2010 RTJ-Prattville “BIG Champion of the Year Mike Cuz O’Meara”

The 2010 tournament was about everybody’s favorite Cuz, Michael J O’Meara (no relation to pro Mark even though he played like him). Good Ol’ Cuz put together a chipping and putting clinic that would have made Jordan Spieth jealous, enroute to becoming the 4th different BIG Stogey winner in it’s first 4 years of existence! The tournament was held at the exquisitely conditioned Robert Trent Jones-Prattville Resort golf courses, the Judge and Senator. Mike was asked how he was able to accomplish such a resounding victory, Cuz’s response – alcohol. He went on to explain, if you get hung over bad enough after two days of drinking WAY too much it is so much easier to keep your head still while you’re swinging, chipping, putting…even walking! He said the two most challenging parts of the round were reaching down to tee the ball up 18 times, and bending over to get the ball out of the hole 18 times (and here’s the key) without throwing up or passing out. Sounds like he had a solid game plan and executed it well. Congrats Cuzzzzz on your huge victory.

The 2010 BIG welcomed newbie Stephen “Lefty” Cranford into the fold. Steve-oh has been a most excellent addition into the brotherhood. Very proud to have my brother-in-law join the BIG, certainly a class act on and off the golf course always, not to mention a golf game that is a joy to watch. Welcome Stephen!

Besides the magnificent golf courses at RTJ-Prattville another memory taken away form the 2010 trip was an encounter with our boy Freddy and RTJs Bob the Ranger. Seems fast Freddy likes to play really slow and has a hard time keeping up, according to Ranger Bob. The way he tells it, Fred and his sidekick Chris had the whole damn course backed up (even if we were right behind the group that went off ahead of us)! Anyone that has ever played with “Fast Freddy” knows there is not an ounce of the TonyV chromosome in that fella, I guarantee you (Sorry TV, couldn’t resist)! We snapped a couple of pictures right after the encounter with Ranger Bob sternly warning Freddy and company to pick up the pace (and of course Freddy and company all acknowledging Ranger Bob’s status as number 1 in our books). Great thing about new fangled digital cameras, you can immediately view the image and clearly showed the group in front of us just clearing the fairway and walking up to the green on the same hole. Much to the glee of brother Fred, the video evidence warranted an immediate call to the RTJ Golf Director. Strangely we never saw Ranger Bob again over the next 3 days after that call. To the resorts credit, the Golf Director along with the Club Pro caught up with us out on the course and apologized profusely for the actions of their employee. The pic of Chris looking down the fairway from the tee-box followed by the pic of Chris and one quite pissed off Fred were taken right after Bob drove off! This is a story best told by Fred. Stirs up great memories for him, indeed.

The 2010 BIG Tournament field included the afore mentioned Lefty Cranford dude along with Larry, Fred, Cuz, RickM, TonyV, TonyLo, Charlie and yours truly Crissy. It was a small tight group that made the long trek over to Alabama but what a worthwhile trip!
The courses and accommodations were both top notch and if not for an overzealous Golf Course cop, this BIG trip would have ranked as one of the all-time best. Unfortunately the beautiful lodge rentals we found located off property only a few miles away from the courses along the beautiful Alabama River were sold and BIG style furnished housing options (hotels only) near the resort are quite limited for groups that like to congregate and feast in the comforts of home. Therefore a return trip to RTJ-Prattville is highly unlikely, but if you’re ever in that area, do yourself a favor and play those amazing courses. You will not be disappointed!