Hello everyone and welcome back to what I'm sure will be another great year on the tour.

Inkster Valley, I did not even know there was a course in Inkster and we have a Hummus plant about 2 miles away boy do I feel stupid. The day was not looking good on the radar and the on and off drizzle in the morning made it look even worse but when Dan Holt showed up at my house to ride together things started to slightly clear and we were both pumped up to play. Upon arriving at the course to check in several of players greeted us and wished us good luck. One of the things I enjoy most about playing on the tour is the friendship and sportsmanship that is exhibited at every event from all of the competitors. After checking in we had a least an hour to kill and warm up so we headed over to the driving range down the street that was arranged for us. Curtis did not tell us we had to bring our own lawn mower to cut the practice tee area way to go Curtis! Anyway after attempting to hack half a bucket of balls out of the 8 inch tall grass we decided to go back and chip and putt.

On the first tee I looked ahead to Dan Holt and his group fist pumping and cheering a birdie on the hole and the only thing I could think of was oh no here we go he is starting already. I managed to par to start and was relieved the first hole was out of the way. At the second hole as we approached our tee shots I heard another cheer and more fist pumping it was Dan again at this point I knew he was aware of me behind him watching so I was sure he added a little extra cheering. I tried to focus on what I needed to do to stay close to the group ahead of me and not let the birdie after birdie take me out of it. At the turn scores were posted and I noticed I was only 2 strokes back of the leaders. Well it was not raining and I still was managing to keep close to the leaders so as we started the back nine I was thinking just keep it together and focus on your game and grind out some pars. I did not pay much attention to the group in front of us until the 17th hole when I saw Dan Holt and Chris Rea both in trouble I then told myself hang in there you only have 2 holes left and we will see what happens.

After completing the round I entered the clubhouse to check the leader board and saw I was leading but there was still half of the flight still out there. One of the hardest things to do is sit there and wait for everyone else to complete their round and watch the scores be posted. Anyway after all was said and done there was 3 way tie for first and Curtis announced this year we will have a play off for all first place ties on the course and a scorecard playoff like years past. Now that I put my clubs away and had 3 beers waiting for everyone to complete their round we had to out and play it off. I'm not going to go into details about the playoff but I will say this it is very important to know the rules and follow them it could make the difference between winning and losing. I would like to commend my opponents on the honorable and sportsman like performance they displayed in the playoff and know that they will be in the winner's circle soon. I must say being in a playoff is definitely a pressure situation and do not count yourself out until the ball is holed out your in it till you win it. I must say it is nice to win and hope everyone out there gets a chance to feel what it is like. Good luck to all and I will see you at the Major!

Sal Latella

Well guys the end is here and what a year it was! We started the season with cold wet windy conditions and we finished the same way at the Ryder Cup. But I would not trade it for anything! My wife says I'm sick for going out with you guys and playing in the conditions we play in and she is probably right but I love it and really enjoy the guys on the Tour we have a great group and I look forward to next year and hope to see all of you there also.

The Ryder Cup had a small turn out this year (23 People) and the conditions were perfect for the MIAGT as we would not know what to do if it was sunny and 75 anyway things were a lot closer with the West side making a good attempt at beating us East-siders. The day started with a few light rain showers and cleared slightly as we played. I was partnered with Clay Welton and our opponent was Shawn Campion I started out with a outstanding laser drive 50 yards right down the middle I smoked it (lol). Needless to say I did not get off to the start I had hoped for anyway things slowly started to come around and thank god Shawn did not bring his A game by the end of the first nine holes Clay and I managed to hold our own and tie Shawn. The second nine we started to pour it on and managed to get ahead of Shawn to take a point from him and by the time we reached the middle of the third nine Shawn was getting tired and Clay and could not be beat with 2 holes left to play we came to the 195 yard par three into the wind and I was eyeing the closest to the pin which I was told was our Tour directors shot to about 2 feet I licked my lips and gripped my hybrid hit a laser to about a foot and sank the putt for a birdie to let all the wind out of Curtis's sails and locked the match for our group with a 3 hole lead. We entered the clubhouse and saw that everything was all tied up with 2 groups yet to finish. When they entered the clubhouse everyone was approaching them to add things up and yet again this year the Eastside was victorious which make the Eastside undefeated in Ryder cup tournaments. I sure hope the Westside can bring a better team next year this is getting boring!

Now that the official season is over in Michigan we have only one more achievement to accomplish the National tournament and a victory for Michigan. So to all of the team making the trip down I wish all the best of luck and success and let's bring it home.

SAL

Some photos from the event (click on a photo for the full image):

WELL LETS SEE CLOUDY, RAINY, A LITTLE CHILLY....HMMMM, PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR THE MIAGT. IF ANYTHING, IT SEEMS TO BE THE NORM FOR THE SEASON SO FAR. BUT, THAT DIDNT SEEM TO AFFECT THE MOOD OF THE PLAYERS IT JUST MEANT EVERYONE GOT TO PUT TO GOOD USE THEIR RAIN GEAR, RAIN GLOVES, AND A WIDE VARIETY OF TITELIST,CALLAWAY. TAYLOR MADE UMBRELLAS. BUT IT WAS BUSINESS AS USUAL, THE DRIVING RANGE WAS PACKED,PUTTING GREEN OVERFLOWING WITH PLAYERS GETTING READY TO CHALLANGE EACH OTHER FOR THE CRYSTAL " FISH BOWL " AS SOME PLAYERS REFER TO IT.

I WAS TOTALLY EXCITED TO GET STARTED. I WAS PAIRED UP WITH DAVE TALSMA AND LAYNE LUCIA TWO OF THE TOP PLAYERS IN CHAMP FLIGHT. AS OUR TEE TIME APPROACHED, THE RAIN SEEM TO BE STOPPING AND IT ACTUALLY STARTED TO WARM UP A BIT. FINALLY IT WAS OUR TURN TO TEE OFF AND THE ACTION WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN. IVE HAD THE OPPERTUNITY TO PLAY WITH DAVID BEFORE, BUT IT WAS THE FIRST TIME COMPETING AGAINST THE " GENTLE GIANT " LAYNE LUCIA.

THERES NOTHING LIKE COMPETING IN A TOURNEMENT WHEN GREAT GOLF IS BEING PLAYED, AND EVERYONES ENJOYING THEMSELVES. DAVID AND LAYNE WERE PLAYING SOME INCREDIBLE GOLF. IT WAS LIKE WATCHING A BATTLE OF DAVID AND GALIATH. IT WAS BY FAR, THE " BEST " ROUND OF GOLF BY 2 PLAYERS THAT IVE WITNESSED IN MY 18 EVENTS. THE OTHER ROUND THAT WOULD COME TO MIND IS WHEN I SEEN JOHN MELLAN PLAY @ CATTAILS LAST YEAR. THAT WAS DEFINTELY THE BEST MENTALLY FOCUSED AND COURSE MANAGEMENT ROUND OF GOLF IVE SEEN. AS THE BATTLE CONTINUED, I SEEN ALOT OF HIGH FIVES, FIST PUMPING AND ALOT OF SUPPORT FOR EACH OTHER DURING THERE GOOD SHOTS OR LOL MY BAD SHOTS. BUT THATS WHAT I LOVE ABOUT GOLF, ITS A GAME OF SPORTSMANSHIP, INTEGRITY, AND THE FUN OF COMPETING AT THE LEVEL WE DO AND PUT OUR SELF IN A POSITION TO WIN. THE FRONT NINE WAS ALMOST PLAYED PERFECT WITH BOTH OF THEM SHOOTING SOLID 37'S. MY FRONT 9 CONSISTED OF SOME GREAT PICTURES, A PAYDAY CANDY BAR AND THE ENJOYMENT OF JUST BEING ABLE TO WALK ON THE COURSE AGAIN. THE BACK 9 SEEMED TO BE A REPLAY OF THE FRONT, ALOT A GREAT TEE SHOTS, BIRDIE PUTTS, AND A COUPLE OF SHOTS FROM LAYNE AND DAVID THAT SHOULD OF BEEN ON SPORTCENTERS TOP 10 PLAYS OF THE WEEK.!!! EVERYTIME YOU GO TO PLAY,YOU WANT TO DO YOUR BEST, BUT I THINK I HAD JUST AS MUCH FUN WATCHING THEM EXCHANGE BIRDIE PUTTS. AFTER THE ROUND WAS FINISHED, LAYNE FIRED A REMARKABLE 77, ONLY TO BE OUT DONE BY THE MASTERFUL PERFORMANCE OF DAVE TALSMA WHO SHOT THE BEST ROUND OF THE YEAR WITH A 73. MY HATS OFF TO BOTH OF YOU FOR YOUR GREAT ROUNDS !!!!!!

IVE PUT ALOT OF THOUGH INTO WRITTING THIS WEEKS BLOG, AND I HAVE TO BE HONEST, ITS TUESDAY AND IM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS IN DEALING WITH THE WAY THIS TOURNEMENT HAS ENDED. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO APOLIGIZE AGAIN TO DAVID TALSMA WHO PLAYED OUTSTANDING, TO LAYNE LUCIA AND THE REST OF THE TOUR FOR MY HONEST MISTAKE OF TRANSPOSING THE SCORE ON THE FINAL HOLE OF THE TOURNEMENT. I KNOW THAT SIGNING AN INCORRECT SCORECARD IS A VIOLATION OF THE RULES OF GOLF, AND AN AUTOMATIC " DQ " AND ITS THE PLAYERS RESPONSIBILITY TO VERIFY, BEFORE SIGNING. OBVIOUSLY IVE HAD SOME TIME TO THINK ABOUT THIS AND THIS IS HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS ISSUE. WE ARE AMATURE GOLFERS PLAYING ON A GREAT TOUR , THAT GIVES US THE OPPERTUNITY TO PLAY AGAINST A FIELD THAT IS OF OUR SKILL LEVEL. ITS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO POLICE OURSELVES OF THE RULES AS WELL, OUR COMPETITORS AND PLAY BY THE USGA RULES. HOWEVER, AS A YOUNG GROWING TOUR, IT HAS ITS GROWING PAINS TO OVERCOME. IT TAKES A GIGANTIC EFFORT ON CURTIS PART TO JUST GET THE EVENTS STARTED, SKINS COLLECTED, PAYOUTS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS, CANCELATIONS, ALL THE COMPUTER WORK DONE BY HIM AND TODD HURLEY, AND ALL THE BEHIND THE SCEEN STUFF THAT WE DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT AS PLAYERS. BUT TO BE HONEST, WE NEED SOME SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO PREVENT THINGS LIKE THIS FROM HAPPENING. I KNOW ITS A SIMPLE THING, BUT HOW MANY TIMES HAVE PEOPLE LEFT WITHOUT SIGNING, OR LOSE THE OTHER CARD. WHAT ABOUT THE " SLOW PLAY " RULE? HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED A ROUND OVER 5 HOURS ON THIS TOUR? WHAT ABOUT HANDICAP VERIFICATION ? LAST YEAR 1 GUY GOT DQ FOR THE WRONG HDCP AND IN ANOTHER IT WAS OK. TRUST ME IM NOT TAKING THIS TIME TO BASH ANYONE OR ANYTHING, I WANT OUR TOUR TO BE THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE. ITS HARD FOR 1 PERSON TO DO, BUT A SALUTION IS HAVE A PRE TOURNEY MEETING EVERY OTHER WEEK OR SO TO DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE THINGS, ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, NEW IDEAS, RULES ETC. IM SURE BY TALKING IT WOULD PREVENT THINGS LIKE THIS OR OTHER ISSUES IN THE FUTURE FROM HAPPENING.

IN CLOSING, WE ARE JUST AMATURES. WE ARENT COMPETING FOR THE PURSES THAT THE PRO'S ARE PLAYING FOR OR GETTING THE BENIFITS OF EXEMPTIONS INTO MAJORS OR GETTING TO KEEP OUR CARDS AND PLAY NEXT YEAR BY WINNING AN EVENT. WE ARE A GROUP OF LADIES AND GENTLEMAN THAT HAVE A PASSION FOR GOLF AND ITS COMPETITION. RULES ARE RULES, AND IM NOT HERE TO CHANGE THE PGA RULE BOOK. I BELIEVE THIS WILL TURN OUT TO BE A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR US ALL, AND HELP OTHERS FROM MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE. TO ALL THE WINNERS OF FOREST AKERS THIS WEEK, GREAT JOB, GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE IN THE 2ND MAJOR OF THE YEAR IN 2 WEEKS. 27 HOLES OF DEMANDING GOLF.

FRANK SCIBERRAS

Some photos from the event (click on a photo for the full image):

WITH THE SMELL OF FRESH CUT GRASS IN THE AIR AND THE DISTINCT AROMA OF AZALA'S AND TULIPS BLOSSOMING I KNEW THAT THIS YEARS DRIVE DOWN MAGNOLIA LANE WAS GOING TO BE FANTASTIC. SPRING IS OFFICIALLY UPON US, SO THAT MEANS ONE THING TO THE PLAYERS ON THE MIAGT TOUR ........... THE 2009 MASTERS IS HERE AND ITS TIME TO PLAY FOR THE " GREEN JACKET "

UPON OUR ARRIVING AT " THE CAPTAINS CLUB " IN GRAND BLANC MICHIGAN , THE LONG WAIT AND ANTICIPATION OF THE DAYS EVENT WERE FINALLY UPON US. AS MICHELE AND I PULLED UP TO THE BAG DROP AREA, WE EXPERIENCED AN OVERWHELMING FEELING OF LOVE AND SUPPORT.THE TRUE MEANING OF FRIENDSHIP, CARING, AND SELFLESSNESS WERE UNCONDITIONALLY BEING SHARED BY EVERYONE AT THE DAYS EVENT. AS WE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOAD THE CAR WITH THE DONATIONS FOR THE CHILDRENS MIRACLE NETWORK, PLAYERS FROM THE TOUR OFFERED THERE HELP IN GETTING EVERYTHING UP THE FLIGHTS OF STAIRS, WHICH WAS GOING TO BE A CHALLANGE FOR ME. THANKS TO DALLAS. JK BUDDY !!! IM OVER IT NOW.

THE MOOD WAS SET EARLY FOR HOW THE DAY WAS GOING TO UNFOLD. EVERYONE WAS IN GREAT MOODS, DRESSED IN THE BEST MASTERS ATTIRE, AND WISHING EACH OTHER GOOD LUCK FOR THE DAY. WINNING THE " GREEN JACKET " THIS YEAR WAS GOING TO BE A TEST OF YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR ABILITY TO OVER COME THE EXTREMLY WET CONDITIONS, AND THE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE PIN PLACEMENTS. THE ULTIMATE CHALLANGE THOUGH, WAS GOING TO BE WHO COULD HANDLE THE QUICKNESS AND SLOPES OF THE MONSTER SIZE GREENS.

THE TOURNEMENT HAS BEGUN, AND I DECIDED TO FOLLOW A GROUP THAT HAD 2 WINNERS ALREADY THIS YEAR, THE DEFENDING MASTERS CHAMPION OF 2008, AND A PLAYER WHO WON 3 TIMES LAST YEAR. CHAD LUCIA,DAVID TALSMA,JOHN MELLON AND DALLAS COCHRAN. IF YOU WERE GONNA WIN CHAMP FLIGHT TODAY, CHANCES WERE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO BEAT THE PLAYERS IN THIS GROUP. I CAUGHT THEM ON THERE 2ND HOLE OF THE DAY, JUST IN TIME TO SEE CHAD HIT ONE TO A FOOT OUT OF THE BUNKER. THEN DAVID HITS AN INCREDIBLE SHOT OUT OF THE TREES TO GET AN UNFORTUNATE BREAK OF THE BALL ROLLING THROUGH THE GREEN. JOHN MELLON DROPS A ROUTINE 15 FOOTER, WHICH LEFT DALLAS A 10 FOOTER TO MAKE A PAR,,, DRAINO ! I DONT WANT TO STEAL A QUOTE, BUT " THESE GUYS ARE GOOD ".

AS I MADE MY WAY AROUND THE COURSE TO CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ACTION I CAME ACROSS THE FOURSOME OF LAMAR BOYD. I WITNESS 2 APPROACH SHOT FROM 140 YARDS TO A COZY 5 FEET, THEN I GET A SMILE AND A WINK FROM LAMAR,AS IF TO SAY "WATCH THIS " LAMAR CHIPS THE BALL, ONLY TO WATCH IT STOP AN INCH FROM ROLLING IN THE HOLE.

WITH ALL THE GOOD PLAY I WAS WITNESSING, I THOUGHT WHAT WILL I SEE NEXT. WELL THE NEXT GROUP HAPPENED TO BE THE DEFENDING D FLIGHT MASTERS CHAMP, BILL KANE, 3 TIME WINNER CURTIS LAFORE, AND NEW TO THE TOUR THIS YEAR DAVID BALLOTE, WHO LEADS THE POINTS RACE IN B FLIGHT.. AS THEY TOOK TIME OUT FOR A QUICK GROUP PHOTO, I NOTICED A LOOK IN CURTIS EYE LIKE TODAY WAS THE DAY. HE OPEN WITH A SOLID FRONT 9.

IN THE DISTANCE I HAPPENED TO NOTICED THE " BEER CART " I FIGURED THE NEXT GROUP I WOULD FIND THEN WOULD BE THE PAIRING OF SAL LATELLA, JASON HARRINGTON, AND JEREMY JOHNS. COMING OFF A VICTORY LAST WEEK, SAL WAS PLAYING GOOD, JUST STRUGGLING LIKE MOST, ON THE GREENS. THEN IT WAS TIME TO MEET ONE OF THE YOUNG, UPCOMING PLAYERS ON THE MIAGT, JASON HARRINGTON, WHO WON THE TOURNEMENT @ EAGLE EYE WITH A BLISTERING 76. THE FIRST SHOT I SEE FROM HIM WAS A 30 FT. LOB SHOT OVER A BUNKER TO A PIN THAT WAS BELOW A RIDGE, TO A FOOT. INCREDIBLE SHOT. ATTENTION ALL " A " FLIGHT PLAYERS, I LIKE TO INTRODUCE, JASON HARRINGTON.

I NOTICED SAL WAS COVERING HISRIGHT EAR AND WHAT LOOKED TO BE A COTTON BALL IN THE LEFT EAR. NOT NOTICING THIS EARLIER IN THE DAY, I ASKED SAL IF HE HAD AN EARACHE? HE RESPONDED NO, A " HEADACHE " I NEVER CLAIMED TO BE A DOCTOR, BUT IVE NEVER PUT COTTON IN MY EARS FOR A HEADACHE. SAL CLEARED THINGS UP BY SAYING " YOU RIDE 9 HOLES WITH JEREMY AND HOW BAD YOUR HEADACHES " THE COTTON BALLS WERE TO DROWN HIM OUT !!!!!!!! SO I FIGURED I'LL LISTEN TO JEREMY AND GIVE THE GUYS A BREAK. I SHOT 45 ON THE FRONT FRANK, IT SHOULD OF BEEN AN EASY 39. ALL I HEARD FOR THE NEXT 5 MINUTES WAS BLAH,BLAH,BLAH ... I TOLD JEREMY DONT GIVE UP !!! REMEMBER WHAT YOU DID TO ME AT THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP. AND BOY, HE DID JUST THAT !!!! 3 BIRDIES IN HIS FINAL 9 HOLES FOR A 37. I NO JEREMY IT SHOULD OF BEEN 33.

IN CONCLUDING, TODAYS EVENT WAS DIFFERENT, USUALLY WE HAVE 5 WINNERS! TODAY WE WERE ALL WINNERS. THE EFFORT THAT WAS MADE BY EVERYONE IN HELPING THE CHILDREN,BY DOING THERE PART IN PLAYING IN THE EVENT WAS GREAT !!!! A THANK YOU AS WELL GOES OUT TO ALL THE SPONSORS WHO DONATED ITEMS FOR THE AUCTION. WE COULDNT DO IT WITHOUT ALL OF THEM. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE MORAL OF TODAYS BLOG THROUGH MY EYES..... IN LIFE, WE ARE ALL BLESSED WITH A SPECIAL GIFT. WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR GIFT ???? TODAY WE PROVED THAT PULLING TOGETHER AS A TOUR, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE .... THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR SHARING YOUR " GIFT " TO HELP OTHERS THAT ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN OURSELVES !!!!!

IN SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST... A SUPER SPECIAL " THANK YOU " GOES OUT TO SOMEONE THAT, NEVER WINS A TROPHY, NEVER WINS ANY MONEY FROM A " SKIN " OR NEVER GETS TO PLAY IN ANY OF THE TOURNEMENTS. SO TODAY IN RECOGNIZING YOUR EFFORTS. ON BEHALF OF ALL THE PLAYERS ON THE MIAGT WE AGREE THAT THE TRUE 2009 MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP BELONGS TO SOMEONE WHO UNSELFISHLY GIVES OF HERSELF EVERY WEEK, THAT PERSON IS........TRINA LAFORE !!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU TRINA FOR HELPING MAKE OUR DETROIT TOUR THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE !!!!!!

CONGRATES TO ALL THE MASTERS CHAMPS GREAT JOB !!!!! SEE YA NEXT WEEK, FRANK SCIBERRAS/ SAL LATELLA

Some photos from the event (click on a photo for the full image):

Some photos our sponsors for the 2009 Masters (click on a photo for the full image):

Things started out beautiful for the second tournament of the year at Fieldstone this past weekend. It was sunny and 80 degrees with a steady 20 mph wind that proved to be quite challenging for the field. Dan Holt and I got there at 8:30am so we could hit balls on the practice range and not have to wait in line for a turn. As we were walking up to the pro shop with our clubs I noticed a Chevy Trailblazer backing up to the clubhouse with the rear hatch open and Todd Hurley, the assistant tour director, guiding him back, upon closer review it was Frank (long ball) Sciberras backing up to dump off his 4000 used golf balls for Earth day. After checking in and making moves on Curtis's wife Trina we headed to the driving range to warm up for the day's events. Being the past years champion for the A flight at this event I felt some added pressure to play well in hopes of retaining the title I pulled out all the stops in preparation for the event. For those of you that don't know my father passed away this December and he was an avid golfer and big supporter of the Tour so I figured I would try and get an added advantage by wearing his golf shoes and underwear to the tournament this weekend to gain an edge on the competition. I was blistering the ball on the practice tees and draining every putt and chip on the green. I was sure today was going to be a great day. After finishing up on the practice tee I turned around and saw Jeremy Johns in his mustard colored attire approaching the clubhouse and I knew I was in trouble. He was looking extremely sharp and I was no match in my father's Nike golf shoes and tighty whities. Any way things were shaping up to be a nice competitive tournament everyone was in a great mood and the weather appeared to be cooperating until we made the turn at number 10 and the sirens started blaring and dark clouds engulfed the course we turned and headed for the cart barn in an attempt to stay dry. Just as we entered the barn I turned and looked back to see tree limbs and garbage cans flying by just like a scene from the Wizard of OZ. The storm rolled in quick and everyone headed to the clubhouse to watch the weather channel and see if we would get back out to finish. As I was making my way to the clubhouse I noticed out of the corner of my eye Frank was limping severely and having a tough time making it there. I stopped to ask him what was wrong and he stated that while he was walking up to the 4th hole Dallas (Bo) Cochrane had come up behind him and shoved him down the hill which caused him to pull something in his calf muscle. This tour is so competitive guys will do anything to win. When I entered the clubhouse I asked Dallas what he was thinking about when he pushed Frank down I got a whole different story. Dallas stated that Frank was trying to make it up the hill using his putter as a crutch and the putter slipped out from underneath him on the wet grass and Frank did like 3 back flips down the hill. I'm not sure who is telling the truth at this point. Anyway after about 45 minutes and 4 beers later the rains let up and the Pro gave us the all clear to head back out. The course was already wet and now after the big down pour we had it was even wetter not to mention the down trees and limbs that were lying on the course. While in the clubhouse I had surveyed the competition to see how everyone was playing and found scores to be consistently low despite the wet conditions. We all headed back out to complete our rounds and found that the winds had died down and it was a bit cooler but comfortable. Unfortunately whatever little bit of game I had that day got washed away with the rain and things progressively got worse ending in a score of 90. I hope everyone had a great time and I look forward to seeing everyone at the next tournament. Congrats to all of the winners Great Job!

WELL MR. LATELLA THAT WAS A MIGHTY FINE ANALOGY OF THE DAY EVENTS, BUT, I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THESE BOYS IN CHAMP FLIGHT. I PLAYED ALL LAST YEAR IN " A FLIGHT " AND THE GUYS WERE GREAT AND THE FRIENDSHIPS THAT WERE DEVELOPED ALMOST FELT LIKE A COLLEGE SORORITY OR A TAKEOFF OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. I KNEW GOING INTO THIS YEAR THAT THE COMPETITION WOULD BE STRONGER, LOWER SCORING, LESS MISTAKES AND HARDER TO WIN, BUT I DIDNT THINK THINGS WOULD RESORT TO THIS. DALLAS WAS WATCHING ME ON THE DRIVING RANGE AND I COULD SEE OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE, HIM TALKING TO KRISTY AS IF THEY WERE COMING UP WITH SOME SORT OF PLAN FOR THE DAY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT SHE WAS TALKING TO HIM ABOUT HIS PUTTING FROM LAST WEEK, ( OR THE LACK OF ) BUT THAN I HEARD HER SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE 1 st HOLE. I THOUGHT NO BIG DEAL, A YOUNG COUPLE IN LOVE, THEY WERE PROBABLY TRYING TO WIN THE $75.00 FROM THE GARDEN FRESH SALSA LOW SCORE HOLE AND GO OUT AND HAVE A NICE ROMANTIC DINNER. BUT THINGS BECAME QUITE OBVIOUS AS I FOUND MYSELF COVERED IN MUD ROLLING DOWN THE STEEP GRASS BUNKER SURROUNDING THE 1ST GREEN. THATS RIGHT FOR THE RECORD DALLAS PUSHED ME DOWN THE HILL AND HE QUICKLY TRIED TO COVER THINGS UP BY EXPLAINING " I WAS JUST TRYING TO GIVE FRANK A HUG " AND IT WAS ALL AN ACCIDENT. THAT WOULD OF NEVER OF HAPPEN IN " A FLIGHT "

AFTER GETTING UP AND TRYING TO WIPE OFF THE MUD OF MY NEW CALLAWAY OUTFIT, I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY LEG. BUT I WASNT GOING TO GIVE UP, NOW IT WAS WAR !!! EVEN THOUGH I WAS IN ALOT OF PAIN, I WASNT GOING TO PASS UP THE OPPERTUNITY TO PLAY WITH JOHN " MELLONCAMP " MELLON, DAVE TALSAMA, AND BO COCHRAN. I COULDNT OF ASKED TO BE PAIRED WITH A BETTER FOURSOME. BUT, I COULDNT SWING, SO I ADAPTED TO PLAYING HOCKEY INSTEAD. ADAM SANDLER STYLE. I MANAGED TO KEEP MYSELF IN CONTENTION TIL WE GOT TO THE CLUBHOUSE AND GOT SOME ICE TO PUT ON MY LEG. I DECIDED AT THAT POINT A LONG ISLAND ICE TEA WAS THE ANSWER TO THE PAIN. THE WE HEADED TO THE BACK NINE AND I WAS FEELING GOOD. I TOLD DAVE THAT I WAS GOING TO MAKE MY COMEBACK NOW, AND HE ANSWERED, ?????? DAVE DIDNT SAY 1 WORD FOR 18 HOLES. AND THEN ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. SIRENS GOING OFF TREE LIMBS FLYING EVERYWHERE, 65 MILE AN HOUR WINDS, HAIL THE SIZE OF BASKETBALLS. AND THEN DAVE COMES TO LIFE. HE TALKED MORE IN THE 10 MINUTES IT TOOK US TO GET TO THE CLUBHOUSE THAN HE DID ALL DAY.!!!! WE WERE IN A STORM LIKE IVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE ON THE GOLF COURSE, IT WAS SO BAD I COULDNT SEE OR CATCH MY BREATH.

ONCE WE WERE SAFELY IN THE CLUBHOUSE, DALLAS APOLIGIZED AND BOUGHT ME SOME DRINKS TO HELP ME FORGET ABOUT WHAT HE DID TO ME. HE SAID, THATS WHAT YOU GET FOR BEATING ME LAST WEEK !!! I RESPONDED " HEY DUDE " FORGET ABOUT ME, GO GET KRISTY AND LETS COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR THESE " LUCIA BROTHERS " THEY HIT US OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY LIKE THIS HURRICANE DID, BUT WORSE. WE WAITED FOR THE STORMS TO BLOW OVER AS WE WATCHED THE WEATHER CHANNEL ON TV, AND THEY FORCASTED 75 AND SUNNY FOR NEXT SATURDAY. WELCOME TO THE MIAGT CHAD AND LAYNE !!! THE WEATHER SUPPOSED TO BE BEAUTIFUL NEXT WEEK I TOLD THEM BOTH. WHY DONT YOU TWO STAY HOME AND PAINT THE GARAGE NEXT WEEK, THEY LOOKED AT ME SHOOK THERE HEAD AND JUST SMILED.

TO ALL THE WINNERS THIS WEEK--->GREAT JOB, BE PROUD OF YOUR VICTORY !!!!
TO ALL THE RUNNER UPS--->ONLY 1 PERSON DID BETTER THAN YOU, STAY DETERMINED
TO EVERYONE ELSE---> OUR TURN IS COMING. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

THE MORAL OF TODAYS BLOG IS ........ GOLF IS A VERY CHALLENGING SPORT. IT NOT ONLY TEST YOU MENTALLY, BUT PHYSICALLY AS WELL. I TORE THE MUSCLE IN MY RIGHT CALF, AND ITS IN A WALKING CAST FOR THE NEXT 2-3 WEEKS. SO WITH THIS SPARE TIME I PLAN ON MENTALLY PREPARING WITH MY SHRINK FOR THE MASTERS, AND IM HIRING RON CAIN AS MY STRENTH COACH. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE PLAYING AT ANGELS CROSSING.

MY PREDICTIONS FOR NEXT WEEK WINNERS ARE AS FOLLOWS.............

• CHAMP FLIGHT---> DAVE TALSMA
• A FLIGHT---> SAL LATELLA
• B FLIGHT---> VERGIL SMITH
• C FLIGHT--->BILL LANDIS
• D FLIGHT---> CHARLES McCULLOUGH

SAL AND I HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THE MIAGT TOUR BLOG THROUGH OUR EYES. IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE DONT HESITATE TO LET US KNOW. I WAS THINKING ABOUT HAVING A " FAMILY DAY " AT 1 OF THE EVENTS TO TRY AND DRAW UP SOME SPECTATORS. BRING YOUR WIVES, KIDS, PARENTS, FRIENDS SO THAT THEY CAN SEE WHAT WE DO AND HOW MUCH FUN WE HAVE COMPETING AGAINST SOME TALENTED PLAYERS. AFTERWARDS WE COULD HAVE A LITTLE PICNIC/ BBQ . I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT WAY TO HAVE FUN AND ENVOLVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS. $5.00 A PERSON/GOLFER WE COULD HAVE A NICE CASUAL LUNCH, AND A FEW LAUGHS. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK !!!! SEE YA SOON---- FRANK SCIBERRAS/ SAL LATELLA

Some photos from the event (click on a photo for the full image):

WELL WINTERS OVER AND ITS TIME FOR ANOTHER ACTION PACKED YEAR PLAYING ON THE MIAGT TOUR. 2009 SHOULD BE A VERY EXCITING YEAR FOR EVERYONE. WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT CHANGES TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE POINTS SYSTEM AND THE SEASON BEING BROKEN UP INTO 2 HALVES IT SURE TO MAKE THE SEASON END VERY INTERESTING.

THIS YEAR THE TOUR OPENED UP ON APRIL 11 TH AT EAGLE EYE G.C. IN BATH, MICHIGAN. WITH 73 PLAYERS IN THE FIELD. THERE WAS ALOT OF NEW FACES ON THE DRIVING RANGE AND NOT TO MUCH TALKING GOING ON AS THE PLAYERS WERE TRYING TO WARM UP. THAT WASNT VERY EASY, SEEING THE TEMPS WERE IN THE UPPER 30'S WITH A COLD 20 MPH BREEZE WHIRLING AROUND. I HAVE TO ADMIT, THE RANGE HAD A DIFFERENT FEEL TO IT AS IF THIS YEAR WAS GOING TO BE MORE SERIOUS THEN EVER. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF " WOW " I BETTER GET FOCUSED OR IM GOING TO HAVE A LONG DAY PLAYING FROM 7,400 YARDS AT A COURSE I NEVER PLAYED BEFORE. THEN THE SILENCE WAS BROKE WITH A YELL FROM THE DISTANCE. " BOYS IM HERE " !!!! I LOOK UP AND HERE HE WAS,THE LONGEST HITTER ON TOUR, DRESSED IN ALL WHITE EXCEPT FOR A LITTLE BLACK STRIPE IN HIS SHIRT. I COULD SEE IN SOME PEOPLES EYES, " WHO'S THIS GUY " ? THEN OVER THE MEGA PHONE YOU HEARD THE STARTER INTRODUCING THE 2008 WINNER OF THE " TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP " MR JEREMY JOHNS . I DIDNT TAKE LONG AFTER THAT , EVERYONE WAS TALKING ,PEOPLE WERE JOKING, MOSLTLY ABOUT JEREMY'S OUTFIT, BUT THE TENTION WAS DEFINITLY LIFTED. AND THE GOOD OLE DAYS WERE BACK. SHORTLY AFTER JEREMY GOT DONE SIGNING AUTOGRAPH'S AND TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT HIS 387 YARD DRIVE LAST YEAR, WE HEADED TO OUR CARTS TO GET THE TOURNEMENT STARTED.

IN PASSING THROUGH THE CROWD I RUN INTO SAL LATELLA COMING OFF THE PUTTING GREEN AND WE EXCHANGED OUR BEST WISHES TO EACH OTHER FOR THE DAY, AND HE ASKED ME WHO IM PAIRED WITH ? I SAID JOKING " HOW DO I KNOW CURTIS NEVER PUT THE PAIRINGS ON THE WEBSITE " SAL LAUGHED AND SAID " HE WAS PROBABLY " POLISHING " HIS 2008 TOUR DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR TROPHY " AND MUST OF FORGOT !!!!!!! SORRY SAL I KNOW I TOLD YOU I WOULDNT PRINT THAT BUT,,,, I COULDNT RESIST. CONGRADULATIONS TO CURTIS LAFORE AND TODD HURLEY ON THERE ACCOMPLISHEMENTS. OH YEA I ALMOST FORGOT TO TELL YOU SAL, I GOT PAIRED WITH DALLAS " YOU CAN CALL ME BO " COCHRANE AND JOSH ELLIOT. I TRIED TO ACT CONFIDENT ABOUT BEING PAIRED WITH THE DEFENDING CHAMPION, WINNER OF 8 OUT OF THE 10 TOURNEMENTS HE PLAYED IN, BUT HE COULD TELL I WAS NERVOUS WHEN I HAD A COFFEE IN ONE HAND A CAN OF MONSTER IN THE OTHER AND A CIGARETTE IN MY MOUTH.

WELL WE HEADED FOR OUR RESPECTIVE TEE BOXES, TRYING TO STAY WARM !!! I ARRIVED AT THE 18 TH TEE BOX TO FIND AN INCREDIBLE PAR 5 - 589 YARDS INTO THE WIND, WATER ALL ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE, NO PROBLEM I TOLD MYSELF. I GOT THE HONERS ON THE 1ST TEE AND HIT ONE RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE ABOUT 290. ( 67 YARDS BEHIND JEREMY IM SURE. LOL. ) THE REST WAS HISTORY. I WAS HAPPY WITH THE WAY I PLAYED EXCEPT ONE HOLE, MY LAST. I FINISHED ON THE 17 TH WHICH WAS AN ISLAND GREEN WHICH WAS DESIGNED FROM THE FAMOUS TPC SAWGRASS IN PONTE VEDRA, FLORIDA. I FELT CONFIDENT WALKING TO THE TEE BOX . MY CADDIE HANDED ME MY 8 IRON. I THOUGHT I HIT THE ( PERFECT SHOT ) IT WAS ALL OVER THE STICK. THE CROWD BECAME COMPLETLY SILENT AS YOU COULD HEAR THE BALL HIT THE FLAG STICK ON THE FLY. THE SILENCE SOON TURNED INTO AWWWWWWWWWWW. THE BALL HIT THE FLAG THEN ROLLED OFF THE BACK OF THE GREEN INTO THE WATER. MY HOPES AND DREAMS OF WINNING THE FIRST EVENT OF THE YEAR CAME TO A SCREACHING HALT. OK , NOW THAT I WOKE UP FROM MY DREAM, IT DIDNT REALLY HAPPEN THAT WAY. I TOOK A NICE LITTLE 7 ON THE HOLE. BUT I GUESS WHEN YOUR THE ONE DOING THE WRITTING YOU CAN MAKE IT AS EXCITING AS YOU WANT IT TO BE. AT THIS TIME ID LIKE TO CONGRADULATE ALL THE WINNERS OF THE 1ST EVENT.

!!!! BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, WE INTERUPT THIS NEWSCAST SO THAT WE CAN BRING YOU BREAKING NEWS LIVE FROM BATH MICHIGAN...... HELLO EVERONE THIS IS SAL LATELLA REPORTING LIVE FROM EAGLE EYE GOLF COURSE, IM COVERING THIS UNBELIEVABLE BREAKING STORY . THAT RIGHT EVERYONE ITS TRUE, STERLING HEIGHTS NATIVE FRANK SCIBERRAS DID THE IMPOSSIBLE !!!! HE BEAT DALLAS COCHRANE IN HIS FIRST ATTEMPT IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT. !!!!!!!!!!!! FRANK COULDNT BE REACHED FOR COMMENT, BUT IT WAS SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO RENT THE GOODYEAR BLIMP AND FLY IT OVER DALLAS HOUSE, TO RUB IT IN A LITTLE BIT. STAY TUNED IN AT 11 PM FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS BREAKING STORY.

THE MORAL OF TODAYS BLOG IS......... EVERYONE WANTS TO WIN,,,,, BUT THERE CAN ONLY BE 1 WINNER PER FLIGHT EACH WEEK. AND FOR THE REST OF US WHO DIDNT WIN,,,, ITS NOT WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE, IT HOW YOU CELEBRATE WITH THE WINNERS OF THE DAY. HAVE FUN AND CONGRATES TO THE FOLLOWING :

• CHAD LUCIA - - - - - CHAMP FLIGHT
• JOEL STEIGER - - - - A FLIGHT
• JASON HARRINGTON - - - - SOON TO BE A FLIGHT. GREAT ROUND 76
• RON CAIN - - - - - - - - C FLIGHT YOU DA MAN
• BILL CAIN - - - - - - - - D FLIGHT IS THAT YOUR 10 TH WIN BILL ? WAY TO GO

HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYED THE 1ST OF MANY BLOGS FROM FRANK AND SAL AS THE TOUR SEEN THROUGH OUR PERSPECTIVE. ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE LET US KNOW. IF WE DIDNT PICK ON YOU THIS WEEK WERE SORRY BUT THERES ALWAYS NEXT WEEK. !!!!!! CYA AT FIELDSTONE SATURDAY.

Some photos from the event (click on a photo for the full image):