Who can name everyone? I'm at about 40%. It used to be more.
No, but I can get close on the first King Putter picture . Apologies for misspellings and perhaps mixing rows. I assume that Mike Benham took the picture because I can't find him in it.
Back from left:
Neal Meagher, gca who worked at Maderas, one of the host courses, and Gib Papazian's design partner.
Guy with red cup- ? might be Pete Lavallee's stunt man, but ??
Titleist hat- ? nice young man whose name escapes me
John Kavanaugh- aka Barney; gca.com's chief provocateur and ethicist
John Van der Borght- USGA rules expert extraordinaire
Dick Daley- famous WI populist and questionable at the wheel on sand
David Moriarty- a champion of Rustic Canyon and detailed researcher who writes extremely well; master of debate
Pete Lavallee- gracious host, organizer and world traveler who easily plays to his handicap
Smiling guy behind Gib Papazian- ?, could it be Todd Eckenrode?
David Wigler- from MI, highly competitive with strong opinions of golf courses
Lou Duran- yours truly
David Schmidt- aka "Shivas"- scratch at stirring the pot, but with joy and a big smile; Div I golfer, Tour length, but to all points of the compass
2nd row from left:
Nuzzo!! designer of Wolf Point with a compelling life story- wish he would write a book, though he's still on his front nine
Guy with checkered shirt- can't remember the name
John Bernhardt- aka Tiger for his love of everything LSU; played a handful of world-class courses with JB- no matter how he played or felt, he always had a smile on his face, a true bon-vivant
Sir Bob Huntley- a friend to all who met him, man of wit and generosity; master conversationalist; knew everybody!
Gib Papazian- a scan of his brain would be of great interest; a Doak 10 if ever have the chance for a drink or a game- warning: look away while he swings
Craig Edgmand- from the Pacific NW transplanted to OK; keeps the little OSU's computer systems safe; doesn't play enough golf
Front row from left:
Ed Getka- not a sweeter, more generous man have I ever met; a real student of golf architecture who, regrettably, doesn't enjoy playing the ordinary
Tom Huckaby- aka "America's Guest", right next to Ed in the likability scale, but a fierce competitor whose "Oh Shucks" wears as thin as Sir Huntley's "pity". I understood why he was Bob's favorite.
Sam ?- Pete Lavallee's friend and very good golfer. I regret that we never got to play in subsequent years.
Jeff Stettner (with trademark hat on)- a young guy with very interesting and off-beat perspectives about golf and many other things.
Rich Goodale- a great thinker with a wry sense of humor who didn't suffer fools gladly, competitive golfer, outstanding family man. Like with Bob Huntley, Tiger Bernhardt, and Bill McBride, he left the world way too early and his loss is greatly felt.
Tommy Naccarato- aka "The Emperor", a man of great passion for gca and furthering the understanding of the subject
Dan King- the eponymous founder, an early tech player and lifelong student of various things; by 2002, was already playing most of his golf between his ears in an easy chair.
Lynn Shackelford- requires no narrative; a swing and tempo to die for; father of famous golf author and TV personality Geoff
The KPI was, in my opinion, a seminal moment for this website. The event helped build a positive personal regard for and among most of the participants and this carried on to the site over the years even when some of the discussions got heated. I have had the great privilege of playing with many over the years at various courses here and abroad. And if the tone is a bit melancholy, it is because of our times, the passing of some, and just the normal loss of contact over a long period of time. Bill McBride once noted how the friendships facilitated through this site greatly enriched his life. I encourage the young guys to jump in and attend some of these outings when things return to normal.