OrangeTown
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I was thinking about doing a big elaborate summary of this past weekend, as I attended my first ever Fine Mess tailgate and also participated in the first of what I hope are many Orangeyes Opens. But, I’m just going to stick to the basics, as there have been plenty of posts about them already.
First off, the tailgate was fantastic. Being my first ever, I wanted to show up early to make sure I found it and was able to find parking and not get in the way. Jeremy was there unloading and kindly watched over the few things I dropped off while I went and parked and walked back to the lot. By the time I got back, it was starting to fill up and I had the pleasure of watching Bees unload 100 pounds of ice in one pound increments. Clarkson ingenuity at its finest! (Yes, I’ve been known to embellish when storytelling).
I met Cusenewbie and his brother-in-law and chatted with them for a bit as I watched all the other regulars setting up and chatting. I must admit I was nervous as it was obvious everyone knew each other for the most part, but I was determined to try to meet as many new people as possible while also trying to avoid being a pain in the butt to those who were working the tailgate.
I found my way to TexanMark and he was extremely helpful and pleasant in pointing out a few people I needed to touch base with. He also pointed me in the direction of Retro, who was extremely gracious in procuring me a ticket to the game. Much obliged to you both. Since Mark was so helpful and did such a great job with everything, I won’t come down on him too hard for leaving the game early before the missed field goal.
The jambalaya that was prepared was out of this world. I believe it was made by CajunCuse, and I tip my hat to you, sir. I would kill for your recipe if you are willing to divulge. I will never, ever pick up a box of Zatarain’s again. Jeremy and Mark manned the grills like seasoned veterans and Mark did a good job of not letting anyone go without having something. The beef sticks were fantastic with a nice little spice to them – they reminded me of ones my Uncle used to get me when I was younger – I think he got them from Liehs & Steigerwald maybe? Anyway, awesome stuff.
I brought a jar of habanero pickles from the Old Forge Hardware store, but I don’t think they were too much of a hit. I got introduced to one of the men who was supposed to be in my foursome the next day in the Orangeyes Open, Mr. DCCuse. Unfortunately, he had to back out due to work issues, and after seeing the team I had the next day, I’d have to say he made a wise choice. Rick – it was great meeting you. I enjoyed our conversation and thanks for helping me identify a lot of the people at the tailgate.
Speaking of my golf team, eventually none other than Mr. CuseTroop himself finally showed up. He and his father were the other 2 members on my team for the Open. Let me just start by saying the Adam is one hell of a good looking guy (have I mentioned my propensity for embellishment?). Had a great time talking with him and his father – they both have great senses of humor and know how to have a good time.
I got to meet Dan’s son, Brian, and I must say he is one hell of a guy. Brian, it was an honor to talk to you and I can tell the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Anyway, eventually it was time to head up to the game (thanks again, Retro!). I got in, grabbed a couple beers for CuseTroop and his father, and headed up to hang out with some of the Fine crew in 301. It was vacant enough up there to sit wherever, so I plopped down in front of DCCuse and got ready for the game. Unfortunately, the usher of the section wouldn’t let Adam in since his ticket wasn’t in the section, so I was forced to drink both beers myself. The things I do for people…
I have a new appreciation for the recaps Tom gives us in his “My Take” threads. The man is very likely the loudest person I’ve ever heard at an SU game and I have no clue how he can focus so well on the intricacies of the game with all the blood he must have rushing to his head. Yet somehow he does it extremely well and makes it look easy. It is 4 days later and I still hear “YOU GOT NOTHING!” in my head when I lay down at night for bed.
I won’t go into detail on the game, as so many others (including Tom) have done so much better than I ever could, but it definitely got loud and crazy at the end of both regulation and the game. Adam hurt his back running up and down the aisle. I think he was trying to block the field goal from where we were sitting or something. Oh, did I mention TexanMark left early?
The next morning at the golf course, I grabbed some of my things from Tom’s car, as he was kind enough to hold them for me overnight so I wouldn’t have to leave them out in the lot during the game. Tom, I really appreciated that. I know how busy you were with everything,
Registration was quick and painless, and we were soon off to hole #3 to start our day. It was me, Adam, Adam’s Dad, Kevin and Kevin (I apologize I do not remember your board names, gentlemen). After a scorching bogie/double bogey start, we felt we had given the rest of the field a big enough head start and should start playing for real. We started tearing it up with pars upon pars. I could sense the rest of the field getting nervous as we barely missed birdie putt after birdie putt. I’m still disappointed that we missed a pretty easy 15 foot uphill eagle putt on 7.
All joking aside, I think we all knew our team wasn’t going to be competitive, but we had a blast and that’s what we were there for. Brian and Tom did a fantastic job with everything, and Niko did a great job on the microphone and I’m sure he did a ton of other stuff that I didn’t even know about. All in all, everyone involved did a fantastic job especially considering the abbreviated timeline with which they had to work.
The prizes were fantastic, and it goes without saying that everyone who donated should be thanked, most notably CTO, Crusty, and Niko. I was the lucky winner of Joyce’s courtside seats for a future game, and someone got a fantastic deal with an endowment package to next year’s PGA Memorial in Ohio. If I had known Tom was taking credit cards, I might have bumped up my bid a bit. Tickets to football games, autographed memorabilia, pictures, golf clubs, passes to some great courses (Pompey, Timber Banks), gift cards, and much more was raffled off. Chris Gedney gave a great talk on the Chron’s Disease and the importance of increasing awareness as well as how it impacted him when he was younger.
I'm saddened that it took me so long to finally make one of these events and that I missed the opportunity to meet Orangeyes in person, but it is clear that his memory is going to live on forever through his family and friends.
Well, that turned out longer than I planned. I hope I covered just about everything. Thanks to everyone for making it a great weekend.
Edit: Oh, how could I forget? I also had the good fortune of meeting the lovely Cherie who did her best to woo me and CuseTroop while taking our picture. Pretty sure Tom hired her to get into our heads and throw us off our game. Luckily Adam was already smitten with me and I had my head firmly in our golf game.
First off, the tailgate was fantastic. Being my first ever, I wanted to show up early to make sure I found it and was able to find parking and not get in the way. Jeremy was there unloading and kindly watched over the few things I dropped off while I went and parked and walked back to the lot. By the time I got back, it was starting to fill up and I had the pleasure of watching Bees unload 100 pounds of ice in one pound increments. Clarkson ingenuity at its finest! (Yes, I’ve been known to embellish when storytelling).
I met Cusenewbie and his brother-in-law and chatted with them for a bit as I watched all the other regulars setting up and chatting. I must admit I was nervous as it was obvious everyone knew each other for the most part, but I was determined to try to meet as many new people as possible while also trying to avoid being a pain in the butt to those who were working the tailgate.
I found my way to TexanMark and he was extremely helpful and pleasant in pointing out a few people I needed to touch base with. He also pointed me in the direction of Retro, who was extremely gracious in procuring me a ticket to the game. Much obliged to you both. Since Mark was so helpful and did such a great job with everything, I won’t come down on him too hard for leaving the game early before the missed field goal.
The jambalaya that was prepared was out of this world. I believe it was made by CajunCuse, and I tip my hat to you, sir. I would kill for your recipe if you are willing to divulge. I will never, ever pick up a box of Zatarain’s again. Jeremy and Mark manned the grills like seasoned veterans and Mark did a good job of not letting anyone go without having something. The beef sticks were fantastic with a nice little spice to them – they reminded me of ones my Uncle used to get me when I was younger – I think he got them from Liehs & Steigerwald maybe? Anyway, awesome stuff.
I brought a jar of habanero pickles from the Old Forge Hardware store, but I don’t think they were too much of a hit. I got introduced to one of the men who was supposed to be in my foursome the next day in the Orangeyes Open, Mr. DCCuse. Unfortunately, he had to back out due to work issues, and after seeing the team I had the next day, I’d have to say he made a wise choice. Rick – it was great meeting you. I enjoyed our conversation and thanks for helping me identify a lot of the people at the tailgate.
Speaking of my golf team, eventually none other than Mr. CuseTroop himself finally showed up. He and his father were the other 2 members on my team for the Open. Let me just start by saying the Adam is one hell of a good looking guy (have I mentioned my propensity for embellishment?). Had a great time talking with him and his father – they both have great senses of humor and know how to have a good time.
I got to meet Dan’s son, Brian, and I must say he is one hell of a guy. Brian, it was an honor to talk to you and I can tell the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Anyway, eventually it was time to head up to the game (thanks again, Retro!). I got in, grabbed a couple beers for CuseTroop and his father, and headed up to hang out with some of the Fine crew in 301. It was vacant enough up there to sit wherever, so I plopped down in front of DCCuse and got ready for the game. Unfortunately, the usher of the section wouldn’t let Adam in since his ticket wasn’t in the section, so I was forced to drink both beers myself. The things I do for people…
I have a new appreciation for the recaps Tom gives us in his “My Take” threads. The man is very likely the loudest person I’ve ever heard at an SU game and I have no clue how he can focus so well on the intricacies of the game with all the blood he must have rushing to his head. Yet somehow he does it extremely well and makes it look easy. It is 4 days later and I still hear “YOU GOT NOTHING!” in my head when I lay down at night for bed.
I won’t go into detail on the game, as so many others (including Tom) have done so much better than I ever could, but it definitely got loud and crazy at the end of both regulation and the game. Adam hurt his back running up and down the aisle. I think he was trying to block the field goal from where we were sitting or something. Oh, did I mention TexanMark left early?
The next morning at the golf course, I grabbed some of my things from Tom’s car, as he was kind enough to hold them for me overnight so I wouldn’t have to leave them out in the lot during the game. Tom, I really appreciated that. I know how busy you were with everything,
Registration was quick and painless, and we were soon off to hole #3 to start our day. It was me, Adam, Adam’s Dad, Kevin and Kevin (I apologize I do not remember your board names, gentlemen). After a scorching bogie/double bogey start, we felt we had given the rest of the field a big enough head start and should start playing for real. We started tearing it up with pars upon pars. I could sense the rest of the field getting nervous as we barely missed birdie putt after birdie putt. I’m still disappointed that we missed a pretty easy 15 foot uphill eagle putt on 7.
All joking aside, I think we all knew our team wasn’t going to be competitive, but we had a blast and that’s what we were there for. Brian and Tom did a fantastic job with everything, and Niko did a great job on the microphone and I’m sure he did a ton of other stuff that I didn’t even know about. All in all, everyone involved did a fantastic job especially considering the abbreviated timeline with which they had to work.
The prizes were fantastic, and it goes without saying that everyone who donated should be thanked, most notably CTO, Crusty, and Niko. I was the lucky winner of Joyce’s courtside seats for a future game, and someone got a fantastic deal with an endowment package to next year’s PGA Memorial in Ohio. If I had known Tom was taking credit cards, I might have bumped up my bid a bit. Tickets to football games, autographed memorabilia, pictures, golf clubs, passes to some great courses (Pompey, Timber Banks), gift cards, and much more was raffled off. Chris Gedney gave a great talk on the Chron’s Disease and the importance of increasing awareness as well as how it impacted him when he was younger.
I'm saddened that it took me so long to finally make one of these events and that I missed the opportunity to meet Orangeyes in person, but it is clear that his memory is going to live on forever through his family and friends.
Well, that turned out longer than I planned. I hope I covered just about everything. Thanks to everyone for making it a great weekend.
Edit: Oh, how could I forget? I also had the good fortune of meeting the lovely Cherie who did her best to woo me and CuseTroop while taking our picture. Pretty sure Tom hired her to get into our heads and throw us off our game. Luckily Adam was already smitten with me and I had my head firmly in our golf game.
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