[Robert]

Day II of the PGA Champions Tour Pro-Am tournament dawned with overcast skies and a very stiff wind out of the south-southeast. It was at least 30 knots.

As a volunteer I was assigned to scoring, but since most of the volunteers won't be here until Friday, there was no walking scorers. That, however, made no difference since we were put to use all over the property.

Today, I was honored to be assigned the job of starting off 20 groups of four amateurs and one pro for the day. This job is akin to herding cats, since many of the amateurs have a very Dominican mindset as to what being on time is all about. In spite of numerous reminders, several groups were late off the tee and this caused a stack-up for the groups in back. In golf, especially in a tournament as significant as this one for the Dominican Republic, on time means 20 minutes ahead of time, at least. That means you are ready to play, all warmed up, equipment in shape, etc, etc.

It was amazing! One player did not even show up and another was 9 holes late in joining his group and and still another, a American from Miami waltzed to the tee after all the photographs had been taken with a dumb smile and a "Sorry!" ...The best thing that happened was when the guy failed to show up for Bernard Langer's group, Langer asked me to join them!!! I was dumbstruck! The winner of Masters, the Captain of the European Ryder Cup team, a winner of so many awards and a member of Golf's Hall of Fame asked the old HB to play!! Unfortunately, I left my clubs in Santiago so another of the volunteers was gifted a very expensive pass to play with a great!!


Once again the wind was the enemy of everyone. Craig Stadler launched a great shot and then grumbled "Like I like to hit 190 yard drives, sh**!!" this from a guy that can do 300+ on a good day.

Some differing opinions on the course are starting to flower. One pro said that the greens were misshaped, since the would not receive a well struck ball. Another said that one hole (13) was backwards! Still another loved the beauty of the place but the wind!!! All throughout the day, many of my very good Dominican golfing friends were explaining that while Punta Espada is a windy course, it is not Usually this windy.

Tomorrow is the day! I spent the last of a thirteen hour day helping to write up the paring sheets for the scorers tomorrow. There will be 26 threesomes teeing off between 9:30 and 11:30 tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. They are playing for $2,000,000. The winner takes home $300,000.

After today's efforts on the first tee, I was offered a chance to be the starter tomorrow, but I needed to get a short-sleeved white chacacabana!! ARRRRGGGHH. First Langer and now this!! Oh the gods of Fate!! No chacabanas in the Hillbilly's wardrobe this week... Who woudda thought!! My daughter in law and her mother called every men's store in the entire area: Oscar de la Renta on down. Nothing. They finally found a tailor who would make me one! Fair price, too. So I hightail it over to Veron, the Shell station, and there, on the concrete apron of the gas station he takes my measurements. "I'll have it ready for you tomorrow Sir!" so if the gods continue to shine down, I might be on one of the tees on Saturday and Sunday. You can look for me on the Golf Channel Sat and Sun 1-4 in the afternoon. They do a lot of editing, since it is golf they televise and not my startling presence nor my melodious voice announcing some golfer...

Some of the volunteers have worked 13 hour days for three days now. Most of us are in bed by now (10 p.m.), and I will be following shortly.

One last thought on this great event. These golfers are true professionals. they WORK at what they do. For example, Bernhard Langer played his 18holes of golf under very trying conditions and then spend hours under the sun and wind on the putting green, trying to get "that" feeling for the way the grass grows and the speed of the greens... In fact, ALL of the golfers practiced after they had finished their rounds. Second, these men are great people persons, with one or two exceptions. they make the amateurs feel right at home, laughing and paying them attention as if they were an important part of their (professional's ) lives. This makes a lasting impression on everyone that comes into contact with them. For example, while we were waiting for a brief shower to dissipate, I was holding an umbrella for Nick Price, a winner of major golf tournaments and another member of the Hall of Fame. One of the group happened to be one of my son's very good friends and he mentioned the unfortunate passing of Marco. Nick was immediately attentive and he remarked how his brother had passed away and how his mother was still having trouble dealing with it. A real glimpse into the life of a major sports, incredible. I was really moved by his sincerity, and I'll never forget it.

Keep your fingers crossed so I can be a Starter for the weekend...

All the best,

HB