April 22, 2009

SELLERSBURG, IN — The day was beautiful with sunny skies and 78 degree temperatures. The greens were true and fairways were luxiourous at Fuzzy Zoller's Champions Pointe in southen Indiana on Saturday. Brian Long set out to loosen up the shoulders and set strong expectations for 2009.

Brian Long, a.k.a. Ruthie, opened the first hole by hitting the green in regulation and two-putting for par. Things seemed to be average for most of the day. Long shot a 9-over 45 on the front nine and was 10-over par after putting out at the 16th hole.

Ruthie jumped up on the 17th tee box at Champions Pointe with the thoughts of par and possibly getting in the clubhouse with a 18-over 90.

The 17th hole is a straight downhill 346-yard par 4. There are no trees or out of bounds. There is however, a pond, which starts at 100 yards just left of the fairway and moves along the apron and around the back of the green. The hazard snakes back left and extends behind the green some 60 to 70 yards. There are two greenside bunkers in the front of the green.

"Going to hit the safe shot," Brian said as he returned to the golf cart for the trusty 7-iron. He blasted a perfect 7-iron down the hill. The ball bounced a few times and rolled into the middle of the fairway. Just 70 yards to go.

Ruthie studied the easy hole and decided on the wedge. The result was short and right. His ball landed in the front right sand bunker with a very attractive lie. "Damn" exclaimed Ruthie!

Brian grabbed the sand wedge and needed a simple chip to a front right pin placement. The result was a round killer.

"He blasted the ball out of the bunker right past the pin," said partner Tom McCauley. "The ball went across the pond and into the woods. I did not think there were woods on this hole."

Ruthie jumped into the cart and took the scenic route down the road and around the pond to the 16th hole. He entered the woods.

"His first shot from woods (4th shot) was duffed," says McCauley. "And with a shake of the head... he chunked his 5th shot into the water. He took a penalty and dropped on the same side, but laterally. He chunked his 7th shot just over the water, but in 12-inch dark green fescue grass that was not cut around the pond. He basically whiffed with his 8th shot moving the ball 2 feet. Then hit the ball onto the green laying 9. The first putt wasn't even close but drained the 6-foot come-back for an 11. Circle that 11."

"A round killer," said Brian with a chuckle. The sextuple bogey was indeed a round killer. He proceeded to the 18th hole and took a snowman. He finished with a 21-over 57 strokes on the back nine.

Brian Long finished with 56 points and presently has 16th position in the 2009 Virtual Tournament.