Cap Cana Pro-Am - Report

[Hillbilly]

Part II
Sorry about the incomplete report:
The second nine holes start at the fearful tenth hole the toughest hole for the final two days of the tournament. Jones, finishing 3-3-3 on the front, had the honor. His drive was a thing of beauty, perhaps 20 yards ahead of his companions. A good approach and two putts and he was off. Bruce Vaughan hit the perfect approach, putting the ball about 8 feet under the hole and made a birdie, one of very few on that hole yesterday. Poor Mike Reid bogied it. The group pared the next hole and birdied the 12th, a nice par 5 that looks up a hill. For Gene, the things got really good when he birdied the 13th, one of the scariest holes on the course, and he also birdied the 15th, another 5 par that looks a lot longer than 540 yards. I asked one of the caddies if he liked that yardage, and he looked at me with a wry grin and said, “yeah, that’s what it SAYS!” We finished with Jones at -7; Vaughan at -6 and Reid at -4.

So, what does this all mean to these guys that play for pay? Well, for Jones, it means that he finished in a tie for 9th and thereby qualified to play in the FedEx Kinko’s Tournament in Texas at the end of the month. He also picked up some nice cash, and moved up the money list, going from 42 to 35 and closer to the coveted top 30. Vaughan also did well for himself and moved from 63 to 45 on the money list and Reid (a really nice gentleman) went from 70 to 57 on the list.

After the round, the Walking Scorer accompanies the group to the scoring tent. Standing behind the official and facing the players, he/she may be asked to read the scores. I was and was sweating bullets with worry as to whether there might be a mistake. Fortunately, me and the standard bearer were pretty good and we’d got it right. I was rewarded with three signed golf balls. A job well done.

With the pressure off, I returned to the scoring shack I had worked in for two days and to whom I had reported during the day. Basically to thank the girls and guys for being so nice and for teaching us how things were don professionally. And for a couple of cold Presidentes that they had on ice for “after.”

Hooking up with a couple of Santiagueros I took off to the Champions Club for the Volunteer’s Party, which turned out to be cold Presidente and Pizza with very loud raegetton music, tons of young girls that had volunteered and another group of guys from Santiago and Punta Cana. Lots of interesting information flowed back and forth. Like did you know that there were more than 10,000 units under construction out there?? And that there are hundreds with payments in the bank that have not even started construction?? WOW..

I had a ton of beer and pizza (Well, three slices). Still not able to wear the Chacabana, doggonit! I drove home slowly, took a shower and changed. I laid down for “just a sec” and woke up to cramps in my legs!! Ouch and double Ouch. I Needed more water in spite of all the beer and 6 Gatorades® taken along the way and a bottle or two of water. Then I went to close my eyes again and woke up at 4:00 a.m. And got ready for the drive back to Santiago. Did that in 5 ¼ hours, leaving at 5 and arriving at 10:15, even getting confused in Higuey.

There were at least several DR1ers at the championship: I think one was PJU, but I am not sure. Charlie Brewster for sure and Bill Jensen and Tom Whitehead who did a magnificent job as Walking Scorers and are sure to be sought-after for next year's event. Great job guys!


Off to class now.

I’ll look up some numbers for you all tonight.

HB

[Farmer]

Great first-hand reporting every day. Thanks. And the pictures of Cap Cana throughout the tournament on TV here were a solid advertisement for the tourism industry in the DR.

[BushBaby]

Welcome HOME HB.
Thanks for the excellent updates/reporting & I look forward to a personal (over a beer or two or even a round of golf!!???) report in the near future where some of those "Interesting happenings" that take place at events of this nature, will be revealed!! Hope I get the chance to do something next year!!

PM me or give me a call when you get a moment free from your teaching (& catching up of your homely duties!)

Originally Posted by Farmer

Great first-hand reporting every day. Thanks. And the pictures of Cap Cana throughout the tournament on TV here were a solid advertisement for the tourism industry in the DR.

So were the plaudits put out by the commentators! Did you HEAR some of the things they said? "beautiful course", "Wonderful scenery" "Stunning layout" "BIG beaming smiles on the faces of the Dominicans" "Wonderful Welcomes & hospitality" ................ If they were paid to say those words they were worth every cent as the commentators just seemed to drool over the hospitality they had received, the layout of the course AND the whole culture of the DR & it's people!! Should be worth at least another 2,000 golfing visitors a year.

Job well done DR!! ~ Grahame.

[twhitehead]

All that I can say about this event was "WOW". This was quite the experience. The golf course, golfers and fellow volunteers were all amazing. Learned a bunch about golf and even more about Dominicans in general as we associated with a much different class of Dominican than I had in the past. Special thanks to you Hillbilly for all of your translating help for us spanish challenged speakers and as well to Willie and Henry who made us feel like long lost friends.

The game I saw played is definately a different game than I have seen before - they make it look so easy. Put some of what I learned from watching into effect on Monday playing La Cana and closed with birdie, birdie, par, par. Also got to play Metro and Guavaberry on this trip. Cannot wait to go back and play at Cap Cana - I play Playa Grande twice weekly and absolutely love it but Playa Espada's conditioning and wow factor is definately top notch.

Will I be back next year - FOR SURE. I will however next year bring running shoes for all the walking (always thought my golf shoes were comfy - not after that much walking) and will be searching out SPF 50 lotion as I am now on about the fourth layer of skin on my face since fridays opening round.

[Robert]

The man, the myth, the legend! HB on the right

[Hillbilly]

I am sure that Tom and Bill recognize Henry, our team captain. This was taken by Rick, one of the outstanding Scorers, during a lull in the Pro Am. Rain was threatening and the wind was up as you can see by the fact that my tags were flying.
As God would have it, the one with a picture of my son, Marco, is face up in this shot.

Saludos,

HB

[aegap]

HB looks skinny!