Some dreams do come true....

[Brian_Gracely]

Maybe it was influenced by my recent travels, but I've had this recurring dream lately where I qualified for the Open Championship.  In my dream, I'm hitting the ball so well and I'm so focused on my game, the course looks like this:



I'm sure the spectators are there and the crowd noise is deafening as I walk to the 18th green, but I just don't hear it.  

After holing a long birdie putt on the 18th green, I happily walk off and think about what an enjoyable day it's been.  But when I get in the clubhouse....it's gets better!!  Low and behold that final putt actually meant something and the good folks at the R&A have decided that I should take home a souvenir to remember my time in their company....what a nice bunch of chaps  



It's a good dream....

[THuckaby2]

OK, that is freakin' classic.  First Lord Stanley's Cup and then this.

How the hell did you manage this one?

 

[Brian_Gracely]

OK, that is freakin' classic.  First Lord Stanley's Cup and then this.

How the hell did you manage this one?

 

Huck,

Just another case of Brian Gracely random dumb luck when meeting members of the R&A and their generosity far exceeding anything that normal people do for others.  

Our round at Troon had been arranged through a member that my brother and I had never met.  Unfortunately he had to cancel at the last moment.  So my new friend at Prestwick makes a last minute call to another Troon member and our round is saved.  Keep in mind that this 2nd Troon member had no reason to drive down from Glasgow to host us (didn't know us) and that he was the lead legal council for the vicitims of a building explosion in Glasgow the day before....so he was quite busy.  But he took time out of his day to host us, show us around the course, show us the new bunkers they added
and generally be an enjoyable chap.  

After lunch we're walking out of the club and he bumps into the Club Secretary and they start talking about this and that, and all of a sudden he gets all excited and waves us into this room.  The Secretary goes into his closet and brings out this metal case (partially visible in the picture).  He opens it up and there it is.....THE JUG!!  Not a replica, the actual Jug!!  

Apparently Ben Curtus was going to be around for a media day, so the Jug was making the rounds.

So we all passed it around and looked at the names and tried not to drool on it.  I was surprised at how heavy it was...must be 10-12lbs (not sure what that equates to in stones, but I need to find out as our hotel scale was in stones).

We snapped a few pictures, thanked the Secretary and went on our way.  
 

[JohnV]

1 stone equals 14 pounds.

[THuckaby2]

Brian:

Fantastic.  It continues to be life-affirming to hear stories about what golfers will do for one another.

And while it is VERY cool that you got to hold and model with the Claret Jug that Mr. Curtis has ownership of this year, well... and remember this does not diminish the coolness of that picture, nor the glorious events of your day...

but....

the claret jug you are holding is a replica, the one that the winners get to keep for the year and pass around, the one that is engraved with the winners' name right then and there and hoisted up for photos on the 18th green.

THE Claret Jug, the real thing, the one dating back so many years, is kept in a trophy case at the R&A clubhouse.  We saw this one last year a week or so after Curtis' victory, and we were told they engrave the real one at the end of the year "when we take care of all the trophies."  

Still pretty freakin' cool you got to take a photo with this one.  

TH

[Brian_Gracely]

but....

the claret jug you are holding is a replica, the one that the winners get to keep for the year and pass around, the one that is engraved with the winners' name right then and there and hoisted up for photos on the 18th green.

THE Claret Jug, the real thing, the one dating back so many years, is kept in a trophy case at the R&A clubhouse.  We saw this one last year a week or so after Curtis' victory, and we were told they engrave the real one at the end of the year "when we take care of all the trophies."  

Huck,

I thought the same thing as well, so I asked the question.  The media day was organized by the R&A, so they sent the actual Claret Jug to Troon.  The case that it was sent in was of the same caliber that they kept the Stanley Cup, so I was less skeptical.

....it's possible that we were lied to by the Club Secretary, but what would be the purpose?  He seemed like an honourable gentleman.  

[Mike Hendren]

Brian,

This lends additional credibility to my theory that you are somehow the offspring of Bob Huntley.

BTW,  give my regards to Tom Ross.

Mike

[Brian_Gracely]

Brian,

This lends additional credibility to my theory that you are somehow the offspring of Bob Huntley.

BTW,  give my regards to Tom Ross.

Mike

Mike,

I am open to the idea of Mr.Huntley adopting me...although I have no idea what redeemable value he would receive in the bargain.  Maybe I could qualify as an uber-dependent and somehow get him a break on his taxes??

I spoke with Tom Ross recently as his son's soccer team was going to be down in NC for a travel tournament.  He's doing well and wishes all the GCA'er good luck.  He was a little bummed that he didn't make Ran's initial cut, but it's given him alot of extra time to focus on his family and his wood-carving hobby.  I'll send him your regards.  

[Mike Hendren]

Brian,

What did Tom decide to do with the original plans he acquired for Ross' NLE Richland Country Club in Nashville?

Mike

[THuckaby2]

Brian:

Aha.  My bad.  I had thought that said real Jug, the one kept at the R&A clubhouse, never left those premises.  But what's a little trip down the road to Troon?

So as my penance for ever doubting you, I am gonna whack myself on the shin with a two-iron this afternoon.  Least I can do for sullying such a perfect moment.

 

[Andy Hughes]

Brian
You continue to be my idol!  

AH

[Mike Benham]

Very cool indeed ... on our day at Troon, we got to 17 (which will be one bitch of a hole ...) and my Steve just blisters a 2-iron to about 15 feet, the 20-mph wind didn't effect it at all.

His caddy turns to him and says "Oh to have that shot on Sunday of the Open with the stands filled with people", Steve replied "If there were people in the stands, I wouldn't never had hit that shot ..."

[Bill_McBride]

Brian's story about the Cup in the Secretary's office reminds me of my recent luncheon at the R & A.  I inquired at the porter's desk about the original of Dr. MacKenzie's map of the Old Course, if it was displayed on the premises I'd surely enjoy seeing it, etc.

Very sorry, sir, the map is on the wall of the Secretary's office and (it sounded like he meant) obviously not on view for mere mortals.

Too bad, I'd like to have seen the Coffins in larger scale having just extricated myself from one on #6 that morning!

[Brian_Gracely]

Brian:

Aha.  My bad.  I had thought that said real Jug, the one kept at the R&A clubhouse, never left those premises.  But what's a little trip down the road to Troon?

So as my penance for ever doubting you, I am gonna whack myself on the shin with a two-iron this afternoon.  Least I can do for sullying such a perfect moment.

 

It's possible that it was a replica.  We were so fired up to see somethat that resembled the Jug that they could have given us a fancy sugar bowl and we'd have smiled for pictures.  

And don't use that 2-iron threat to get sympathy from me....I know you don't hit a 2-iron      

[THuckaby2]

 

I guess it is difficult to call the club I use (ping G2 HL)  an actual 2iron.  That truth hurts more than any physical pain... so the realization of this would seem to be a proper penance.

TH

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Brian, lol I am already line to be "T" Huntley as they say in Acadiana if and when Bob feels the need to claim a son. lol I am so impressed that you took a dream of mine and made it at least seem real. lol You are becoming my hero.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Great story, Brian!  But why didn't you pose by kissing it and then hoisting it above your head for the crowd?  That's the real dream!  

[Thomas_Brown]

Envy!

[Mike Hendren]

Hey Brian,

I can send you my first place medal from the 1967 Punt, Pass & Kick competition if you'd like to be photographed with it.  Please advise.

Mike

[THuckaby2]

Mike H.:  that is the coolest thing I have heard in a long time.  I remember PP&K... the guys who made it to the stadium events were the envy of us all.

What team's uniform did you get to wear?

I remember dreaming of donning the blue and white of my beloved Rams... sadly the strength and skill didn't allow for this to happen.

TH

[Mike Hendren]

Alas Thomas, you are easily duped!

I was the Lauderdale County, Tennessee champion - nothing more.   But the competition was held in a stadium - Tiny Knee Stadium - named after Irving "Tiny" Knee.  

Mike

[THuckaby2]

That's it, you are officially KING.

But of course we knew that already.

 

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Somehow me thinks you have even better pictures of your best prize. lol You are the King.

[Brian_Gracely]

Somehow me thinks you have even better pictures of your best prize. lol You are the King.

John,

The "trophy" above is actually my wife's best friend and this is the only picture I have (ok, get your mind out of the gutter).  BUT, I will share with you part of a story that you might appreciate.

This girl was recently at Bay Hill with someone associated to the PGA Tour (nothing sketchy; legit girlfriend) and they were getting ready for dinner.  The PGA Tour guy says, "were going to dinner with Arnold Palmer."  Her response was, "who is Arnold Palmer?"

At dinner, many people come up to the table and ask Mr.Palmer for an autograph.  She excuses herself to use the ladies' room and hears some of the autograph seekers while she's in the stall.  Their comments were along the lines of, "gee, Arnold looks like he's getting older".  Fearing a confrontation, the girl stays in the stall until they leave.  After a few minutes, she returns to the table.  She explains that the reason she was in there so long was that the autograph seekers were saying, "gee, that Mr.Palmer sure is handsome" and she wanted to avoid an awkward situation  
But then she says, "Mr.Palmer, I really enjoy your company and having dinner with you, but I can't do this anymore because I'm used to being the center of attention and that doesn't seem to happen when you're around".  

I would have loved to be there to see Mr.Palmer's reaction.  My guess is he got a big kick out of her.  A breath of fresh-air since she knows nothing about golf.    

[Brian_Gracely]

I just had a Shivas moment......

I got to thinking that I posted a bunch of pictures, and someday somebody is going to come up to me, like Irwin M. Fletcher did to the Chief of Police in "Fletch" and say, "Is that you with Tommy Lasorda?  I hate Tommy Lasorda!"....and punch me out.  

Better watch my back...