September 16, 2002

WHEELING, WV — With only ten days until the first round of the second annual MELC Cup competition, the field has been busily preparing itself for this year's event. The first shot of Jager hasn't been consumed and already people are whining about their MELC point allotment.

"..... second, I am sure you will F Flanagan's MELC points and my MELC points before we go to GVI.  I am playing good now, but I will need to play like a pro to win GVI after you F our MELC's.  You Dork.", says Don McFarland towards MELC point administrator Greg Long. Don feels his points will be unfairly reduced despite six rounds under 95 in the last month. Whoever plays in Don's group during the tournament should watch for him to utilize his "foot wedge" with an attitude like that.

There's sure to be more complaining in the days to follow.

Is the pressure that great that no one wants to follow in the footsteps of Stacy Bartlett, who didn't even win the Green Jacket two years ago but took it to Cabo San Lucas anyway? Meek attempts have been made the last two years to equal Bartlett's feats, but have fallen way short. Which situation has more pressure, following in Bartlett's footsteps or trying to make a ten foot putt on the 18th hole with 20 guys hanging pine cones out of the zippers of their shorts? One lucky Loozer will soon find out.