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The Goat Open got its start as the Big Sexy Invitational in the summer of 2000 as a
going-away party for our own Big Sexy a.k.a. Traveling Burro a.k.a. Kevy. The golf related merriment and debauchery were so well received that the golf outing became a regular event. It even has a set date each year, the third weekend in June*. The following helps chronicle the Goat Open over the years.
*Unless a majority of the "Goat Council" sees fit to have it on the previous or following weekend. |
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The First Annual Goat Open, which was really the Big Sexy Invitational, was held in the summer of 2000 at Manitou Ridge Golf Course in White Bear Lake. An obnoxious cast of characters gathered to play some golf and drink some beer. The weather wasn't the greatest - it was misting before all of the groups teed off. After only a few holes it began to rain. And the rain continued. The golfing was cut short after 9 very wet holes. It may have only been 9 holes, and I don't recall if a winner was actually declared, but it was a fun 9 holes. Recall how easy it was to pull a 360° in the cart, how some groups went 4-wheeling through bunkers, and how Bucky almost crashed his cart into the pond on the last hole. Following the golf there was a party at Muff's. All were drenched and some of us failed to bring a change of clothes. Lee bought a sweet Stone Cold Steve Austin shirt, Bucky and Marquette wore those bumble bee and ladybug baby towel things, and I bought my "Hef" PJs. All in all, the outing was a success.
The 2001 Goat Open was held at Sundance Golf & Bowl in Osseo. What a great idea, golf and bowling together at last. This was a perfect day for golf. The team of Brent E, Jeff, Mandi, and Paul eeked out the Lee and Parmer's group on 18 when Jeff coolly chipped in from the fringe to birdie the 18th hole. Some memorable moments include: Mandi being so drunk that she fell out of our cart, Parmer accidentally running over Lee's putter - collectively they would break 4 clubs that day, and a number of holes played in underwear or less. Apparently the Volks drew the short straw, so they hosted the after golf party and the awards ceremony.
The 2002 Goat Open was held at Elm Creek Golf Course in Plymouth. This was a perfect day for golf, however recent strong rains had made the course rather moist - the normally tame Elm Creek had swelled to a rushing river. This year was memorable because Struck got a speeding ticket rushing to the course, which, of course made him arrive even later. Jay Jackson's team supposedly won the 2002 title, but we all know that's a bunch of BS. I mean I was pretty hammered, but I hadn't completely lost all my senses. They supposedly shot 5 under on the back side, and the gallery saw them take an f^@<ing bogey on the 18th. Oh well, it was still fun. The Volks once again opened their house to this rowdy crowd.
The 2003 Goat Open was once again held at Sundance Golf & Bowl in Osseo. The weather was glorious to start the round, but deteriorated as the day progressed. Lightning mixed with a torrential downpour suspended play during the later portion of the round for some groups. This was the first year that the "Struck and Elliott Rule" was used. This new rule allowed teams to subtract 1 stroke from their score for every 10 beers that they drank. The team of Cubbie, Brad (a.k.a. Captain Camel Toe), Mandi, and Jeff destroyed field with 8 under - a natural 3 under par plus another -5 strokes for the 50+ beers they drank. The Bjugstads hosted the shindig.
The 2004 Goat Open was held at Willow Creek Golf Course in Rochester. There had been lots of rain prior to the open, but the day of the open was perfect. The course was a little soggy in spots, but real golfers don't let a little water bother them. This was the first year that we gave out tees - "Drink More in '04". 2004 four was also the year that Mandi made a prank walkie-talkie call to say that Angie Volk was going into labor. The "Struck and Elliott Rule" was once again in effect - it was amended to say that groups with pregnant women only needed to drink 7 beers to lose a stroke. Struck, Joan E, and two of PH's doctor friends took the 2004 title despite some questionable putting practices involving the use of some type of "bumpers" and the usual grumblings about possible cheating. John "Muff, the ATOMIC HAMMER" Mulford won the men's long drive on number 7. Mandi took women's longest drive honors on hole 8. Paul edged out Matt for closest to the pin on number 11, but PH came right back and sank the longest putt on 14. Matt and Nikki provided the post golf party location.
The 2005 Goat Open took place at Bristol Ridge Golf Course outside of Sommerset, Wisconsin on June 18. Muff and Joan E. were the organizers of the 2005 gathering, and they must have pulled a few strings because it was a gorgeous day. The 2005 Open started on hole number 10, which only added to the usual pre-tournament chaos. Joan E. got everyone started with a little prize pack hook up from the unofficial sponsor, The Roof Depot. As usual, the Open was a crazy, beer drinking golf adventure filled with a bunch of memorable moments. For instance, there were a few separate occurrences in which a cart may have rolled over. A turtle was spotted on one of the fairways and he posed for pictures, and only 20 minutes later a number of groups saw a black bear on the course. One of the rangers said that next time they should get t-shirts that say "Goat Herder" on them. Remember the crazy blond chick yelling at everybody around the last green when she was trying to get us to disperse, turn in our carts, and get off the course. I guess that it was warranted after a six hour round... Funny, it didn't seem that long.
Finally, we had a tournament where there was no controversy surrounding the winning team. Elliott, Kristen (who was money all day), Adam J, and Mary claimed the 2005 championship. The winning team got sweet pullovers as prizes. Muff took the closest to the pin honors on hole 11, which was pretty impressive with the windy conditions. PH showed the rest of the men who was "gay" by thrusting a ball deep on hole 6. It was no surprise that Kristen won the women's long drive on number 7. Kim Banks won the longest putt on number 9 with a long roll that may have had a little help finding the hole. The big losers on the day were Lee, Schneider, Kim, and Jeff. Kevy was another big winner because he was able to polish off 26 drinks at the course.
The party was a good time with good food, and the location was awesome because it was on a lake and partygoers could take a little dip to cool off. The party was only fun if you could get there - apparently, to add some irony to the event, all of the "doctors" that came up from Rochester couldn't find the party. Much like the first Open was organized as a going away party for Kevy, this Open served as a chance to wish Matt and Nikki well as they take off for Tucson. All in all it was a successful Open and good Goat time had by all! A big thanks goes out to Muff-a-lupagus and Joan E. Now go check out the pictures. Not enough, maybe you'll like these pictures.
The 2006 Goat Open took place at Sundance for the third time on June 17th. Apparently they never learn. The Open once again got lucky, and we had an OK day, there was only a little weather toward the end of the round. As usual, the Open had a bunch of memorable moments, for those that are drawing a blank, here's the recap: golf; drinking; drunk people falling out of carts; the accident; etc. The team of Nikki, Kyle K., & Jeff S took home the hardware with 11 under par including 4 under from drinks (sounds like somebody might have taken advantage of the honor system). Kevy won the men's long drive on #4 (probably with his 7 iron). Amy, Joan E's niece, took the women's long drive on #12. Lee was closest to the pin on #17. Kevy also holed the longest putt on #18. Thanks again to the Strucks for hosting and to the Volks for taking in some of the overflow.
The 2007 Goat Open took place at the majestic Fox Hollow Golf Club in St. Michael, Minnesota. This fantastic course once played host to the Old Speckled Hen Open, but on June 9, 2007 (Because Struck had conflicts with the standard date) the GOAT OPEN faithful descended upon this course and made it their collective b!tch. ***The 2007 link will take you to the 2006 page because somebody still needs to put together the 2007 page.***
The highlights from the 2007 will be added soon, so don't get your panties in a bunch.
Dust off your clubs and hit the range. It's time to get ready for THE NINTH ANNUAL GOAT OPEN. The OPEN is scheduled for June 21, 2008. This highly anticipated sporting and social event will make its debut at the lovely Hawley Golf & Country Club nestled in the heart of the lakes area, Hawley, Minnesota (a mere 22 miles from downtown Fargo). This wonderful tract has played host to Hawley Men's Night and a number of high school tournaments, including some cross-country meets. And now it will be the stage upon which one of the summer's greatest sports dramas will play. So put on your drinking hats and dig that crusty old golf glove out of your bag because its time to play some golf - goat style. By the way, the Schmidgalls have taken the plunge and will host the after-party and awards ceremony for the first time ever.
Let's get pumped up for the 2008 Goat Open! Here's what you need to know: 1) Arrive early; 2) Drink responsibly (or ride with someone who does); 3) Play golf; 4) Have FUN! 4.5) Drink some more!
The countdown to the 2008 Goat Open.
The spirit of the Goat Open was best summarized by Jeff Y. When responding to being invited to the 2006 Open he said, "I like golf and drinking, so I'm in."
Here are the Official 2008 Rules.
Updated: June 18, 2008 (Added new 2008 rules.)
