Mick Rennich (Student of the Month Runner-up, WHS, Class of 1971) writes:

May 16, 2014

Air Rino Soars … Big Law is grounded (or Lawyers crash)

Our little group got off to an early start to the season, playing this past Friday at Deer Creek Golf Course in Littleton – the first time on this track.

Thomas “Deac” Devine, Mark “Betsy” Hanson, Michael “the Mickster” Rennich, and Ret Col. Harley “Rino” Rinerson played enjoyable, if unspectacular golf, in the early outing.

Harley dominated, as medalist, garnering second most chits and walking away with the most coveted Most Valuable Golfer trophy.  He also won, for the second consecutive time, the Rino Cup, awarded for the best short game of the day.  The Rino cup was named after Harley after he broke his wedge over his knee on the 3^rd hole at Marianna Butte a few years ago.  The cup features a golfer breaking a club over his knee.

Mark was awarded the Purple Putter for sinking the longest putt … an eleven footer on the 17^th hole for a par.  No one, obviously, putted well.  He also had a nine footer for second place.  Deac sunk an eight footer and Harley knocked one in from the fringe early in the round.  Rennich’s putting was poor, at best, sinking a putt on 18 from about five feet that barely trickled in.  His next best putt was a two-foot “gimme.”

Hanson also was voted Miss congeniality as he once again bought her by furnishing all with purple Columbia fishing shirts (fishing shirts?) which everyone wore proudly.  The Mickster, it appears, is the only one that believes Miss C should be awarded based upon courtesy, politeness, respect and caring for his fellow golfers.  The other three care only about schwag.

Rennich won Shot of the Day for his 275 yard drive into the wind, over a protecting bunker, on No. 14.  He converted, unbelievable, his par putt.  He hit a number of beautifully  long and amazingly straight drives, but once he got within 80 yards of the hole, he was dreadful.

Devine was shut out, blaming his poor outing of the need to work from the course during the first six holes.

Once again, environmentally sensitive areas came into play, but there was no miracle up and down for Harley.  In fact, on Hole No. 13, both Harley and Mark hit it over the green just barely into the protected area.  It took three stokes for Mark to get out and Harley just one, although the mud from his shot traveled further than his ball.  Rennich, enjoying the entertainment, was chastised by Devine for not playing, in turn, the next shot.

All in all, it was a poor performance for the foursome, but it is early.  It was Harley and Mick’s first time with a club in their hands since last year, so they have an excuse.  Hanson has played a number of times already this year, so he has no excuse.  Devine, as noted above, has work pressure as his excuse.

The boys, sans Deacon, plan on playing The Butte this coming Wednesday in hopes of resurrecting their games.