Dateline: Augusta North: In a tradition unlike any other... May 9, 2013

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                         May 9, 2013

Dateline:  Augusta North:  In a tradition unlike any other, The Prevail Over Polio Open was contested on the hallowed, and somewhat spongy, turf of the Country Club of New Canaan golf course on Thursday, pitting the determined members of the Stamford Rotary Club team  against their rapacious hosts from New Canaan.  In an effort to keep the proceedings from degenerating, a neutral team, led by a pony-tailed prophet, was imported from Wilton.  This maneuver was apparently successful as no reports of physical violence or excessive cheating were reported.  When the dust cleared and the results were computed by the crack CCNC Golf Professional staff it was revealed that the New Canaan squad had retained the Golden Putter.  As this tournament has rapidly attained its status as “the fifth major” this was a monumental achievement which resulted in much euphoria and trash talking among the membership.

As many of our readers are aware, the organization of such a monumental event would be intimidating to normal men and women.  Not so with our intrepid band of superheroes.  In an homage to the Masters’opening, “Hello, I’m Billy Paine” our own “Johnnie” Engel worked the crowd and cordially welcomed the contestants of all stripes.  This year he augmented his staff with young golfing legends Brock “Tiger” Saxe and Tom “Bubba” Cronin who both lightened his load and brought new energy which the aging entrepreneur both needed and welcomed.  Except for the early weather, which was clearly the responsibility of Pastor Eric who apparently got a late start on his conversation with management, the tournament proceeded without a hitch.  Congratulations to Johnnie, Tiger and Bubba.

The cocktail party/ awards ceremony/ raffle portion of the event once again fell under the aegis of Rotary’s answer to Martha Stewart, Carolyn Clark, this year with the able assistance of new member extraordinaire Laura Einstein.  They also greeted and registered all attendees as they entered the Clubhouse, looking glamorous while flanking a tall slender beauty who looked familiar, but was hard to place.  Their raffle prize solicitations, augmented by a few anonymous members, were enthusiastically received by everyone except Joe Rucci who promptly raffled his off as auctioneer extraordinaire Scott “Sergio”  Hobbs moved briskly from winner to winner.  Again, kudos to all who contributed to this satisfying and entertaining portion of the day!

The anticipation is already building for next year’s tournament which we are assured will be bigger and better than ever.  One suggestion which seemed to gain traction was to offer $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches at the food table.  Tickets for admission to the grounds are passed down from one generation to the next in many families, so jockeying for a coveted place in the gallery is well under way.  From Jim Nance and Nick Faldo, “See you next year.