Shot of the Decade. Coal Creek #17. August 7, 2012.

August, 2012.

3/4 of the crew met at Coal Creek on August 7.  A younger man would likely remember more details.  Hanson recalls only being in a sand trap on #17, one of his least favorite places to be.   At Hanson's death, Rennich has promised to lobby that the ashes be scattered in a particularly deep sand bunker, with a plaque nearby:  "He STILL can't get out of the bunker."  Or "Now he'll NEVER get out of the bunker."  Funny guy, Rennich.

Hanson shut him up some (only temporarily of course) with the Shot of The Decade from that bunker on Coal Creek #17.  Hanson decided to play the shot Harley invented--the Harley--a putter from the sand.  While Rennich stood by, smirking and making bets with Harley about how many shots it would take Hanson to get out, Hanson stood over the shot, trembling with fear, palms sweating, eyes dilated, woozy from the stifling heat.  Brother Rolf had given him a new putter earlier in the season, so there was a slight confidence deficit involved as well.

The greenskeeper was standing by in his cart, readying himself to re-make the trap with a deep, deep lip.  So this would be the last Harley possible from that trap.

There stood Mick, grinning like a possum eating shit.  The ball came up out of the trap, along a slight break in the lip, and tracked straight as a plumb line into the bottom of the cup for a bogey four--Hanson's first tee shot having found the snarl.

Shots come and go.  Great shots don't last very long.  But Hanson.  From a trap. A deep trap.  Late in the round.  On a hot, hot day.  With a new putter.  Trying a Harley.  Rennich grinning and smack talking nearby.  For a birdie (sic).   It will live long.