I was lucky enough to be invited to join a great group of guys playing golf at Firewheel Golf Courses.  For the past 24 years they have traveled to a new course for a three day weekend.  It started 25 years ago and was always played on St. Patrick’s Day weekend.  After a couple of cold and rainy years the event was moved to the third weekend in April.  This was the 25th year.  The event came with shirts and hats!

When I came down to Texas last year on my house hunting trip I got paired up with Jimmy and Billy.  They invited me to join their group.  Once I was moved in and settled, I had to be vetted by the Chairman.  I thought they were all a little crazy so I fit right in.  I am guessing I played with them for a good two months before I knew some f their real names. Everybody has at least one nick name.  I thought I would put together an official player roster.

Dennis (“The Chairman” or “Beek”) Verbeek

Jimmy (“JR”) Reed

Billy (“Sunshine”) Craig

Greg (“Ace”) Phillips

Bill (“Buzz”) Eaves

Ron (“EZ” or “Easy”) Caddell

Jack (“Eagle”) Kissane

Kevin (“Hootie”) Maloney

Jimmy (“JB”) Brownlee

Rodney (“Rocco”) Shiftlette

Tom (“Spot Lite”) Miller  NEED A RETAKE

Chet (“Chezzy”) Trammell

Scott (“Skate”) Cole

Tom (“Tommie”) Maloney

Carl (“Caddyshack”) Meinhardt

Chris (“Whitey”) White

Mike (“Stick”) Prescott

Kevin (“Little Kevin” or “LK”) Maloney

I was really hoping from some cool name like Ace, or Eagle, but they stuck me with:

Kent (“Pudge”) Jarrett

Friday was stroke play with net and birdie payouts.

The Chairman reading the rules to the 5 group captains.The course was pretty good shape considering it had gotten between 8 to 10 Inches of rain the week before.  Some of the par three photos:The Signature Waterwheel hole The elevated tee boxes for the 18th.Some action shots from the first tee.

The “Barney” Pole!  Rumor has it, it used to be the long drive marker, now they play it closes to the Barney. The group isn’t as “Long” as they used to be!

Saturday we played the following 6-6-6 invite with a Blind draw partner.

After the 6-6-6 event we all went to the Par 3 course for the Last Man standing event. Each foursome played a par 3 hole, high score was eliminated.  If there was a tie for the high score the low score player picked a spot for a chip off, farest from the pin was eliminated.  Every hole 1 played was eliminated.  So after 3 holes there was only 1 player for each foursome.  The final four then played three additional holes until Rodney Shifflett was the last man standing.

For Sunday the leader was paired with the last place, and second with second to the last and so on down the line for the final 18 holes on Sunday.  Two matches at play.  First your own ball, and the a low net team game. 20 total points on the line!

Billy Craig won the “Luck Of The Irish Cup” for the three day low net.

There was a TIE for the champion of the 25th St. Patrick’s Invitational Event!

Congratulations to Rodney Shifflett, and Billy Evaes. (not sure how they are going to share the vest)

After the chairman handed all the cash and prizes the group had taken up a sizable collection and gave him a hand full of cash for 25 years of running the event and getting out weekly tee times.

I was super impressed and pretty jealous when they also presented him with a St. Patrick’s Invitational flag, framed and signed by Jordan Spieth!!! WOW

A great group of guys and a fun weekend!  Hope I can keep my mouth shut and get invited back next year!

The group!

Life is good and I am blessed and you never know what might get in front of my camera lens next!

Kent