FORE: This Golfer’s Memories of an Explosive July 4th Celebration

By Bradford Bixby For The Mountain Times

Welcome back, dear reader, to another edition of Fore, the column dedicated to uncovering the hidden controversies swirling around the world of golf here at the base of Mt Hood. In case the Pulitzer people think this is easy I quote Dave Barry ( my idol and Pulitzer Prize winner) from his book “Class Clown.” Dave writes “ being a humor columnist, while it may appear to be fun and games, is actually a high-stress occupation that requires nerves of steel and the ability to perform under extremely demanding conditions, not unlike a test pilot, or neurosurgeon, or omelette station chef.” You tell ‘em Dave! Oh yeah, I smell another submission on the horizon.

As you can see from the accompanying photograph, internet celebrity and professional golfer Hailey Ostrom spent a couple weeks playing and filming here at the Mt Hood Oregon resort. I’ve already seen a 20 minute video titled “ a hidden gem in the Northwest. “ Hopefully some of her nearly one million followers will come to play our courses. I must tell you, dear reader, that as well as being a fabulous golfer and undeniably attractive she is a very open and friendly person. A really great ambassador for our beloved game.

As you know, dear reader, another 4th of July has come and gone. This was the first 4th I can remember that I didn’t go somewhere to see fireworks and it got me thinking about the most memorable fireworks show I ever witnessed. Twenty something years ago my girlfriend and I went to The Homestead in Virginia over the 4th of July weekend. We had a ball! It is one of those East Coast all inclusive resorts. They had it all; horseback riding, fly fishing, bowling, movies and of course golf, to name a few. The first tee on the home course is the longest continuously used tee box in the United States, dating back to 1760. I got chills and didn’t take a divot, thank goodness. On the 4th they had a blanket concert on the grass with The Drifters, followed by fireworks. I was in heaven, it being the first time I ever saw a firefly. They are so cool! Finally it was time for fireworks.They shot off the first rocket and it soared at least twenty feet in the air then dove straight down onto the platform and exploded. We heard a lot of yelling, and in the ensuing glow we watched the staff running and diving for cover. Then all hell broke loose with every firework going off at once. It was the greatest 30 seconds ever, rockets flying twenty feet over our heads and splashing down all over the field. It was like being in Bagdad during Desert Storm. Talk about the rocket’s red glare! Unforgettable.

Speaking of the 4th, we held our annual tournament on the 5th and 6th. Saturday was a draw four/two net format and was won by the team of George Wilhelm, Patti Wilhelm, Jerry Packman and yours truly. On Sunday morning they held a nine hole three club scramble that finished in a tie for first between the team of John Vermaas, Leslie Vermaas, Del Davis and Cathy Gulledge and the team of Lisa Franklin, Greg Johnson, Tom Butler and, yes, yours truly. The weekend finished with a horse race won by the team of Greg Johnson and Joanne Stalsberg. As always a ton of fun was had by all.

Well that’s all I have room for so get out there and play, and when you do remember to “Hit Em Straight!”