously jumping to cheer. Dave’s 43 gross score at the turn was second only to Bohan and he was tied with Eddie in net score just two behind the leader. Unfortunately, on nine he felt a twinge of sciatic nerve pain on a swing that lead to his first double bogey on the day. A problem for several months, it flared and he needed to fight pain with every full swing on the back 9. Indeed, he wanted to quit on the long trek to seventeen, but a gallery accolade gave him just enough strength to endure the final holes.

Joe Champion opened with back to back fours, but suffered through a snowman on the difficult par 5. He would not play another hole under 5, until he dropped par on sixteen. Rookie John Larson energized the Hofbräuhaus with a very nice 45 on the front. The Swedish Massage Spa advertised Larson Hot Stone Therapy, but John really has much more German Heritage. Stephanie Champion was the most impressive of the threesome over 18 holes. Her front 48 placed her in the hunt and by the 13th hole she was not far behind OB, tied with Eddie Borillo. With heartthrob Andy Swanson unable to play and “Richie, Richie, he’s too cute” still on the Arizona Tour, the Girl Scouts were fully engaged, the majority of Steph’s gallery the final holes.

While others may have felt the pressure of opening day competition, Michael O’Brien was calmly maneuvering he way to victory. He was even more impressive than in his close battle holding off Steph and Eddie at White Oaks in 2022. On the last three holes, to rousing cheers in the Pub, he gained 2 more on Stephanie to post a six stroke Win. VEGUS has OB a 2-1 favorite to make it two in a row.

RESULTS

SCORECARD

SCATS O’Brien and Rookie John Larson were the big winners in SCATS taking three each. Eddie Borillo took 2.

NEXT WHITE OAKS 9:00 Sunday 11th Booked Under Joe Champion

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