Not going to post this, but Paul wanted a wrap-up for the website, so here goes:

The tenth annual Myrtle Beach Birdie Championship began in the very early hours of Friday, August 4, 2006.  After several years of flying U.S. Air or Spirit Air, a better deal was found on Air Tran, which meant a significantly earlier flight with connections through Atlanta.  All four players were up between 3:30 - 4:00 a.m. with flights leaving around 6:30 a.m. from Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.  Amazingly, all flights arrived on time in Atlanta with 1/2 hour until the connecting flight in Myrtle Beach.  Caught the connecting flight and landed in Myrtel Beach at approximately 10:15 a.m.  All bags and clubs made the connection, picked up the Sierra rental car from U-Save and we were off to check into the Holiday Inn Express hotel due to concerns about overbooking.  Were unable to check-in and received little to no help from the girl at the front desk, who suggested we come back at 5:00 p.m. (Thanks for the help).  Climbed back into the Mini-van and headed off to the site of the opening round of the MBBC:

August 4, 2006 - Long Bay Club

Defending Champion Dan Hoelke had eyed this course for several years, but, for a variety of reasons, we had never been able to play it.  It was finally selected as the site of the opening round.  The players changed in the parking lot, had a hot dog (God, I miss Jack), took care of some personal business and were off.

Just prior to the trip the east coast was in the midst of an oppressive heat wave, but the forecast called for temperatures to cool off shortly after our arrival.  Temperatures at Long Bay were in the mid-90's with no breeze to be found anywhere and this would prove to be the theme of the trip.

Despite the heat, the course was in relatively good condition with Bermuda grass greens that rolled true.  A few birdie opportunities were found through the haze, but no one was able to convert.

Originally, there was talk of going to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans game that evening, but the heat and length of the day put those plans to bed.  Picked up some beer and other essentials (pretzels and pringles) at the grocery store and headed to the hotel to check-in, shower and change and hit Broadway By the Beach.  After throwing back several in the room, headed to Broadway and had dinner at the Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery.  Beer and steak hit the spot and we headed over to Crocodile Rpocks, probably the earliest we've ever been there.  The balcony was not yet opened.  Paul had a beer and then moved quickly to Coke and ended up as the designated driver.  headed home around 1:00 a.m. to sleep in for our 8:50 a.m. tee time at Barefoot.

Saturday, August 5, (Barefoot Fazio - AM, Love - PM)

The original time for the opening round was 7:00 a.m., which meant that the players would be extremely hung over, but would be the first ones off on the course and would have somewhat cooler temperatures.  Brief discussions were held and the time was moved back nearly 2 hours so everyone could sleep in.  Rest assured, that if the MBBC stays in August and as long as I'm in charge of scheduling, a morning round will never begin after 8:00 a.m. under any circumstances. (Let's call it a rule!)  Despite a forecast that the heatwave would break, the morning round was almost unbearable and was the site of many discussions of weather it is always this hot in August and we just forget or if this is just an unusually hot year.  Paul Rovner broke the group's longest birdie drought on the Par 3 6th hole by draining a fairly lenghty uphill putt.  No one else was able to birdie for the rest of the round.  As the round continued, and the sun got higher and higher in the sky, temperatures got back into the 90's leaving the players begging for a breeze, shade and a cool drink.

Between rounds lunch was at T.G.I. Fridays, which featured some of the worst service in restaurant history.  Headed off to Martin's to pick up balls, hats and whatever else and headed back to Barefoot to take care of "business" and play the Love course.  It was at this point, that defending champion Dan Hoelke confessed he was unsure if he could continue int the afternoon round, but he was able to suck it up and push through.

Luckily, as clouds developed in the area it appeared a storm was imminent, a stiff breeze developed and temperatures seemed to drop considerably almost making the afternoon round bearable.  After a rough start on the first hole, Stormin' Dan Hoelke caught fire on holes 2, 3 and 4 and fired three (3) consecutive birdies to seize control of the MBBC.  The in-famous Par 4 4th hole featured a front pin position.  Leading off thanks to two (2) consecutive birdies, Hoelke drove it just short of the green.  Woods sliced into the valley to the right, as did Eric Drossner.  Paul Rovner, our first day leader, hooked one into the weeds.  Woods chipped to within 8 feet and was able to drain the birdie putt, but Hoelke responded with a 2 footer for his thrid consecutive birdie.  There were no other birdies the rest of the round.

The players ordered pizza in the room and were in bed and asleep by 10:00 pm.

Sunday, August 6, (True Blue - AM; Caledonia - PM)

After a good night's sleep, the players arrived at True Blue and were the first group off of the front.  True Blue proved to be extremely difficult and once again, as the round went on, temperatures got higher.  Hoelke was able to birdie again and Eric Drossner made his first mark of the year making the score 4-1-1-1 at the midway point of the MBBC.

Lunch was a long drive to Hooters were the group was barraged by inane conversation from some of the dumbest girls on the face of the earth including one from Pittsburgh (not surprisingly) who claimed to have never been on a plane or seen the beach and that she had just moved to Myrtle Beach with her girlfriend and her roommate, leading Droz to conclude that she was a lesbian...

Drove back south to Caledonia for the afternoon round with temperatures still in the 90's.  Most struggled with the exception of Paul Rovner who fired an impressive 82, his lowest in the MBBC and believed to be the lowest of his career.  Woods caught fire birdie-wise, firing birdies on 2 par 3's, both fairly lengthy putts and Woods and Rovner both birdied the Par 3 6th hole.  Hoelke also fired a late birdie to extend his lead. At the end of the day, scores were 5-3-2-1 (Hoelke, Woods, Rovner, Drossner)

Had a beer in the clubhouse and watched Tiger Woods win the Buick Invitational.

Headed home and finished off the rest of the beers and headed to Amici's, an Italian Restaurant at Broadway we had discovered a year or two before.  Despite being extremely tired, everyone rallied and we headed to Crocodile Rocks for a long night that featured a plethora of shots and beers.  Made it home around 1:30 a.m. and headed to bed for another long day on Monday.

Monday, August 7, (Grande Dunes AM/PM)

After several years away due to weather and maintenance, Grande Dunes returned to the schedule and in an MBBC first, would be played twice in one day.  were the second or third group off in the morning but it was not a problem.  Temperatures remained low for the most part in the morning.  Free bottles in the cart coolers (once found) were an added bonus.  Stormin Dan Hoelke extended his lead with a birdie.  Stormin' Paul Rovner responded with a birdie as did Stormin' Scott Woods leaving scores 6-4-3-1.

Lunch was in the clubhouse and was decent, and due to the fact the course was closing, we were forced to tee it up again at 1:15 p.m.  With the sun at its highest and temperatures back in the 90's, playing conditions were fair at best for the afternoon round.  Most played poorly, likely due to lack of sleep, the heat and third day of 36 holes, but Hoelke was able to fire another birdie and pretty much put the MBBC on ice.

Dinner was at Wendy's and headed to see The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.  It's unclear if it was the movie or the player's condition or some combination thereof, but the movie proved to be pretty terrible and we headed home to bed.

Tuesday, August 8, (Barefoot - Norman)

The final round of the 2006 MBBC was held at Barefoot Norman.  Afer a quick birdie by Woods, things were relatively quiet until Eric Drossner caught fire and and made three (3) birdies to close the scoring at Hoelke - 7, Woods - 5, Drossner - 4 and Rovner - 3.

Packed up the bags, grabbed lunch at Quizno's, headed back to the room for quick showers and made it back to the airport in plenty of time for the flight Atlanta.

A few closing notes...

- As stated numerous times above, this was believed to be the hottest MBBC ever with temperatures consistently in the 90's and the heat index on the first day approximately 110-115.  It was fairly miserable most days and the suggestion that the trip be moved back to June needs to be seriously considered and addressed.  I nearly burst into flames on a couple of occassions. 

- While I know this may be difficult, we may also need to add a day to the MBBC just so we don't have to play three consecutive days of 36 holes.  This way things could be a little more relaxed by playing one on the day we get there, 2 the next day, just one the following day, 2 the next day and 1 on the day we leave.  The other option is to only play 7 rounds, but I would prefer not to do that.

- Not sure how everyone felt about the flights.  Air Tran worked out pretty well although I'm sure everyone would prefer not having to get up so early.  I think there is a difference in price and that's why we do it, but perhaps we need to consider leaving later in the morning and getting there later in the day.  There's certainly no rush to get down there and depending on when we're going back, an afternoon round makes much more sense. Plus, this way, maybe Paul can actually drink beer instead of Coke all night long.  Again, I can't really remember, but I have feeling the prices might have something to do with this.  Along the same lines as my last suggestion, if the price is right, maybe we should just go to Myrtle on Thirsday night, play 2 on Friday, 1 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and Monday and 1 on Tuesday... just one extra night, but maybe things aren't as rushed.

- The MBBC Match Play Challenge seemed to be a pretty big success, so I think it will be back for another year.  Teams should remain the same, although stroke totals should change from year to year.

All of the above, are just suggestions that I think we should consider.  we've been doing this for ten years and I think there are still a few things that we are doing completely goofy.  Trust me, I'm well aware of family and job considerations and possible baby fever and god knows what in my life, but I think we do need to try to make this a little bit more of a relaxed vacation and eliminate as many of the "negatives" (however small they be) as possible.  I'm sure we'll discuss more in the coming months.  That's all I've got for now.