Amazing job everyone!!! May I suggest a best outfit award in the future? Would have definitely gone to the Nature Boy robe and mullet.
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I honestly had no idea people would really grasp the wrestling attire! I think probably a third of the people did it? @methridge easily wins though. Also thanks to him for picking up the tee markers in and dropping them off at the course on Friday.
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Alright so this will be a little rambly, but here we go.
You guis have no idea truly what this day meant. I was blown away by the amount of hard work by @JBors, @JDGAFFLIN, @SpartanButters, @N8dogg2669, and whoever else was involved to put together a truly first-class day. I drove a total of 12 hours within a span of about 30 hours to spend the day with all of you, and I’d do it again in a second. The fact that people literally came in from almost every direction, across the country, just blows my mind.
Even though I missed a lot of the morning, from the second I showed up and met Jbors, Jesse, and @Tron on hole 14 they made me feel right at home. No one felt like a stranger at all. And they didn’t even laugh when my first tee swing was my tee shot on 15 and it went straight up about 90 yards. 
(Side note - watching JBors and Tron just absolutely murder the ball right before my first swing didn’t exactly help. I don’t think I’ve ever had a single shot sound like either of them when they connect. Just astounding.)
Had a great lunch with finally meeting the legendary @ChickPhilA (sorry I couldn’t add any points for Team Deadguis my captain) and @jgolf1. Then in the afternoon I was able to jump into an awesome 8-person alt shot group - @Pinehurts, @duffing_in_detroit, @heater, Craig, AJ, Kyle, and Jesse (sorry I can’t remember all the handles). And somehow my partner Eli (duffing_in_detroit) never actually murdered me despite my severe chipping yips. Eli by the way is just freaking smooth but crushes the ball without even looking like he’s trying. But despite me dragging down our team overall it was a fantastic, laid-back way to get to know everyone a little bit and enjoy a friendly competition.
My wife Corin came by to also meet everyone and she wanted to be sure to thank as many of you as she could. Laz of course wins the day by throwing her an awesome “You must hear all the time how much you look like Laura Linney” compliment. And the above group picture is just unbelievably awesome.
Also, the Buddy’s Pizza was freaking good. Damn. I still can’t admit it tops Chicago Deep Dish style for me personally, but I will absolutely admit Detroit Pizza is a “thing” - and a goddamn delicious thing at that.
Then I got to finish off the day with an awesome 4-hole loop with Pinehurts/Ryan and Duffing_in_Detroit/Eli, while Corin rode in the cart (she’s absolutely not a golfer, but enjoys a good cart ride). Evening golf with the course to yourself is just the best.
I had promised my wife some time to ourselves at a local brewery, so said goodbyes to whoever we could find and hit up Urban Rest (thanks Kevin for the rec), and then back to our airbnb and tried to process everything. It was awesome hearing her finally understand why I’ve been so obsessed with this place - I think it kind of clicked for her. Over the last couple of years, the Refuge has served as such an awesome outlet for me. Whether it’s sharing something about Max or a struggle we’re having (shoutout parent thread!!), engaging in the more mindless arguments as a distraction, or even just reading and laughing at the hilarity on a daily basis if I don’t have time or energy to reply - this has been a much needed distraction and stress relief outlet for me, and to finally be able to meet many of you face to face was so meaningful.
The money you guis raised will make a huge difference for us and our family. As Max gets bigger (he’s now about 40 lbs), moving him around the house - and specifically up and down stairs - becomes more of a challenge, especially if it’s our nanny or either of our parents. Especially since he doesn’t exactly hold on like a normal kid when you carry him. So this will help us put in a chair stairlift to help transport Max up and down stairs. We’ll also be able to install a wheelchair ramp to more easily get his wheelchair in and out of the house to the garage. And likely some other little touches and adaptations to help our house become more accessible. Not to mention some of the awesome proceeds that are going to the GFPD for research.
I can’t say it enough, but THANK YOU. I cannot wait to see all of you again sometime, no matter the occasion.
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Anyone else have an unusual amount of water in their eyes right now? No? Just me? Cool, cool…
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@Pinehurts Weibring would be a blast - I’d love to show it off for you. And bonus points for spelling Corin’s name right on the first try - that never happens! I see @Jbors did as well. Clearly the Refuge is a level above most.
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Man. This post is going to stick with me for a while. It was an absolute pleasure to meet you and Corin, play with you, and be able to talk for a bit after pizza. I’m really glad you enjoyed the brewery. I wish I had been able to stick around for the extra holes.
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How freaking good is UMGC? I was just freaking floored.
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Now let’s just get rid of some of those trees!
@jimithng23, tough to tell what was in front of the green in the original layout on 18, but definitely looks like trouble of some sort.
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Originally there was just a creek there vs the pond.
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18 is certainly jarring and feels super out of place, but I will forever love that hole after somehow hitting it to 25 feet from the fairway bunker 190 out.
(I three putted)
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$9,000.00
Holy Shit! Before I start rambling let me get this out of the way: YOU. ALL. FUCKING. ROCK!
So, a bit of backstory: As most of you know, I just joined the Refuge/Nest back in January. The reason for joining is because I absolutely love the hell out of the “Strapped” series. It fits my ethos when it comes to playing this amazing, frustrating, befuddling, rewarding game we all love. I hadn’t planned on actually being active here. It was more of a “Take this $90.00 if it’s going to assist with more of that content…”
Then one day at work (Don’t tell my boss) I started poking around. I started searching for local connections and what do I find? A nearly year old thread about an event that was happening at the course I play (badly at) most often. Dig that. So I keep reading, and reading, and reading…
The initial draw for me was the course. Here in Metro-Detroit The Rack takes a ton of unfair criticism because in the past there have been issues with drainage, pace of play, general conditions, lack of alcohol, you name it. The golfing snobs shit on it a ton. Let me say they are complete fucking morons with no sense of history. And the history of the course? That’s why I love it. It has been the home of Ben Davis, one of the country’s first African-American golf pros. Joe Louis played the course on a regular basis back in his day. Karen Peek and her amazing staff have done yeoman’s work to help get this course in the great shape that was on display Saturday… So yeah, that was the initial draw.
Then I read up on Max. I consumed every post @tchap80 has written about him. I perused the GFPD website. It just hit my heart and inspired me in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. As a parent of a pretty amazing little guy my self that has the fortunate good health to do things Max can’t I wanted to do everything I could to help.
So what did I do? I pestered @jbors & @Lazstradamus to no end. “What can I do to help?” “Is this cool?” Etc, Etc… I’m sure on plenty of occasions they got sick of getting messages from me.
Seriously Josh & Lazero: Thank you for letting me be a part of putting this together. It was 100% a success.
@N8dogg2669, @SpartanButters, @jawnnypage @sundaybag, @Carlitos and anyone I might have missed: Amazing stuff. The Winston Collection items? Holy Hell man! The scorecards? Off the chain. The event merch? My regret is I didn’t purchase more. It’s that good. The tee markers? Seriously, they rival tee markers you see at PGA events. They’re that good.
So as this event became a reality I had 2 goals in mind personally that I’m positive I can speak for @jbors & @Lazstradamus in saying it’s what we all wanted:
1: That Max, @tchap80, and Corin felt the love, and we were collectively able to raise a big chunk of coin to help them out. Meeting them, I’m not sure you can find two better people, and their commitment to their cause is inspiring. I’ll go out on a limb and say mission fucking accomplished.
2: That everyone that attended had an amazing time. Judging by the feed back, I think we can say that happened.
Man, I’d type out the names of all 68 plus attendees, but my fingers are getting tired. All I can say is from the bottom of my heart, a huge thank you for coming. And a bigger thank you for letting me #GetInvolved.
$9000.00 WOW! Take a bow everyone!
One Love.
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I appreciate these efforts. My gosh, imagine that place without all the trees and stiff winds?! Wow!
18 is a fine golf hole. It just feels out of place, on that course.
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the pond would be good for you
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UMGC. That green complex on #6 was something else.
But those UM golfers could smell the Buckeye on me and used me for target practice all day.
Shout out @Brentdtw for being a great host. And @clevelandgooner too.
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12 still looks terrifying as ever back in the day
All it took for @DP123 to make six pars in seven holes was for some kid to blister his midsection with a Titleist.
BIG Bruce Banner energy - he got angry and became unstoppable.
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Jesse - you’ve got a huge heart, and thank you jumping right in and for everything you’ve done and said. It was just awesome to meet you and spend time playing golf together. And like you said - it will not be the last time we play golf together! Be well bud.
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He carried that motivation into securing the CTP at Rackham. Hell of a shot.
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