From bass to birdies

Day 2 of AOY Championship might have been canceled, but the impromptu Bassmaster GOY (Golfer of the Year) Championship was in full swing.

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Skeet Reese takes some practice swings.
Skeet Reese takes some practice swings.
So does Chris Zaldain.
So does Chris Zaldain.
But he’s jerking his head off the ball and gets some advice.
But he’s jerking his head off the ball and gets some advice.
And then a demonstration.
And then a demonstration.
Meanwhile, Reese continues to warm up.
Meanwhile, Reese continues to warm up.
A rod in Zaldain’s bag has a frog tied to it, in case there are some good water hazards on the course full of fish.
A rod in Zaldain’s bag has a frog tied to it, in case there are some good water hazards on the course full of fish.
Reese clowns around with animal head covers on Deb Stout’s clubs.
Reese clowns around with animal head covers on Deb Stout’s clubs.
Brett Hite gets a few swings in before the match begins.
Brett Hite gets a few swings in before the match begins.
Chris Lane looks for balls in the woods.
Chris Lane looks for balls in the woods.
So does Zaldain.
So does Zaldain.
Steve Bowman clutches his chest, laughing hard after Brett Hite threw his golf club in the trees on his second swing of the day.
Steve Bowman clutches his chest, laughing hard after Brett Hite threw his golf club in the trees on his second swing of the day.
Hite, embarrassed, begins to look for the errant club.
Hite, embarrassed, begins to look for the errant club.
Like every golfer, he thinks it traveled farther than it did.
Like every golfer, he thinks it traveled farther than it did.
The club actually landed in a ditch nearby.
The club actually landed in a ditch nearby.
Chris Zaldain and Chris Lane play in the fairway.
Chris Zaldain and Chris Lane play in the fairway.
While Skeet plays in the sand.
While Skeet plays in the sand.
But he comes out of it.
But he comes out of it.
Just like a pro.
Just like a pro.
Sending a burst of sand and the ball...
Sending a burst of sand and the ball…
...toward the green.
…toward the green.
Hite was ambushed by someone loosening his straps on his clubs.
Hite was ambushed by someone loosening his straps on his clubs.
The game took place at Gladstone Golf Club.
The game took place at Gladstone Golf Club.
Some of the pros kept their rods in their bag, just in case.
Some of the pros kept their rods in their bag, just in case.
Bobby Lane looks for an errant shot.
Bobby Lane looks for an errant shot.
As does Zaldain
As does Zaldain
While Deb Stout goes crawdad fishing.
While Deb Stout goes crawdad fishing.
Every hole came complete with a gallery.
Every hole came complete with a gallery.
At times there was a cause for celebration.
At times there was a cause for celebration.
Bobby Lane holds up the ball he holed from off the green.
Bobby Lane holds up the ball he holed from off the green.
Hite shows off the Gladstone Braves golf ball he found on the course.
Hite shows off the Gladstone Braves golf ball he found on the course.
Steve Bowman hides behind a tree as Bobby Lane and Skeet Reese move over to join him.
Steve Bowman hides behind a tree as Bobby Lane and Skeet Reese move over to join him.
They are also joined by Jacob Powroznik, none of which wanted to get hit...
They are also joined by Jacob Powroznik, none of which wanted to get hit…
...by Chris Zaldain.
…by Chris Zaldain.
Bassmaster cameraman Carey Barrett flies a drone to catch the action.
Bassmaster cameraman Carey Barrett flies a drone to catch the action.
While Skeet and Bobby Lane try to get on the green in regulation.
While Skeet and Bobby Lane try to get on the green in regulation.
The tee box was always crowded and at times included the Bassmaster television cameras.
The tee box was always crowded and at times included the Bassmaster television cameras.
But when it came time for an important shot, the anglers always shifted into serious gear.
But when it came time for an important shot, the anglers always shifted into serious gear.
After lining up the putt, Skeet strikes it.
After lining up the putt, Skeet strikes it.
He jumps for joy at making the 30 footer.
He jumps for joy at making the 30 footer.
And then he runs around like he just won the Classic.
And then he runs around like he just won the Classic.
On the next tee box, Skeet tries to drive a topwater frog cast on the box by one angler.
On the next tee box, Skeet tries to drive a topwater frog cast on the box by one angler.
But the tee box did see some serious golf.
But the tee box did see some serious golf.
And anglers dissecting some serious shots.
And anglers dissecting some serious shots.
The rolling anglers created a convoy every time they moved.
The rolling anglers created a convoy every time they moved.
Often times filling up the fairway.
Often times filling up the fairway.
Whenever there was water, one of the anglers would almost certainly make a few casts.
Whenever there was water, one of the anglers would almost certainly make a few casts.
And there was always plenty of laughing.
And there was always plenty of laughing.
And joking.
And joking.
Along with heartbreak...
Along with heartbreak…
...and celebration.
…and celebration.
Powroznik powers a drive down the fairway.
Powroznik powers a drive down the fairway.
Chris Lane holds the flag.
Chris Lane holds the flag.
At times they played in the woods.
At times they played in the woods.
Or on the cart path.
Or on the cart path.
Taking cover when the needed to.
Taking cover when the needed to.
Especially when one of them found themselves hitting from the timber.
Especially when one of them found themselves hitting from the timber.
Because you never know where it’s going.
Because you never know where it’s going.
Every shot provided some sort of reaction.
Every shot provided some sort of reaction.
Some of it good.
Some of it good.
Some of it goofy.
Some of it goofy.
or real goofy.
or real goofy.
Other shots produced despair.
Other shots produced despair.
and others happiness.
and others happiness.
But these guys played the game.
But these guys played the game.
Often times hitting the ball...
Often times hitting the ball…
...like a PGA pro.
…like a PGA pro.
And hamming it up...
And hamming it up…
...the whole time.
…the whole time.
After all, good shots deserve a high five.
After all, good shots deserve a high five.
Chris Lane powers a drive.
Chris Lane powers a drive.
Brett Hite powers through one.
Brett Hite powers through one.
Almost falling to the ground and making Skeet fall laughing.
Almost falling to the ground and making Skeet fall laughing.
Zaldain and Lane enjoyed it as well.
Zaldain and Lane enjoyed it as well.
Zaldain couldn’t stop laughing.
Zaldain couldn’t stop laughing.
Paul Elias sends this one to with 6 feet of the flag.
Paul Elias sends this one to with 6 feet of the flag.
While Lane and Powroznik hide behind a tree.
While Lane and Powroznik hide behind a tree.
Each one of them had their own style.
Each one of them had their own style.
And their own form.
And their own form.
Even from the ladies’ tees.
Even from the ladies’ tees.
The whole group never stopped enjoying the day.
The whole group never stopped enjoying the day.