ESCANABA, Mich. — The first-ever and arguably last-ever Bassmaster GOY (Golfer of the Year) Championship can best be summed up by Brett Hite's second swing in this impromptu event.
Hite, who caught the heaviest bag of smallmouth on Lake Michigan the day before in the Bassmaster AOY Championship, is a flawless angler. As a golfer, not so much.
That second swing came about 350 yards from the first hole, a par 5, 491-yard dogleg left. Sitting just on the edge of the rough, Hite addressed his ball much like Bubba Watson, even looking like he would be at home on a walk down the fairway at Augusta. But his poised impression went away after his swing. The club head came close to the ball, but not enough to move it.
The club?
His fairway wood went farther than his initial drive, crashing into tree limbs and unceremoniously bouncing its way to the ground.
"Obviously, this is not my game," Hite said while the rest of the field rolled on the ground practically in tears. “This is why I fish for a living.”
The field included anglers Paul Elias, Skeet Reese, Jacob Powroznik, Brett Hite, Chris Zaldain and Bobby and Chris Lane, along with a gallery of several friends and wives, including Deb Stout, wife of Bassmaster Magazine senior writer Louie Stout and Dave Precht, editor of BASS Times.
They all witnessed Hite’s start, which was fitting for anglers more accustomed to landing fish than accumulating birdies.
That's not to say there weren't skills demonstrated in the contest. There were some moments of brilliance and some great golf shots, but there were more worms burned, more chili dipped shots, more limbs broken and more double and triple bogies than should be allowed in any one golf match.
Even though, many times it was uttered, as the wind howled through the trees, "I'm so glad we are not out there on the water."
It was plain to see that these anglers have more of a place driving a boat on rough water than they do driving a golf ball. There were healthy dose of slices and hooks.
None of that diminished the fun and camaraderie these guys built after a long season the Elite Series.
With more wind forecast and rough conditions certain, getting back to the water isn’t a given Saturday. Those worries were forgotten Friday over 9 holes taking three hours — the time it would take a PGA pro to play 18 holes – and although it was ugly, but it was certainly fun.
“This is the most entertaining cancelled day I've ever had,’’ Skeet Reese said. “I've never seen 11 carts playing the same hole.
“I hope tomorrow is cancelled. We will do it again.”
Of course that comes from an angler who has nothing to win and very little to gain in the regular AOY Championship. As for the GOY, it was a different story.
Reese was paired with Bobby Lane, and they didn’t mince words.
“This is the best day off we've ever had in our lives,” Lane said. “It’s enjoyable playing with my brother and all the other pros. Not to mention we are leading the tournament.
“After all, it IS all about the money.”
While there was no overall pot nor did they actually award a title of GOY, but it didn’t stop them from putting money on the line on virtually every hole. There was a $5 toss-in for closest to the hole on every Par 3, along with other additional side pots.
None of these anglers will ever make the PGA, but there was some really good golf shots made through the first round. You couldn’t have known that from the comments that floated around.
Most of them were unprintable, something not uncommon on any golf course in the world. But hearing Powroznik yell out, “I hate this stupid game,” after making a poor shot, or listening to Zaldain say “What are they doing, looking for crawdads?” at the sight of an Elite angler searching for his ball, made it worth more than the price of admission.
It was worth just watching the interaction, like the emotions these guys normally don't show at a weigh-in when one of their compatriots doesn't catch them.
When Powroznik chili-dipped from the fairway, there was a chorus of "yes" led by Skeet Reese.
While bass has its gentlemanly rules and golf certainly has its, they in no way intertwine.
The bloodthirsty will to win that makes these guys great on the water is present on the terra firma, and they certainly showed more in this friendly match.
Which is why, even though the AOY was cancelled for the day, the GOY more than made up for in competitive spirit.
“I've seen some good golf today,” said Chris Lane, who along with his brother, Bobby were the best players on the course. “We are ready for some PGA/fishing tournaments. I know there are some golfers who are good fishermen. Whether we have good fishermen good at golf doesn't matter.”
Maybe this won’t be the last one.