Yahoo! Sports Devil Ball Golf blog is counting down the greatest shots from 2011. I’ll tell you a couple of mine.

Friday at the Goodboys Invitational and we’re playing Sagamore Spring G.C. in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. The day is bright, sunny, and warm. The 9th hole is a 210-yard par 3 that requires a 180-yard carry over a large pond. I take out my 5-wood (the club I should have stayed with all weekend, but that’s another story!) and absolutely, positively nut it. It’s a lovely little fade that carries the pond and lands three yards short of the green. I chip to 3 inches of the hole and tap it in for a crowd-pleasing par. I would go on that day to shoot an all-time best round of 94 before imploding under the bone-crushing pressure of a Goodboys weekend the next two days, but the memories of that shot and all the fun I had during that round are precious to me.

Second place goes to the last round I played with a few Goodboys friends at Butternut Farm in Stow, Mass. We were playing #16 - a 173-yard par 3. I took out my 7-wood and again hit it on the screws, a nice draw that perfectly followed the angle of the hole. Even before it landed about 20 feet from the hole “Killer” Kowalski’s totally stoked, saying it was the best shot he’d ever seen me hit. High praise from a discerning Goodboy, indeed.

No, I didn’t make the birdie putt. Yes, I did make my par.

Looking back on the year, I think I made some real progress: a major change in the swing and a bit of a moderation on my course management style provided some highlights, for sure. Out of the ten rounds of golf I played, I broke 100 in three of them, including my lowest round of golf ever (that rocking-chair 94 on the first day of Goodboys weekend) and had a legitimate chance to break 100 on three other occasions. Unfortunately, two of the remaining four rounds were Saturday and Sunday at Goodboys, where the Saturday back and Sunday front really killed me.

Still, it was my most successful golf year thus far, and I’m going into 2012 hopeful that with a few more adjustments I’m working on I’ll keep making sufficient progress to really put it together by Goodboys 2012. I know I need to get more consistent with my short game - my chipping was hit or miss all year, and my putting was atrocious all year long - but that’s kinda difficult when you don’t play much and spend most of your time around the grasses and greens here in Phoenix. Still, on the whole I’d have that while I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made, I need to be ready for the challenge of doing better in 2012.

Now where’d I put that sleeve of orange Wilsons?

[Ed. Note: Received this via e-mail the other day from Ben "The Funny Guy" Andrusaitis, five-time Goodboys Invitational champion and one of the Founding Fathers of Goodboys Nation. Hope y'all enjoy it.]

A Christmas Visit by TFG

The following is a true story, based on reality, as I see it.

At the end of every golf season I make a point of looking back and making an assessment of my game, sort of a “state of my game” meditation. A few days ago, I made myself a cocktail (chocolate martini), sat in my chair and began to ruminate on my game. Had a pretty good year in my golf league; dropped to a 9. Played pretty well at Killa’s [Ed. note: Goodboy Steve "Killer" Kowalski] stag (golf and otherwise), he and I beat a couple of young whipper snappers even though I got the worst hangover in 10 years (it was a paranormal hangover, believe me!). And of course I won the Good Boys Invitational (they’ll call it Good People over my cold dead body) with Vegas [Ed. note: Goodboy "Vegas" Clark, he's on the left in the champions photo, that's TFG on the right] – we made a pretty good team and my game held up pretty well over the weekend (Vegas’ shortgame was “otherworldly”). My iron play was much improved, I have worked on a “dead hands” Steve Stricker-like swing and gotten much more consistent. My putting was OK, shortgame was good. But, my driving and wood play continued to be inconsistent, one day I have the “lefts”, the next, the “rights”. Got a new driver with 11 degree loft to quiet my swing –no joy. What now!? Get another driver (I hear those TaylorMades are miracle workers, take a lesson from a pro – maybe help from a higher power is the answer). I have been struggling with this for over 20 years, back to the beginnings of GBN. What to do, what to do. As visions of the Medicus and the SwingSnazzy floated in my head I drifted off into a martini fueled sleep (I think). Next thing I know, a voice rouses me and I hear:

“Hey buddy boy, I hear you’re having trouble with your swing”

I opened my wondering eyes and there is Mike “Doc” Frechette standing there wearing green Banlon pants and holding a gallon decanter of Wild Turkey and 2 glasses.

Ben: “Holy shit, where’d you come from?”

Mike pours 2 doubles, hands me one and says, “With all this talk about paranormal, other worldly and higher power what do you expect, you were pretty much screaming at me to appear. That’s how it works, when you are at your wits end, 3 down with 4 to play, driving the ball at right angles, you will be heard. Lets drink to GBN and you’re right; anybody tries to change things to Goodpeople and I got some friends down below who will help you out – some things are sacred”.

“So that’s how it works? All that religious mumbo-jumbo is true?”

Mike pours us another, hands it over, “Nah, not all of it by a long shot. Live a good life, stay in the short grass – the rest is bullshit”. Mike whacks down the Turkey and, “So back to your swing – what a mess – Heh, Hah.”

“Yah, no shit Sherlock, I thought you were here to help. Go ahead and wave your magic wand and help out my driving”.

With that, Mike poured us another double, whacked it, then looked straight into my eyes. It was a look I hadn’t seen since Gaylord went after Shank at Portsmouth. [Ed. note: That story from Goodboys lore is only available on a need to know basis, and frankly, this audience doesn't need to know!!]

And all he said was “Bob Mann”.

I spit up the Turkey, “Bob Mann! Jesus Christ, Mike, you come all the way from the great beyond and that’s all you got! Oops, sorry about the name in vain and all that.”

“Nah, no worries, the big guy has a sense of humor, hell of a golfer too, can really work the ball, has a little problem with the 3 jacks though, I think he’s gonna go to a long putter.”

“No kiddin, and I thought only hopeless dopes use those”

“I’d watch it buddy boy, a jokes a joke, but the tenth circle of hell is a tough hazard to get out of…”

“OK, sorry, but Bob Mann! You and I must have watched those instructional tapes 10 times. Super Team and all that, I just don’t get it. Use your big muscles to hit the ball, be athletic, come on, give me more than that! You had to go to Natural Golf to get over Bob Mann (and that ULowell coed).”

With that, Mike faded away as he said,“Bob Mann buddy boy, Bob Mann”.

I jumped from my chair with a start, Bob Mann? What did Mike mean? And then it hit me like a drunkin sucker punch from Bone [Ed. note: Legendary Goodboy Steve Piekarski], Mike was right, come through with your hips, fire the right side and deaden the wrists! I had to find out. It didn’t matter it was 45 degrees out, I headed for the driving range. When I got to the range nobody was there, but (miraculously) the ball dispenser was open and on automatic. I got a bucket and went out to the range. It worked! Ball after ball hammered 260 down the middle. “ Mike you were right!” And just then I saw Mike out on the range laughing, whacking a double and saying, ”I always was buddy boy, I always was”.

[Ed. Note: I received this post by e-mail the other day and am posting to put the rest of the Goodboys on notice that we're, er, being "occupied". Guess that makes us oh-so-au currant. Enjoy!]

Hi. I’m Bob “Bogeyman” Bogart, a 37-handicapper out of Constipated Quail G.C. in McDonnellville, Arkansas, and I am now officially cyber-occupying Goodboys Nation. Got my tent, my hand-crafted sign on cardboard, and this website for all the attention I need. Why occupy Goodboys Nation, you ask? Simply put, the current crop of Goodboys, and by association, the elites at Goodboys Nation weblog, are the 1% and I’m speaking for the 99% out there who want to be Goodboys and a part of Goodboys Nation but can’t. And why? Simply put, greed. Their very status as Goodboys has nothing to do with talent, compassion, inclusivity, tolerance, diversity, or people’s rights. It has everything to do with who you know, what you can afford, and how competent you are at golf. And it has to stop.

I’ve looked back at Goodboys history and see there have been 21 - count ‘em, 21! - Goodboys events, but only 35 or so people TOTAL who have participated in those events. And why? What have those golfers every done to warrant or deserve being a Goodboy? Heck, I’m just as qualified to be a Goodboy as anyone. I drink and enjoy beer. I’m not great at golf but certainly good enough. I don’t have a job - to me it just sounds like too much work, you know - but my parents will spring for whatever cost it takes. I have a MA in Liberal Arts and hope to get my Ph.D in Rock Mechanics Modeling someday. I’m told by my mother (at least whenever I come out from my basement bedroom) that I’d make some girl a great husband some day. I don’t have a girlfriend right now, but there is that cute cute girl who frequents the same bar I do down the street that I’ve been trying to make eye contact with for the past two years. So that’s a possibility right there!

I have chosen to occupy Goodboys Nation and this weblog until the overbearing, overzealous, and autocratic Goodboys “Exec-Comm” (that’s them in the picture to your right) relinquishes its power and hands it back to the people where the power belongs. And believe me, I’m speaking truth to power.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

In short, here are my demands:

1. Re-brand “Goodboys” as “GoodPeople” to make it more inclusive through its new commitment to gender-neutrality and equality.

2. Eliminate the term “Invitational” from the annual Goodboys golf weekend. Starting in 2012, the 22nd annual “GoodPeople Open” will enourage greater participation by the 99% and a bring a sense of fairness and equality - something that has never been a hallmark of the Goodboys. Come 2012, everyone who wants to can participate. “PEOPLE RULE, GOODBOYS DROOL.”

3. Replace the current autocratic Executive Committee (a.k.a., “Exec-Comm”) with a new “Ministry for Equality and Inclusion”. The role of the MEI will be to ensure that no one is turned away from being a GoodPeople on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, or length of time as a virgin. In fact, one of the ultimate goals of the MEI will be to review whether the use of the “GoodPeople” brand is in and of itself insensitive in its own right to the plants and animals that make golf courses as attractive as they are; I recommend ultimately use of the inclusive “Good” as the name of the nation we will all belong to. Because, as Pat Benatar once sang:

We belong to the light
We belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words
We’ve both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We belong, we belong
We belong together

Isn’t that beautiful? So accepting. So tolerant. So inclusive. I want to cry…

4. That the new “GoodPeople” brand promotes healthy lifestyle choices during Open weekends. Restaurants will only be chosen only if they provide heart-healthy items on the menu. Otherwise, they’ll be occupied as well. While smoking and the consumption of alcoholic beverages will not be outlawed (at least initially), they will most certainly be discouraged since such practices only fattens the coffers of huge corporations, not to mention the fact that the use of these kinds of products that prey on the ignorant and the poor.

5. All participants in the “GoodPeoples Open” will be required to play environmentally-friendly, recycled golf balls. Given the overwhelming evidence (so overwhelming, in fact, I need not link to the studies) that golf ball manufacturers contribute to the burning of fossil fuels and the warming of the planet, it’s just the right thing to do. If I have to choose between losing 30 yards off my drives or a polar bear trapped on a disintegrating iceberg, how can any “GoodPerson” choose the latter?

6. That the new “GoodPeople” brand will eliminate competition in all of its manifestations, including the nature of the golf that is played. No more “pigeon sheet” betting. No more humiliation bets. Rather than the the bourgeoisie notion of a “champion team” crowned through the dehumanizing notion of “winners and losers”, encourage the fullest participation of the masses by promoting first and foremost the goals of fun, fellowship, and fairness.

7. Rather than stay at swank hotels owned by capitalists only interested in fattening the wallets of their shareholders, “GoodPeople Open” participants will instead occupy the parking lots of the golf courses we will play until they’re forced to allow us to play for free. After all, these establishments made all their money by granting playing privileges to the 1%; now it’s our turn!!!!

It’s time for the Goodboys Nation to become a true nation of the proleteriat. Until you fully and publicly submit to these demands, consider yourself “occupied”.

[Ed. note: I've taken Mr. Bogart's concerns directly to Mike "Vegas" Clark and Ben "The Funny Guy" Andrusaitis, your current Goodboys Invitational champions and thus, Goodboys "Exec Comm", and here is their pithy response.]

You think I was kidding on my post the other day of how we Goodboys get around? Turns out, it would appear Ron “Cubby” Myerow has been living a dual life: every third weekend of July he’s a Goodboy putting up one crooked number after another on his scorecard while off-course trying to avoid the inevitable tequila shot; every other weekend of the year he can be seen hob-nobbing with stars and starlets alike, getting his name in all the trade rags.

Don’t believe me? Here’s Cubby with none other than the lovely actress Elizabeth Hurley; seems she was free for the night, so Cubby took her as his date to a “Dennis Leary Celebrity Fire Fighters” hockey game at the Worcester Centrum a bunch of years ago:

Word is that afterwards they had a romantic dinner at the local Subway, and Cubby even sprung for the tab.
And from his own website, here’s Cubby with Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia:

I’ll tell you, Cubby is no stranger to celebrities; I wish I had a picture of the time he spotted New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi on the putting green at The Captains Golf Course in Brewster, Mass. where the Goodboys were just about to tee off at one of the Goodboys Invitationals a few years ago. Most people would have asked for Bruschi’s autograph or a picture with him, Cubby offered him a Swisher Sweet, which Bruschi politely declined.

But that’s Ron “Cubby” Myerow for you - a real Goodboys “man about town”!

…Peter Wolf, that is. Of J. Geils Band fame, to be precise. We Goodboys sure know how to get around, don’t we? Last year - right around this time, in fact - I was days away from embarking on the first step of my Endless Summer poster treaure hunt and meeting the likes of legendary surfer Mike Hynson and members of The Sandals surf band; this year’s it’s fellow Goodboy Ron “Cubby” Myerow’s turn, hanging backstage with that icon of ’70s / ’80s pop Peter Wolf before the band rocked out Boston this past weekend:

From the picture, I’m not sure Cubby was prepared for Wolf’s informality; it’s obvious he wanted to make friends with a Goodboy (I mean, who wouldn’t!), I’m guessing Cubby is thinking in the back of his mind why he didn’t exploit his part-time gig at Modell’s to bring some obligatory trinket (an authentic Doug Mirabelli Red Sox shirt, perhaps?) with him as a gift for Wolf taking a few minutes of his time to hobnob with Goodboys royalty.

Frankly, I’m also wondering where the groupie chicks are. Cubby ought to know better than that - no matter who you’re hanging with, whether it be the Goodboys or someone like Peter Wolf, when your a single Goodboys it’s all about the chicks, man.

Well done, Cubby.

For the Goodboys it’s back to the usual norm of work, paying the bills, and all that stuff that goes with reality. A few thoughts left over from the weekend:

I don’t know what the area in South Boston by the World Trade Center used to look like, but it’s really been transformed into a trendy gathering place for urbanites and suburbanites alike. Lots of nice restaurants and bars, lots of young people, lots of pretty girls to make the Goodboys feel really old. It’s a bit expensive to be sure, but it is one happening place.

The toll-talkers on the Mass Pike are surly and unfriendly. How hard would it be to make Massachusetts a more friendly place by smiling and saying things like - oh, I don’t know - “good morning”, or (gasp!) “thank you”. Typical public sector employees without any incentive to do a good job - another reason why the whole Massachusetts Turnpike Authority should be dissolved and replaced by a private employer.

Where else but in America can you get a group of Goodboys and a large Japanese family celebrating a birthday party at an Italian restaurant in the same room laughing and clapping while a certain Goodboys not to be named pays off his humiliation bets by quacking “Happy Birthday” and clucking “Yankee Doodle Dandy”?

It’s easy to shoot lights out the first day of a Goodboys Invitational; far harder to keep it up over a three-day event.

Feel-good story of the weekend has to be Darren Clarke winning The Open Championship. It was great to see Phil Mickelson put on a charge on Sunday, though. As usual, the weather made for as compelling viewing as the golfing did.

One of the best parts of Goodboys weekend is sitting in the clubhouse grill over a cold beer watching The Open on TV while golfers pass through to and from their rounds. It’s the total golf experience, really, and a lot of fun. At least for me, I enjoy all the sights and sounds of the whole experience, and it creates some nice memories from years past even when your own golf play doesn’t.

Don’t worry, there will be a new picture of the 2011 champions posted on the site as soon as I can get the Blogs-About folks to assist me with it.

CANTON, MA (Reuters) - “That was the biggest blow-up in Goodboys history!” So began Ron “Cubby” Myerow’s press conference with the assembled media following the final round of the Goodboys Invitational. Myerow and Tony “2 Times” Proctor had entered the day with a nine-stroke lead over the team of Mike “Vegas” Clark and Ben “The Funny Guy” Andrusaitis but quickly saw that lead evaporate with some unfortunate and erratic play on the first few holes, thus allowing Vegas and TFG to take control, and ultimately command, of their match at Brookmeadow Country Club, resulting in Andrusaitis’ fourth Goodboys championship and Vegas’ third.

In their post-round press conference, both TFG and Vegas were both gracious and audacious in their comments, quick to congratulate 2010 winners Steve “Killer” Kowalski and Pat “Doggy Duval” McLaughlin for their tenure as Goodboys Nation Exec-Comm and their efforts in coordinating the 2011 even, but pointing out that, in TFG’s words, “there are changes in the wind.” Neither TFG nor Vegas would elaborate on those comments, saying that it was far too early to go into any details, but it seems obvious that with the lowest team winning with a score of +14 over their number, adjustments can and will be made for the 2012 event.

More details about this weekend’s 2011 Goodboys weekend will be forthcoming. For now, here are the final 54-hole standings following Sunday’s round:

1. Mike “Vegas” Clark and Ben “The Funny Guy” Andrusaitis (+14)
2. Tony “2 Times” Proctor / Ron “Cubby” Myerow (+23)
Steve “Killer” Kowalski / Pat “Doggy Duval” Mclaughlin (+23)
Mark “Skipper” Bornemann / Scott “Gilligan” Tripp (+23)
5. Kevin “Goose” Dwyer / Paul “Possum” Shepter (+34)
6. Steve “Deuce” Doucette / Doug “The Great White Shank” Richard (+41)

WAYLAND, MA (AP) - The team of Ron “Cubby” Myerow and Tony “2 Times” Proctor continued their impressive Goodboys Invitational weekend play with solid rounds that launched them to a commanding nine-stroke lead heading into Sunday’s final round at Brookmeadow Country Club in Canton, Massacusetts. “I can’t speak for my partner, but I know that Jack Nicklaus would be proud of the way I putted the greens today”, Myerow said.

Given the torturous greens at Sandy Burr and the increasing humidity, few players were able to make a significant move on what is commonly known as “moving day” at The Goodboys. As a result, the team of Mike “Vegas” Clark and Ben “The Funny Guy” Andrusaitis are the only team within range going into Sunday’s final round. The current 36-hole standings following Saturday’s round are:

1. Tony “2 Times” Proctor / Ron “Cubby” Myerow (+1)
2. Mike “Vegas” Clark and Ben “The Funny Guy” Andrusaitis (+10)
3. Steve “Killer” Kowalski / Pat “Doggy Duval” Mclaughlin (+11)
4. Mark “Skipper” Bornemann / Scott “Gilligan” Tripp (+12)
5. Kevin “Goose” Dwyer / Paul “Possum” Shepter (+18)
6. Steve “Deuce” Doucette / Doug “The Great White Shank” Richard (+21)

LYNNFIELD, MA (AP) - It wasn’t enough that Ron “Cubby” Myerow won the most money in the Goodboys $5 Skins game bet, his play with partner Tony “2 Times” Proctor launched them to the top of the leaderboard after day 1 of the 2011 Goodboys Invitational. “I was just trying to keep my nerves under control and figured out a way to nail the par 3s really good. I’m pretty psyched”, Myerow said after a round that saw him and Proctor go -8 against their number at Lynnfield’s Sagamore Spring Golf Club.

Defending champions Steve “Killer” Kowalski and Pat “Doggy Duval” McLaughlin didn’t fare quite as well during their round, struggling throughout and finding themselves near the bottom of the leaderboard at a whopping +15 against their number.

Mike “Vegas” Clark and partner Ben “The Funny Guy” Andrusaitis both played well, shooting a combined -7 against their number to take second place after the first day.

Perhaps most surprisingly during the day was the play of Doug “The Great White Shank” Richard, who shot a 50-44 for an all-time best Goodboys round of 94, beating his previous best by four strokes. “I struggled a bit with my short game on the front nine, but my tee game was really solid throughout. Being in the fairways on most holes really helped.”, said Richard following his round. Unfortunately, partner Steve “Deuce” Doucette’s play wasn’t nearly as sharp, leaving the team in the middle of the pack.

Saturday is moving day at the Goodboys, and with a generous course (Sandy Burr in Wayland) expected and continued warm and dry conditions, the opportunities for all teams to improve on their Friday play will be plenty.

The current standings following Friday’s round are:

1. Tony “2 Times” Proctor / Ron “Cubby” Myerow (-8)
2. Mike “Vegas” Clark and Ben “The Funny Guy” Andrusaitis (-7)
3. Steve “Deuce” Doucette / Doug “The Great White Shank” Richard (+7)
4. Kevin “Goose” Dwyer / Paul “Possum” Shepter (+13)
5. Steve “Killer” Kowalski / Pat “Doggy Duval” Mclaughlin (+15)
6. Mark “Skipper” Bornemann / Scott “Gilligan” Tripp (+17)

I’m off to metro-Boston, baby, to meet the rest of the Goodboys and experience everything a Goodboys Invitational weekend brings.

Stay tuned at this very location for daily updates and interviews.