The Corey Creek Invitational golf tournament didn't start until Friday with a practice round, and then two tournament rounds on Saturday and Sunday. But more about that later. Sunday afternoon, we found our way to the golf club for happy hour with our many old friends from years past. It is always good to see the folks in Mansfield, they are truly nice, down-to-earth people. We enjoy being with them when we are here and miss them when we are gone.
On Monday I played golf with Ty, Jack Alexander and Andy Lyman, and Suz joined Mickey Haubert and Sue Farrell, our friend from the golf club pro shop, for a round as well (surprising as that may seem to some). Ty and I took on Jack and Andy. The idea is to lose by as little as possible, since the winners pick up the bar bill after the round. Ty and I were too careful and we won the match - and the bar bill!
On Tuesday, I was lucky enough to be included in a "road trip" with the seven other guys to Binghamton, NY to play at the Conklin Players Club. The first stop was the Wellsberg Diner for breakfast. A sumptuous feast.
The group included, from left-to-right, Me, Ty Haubert, Jack Alexander, Andy Lyman, Brad Finch, Tony Fiamingo, Roger Maisner, the athletic director at Mansfield University, and Bill Chabala. Tony Fiamingo, entrepreneur extraodinaire, is the greatest negotiator there is. He got us on for only $35 each, including cart. The course is very nice, 
well maintained and quite a challenge,
with lots of major elevation changes. 
After the round, and a 1 hour 45 minute return trip to Corey Creek, the Mickey, Ty, Suzanne and I headed over to the beautiful little town of Wellsboro, PA and the Wellsboro Steak House for dinner - and to celebrate my 70th birthday! That successfully accomplished, we returned to Mansfield (13 miles) and to our motorhomes for evening libations and relaxation. Life is soooo difficult in this neck of the woods!
Wednesday, Suzanne played golf again with Mickey and Sue (will wonders never cease). But in the process she either developed a blister on her left foot or was bitten by some evil insect. Either way, she experienced a large and growing blister on her heel. That same day, I again joined Ty, Jack and Andy for a round. This time, Ty and I failed to keep the round close (mostly my fault) and we wound up paying - significantly! Oh well, the bar bill was well covered.
Thursday, I took the day off and practiced my "short game." I have not been practicing much of late and it showed. Thursday night is the traditional visit to the world famous Colonial Inn for wings. The Colonial is a very old drinking establishment that also serves food. It is essentially a dump, but the wings are usually good and the beer is cheap!
This time the beer was still cheap, but the wings were not so good. Then Friday arrived and the practice round for the Corey Creek Invitational and associated "Skins Game." My partner Morris Morgan and I played with Ty and his partner and our friend from Martin Downs, Rocky Adinolfi. We had a great time and won a skin. Ty and Rock won two skins. On Saturday, Morris and I were paired with Joe Murphy and Mike Pembroke, also from Martin Downs CC in Palm City. Morris and I played well and at the end of the day, we were leading the Senior Category by one shot (we also won another skin!) On Saturday evening, each participant gets two dozen clams, a dozen or so large shrimp and a strip steak plus various sides for dinner. Of course, the complementary beer wagon is also well patronized! It is always too much food (and drink), so those of us who are camping, and many friends, save the steaks, or clams, or shrimp for a feast on Sunday night at the campground - more about that later.
Sunday, Morris and I went into the final round paired with our friends Jack Alexander and Andy Lyman, who were one shot behind us. We had a great match, but at the end of the day, Jack and Andy beat us by two shots. They are the Senior champions for 2011 and we are runners up for the second straight year (we were the champions two years ago in 2009). Ah, but there is always next year!
Sunday afternoon, we sat around the clubhouse watching the other groups finish their rounds
and enjoying the lunch that is provided as part of the tournament. It is usually a quiet afternoon (as a result of Saturday night). Rock took advantage of the opportunity for a short snooze. 
Later, the campers and friends head for the grove for the Sunday evening feast. Our friend Kenny Fogleman is the perennial chef 
and the food is virtually limitless. A good time is had by all and it gives those who are leaving for home on Monday morning a chance to say goodbye to their Mansfield friends. 
A great tradition. 
On Monday, Ty and Mickey broke camp around 6:15 am to return to Stuart. They would have stayed for another week, but Ty took a job earlier in the Summer and had to get back. Suz and I headed for breakfast art 7:45 am, then to the clinic to have her foot looked at. The diagnosis was probably an insect bite, but the doctor sent a fluid sample to the lab for testing. Suz now has a nicely bandaged foot. Hopefully the healing process will be swift.
After seeing the doctor, we went to the laundromat and did a major load of wash, hit Walmart for supplies and some needed cash (I love Walmart' cash back policy), then returned to Corey Creek. By the time we arrived, all the campers had departed for their respective homes, and Suz and I were alone in the grove. We will be staying here for another week, during which time, we will golf, if Suz is able, and I will do some fly fishing in Corey Creek and the surrounding ponds. I have the trout spotted in the creek and am ready to try my skills.
I should add that the weather has been spectacular for the entire week, but the coming week does not look as promising. There is a threat of major thunder storms, but we'll see. In any event, we intend to relax and enjoy one of our favorite spots - and Dixie's favorite spots too I might add! Until the next time, Cheers!
John, Suz and Dixie the Wonderdog
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