At the risk of beating the ever-living shit out of this dead horse, I’d be remiss if I didn’t add my thoughts and thanks to all the very accurate things that have already been shared. I’ll try to keep it as succinct as possible:
First and foremost, I want to say thank you to @Randy, DJPie, @Tron@Soly, and the MerchCzar for creating the platform that made this whole thing possible. The NLU universe is a crazy fun thing to be a part of and that’s because you guys make it that way. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know you guys a bit better between Aiken, Pinehurst and now Jax, and every time you’ve made me feel welcomed…while not making me or others feel dumb when we shoutout “sick!” and other phrases that probably originated as inside jokes among yourselves.
Thanks to @Privatecollection and Randy for putting on a truly next level event in the face of 1 million reasons why you wouldn’t want to. I think we’ve all probably played in some kind of event, whether that be a charity scramble, member-guest, etc…I think you all included some thoughtful details that I’ve never seen before. It was truly impressive and made for an unforgettable weekend.
Round 1 - HUGE thanks to @djpie for serving as our group’s sherpa around Jax Beach. It was so cool to get a chance to learn more about the course and watch you shoot what I believe tied for your all-time best round at Jax Beach. I think I can speak for many of us that it’s pretty special to get to walk 18 holes with a member of the NLU crew.
Round 2 - Another round I’ll never forget. Basically a blackout situation where everything went my way and some putts managed to drop. Shooting 69 with the wind gusting made for the best round I’ve ever had. Shoutout to my cartner @goodmaej13 (who has a takeaway that would make John Daly jealous) for being an awesome dude to play with and for encouraging good shots and birdies at every opportunity.
Round 3 - It was a privilege to play with my entire group (can’t tag everyone), but especially @phegs32. I’m not sure I know many people who could be so chill after ShipSticks lost his clubs and shoes - but then proceed to shoot 70-76-74 barefoot and with borrowed clubs. Just wow.
Round 4/NIT Championship - What an experience. After playing pretty good golf by my standards over the first 54 holes, things got TOUGH out there the last 18. All kidding aside, I’m eternally grateful to the @MerchCzar for being willing to tote the bag for me. Neil was super cool and encouraging despite some nervy shots. The only round of the week with no birdies, but also got POINTS! on every hole, in large part because Neil steered me around the course from start to finish. I’ll never forget taking the mega-line on 7, saving par on 8 after putting the tee shot in the water, and the par saves on 10 and 11…and lipping out the birdie putt in front of the entire NIT crowd on the final hole as I tried to walk it in.
So many shots I’d love to have back - but honestly it was a bit poetic to have my own Icarito moment with the czar on my bag. HUGE thanks to @skibum232, @JScore, bignanski and jayslagle for the constant support through the final round. You guys made it feel super special to be out there.
In closing…being back at work today sucks. Can’t wait to run it back next year - hope everyone, esp. those I couldn’t tag (you know who you are), stays safe, healthy and plays good golf until we can do it again!
And of course, shoutout to @JCO for his dominance in the title round…could not be a more deserving champ!
And to @ChickPhilA who reigns as the People’s Champ! I was getting some huge Rocco/Tiger vibes playing with you in the championship! The attitude and joy you bring to the course is aspirational!
It was so thoughtful, and now my most prized vinyl. I’ll post a pic over in the radio ga ga podcast thread. @ChickPhilA and @MrChickPhilA are a legendary duo. great to meet so many of you on Thursday night!
Just wanted to pop my head in here and say that the everyone at the Altamont was watching you guise from afar and thoroughly enjoyed seeing how much of a blast everyone had all weekend. Congrats to @JCO on the individual win, and @ChickPhilA for leading her team to a win as well!
Just FYI - @jasona93 was slain in battle on Saturday, and laid to rest on the 8th green at Avon Fields. He will be unable to play in the NIT next year (unless he is resurrected), and @anon47037505 needs to send the trophy over to @tedscott pronto.
Big thanks to the support from NLU and everyone on The Refuge as @FrequentFader and his son Cameran have had north of $10k donated in their honor to the Aaron W. Perlman Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. If you haven’t watched the IG story yet, he shares some of his thoughts and what it’s meant to him and his family.
He is also wearing some killer Team Dead gear while doing so.
Big shout-out to @ChickPhilA for bringing the heat and being well ChickPhilA, and to my gui @bmasters for making the final and grinding even though it wasn’t his afternoon.
I’m missing Jax Beach so much that I spent my lunch break re-watching the Wild World of Golf episode w/ Furyk. So cool to see it again, having played the course now. Although @Soly’s pimp step after sending his second long into the water on 18 hits too close to home.
Not gonna lie it was tough seeing @Tron post lower scores than me left handed. Then @TexasWedge took my left handed club Saturday afternoon and put a ball in the middle of 10 green on the first swing. Might be 2 right handed golfer at the NIT who could beat me lefty.
Playing with @JScore and trying to find a vibe and a club face was quite the round I will say. Lots of fun out there.
@LukeBoatright is still out there trying to hole a putt I think. He might need a putter accountability partner to avoid going to @OffTheDole’s VHS tape (which he did putt well with btw).
Sorry about your cats @NightTrainLane. The levels of self-destruction were high that night against Oklahoma State.
