Dave Sturick
FMMGA Propagandist

Guys, we just finished the 2023 version of the Jamison Cup.  We had a great time and great weekend of fun, fellowship and competition.  This year was a little different, it was Old Guys vs the Young Guys.  I was corrected by my team to stop saying “Old Guys” and qualify us as “Experienced Guys”.  Which ever way you want to name it, we’ll call it a great win for the older crowd.  We never did this format before with young and old but I get the feeling, this is here to stay. 

The first day started off with a threat of some bad weather that never materialized.  There was a brief drizzle but actually turned out to be a great day for golf..  The “Experienced Guy” took a shaky 40-1/2 to 31-1/2 lead out of day one where we played 18 holes of modified alternate shot.  On the surface, a 9 point lead seem significant. In actuality, with 9 point per 4-some on the line, that 9 oints could be lost in the first match. 

The second day – today – was ideal conditions.  Maybe a little chilly to start and a wind that seemed to turn on you every single hole, the day was a blessing and a fun way for this event to be played.  I’ll be honest, as the captain of the experienced, I thought we may have a slight advantage in the first day format of modified alternate shot but the second day ???  I truly thought the young guys had a bit of an advantage there with their youth and strength. What happened this day is that they guys 57 years and older remembered that we have seen a lot of golf in our days, we had the experience and we were the decided underdog and came out hungry to prove we still belong.  We had a chip on our shoulders and we would not be denied.  On a day that I truly thought the young guys had an advantage, the older gentlemen came out and beat them outright for the day at 97.5 to 64.5 and for the event 138 to 96.  This is great for us older guys but in a way should be an incentive to the younger folk.  This great game is a game of a lifetime.  We can’t run, jump swim or so many other things like we used to, but we know how to golf.  We can’t hit it as far as before, but we know the game.  We know how to score and how to proceed under scrutiny.  The young guys will have there day for sure, but it wasn’t today.  Sometimes, experience is the best part of our games. 

I will say that personally, I had the best time this weekend.  I had the privilege to play in two wonderful groups. I heard from just about everyone that they also had great groups.  At the end of the day, we want to win, but most importantly, we want to have an entertaining and fun weekend of golf with guys we care about.  I did and I know so many of you said likewise. 

Thank you to Captain Chris Teachout along with his co-captain Jason Steiner for putting together groups that we great and competitive. All were first class gentlemen and all are looking forward to getting their revenge next year. 

I thank my co-captains Dan Drane and Ron Burnier for their help and experience.  It was a pleasure putting this together with them and I had the honor of playing with each of them on either Saturday or Sunday !!

Thanks to our new pro Dennis Rysz for his help.  Dennis has some big shoes to fill in David Gies but is doing a great job.  He and his staff were very cooperative. 

Ashley Patterson – your continued work on the golf course is amazing.  The greens were perfect and the rest of the course is at or ahead of schedule for this time of year. 

I want to give a strong, happy and sorrowful thank you to John Anderson.  I think all of you would agree that our food service is BY FAR the best its ever been.  Honestly it’s not even close.  John is moving up the ranks in Springs Food Service and leaving us.  I hate it because like I said, its never been better.  But, we all love John and so happy for he and his family to have this new opportunity.  We look forward to working with Anita, our English accented lady from the counter as John’s replacement.  I spoke with Anita and she is driven to match and maybe outdo John and his short legacy.  We are certainly going to do our part to help her succeed.  Congratulations to you both !!

Thanks to all of you who participated.  It truly was an event that made golf a better game.