The first annual MRNA Open is complete. It was a highly contested tournament with players from across the country. Iowa, Nebraska, Florida, and Michigan were well represented. One player flew in from California for the event.
We haven’t had rain in Florida for the past couple of months. It’s the driest it’s been since 2017. Monday was a bit different. It spit rain off and on all day. While we needed the rain, we were hopeful it would be dry during the tournament.
The twelve competitors gathered thirty-minutes prior to the first foursome’s tee time. Some hit practice balls, some just visited, and everyone was anxious for the festivities to begin. Each foursome had two competing teams and there were three foursomes. Most were valued friends, but Ruth’s sister, Kathy, my daughter, Elizabeth, and I were a part of the anxious dozen. While it was intended to be a “fun” event, each team wanted to win. After all this was the first of what we intend to be an annual event.
As my foursome waited for our time, the weather took a turn for the worse. The winds howled and blew debris everywhere. My first thought was of the two foursomes already on the course. I was happy it wasn’t us. And almost immediately, I flashed back to Kate and Michael’s wedding day.
It was a destination wedding with about eighty attendees on a carefully chosen Hawaiian beach. Kate selected the time based upon the anticipated setting sun. She knew the scene would be perfect for their wedding pictures. She couldn’t have anticipated the wind. It blew like no other wind I’d experienced. Carefully primped hair was blown undone, skirts flapped around the ladies’ legs, and Hawaiian leis twirled around our necks like hula-hoops. The chairs on the beach blew hither and yon. They had to be collected and reset for the ceremony. Upon their return, guests sat down immediately fearing they might blow away again.
The minister spoke to us about the wind. “Winds like this are those who’ve passed before and wish to be here with us today.” Based upon the strength of the wind, we had the potential for hundreds of uninvited guests.
Six months later Elizabeth and Sutton were married on Sunset Cliffts, a portion of the California coastline in San Diego. The same uninvited guests blew in. The wind howled at this wedding too, so when the winds blew on Monday afternoon, Elizabeth and I knew Ruth (AKA MRNA) had arrived. She was a welcome addition. It was just one more way for her to let us know she’s with us all the time.
As for the tournament itself, it was well played by everyone. Only one of the six teams shot over parr. Two shot an even 27, Kathy and her partner shot 26, and my playing partner, Dave, and I tied another team at 25, two strokes under parr. A score card playoff determined Dave and I won. We were humble in our victory, but happy to accept the accolades from the other players.
We followed the tournament with an awards dinner at Ruth’s favorite country club. She loved to go there at sunset. The overcast sky made it difficult to view the spectacular scene we’d hoped for. I’m sure Ruth rose above us to view the setting sun because once she arrived, she wasn’t going to miss the view we all hoped we’d see.
I’ve already begun plans for next year’s tourney. We expect to see the same dozen players reassembled with new playing partners. Most have already signed up for next year. We’re prepared to expand the contest to accommodate others, but I suggest you notify us early as we may have to limit the field.
If you should decide to sign up, I suggest you purchase a hat with a chin strap. You’ll want to be sure it stays on your head when MRNA arrives.