Was I initially upset I got dragged into this NYE event? Yes
Am I on drink 5 and feeling good now? Also yes (this is hibiscus infused tequila)
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Just had a nice meal at Javier’s at the Crystal Cove location and now back at my villa watching Paul Anka belt out the hits like a true Boomer waiting for the ball to drop.
Cheers from miserable Newport, CA on this terrible winter day. Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year fellas. Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2024.
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My hitter Tavita shot 73 from the tips at Ted Makalena Muni today and is now serenading us with “You look wonderful tonight”
Here’s to a 2024 of shooting under our caps.
(75 degrees on the island right now. Enjoy the snow Midwest America)
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Ope, forgot to send a photo of my Makers Mark last night. But that was 2023, only gonna get better in 2024. Happy New Year everyone!
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
It is an honor to be given the opportunity to pass the torch to one of my best friends, this year’s honoree, Mr. @midwestgolfbum .
As many of you know, Evan was one of the original founders of The Ope’n, and has continued to take the lead in working with the team at Lawsonia ensuring that there is a welcoming place for 60-75(?) golf enthusiasts to have an awesome experience enjoying one another’s company and doing so on some incredibly fun golf courses (yes you read that right, plural 
)
Organizing any golf event/trip can be stressful as hell. I can’t even imagine trying to keep things coordinated for 60+ individuals not to mention being the person who has their card on the line for the cost of everything. Evan balances this and checks notes REAL LIFE and makes it look like it’s nothing.
With all of this in mind, @mikedabomb had the idea that this year, we will honor @midwestgolfbum and show support to a charitable cause of his choosing. The news was shared with Evan on his way to the 10th hole of the first annual Old Fashioned, and after some discussions behind the scenes a decision has been made.
Without further ado, the charitable cause for the 2024 Midwest Ope’n will be
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Specifically: The Joseph Sanfilippo, MD, MBA, In Training-Surgical Research Fund.
I have included the link to the organization’s overall website as well as a link directly to the research fund for donations.
https://store.asrm.org/DonateNow/CashProductId/220412869/PledgeProductId/220412916
This community loves and appreciates you @midwestgolfbum and we are excited to have to opportunity to show how thankful we are for you and all that you do for us.
There will be more announcements in the future for plans to raise more charitable donations.
Here is to making 2024’s Ope the best one yet!
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Jokes on you, we don’t get snow anymore! At least not here. Warmest December ever +8.9° on avg!
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We got a dusting overnight on Saturday and I woke up thinking, “what the fuck” while conveniently not remembering that we had at least a foot and a half of accumulation this time last year.
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The weather was colder here on Halloween, with more snow, than we’ve seen at any point since.
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It’s not a good thing, and personally I wish it was snowing! Everything is just gray and wet now without snow.
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Wish I knew you and @mikedabomb were gonna blitz him with that while waiting on the 10th, would’ve helped with the surprise 
Also @Battisstatus appreciate the Old Fashioned shout out, hope to see you there next year.
Very kind and generous of you guys, cheers to 2024 and the best Op3-N ever!
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HELLO FRIENDS
Earlier this fall, I started thinking about the beauty of the CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE* component of the Ope. And it got me thinking about how things went at ope 2.
I played some fourball with @OffTheDole @Forty and @Nickygifts (Gifts back still might be sore from carrying me around the links that entire afternoon)
I also played Scotch foursomes with my dude @RunItOut @Kbergen28 and @camgriff2
And I thought to myself damn team golf is fun. I bet there are a few others that would agree.
I spoke a bit further with @mikedabomb and @midwestgolfbum proposed an idea.
For anyone who isn’t playing in the regional, I wanted to offer another path to a friendly team event.
THE OPE CUP For a Cause
For anyone interested in playing some team golf, I am going to organize a team game that will shape up as follows
Friday Morning : Fourball on Lawsonia Links. (everyone gets to play their own ball)
Friday Afternoon : Singles matches on The Woodlands
Saturday Morning : Scotch Foursomes on the Woodlands (get some swings in have a little fun)
This leaves Saturday afternoon on the Links open for people to play their own ball
There will be some handicapping involved, I have time to figure out how that will work exactly.
To participate there is an ENTRY FEE OF A $20 DONATION to The Joseph Sanfilippo, MD, MBA, In Training-Surgical Research Fund.
https://store.asrm.org/DonateNow/CashProductId/220412869/PledgeProductId/220412916
I have included a sign up sheet below. In order for this to work properly we will need 4 people minimum and can work in multiples of 4 from there (4-8-12-16… Etc.)
I will work with Evan and Mike with regard setting teams and pairings for tee times.
Once you have signed up, either send me a DM or post in the thread your proof of donation.
(Example below)
Did I mention that there is trophy?
Now you may be asking, “Batty, is that a chicken?”
Yes, it is.
”can it also be used as a cocktail shaker?”
Yes, yes it can.
I don’t think there is a more perfect trophy for the ope cup than this.
I think that’s everything… if anyone has any questions, please feel free to send me a DM or post in the thread.
Cheers
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Damnit this is so good
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I’m going to donate now, but have to go on the list as a ‘maybe’ participant because according to @bignanski I might have to actually, like, do something at the Ope? I don’t know.
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