2002 - A year in Review

Our inaugural year, 2002, was the momentous for the Pen Pushers of America. Some highlights:

• The first event was held in June at Stoneleigh Country Club with seven competitors.
• During 2002, a total of 33 different members and guests competed in 6 events.
• 2002 saw five different Champions (Dave Beauchamp won two events) at five different courses (we visited Bull Run twice).
• Members from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Indiana competed during the year.
• The 2002 Finale was played at Raspberry Falls CC and included 20 competitors.

*** - Abandoned after nine holes due to weather

Remember, those of you who won last years event should make an extra effort to come back and defend your title in this years event. It may be especially sweet for those of you carrying around a goat-boy title that you can "award" to someone else. Remember to reserve your place for the 2003 events at least 2 weeks in advance with the Captain, Dave Beauchamp. Good Luck in 2003!

 Raspberry Falls Gobbles up Pen Pushers in 1^st Annual Turkey Shoot

For the 2002 season finale, it was a bright brisk day at Raspberry Falls. We had a full crowd with 5 foursomes teeing off at 10:00AM. The first tee off time was earlier than the usual noon because sunset was at 4:40 PM. While Raspberry Falls is a stunning, beautifully maintained top quality course, it provides a stiff challenge to scoring well.

The pace of play (or the lack of pace of play) set an all time record for the Pen Pushers as the average round was well over 5 hours. We are going to have to work on our game pace to avoid running the risk of courses not allowing us to return. Even with the long rounds, a good time was had by all. A new Goat-Boy and Champion were crowned. Newcomer, Brian Frazee (rhymes with CRAZY), took the Turkey Shoot-Out Championship with a score of 33. Hard on his heels was Scott Padget (The Major) with a score of 32 and Ron Duck, Longest Drive winner, with a 31. Although upset that he didn't win the outing, Scott accomplished one thing ? he vowed before the start of the match that if Dave Beauchamp was winning heading into the final hole that Scott would break his leg so that he couldn't finish and win a second event in a row. We are happy to report that Dave still has both of his legs intact. Rick Sterrett won a controversial Closest to the Pin Award as most of the contestants thoug! ht! "Eat-Me!" was Sullivan's nickname. We now know that that is just his favorite expression. Sterrett still had to two putt from 45 feet to win the honor. You can just guess what Sullivan said about that?The challenge of Raspberry helped the Goat finally catch up to Russ Odom (new nickname Russ Goatom). He was consoled by all five previous Goat-Boy winners at the awards banquet. All are looking forward to 2003 and staying out of the Goat's reach.

It was a great finale to the season. We hope that Raspberry Falls will let us return in 2003 so that we can have our Turkey Shoot there again.

Turkey Shoot November 2002 Results
Champion Brian Frazee	Goat-Boy Award Russ Odom
Long Drive Ron Duck	Closest to the Pin Rick Sterrett

Membership Drive Still on:

We would still like to grow the membership. If you know someone who enjoys golf, is fun to be around, and might be interested in participating in an outing, please contact Rick Sterrett or John Sullivan for more details. Thanks ! Contact Information:
 

Rick Sterrett	Email: rtsterrett@aol.com	John Sullivan	Email: laurasu@msn.com
	Mobile: (301) 529 - 2747		Mobile: (703) 622-0084
	Home: (703) 736-9815		Home: (540) 554-8871

 

2003 Membership Update

Membership Privileges:

• Scheduled Monthly Golf Events
• Handicap Tracking
• Eligible to be Event Winner with trophies and awards
• Monthly Event Discounts ($20 per month)
• Monthly Newsletter
• Ryder Cup Candidate (USA vs. England)
• Membership Handbook
• 2003 USGA Rulebook
• Invite Guests to Events

Membership Dues:

Annual Membership Dues (per Member): $50 per year due March 1^st, 2003. The dues will allow the Pen Pushers to place deposits with courses, guarantee the dates, and fund the trophies and prizes. Please send your check to Rick Sterrett at 11868 Fawn Ridge Lane, Reston, VA 20194 and make it payable to our Vice Captain, John Denale. The payment of your 2003 membership dues will put your membership in "good standing."

Fees:

• Estimated Member Cost per monthly Event: $60 - $75

• Guest Fees (non-member): Member plus $20
• Event Fees will be paid on the day of the event and paid to the Captain, Event coordinator or Treasurer.

• Member Honor Code - A Member can reserve entry into an event by contacting the event coordinator or a committee member by phone or e-mail. Specific contact detail for each event will be communicated in the monthly newsletters. More details on the Member Honor Code are included in the 2003 Membership Handbook.
• Guest Registration (non-members) - Guests can only register for entry into an Event if a Member sponsors them. In this case, the Member exercises their Honor Code to reserve the entry for the guest.

• Main Events - There will be a minimum of three (3) perpetual trophy events in 2003. These will be our Main Events of the year. These main event perpetual trophies are significant trophies, cups and plaques which will be engraved with the winners name, retained by the winner for the year and passed on to the next year?s winner the following year. Winners of these events will also receive other prizes.
• Monthly Competition - Award: Each monthly competition will have the following trophies and awards.
• Champion (Winner) - Trophy
• Goat-boy (Last place) - Trophy

• Long Drive - Gift Prize

• Closest to the Pin - Gift Prize

• Natural Birdies - Gift Prize

 2003 Pen Pusher Schedule:
 

Date:	2003 Events:	Planned Locations
1. March 19	The Irish Open **	Landsdowne (703) 729-8400
2. April 23	Spring Challenge	Brambleton (703) 327-3403
3. May 14	The British Cup	Reston National (703) 620-9333
4. June 11	Founders Trophy	Stoneleigh (540) 338-4653
5. July 16	Captains Day Challenge**	Shenandoah (540) 636-2241
6. August 13	Summer Championship	Carpers Valley (540) 662-4319
7. September 17	Patriots Memorial	Virginia National (888) 283-golf
8. October 15	Autumn Challenge	Bull Run (877) 753-7770
9. November 12	Turkey Shoot-Out**	Raspberry Falls (703) 779-2555

** Perpetual Trophies (Main Events) ???.No Events: January, February, and December
 
 

Irish Open Registration:

The Captain, Dave Beauchamp, needs to know whether or not you are going to play in the Irish Open on March 19^th, 2003 by the 1^st of March. Please contact Dave, Rick or John to reserve your spot on The Irish Open. Dave can be reached at:
 

Captain Dave Beauchamp

Email: db3par@aol.com

Phone: (703) 669-0866

 Fee: $75 due the day of the event

2003 Handbooks and USGA Rulebooks Available

2003 Pen Pushers Membership Handbooks and the 2003 USGA Rulebooks are available to those who have paid their yearly membership dues.

Captains Corner

Now that our clubs have had a chance to mend and heal during this prolonged winter layoff, they are ready to be polished up and taken back out to their natural habitat. That does not mean the nearest pond where I think a club or two may have found it's final resting place.

But in order for your clubs to perform as intended, it is vitally important to brush up on a few simple practice techniques at the start of each season and each round.

While at the practice range begin by using a club that you feel comfortable hitting. I like to start with my wedge or 8-iron. Begin by using a 50-75% swing for the first half dozen or so shots. When you are beginning to feel loosened-up, hit another 3 or 4 balls with the same club at 75% of your swing. Try not to go for the 100% 'grip and rip' swing while on the practice range. The idea is to get a feel for your swing and to loosen up before the action begins.

Follow this process through your irons and finish with about a half dozen or so shots with the Big Dog. Never start out on the practice range with your driver. If you think about it, how many times are you actually using the driver during a round - about 14 times. The clubs you use the most are your irons, and unfortunately for too many of us...the putter (next month's tips). So, concentrate on your irons at the range. One other note about the range and your irons...one day hit your odd numbered clubs and the next time out your even numbered clubs. Because by hitting your 6-iron, you are essentially hitting your 7-iron.

Good Luck and keep it straight! Dave Beauchamp, 2003 Captain

Web Site Update

Our Website is up and running? at least when there is electricity at the Tierney homestead. Thanks Paul?Come visit us at www.penpushers.us !