11th Annual Veggy Open, 2007

The rumbling started Weds night as Ronny, Scott, Gil, Spider, Scooter, Freck

and T Wally rolled into town. Several members went to Hooters for dinner where

Alicia was happy to take care of the Veggy Open group. She was enthralled with

the VO members as they shared their accolades of past VO tournaments. She

was hot for Freck and he has a picture to prove it. After Scott turned us on to

shots of Sambuca, we were ready to play in a hold-em tourney at the Trop. Four

of us played in a thirty person tournament with the top 3 finishing in the money.

We all made it to the top 20, when Scott got knocked out by Phil Ivey. Ronny

waxed Helmuth earlier, but Dolye trapped him with pocket rockets. Standing

strong, Gil and T Wally made it to the final 3. Wall got knocked out and Gil

chopped the 1st/2nd place pot. It felt good to win early, but we knew that

ominous community thing was soon to follow. As community normally goes

without Dexter, we got spanked. Will someone from the executive council please

ban community? It was a long, tough night for 7 gaming members.

Coffee never tastes better in the morning after that first Veggy night. Working on

just a couple hours of sleep, we headed to Lake Mead. We rented a speed boat

& jet ski as we headed towards Hoover Dam. As Freck donned his life vest,

Scooter pointed out that Freck looked like a 10 pound sausage crammed into a 5

pound casing. Sad to say, but it was an accurate picture. Travy and Griggy met

us for lunch and we all headed back out on the Lake. We had a good time tubing,

as drivers Ronny and Gil took it easy on most of us.

The majority of the afternoon was spent in the water, simply floating with life

vests, having a few cold ones in honor of the “Earl of Mead.” Spider coined this

phrase as Scooter was propped up, with the help of 7 life vests, looking like a

dominating figure we all admired. Travy kept the Bud Select aluminum bottles

coming 1 after 1. Sambuca Scott relaxed throughout the day as he contemplated

where he was going to dominate the next hold-em tournament. Griggy attempted

a VO member chain from the jet ski water taxi that nearly yanked our arms off.

We just don’t have the guns we used to have in our younger days. We spent so

much time just chilling in the water, that next year we don’t need to rent a boat/jet

ski. Instead, everyone is required to bring their own floaties and we’ll just skinny

dip near the pier with the carp all day. If you saw the way the “large mouth” carp

talked to us, you would understand. I’m not sure who made the carp comment,

but someone is a sick egg!

After a full day in the water and sun, it was nice to get back to the air conditioned

rooms at the RIO. Roar was there to greet us Veggy style, the best style there is.

After a short nap, it was time for dinner with all 10 of us donning the 11th annual

Veggy Open shirts. Scooter secured his place as an executive council member

by bringing the shirt experience to a new level. 100% silk, embroidered with the Veggy Open logo. By far, the classiest shirt to date. He obviously spent more

time on the shirts, sacrificing his golf game. We chowed down at the awesome

RIO buffet and every VO member was in bed before midnight. Are we getting old

or what?

Rested and rearing to go, we all met in the RIO lobby at 6:30 am. It was a

beautiful morning at the Black Mountain golf course in Henderson. The 3

favorites, Scooter, Freck and Travy led the way, followed by 6 members who had

upset on their mind. Griggy was the official driver, saving his strength for next

years Veggy Open. A VO rookie, Sambuca Scott, put together financial rewards

for longest drive, closest to the pin, longest putt, and a putt/hold-em contest that

played out to be fun for all. As usual for the prestigious Veggy Open, the gallery

was cheering uncontrollably from the first tee as our tee shots were 300 yards +

and straight down the fairway. The 11th annual Veggy Open was on its way and

all who witnessed it were on cloud 9. The front 9 was dominated by Freck, as he

shot a 40. Sambuca Scott fired a 45, while Ronny and Gilly shot a 47. With the Fbombs under control, the man who represents the Veggy Open logo on the

website, scored a 44 on the back nine and shot an 84 to become the 4th different

winner of the prestigious Veggy Open. Sambuca Scott shot a respectable 89, Gil

a 94, Roar a 99, Ronny, FTVOC-Scooter, Travy and T Wally fired a 103 and

Spider had a number larger than his cheesehead Packers will score all year.

Freck and Ronny shared the longest drive, Scooter and Freck each won the

longest putt and T Wally and Freck were closet to the pin on the selected par 3’s.

T Wally won the putt/hold-em tourney with trips on the last card. It was a great

day for the VO members and fans. After a few cold ones in the clubhouse, it was

time for Lasagna at Grandma Glo’s. We were honored to have Al & Germaine

Reif, as well as Theresa, Tori and Ally Wilson join us for lunch. As always, lunch

was the best meal of the week. Scooter made an emotional VO shirt

championship presentation to Freck. Not a dry eye was in Gloria’s place as

Freck, visibly drained, accepted the coveted shirt from his idol and mentor,

FTVOC Scooter. Next year, the VO champ will get a new prize, determined by

executive council member Scooter. We headed back to the RIO, most members

took a nap, some ventured out to the pool to relax. It was a long couple of days

and our fit bodies needed time to rest.  We ate dinner at Hooters, played in a

hold-em tourney at the Trop( nobody finished in the money) and got spanked at

community at the RIO and Gold Coast. There was an exciting roulette community

bet, as 5 of the finest put faith in Walter. Thanks to #34 being red, we doubled

our 2 hundo into 4 hundo on just 1 bet. We cashed in for a rare community win.

Travy, Ronny & T Wally got spanked at craps, even though Ronny had an

awesome roll for more than 10 minutes. Playing solo, Travy hit a straight flush in

3 card poker that paid him some big bucks. It was a late night for most and all

had a good time.

Saturday was welcomed as we had no 6:30 am commitments and could sleep in

a little. It was a pool day for 6 members who got invited to a bachelorate party at

the RIO pool. We were minding our own business, when these 21 year old hotties from Mississippi spotted the Veggy Open guys tanning their 6 pack

bellies. They took the lounge chairs next to us and fundamentally tried to infiltrate

the VO group. They must have loved cheese, because Spider seemed to be a

big hit with them. Although we got busted for bringing down a few cold ones, we

had a good time at the RIO pool, despite nearly a $500 bar bill. The Pina Colidas

sure went down good in the 110 degree heat. After a short nap, it was time to hit

the tables. Ronny and Sambuca Scott played in every hold-em tournament in

town; they are better off playing Indian in our Friday night game at Ronny’s. We

had cocktails at the Tilted Kilt and the I-Bar, before the night ended. We failed to

have a CRT game. It will be a top priority for next year as Narke and Smithers

will lead the way. It was a late night for most, some not getting any sleep as they

had an early Sunday morning flight.

Sunday came and it felt peaceful as most members were on their way back

home. Gil and T Wally relaxed at the pool before playing in a 60 person hold-em

tourney at the RIO. They finished in the top 15, then headed to the Gold Coast

for some community Pai Gow. There was actually positive cash flow with 2 of the

finest dominating the Pai Gow table. It was nice to see community finish on a

positive note. Next year, Gil and T Wally just might do their own duo community

thing. Gil and T Wally had dinner with Al & Germaine Reif and Grandma Glo. It

was a nice finish to an awesome week.

10 of the finest enjoyed a few days of bonding which was 2nd to none. New

members Spider and Sambuca Scott plan on being regulars. It was a great time,

but tough on our old bodies. Special thanks to Griggy, who set up the

www.veggyopen.com website and Travy who supplied plenty of Bud products,

Jeckyll & Hyde spirits and Bud golf balls/tees/shirts, Roar who set up the suites

at the RIO and the golf, Scooter who did the shirts and all others who just

showed up. Did Gil do anything to keep his membership active? All in all, every

VO member participated in the success of the 11th annual Veggy Open.

As a final note, I am fortunate to have such a good group of friends, some dating

back over 30 years. I count my blessings every day. This year, we said goodbye

to a man who had a major impact on many of us. Next to my father, Coach

Schulze was the most influential man in my life. VO members Gil, Narke and T

Wally were pall bearers at his funeral. Gil gave a speech at the service that was

phenomenal. To quote Gil’s speech,  “we were not perfect in the classroom or on

the mat, but Coach treated us fairly and with the utmost respect.” As we honor

Coach Schulze and all of our friendships, it doesn’t get any better respecting our

friendships for over 3 decades. We also keep in mind Kevin Rossdeutcher, a

fellow grappler and friend who is battling with a brain tumor. Our thoughts and

prayers are with Kevin and his family.

Future events are posted on the website. We realize all VO members can’t

participate in every event, but all are always welcome. We always plan the Veggy Open the first weekend of August. Next years event will take place July 30th –

August 3rd. Put this on your 2008 calendar and we’ll see you there.

Although we are with our immediate families nearly every day and acknowledge

that family comes first, it is always a good time to spend time with old friends.

Especially the group we have.

“Life is precious; spend time with friends while you can.”

Stay well,

T Wally

See pictures here