“And so, like the blessed sunrise that ushers in hope, love, and all things that make life on earth a joy, the Hubbell Open is again upon us. Yet unlike that glorious astronomical event that kisses all of God's creatures every 24 hours, this blazing fireball will leave in it's wake but one happy champion, while all others will limp off once again to the shadows for 365 sun cycles of self-recriminations and soul crushing regret. If you're not willing to gamble heart ache, then you'll never win glory. You gotta love the arena!!”
We got that email from my brother, Andy this week. That’s right folks, it’s time once again for the Hubbell Open!
If you haven’t been paying attention, the two day golf tournament involving three generations of my family takes place in the midst of our annual family reunion. No one has to play who doesn’t feel like it and anyone in the family who wants to play is in, not matter their level of ability, along with any friends they invite. It’s an ‘open’ tournament in that anyone in the family, through birth, marriage or adoption is in but it’s an invitational for anyone else.
This year, it’s really only two generations, as my Dad is not playing. Some of the other members of the senior division were heard to scoff "a broken neck? A likely excuse." After all, it's not like his neck is broken any more. He's out of the brace! Dad is killing it in PT but he's not up to 18 holes yet, even with a cart. He did, however, enlist Margy to drive him around in a cart (thanks, Kurt!) and watch much of the first round of play.
This year, most of the field is made up of third generation Hubbells. Mike and Tyler have been joined over the years by Chad, Tucker, Hootie, WoodyIII, Vince, Gus, Finbar and Holden. Andy 2 and Cary didn’t get their names in on time so they caddied for Fin. Zack and Adam are still hold-outs but I think Adam could be talked into playing next year.
So far, after two dozen years, the females in the family have held firm to their philosophy of “Golf is boring and takes too long”, so we still await the first use of the ladies’ tees.
This, despite the fact that everyone knows the girls in our family are by far the best athletes. We have drawers full of medals and nothing to prove.
I digress.
The day of the first round of play also happened to be Dad’s 91stbirthday. We always have a big end of tournament party, so we decided to celebrate his birthday at the same time.
What that meant was that we didn’t have a birthday cake on Saturday night. Not that one was missed; Meg supplied us with two kinds of homemade tarts and her macaroons. Meg is magnificent in the kitchen!
Mom did up ten racks of ribs, slow cooked most of the afternoon and we threw together some veggies and salad as well.
We think there were about 42 people at the house for dinner. This is NOT the party.