Brothers McMullen, The

Family Takes Golf to a new stage

Golf is a sport played by young and old, fat and lean, sport and lack of coordination, by people of all colors, races and ethnicities. Golf presents challenges for all players of any level, whether to win a tournament, get a footing, or breaking 100 for the first time. But if you ask golfers in my family what their biggest challenge is this: they would say, "win the golf tournament, family reunion."

Over the years, our golf tournament of the family has evolved from a "pleasure" in a case of "win-at-any-price event." Last summer, I attended the play, throwing ball, throw a stick, dozens of forged documents, and some recreational drinking. This tournament always seems to be the highlight of our meeting, and managed to get everyone together, even through all the chaos. After playing in this event and looking back on it, I realize that golf has taught me many extraordinary things. I can guarantee you Tiger Woods never learned so much from a tournament, or had more fun with this question.

The host of family reunion has the honor to choose the course that we play. This year, we are at Oneonta Country Club in the heart of New York. Our group is present and immediately drop the course from a five star rating to three. It's really amazing how twelve people can have a negative impact on an exquisite piece of land.

Upon arrival, we invade the driving range and putting green with our shirts untucked and coolers full of beer. This act scares the rest of the golfers away. We get our practices quickly because half of us have not played golf all year, and by this point, it is in August. Others just want to show their ability of golf to all others and try to intimidate. Bullying is laughable because we are all family and familiar, I say, "Who the hell are they kidding?!"

With video camera rolling, all twelve of us line up on the first tee. Famous baseball players to car mechanics to teachers, we have an eclectic mix of golfers and the ability to play golf. My great-uncle and former baseball player, Frank Malzoni, is the father of four brothers who provide the most entertainment for the group is strong, and horribly funny. Video recording of the first tee shots feels like a good idea at this point because it can provide evidence and pride for the players after the match. wormburners I am witness, slices of hard, duck hooks, and the scope of opportunity for the channel. The video camera is capturing all this and laugh follows mass. The carts are loaded with lots of beer in the filter to find all the terrible blows, and the match is underway. The first hole, with the last, is an epic scene.

Being in the last quartet, the first group I heard cussing and singing after they make a putt, or miss. I always wonder when the day comes that we have started the course to be strong. A group of golfers behind us I hope they are going to call the club on the groups in front of me because they are so slow to play. Of course, it gives me a good laugh and I tell them they are family and I send. We play slow because God forbid we ever lose a golf ball.

After the front nine there is a barrage of trash talk and is another of our results. A group benefits are nine sub, which I find funny, because my group is still nominal and plays well. At this stage, the alcohol is getting the best of everyone. I see the looks dirty looks, and anger on the faces of the locals around us. Club Pro have thought that if it can pass through the day so it can pass through anything. The back nine starts and I see someone throw their golf ball in the fairway, and then another.