We did it again! This year, fourteen members of the Class
of 1961 made an appearance at the Palm Coast Resort just south of the city of
St. Augustine, 24 through 28 April. Glen Adams, Dan DiCarlo, Rusty Dyer, Bill
Griffiths, Ron Hannon, Jay Hartford, Hampy Hodges, Tom Myrick, Jim Scott,
Frank Sisk, Bill Tobin, Paul Vallely, Jerry White, and Gene Witherspoon.
Thirteen of us played golf and Sisk joined us for the evening’s celebrations.
The memories of the 40th Reunion at West Point lingered as we
renewed old friendships and solidified new ones. This year Jerry White
provided the leadership for the group and as a result of his outstanding
qualities as a player and team leader, the Class of 1961 closed the gap and
moved to a 2nd place finish behind that ubiquitous group, the Class
of 1963. We need to double our numbers in order to compete with that Class. We
have the quality but lack the quantity to vie for the overall Championship.
Once again, Dan DiCarlo was the low net leader of our Class with a two under
par, 70. Only a fluke in the system prevented him from retaining the
Individual Championship Trophy and making another loquacious acceptance
speech. A member of the Class of 1960 was awarded a handicap of 36, and
dethroned Dan as the champion by recording a net score of 63. Dan made an able
effort by practicing all year and
increasing
his handicap.
However, a second place finish was all he could muster. Rusty Dyer also
practiced and played all of last year in preparation for this tournament and
also increased his handicap
so as to finish with a net score of one over par, 71. Bill Griffiths and Jerry
White are always in the running with their very strong games, while the rest
of us need to PRACTICE and then PRACTICE some more, until we can record the
scores that will produce a handicap commensurate with our play.
I know I do not have to tell any member of the Class of 1961 who has
participated in this tournament that Dan DiCarlo won every side bet made on
the golf course. In addition, he and Dyer teamed up to clobber Hannon and
Tobin as well as a team from the Class of 1960 who thought they had easy
pickings and wagered that they could whip our two handicap leaders, Dan and
Rusty. Our CONGRATULATIONS!
Although our poker game was frequented by only a few, Witherspoon managed to
hang in there and walked away the BIG winner, just as Zaldo did last year. We
have noticed, however, that our hospitality room requires to be stocked with
more soda than beer and more Glenlivet than Crown Royal. Hannon will take note
for next year.
This year we were very fortunate to have the most popular and most accurate
Military Analyst on TV speak at our first night’s banquet, FOX Network’s and
our own, Paul Vallely. PV made an excellent presentation even though his good
humor was tested by the rousing welcome provided by his classmates. He handled
some very difficult questions with aplomb, and he showed why he is one of the
very best members of the FOX NEWS TEAM.
In keeping with TRADITION, we returned to the Creekside Dinnery on Friday
night. This year we all saw the Home Depot on the right and made the correct
turn at Long John Silver’s place, thanks to Glen Adams. The food was excellent
and for those of the group, who were fortunate to sit next to PV at the bar,
they were awarded a drink on FOX NEWS.
We welcomed the newcomers, Adams, Hodges, Hartford, Scott and Sisk; and we
really missed having Gibson, Sawtelle, Zaldo and Vanderbush. Once again we
insisted that we play as a Class on the last day and once again our wish
caused some problems. However the ties that bond this group are truly what
makes us "Second To None" and we prevailed. SEE YOU IN NEW ORLEANS.
BEAT TULANE!
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