Me and AC before departure
I miss Dismal. What is it that I miss? Well, I wish I was standing on the 1st tee with loads of confidence that this time it's going to be different and I'm going to hit that same drive I hit in the practice round of the 5th Major. Big hitter, the Lama - long. Is it putting from 100 yards out during a match and laughing at the results afterwards until I almost passed out? Maybe, I did that several times, with mixed results. Drank lots of water from a can. No, in my mind it is the visit and all that you experienced, all that you absorbed, all that you shared with others, while there. It is the people who were at Dismal with you that makes the memory. I'm certain that I would enjoy a solo sojourn to that otherworldy river valley setting and I may do just that in a few weeks. But it is the people of your last visit that binds all of the experiences together and makes it what it is. Golf and friends. And those friends are more than simply those you played golf with. It's everyone out there and that is one of the main reasons the experience stays with you. At least it is for me, anyway. I met 4 members this time around. Again - great people and wouldn't you know, one of them is getting his name etched on the trophy this week along with our boy Saltzy.
This visit started with the 3 young men greeting us upon arrival. One, as professional as any class A 'inside' guy anywhere, was running the outside operations without a hitch while keeping it light and fun. He won't tell you, but I will - he owns the course record. A 62. Hello! His assistants were two of the finest kids I've ever met. I don't mean to call a soon-to-be junior in college a kid [It's only because I know his dad that I call him that], but this young man brings the energy and enthusiasm that all of us middle aged dudes wish we still had! I am certain he could be the finest caddy in the sand hills, but I'm guessing he has another calling and his future is beyond bright. His little brother - the Task Master was, time and time again, always a step ahead of his old man. The Ranger filled before anyone ever had to ask. Again, great kid.
Another caddy, again, great guy went above and beyond in his duties on the course.
Cool Hand
In my former life, I spent 13 years working in and out of golf shops and have known a lot of really good golf professionals. Know this - Cool Hand
Luke Dennis is alive and well in the sand hills of Nebraska! We have the best DOG on the planet out at Dismal. The guy makes it all look so easy, and of course it is (I should know). Just kidding. A little.
What else...OK, who doesn't miss those big genuine smiles of our friend from Iowa? How 'bout the big red head's enlightening campfire poker stories? That hawkish stare that Saltzy's always giving the waitresses late at night. Hogan's Dead show flashback: "I partied with him at Red Rocks 20 years ago!" I could go on and on. All of us know what it was like. There is only one thing left to do. Go back and do it all over again - next year.
My proposal, with the blessing from the rest of the membership: we have 78 beds at Dismal - I'd like to see a heckuva big GCA type group fill this thing out and make 2012 the biggest 5th Major ever! Like Adam said earlier, it'll still be 4th of July weekend so the 5th on the 4th or something like that.
Last, but not least - a few words about the man behind the resurgence at Dismal River Golf Club. If there ever was a guy I want to have as my head coach, a guy I would die to play for, it is Chris Johnston. To me, he is a larger than life version of Sam Rutigliano. When people go to Dismal, they'll no doubt get to know Chris. He'll likely be checking you in, helping fix the wifi in your cabin or tending bar after your round, though he's a little slow in getting you your drink (talking too much). He brings more to the table than just the pork chop with his name on it. He brings the zest - the life - the soul, call it what you want. When we left yesterday, I told JNC and Whit in the car as we were driving down the wrong 20 mile sand road that I already missed Chris.
I also miss our battles on the links. His driver is way cool, btw.
I have a bunch more pictures of the action at the 5th Major. Not so much photos of bunkers and fairways, but plenty of the inside of Jack's Shack, the people in the bar and other goings on at Dismal last weekend. (and a
memorable legendary night a the Turtle Bar at Ballyneal with young Mr. Lyon and Mr. Whitaker.) I'll post them tonight.
What a time we had, Many thanks to everyone who made the journey.