Survival of the Fittest

At the end of this week, myself and two friends will take part in one of the most entertaining weekends of the year. The main event, and the reason we'll be making the trip is the annual Survival Scramble, held at Stephen F. Austin Golf Club in San Felipe, Texas. This two day event never ceases to amaze me, and by the end of the weekend I always seem to walk away with more entertainment from the non-golf activities. A saying comes to mind, and I don't know exactly what it is so I won't try to quote it exactly. Its something like: "It's not where you are, but the company you're with..." This saying couldn't be more fitting when talking about this tournament, and this weekend.

Imagine an average golf tournament, not the most prestigious one you've seen, just an average event. Now, clear that image from your mind completely because there's NOTHING normal, or average about this event. There is some money to be made if you can play well despite the traditionally challenging elements that late January provides in East Texas (hence the name of the event). In past events I have literally seen it all. Holes in one, eagles, triumph, defeat, anguish and despair. All of these things you could see at a normal tournament. But at the Survival Scramble you see them from the least likely of sources. From overweight shirtless men, from their girlfriends who are so intoxicated that they prefer not to step out of the golf cart, and even from the stray dogs that roam the property and share in the excitement from time to time.

Upon my last trip to Sealy (the neighboring town to San Felipe, and shares border with the course) I tried to describe to the team, in the nicest way possible, how I liked the course. My exact words were, "It's the nicest little dump I've ever played..." I know it sounds bad, but I would bet a fair amount of money that even the boys in Sealy wouldn't be offended by that comment...Because the folks in East Texas are some of the nicest, and most sincere of anyone that I've ever known. From the first time I visited I was taken in like family. These people aren't trying to kid anybody. The golf course is short, the trees are tall, and the greens are tiny. No real challenge for the new equipment that has revolutionized the game over the last 15 years...It's no secret that this golf course was left behind in the 80's and it's also no secret that the locals wouldn't have it any other way. However, it provides a formidable challenge in an event like this, where often times, you are standing over the ball with nothing to lose and you might as well try to hit that 75 yard hook over those 100 year old oak trees so you can get home in two...

But again, like I said the entertainment mostly comes off the golf course when you're in Sealy. When directions to THE restaurant in town include "go across the tracks" and "past the tractor dealership" and "if you get to Annie Jo's ya gone too far..." you just know you're in Sealy. There's really nothing like it, and I know I sound condescending, but it's a place I hold near and dear to my heart, and I can't wait to return there once again this weekend. With any luck, maybe I'll return home with some much needed cash to help fund another trip to Q School at the end of the year, but I'll certainly come back home to Austin with more fond memories of an East Texas town, Southern Hospitality, and a smile on my face...