The day began in muted tones of clouds and drizzle but ended with a bang as the 2010 Coleman Invitational concluded by setting a new record. For the first time ever in Coleman Invitational history (or any other history), the winner was a four-time repeat champion! Mr. Bob Carter turned in a solid 84 to dazzle the crowd and dismay his hungry opponents.
Da Rules
To discourage arbitrary rule bending,
this year's Tournament Director began the event by laying down the law prior to play.
No gimmees, no stepping on your opponent's ball, no coughing during backswings were all explained PRIOR to play this year.
Playing the Wind
The wind may have caused more trouble that day at the Acorns Golf Links than the undulating razor thin greens and tilted fairways. On more than one occasion balls began to roll away from the hole BEFORE players had a chance to putt.
A stiff wind moved Jim Boxdorfer to hit two clubs greater into the 150-yard ninth hole and capture the closest-to-the-pin contest when his five iron landed within ten feet of the hole. That shot brought him some cudos and green stuff.
Long Enough
Box nearly captured the longest drive as well until upstart Chuck Schmidt launched a rocket from the 13th tee that past Box's by seven yards to take the prize. (It counted, because it was one of those times during the tourney that a player's tee shot actually landed in the same fairway as the tee).
Boxed In
Box seemed to have it all going for him until he teed off from the 18th green with a shot that no one saw come down. 
An alert player detected evidence of a lunar landing in the sandtrap of the left rough (see picture). Barely visible was the ball smashed against the green side of the bank.
After the sighting no one discussed the shot with him. No one offered any suggestions on what he might do with it either. Could he take a penalty stroke and hit it from elsewhere? Nary a player appeared willing to answer the dark sunglassed man wielding a large metal object. Instead they let him swing. And swing he did!
And oh baby did it go! Well, only about five yards. But he got the ball out of its crater. It really would have been a tremendous shot except the ball must have hit the side of the bank (and why wouldn't it) and ricocheted back toward the center of the trap. One would guess the only thing that came out of the trap was sand.
Oh the pain and agony! But Jim was not defeated. He sent shot number three on this par four over the lake and onto the back of a tricky green and deftly two-putted to win himself a skin. What composure!
Next Year
Shaking their heads and wringing their hands back in the clubhouse, some were already planning to get their hands on next year's trophy. Mark your calendars for the first Saturday in October next year (October 1, 2011). Thanks for all who came and made this past Coleman Invitational a day to remember.
Oh, don't forget to take the poll (see right margin) regarding the playing format of future Coleman Invitationals. Who knows, we might even listen.
