BMR 2009

Alabama

Grand National (Opelika RTJ course - played both)

Capitol Hill (Montgomery  RTJ course - Judge, Senator)

FarmLinks

First Timers - Roman, Lance

Notes:

• Wall cloud!
• One and only time we played the Copperhead tees at the Farm....and in the rain at that!

BMR

Small Group, Big Time

2009

#1 tee, Judge

Beautiful courses, challenging courses, some good golf, some bad golf, and side-splitting laughter characterized the 2009 Blair-Miller-Rutledge Invitational and produced at least 600 watts of volume.  Not to mention, this year had a last minute entry who helped to bring the level of play up, so last minute that there was no time to pack.  Unfortunately, we had an injury this year, the third for the BMR, even though this one had more of an effect and produced more conversation (why do these injuries keep happening to the same guy?). 

Play began Thursday morning at Grand National Links Course followed by lunch and a round on the Lakes.  Ten played the morning, followed by 12 in the afternoon.  Grand National was voted the #1 public course in the U.S. in 2008 by Golf World and its 2 courses are top notch and challenging. 

Voted #2 U.S. public course in 2008 by Golf World was Capitol Hill in Prattville.  On Friday BMR played 10 golfers on the Judge with Mike getting started on #2 after a nascar type performance.  The Judge has water on 10 holes and other ball killer stuff on all the rest.  Nine golfers teed it up on the links-style Senator Friday afternoon with Rutledge and Preston finishing late into the night after some lighting delayed the round.  Real men play through all obstacles. 

On Saturday, the BMR found a hidden jewel in golf.  Not just Alabama golf, all golf.  The Farm Links golf experience is unmatched.  Farm Links is a research and development course where different grasses are used, Club Car sends its prototypes to be tested, and every employee’s goal is to make sure the golfer’s experience is maximized. 

#5, Farm Links

A threesome and a foursome started the day, interrupted by rain and lots of it.  After a lunch in the clubhouse, six golfers finished the round.  Most everyone else had decided to leave around lunchtime as the rain was heavy.  Not long after, the sun came out and the remaining 6 had the course to themselves and were able to finish another 18 playing a six-some even though it was cart path only. 

Farm Links has the best turf, is wide open, but played long, especially with wet conditions.  The first round was played from the copper tees measured at 6,970 yards.  The second round was played from the white tees at 6,457 yards. 

Highlights of the trip include:

Great courses

Fairly level, competitive golf

Dunaway’s cousins

Preston’s GPS and 600 watts of fun

Miller’s injury and waddle, there is nothing sacred during this trip

#17, Farm Links

Thanks to all who participated and contributed to the fun.  This year’s BMR was an especially fun trip with lots of memorable lines that will live on and be retold for years to come.

Blair