Circle Archives

By ROC-It on 05/27/2014 at 9:47 am

On May 17th, after a long, brutally cold winter, The Circle finally got its 2014 season under way.  The question was, whose game had thawed enough to win the first major tournament of the year … The Masters? Many of The Circle’s best showed up to battle for the Black Jacket: Billy D, Ron “Black Mamba” Pullie, Isaac “Darkman” Carter, Rodney “RJ” Harrington, Gerald “G Money” Beechum, ROC-It Crockett; and emerging from hibernation, Alex “Superman” Adams, to name just a few. Would Alex still have his super powers? Would Black Mamba bite? Could ROC-it soar to his third black jacket? Would Billy D get his first?

To make the competition fair, everyone was playing to his assigned tournament target. And just like the pro tourney at Augusta National, this competition heated up on Ravisloe’s back nine. Beechum bolted out in front after 9 holes with a solid 44. Crockett was close behind. But both players backed up when they double-bogeyed No. 14. In fact, No. 14, the longest par 4 on the back, snared several guys. Adams doubled No. 14 as well, and couldn’t overcome a rusty driver down the stretch (or was it the Kryptonite someone snuck in his bag?). Pullie was also 2-over on No. 14 and stumbled home. The only one who prospered on 14 was Darkman, who busted into the light with an impressive 43 over the closing holes to claim a 1-stroke victory. Some complain that he was guilty of a questionable golf ball rule infraction. But after a Commission review, Darkman edged Beechum by one and Pullie and Crockett by two strokes to nab 1st place!

Congratulations Ike! Also, congrats to Bert Allen who claimed the lone skin in the B Flight, and to Adams, Beechum, Harrington, and Pullie for sharing skins in the A flight.

By ROC-It on 06/11/2013 at 10:24 am

Few things serve as a better antidote to the Winter doldrums than a golf trip to the Dominican Republic.  This year’s event did not disappoint.  The weather was perfect, settling into the mid-80s every day with very little humidity!  And the golf was great–one day at the spectacular oceanside Playa Grande course and two at the sporty Playa Dorado.

Veterans of the Invitational like to welcome a newcomer, and this year we indoctrinated Chicago’s Chuck Henderson.  Usually newbies wilt under the Caribbean sun.  But Chuck shined!  An efficient 42 on the front 9 the first day and a hot putter throughout (thanks to the purchase of a new Scotty Cameron flat stick) made Chuck the star golfer of the weekend.  Another highlight was Reggie Dunlop smacking not one but two giant 3-woods–over the ocean and against a stiff, gusting wind–onto a postage stamp green at the Playa Grande course.  Maybe Reggie had a special tip from his caddie (we had great caddies every day!).  Who knows?  But founders Billy D and ROC-It Crockett are still trying to figure out how he did it.

The pictures below give you a glimpse into the good time had by all!

By ROC-It on 10/20/2012 at 7:22 pm

The golf gods smiled on us again in 2012. After an early autumn downpour soaked players during the Circle’s Friday team competition, the sun appeared on Saturday and Sunday and made the ninth annual Circle of Friends Championship one to remember. The field was a bit smaller this year, but the competition was no less fierce as TK golfers once again waged battle over the Dye-abolical layout at Ruffled Feathers in Lemont, Illinois.

The individual competition was divided into three flights: A+, A, and B/C.  The B/C flight was won by a relative newbie, “Dr.” Michael Holmes. Holmes played like the rest of the B/C field on Day 1, carding a pedestrian 99. But he must have had a bowl of Wheaties and a bottle of 5-hour-Energy before Day 2. He put on his best A-flight impression, catching fire out of the gate to post a 38 on the front 9 and then keeping her steady over the back to finish with a phenomenal 83.  How good was Mike’s weekend? His combined score of 182 would have placed Mike second in the A flight!  The rest of the flight wasn’t even close. Pre-tournament B/C-flight favorite, Commissioner Billy Dexter (199) was a distant second and Ronnie Payne (net-205) came in third.

The A-flight was missing some usual suspects. No Big O. No DJ Quik. No Blade. So the battle was expected to come down to a handful of other perennial favorites: Thomas “Pretty Ricky” Harvey, Ron “Sand Bagga” Pullie, Steve “Smack Talk” Canty and Roger “ROC-it” Crockett.  As in past years, big egos and big sticks are no match for “The Ruffled.”  Those who come in talking too much smack and trying to smack their drivers off the tee, get humbled by this golf course. This year was no different. Most of the A-flighters couldn’t break 90 on Day 1 … except for ROC-it. He carded an 89 to grab the Day 1 lead. And that was after a mysterious 5-putt on the slick 17th green gave him a tripe bogey. But ROC-it regrouped and continued his strong play on Day 2 to total (180) for the weekend and claim a long-awaited A-flight victory. Pretty Ricky (187) came in second and Pullie took third (192).

The A+ flight was no surprise. The Circle forced Tommy “Long Ball” Blanchard to give strokes to the field, and it still was no contest. Tommy posted 79-79 for a 158 weekend total. Nobody really came close.

Oh, and by the way, ROC-it’s A-Flight win, combined with his participation in all of the season’s Circle events (including victory in the Circle PGA Championship) earned him the coveted Circle of Friends Cup … awarded to the most prolific golfer of the year! Congratulations ROC!

Finally, give it up for the team of Wallace Harris, Larry Kirkwood and Ronnie Payne took Friday’s team competition with their score of 76. The team competition was contested at Odyssey Country Club and benefited brother Reggie Dunlop’s Success 4 Youth Foundation. All proceeds from the entire weekend went to this worthy cause that provides scholarships for our kids.

Thanks to all that participated. We hope to see you soon … on the short grass!

PRIZES

Longest Drive – Day 1: ROC-It Crockett & Tommy Blanchard; Day 2: ROC-It

Closest to Pin – Day 1: Tommy Blanchard; Day 2: ROC-It Crockett

Longest Putt – Day 1: Frank Smith; Day 2: Tommy Blanchard,

Best Dressed – Steve Canty

Tracy Jackson Spirit Award – Frank “Red” Smith

By ROC-It on 06/09/2012 at 3:23 pm

Some guys make a lot of noise when they win. Others do it quietly. No hoopla. No chest pumping. Just a nod and a smile as they walk off with their trophy. Count Ron “Brown Suga” Pullie among those quiet winners. But don’t sleep on him. Remember, Pullie won the British Open two years ago. And this year he snuck up and claimed another major title, this year’s US Open. Before you know it, he’ll have all four majors in his trophy case.

Pullie posted a 92, just above his target and good enough to edge the field on a tough layout at Stonewall Orchard in Grayslake, Ill. The performance was a lesson in the value of preparation. Circle Tour sources say that Pullie played Stonewall twice before he teed it up in the Open. That means Brotha Man knew this course cold, and his confidence helped him prevail. Congratulations Ron!

By ROC-It on 05/09/2012 at 3:21 pm

When you play the Masters you have to bring your A-game. You have to be ready to Tiger-up (Version 1.0 of Tiger). You have to be ready to smoke one through the trees and stick it close to the pin, like Phil and Bubba did the last couple of years in Augusta. Just like Augusta National, our Masters venue, Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood, demands great play.

For two years in a row Roc-It Crockett took his A-game to the course and then straight to the tailor shop to slip on the winner’s black jacket. But not this year. This Masters belonged to one of the Circle’s new elite, Levar “The Motivator” Fisher. The young guns on the Pro Tour appear to have nothing on this brother. Rory, Rickie, Webb, Dustin, move over. Our young gun mowed down Ravisloe like … well … a linebacker (you know he’s a former NFL linebacker, right?). Fisher carded an enviable 77, well under his target, to blow away the field and claim the prized black jacket. Now, that’s motivating! Congrats, Levar!

By ROC-It on 04/09/2012 at 3:20 pm

Phoenix golf has rarely been this close to perfect: Mid 80-degree temperatures, no wind, cloudless skies, and the pristine fairways and greens of Longbow and Las Sendas golf clubs. About 16 brothers enjoyed the golf and the camaraderie in Phoenix. And by the time it was over none of us wanted to go home.

The action started Friday, which served both as a tune-up for the weekend’s individual play and also as a 2-man team competition. Maybe it was the excessive bright sun that had most of the guys a bit giddy Friday. For some reason few could focus on their best golf. The one twosome that found their groove, Crockett & Capers (Team C-Squared), complemented each other perfectly and posted a solid 83 for an easy team victory.

But the weekend accolades belonged to another golfer–none other than Commissioner Billy Dexter. Come to think of it, he almost didn’t even make it to Phoenix, after partying so hard he missed his flight to the desert. Billy D rolled up to the course just in time. And after a mediocre day on Friday, he showed a new and impressive form over the weekend. Say goodbye to “Mr. 100″. The “Snack King” has found a home in the low 90s! Displaying surprising length off the tee (the characteristic left-to-right ball flight has disappeared!) and a putter that was good for at least two bombs a day, the Commish carded 92-96 on two of the fastest, toughest tracks in Phoenix. He was just 4-over his weekend target, two strokes better than second place finisher Gerald “Butch” Beechum and five ahead of Ron “Big Papa” Chandler who took third place hardware back home to California.

Perhaps the most impressive move of the weekend, however, was Dexter playing while wearing an argyle sweater vest in the desert heat on Sunday. His devotion to dapper attire payed off: He capturing the Best Dressed Award. Congratulations to Billy D!

By ROC-It on 09/28/2011 at 7:39 pm

Few events are more highly anticipated than the Granddaddy of them all, the COF Championship. In 2011, many in the Circle crew could hardly wait to wage battle over the tricky fairways and island greens at Ruffled Feathers in Lemont, Illinois.

The individual competition was divided into four flights: C, B, A and A+. The C flight was won by a Circle veteran, Bob Ingram, who managed to play consistently (even with that stogie affixed to his lips) and edge Frank Smith. Both shot a combined 199 for the two days, but Ingram won the tie-breaker and took home the hardware for first place. Smith got second place, and Rob Simpson took the third place prize.

The B flight had a runaway winner. After a couple of years away from the action, Lonnie Jones returned to the competition and sprinted to victory. Jones shot an impressive 88-94 for a combined 182 and the first place trophy. The Black Doctor, Reggie Ware, tried to keep pace but settled for second with his combined 199 score. The steadily improving Will Lucas won a tie-breaker to edge Chuck Henderson for third place.

As usual the A-flight was up for grabs. This highly competitive flight is usually decided by whoever has the hottest sticks coming into the weekend. Would it be The Big O? ROC-it? DJ Quik? T Harvey? Well, Chicagoans who had been around to watch Larry Kirkwood logging a series of second-place finishes throughout the summer might have predicted he was poised to cash in big. The Wood carded an admirable 88 after day 1 with Crockett (90) and James (92) hot on his heals. But Wood was the only one that managed to stay in the 80s on Sunday, shooting another solid round of 89 for a combined 177 and first place. Crockett came in second and James third.

We thought about giving Tommy “Long Ball” Blanchard the A+ trophy before the competition started, but we decided to let the guys tee it up. Blanchard was pushed on the first day when Circle rookie Levar Fisher shot an 83 and relative newcomer Chuck Dog shot 84. But neither was better than Blanchard, who carded an 81. And on Sunday he decided to stop giving guys false hope. Blanchard posted an enviable 77, and walked away with the trophy … again. Fisher posted a solid 84 for second place and Chuck Dog turned in an 87 for third.

Oh, and by the way, Blanchard claimed the coveted Circle of Friends Cup … again. Congratulations Tommy!

Thanks to all that participated. We hope to see you soon … on the short grass!

PRIZES

Longest Drive – Rick Robinson, Van Sapp

Closest to Pin – Larry Kirkwood, Roger Crockett

Longest Putt – Frank Smith, Will Suggs

Best Dressed – Isaac Carter

Tracy Jackson Spirit Award – Darrell James

By ROC-It on 07/22/2011 at 7:24 pm

On the PGA Tour, pros playing in the British Open typically have to contend with chilly conditions: the sort of wet weather and swirling winds that make raingear part of a players’ everyday apparel. For the Circle of Friends British Open, there were only a few sprinkles at the start of the round. Instead, we faced sweltering mid-July humidity that made playing 18 holes feel like walking in a sauna for five hours. Plain and simple, it was hotter than Serena Williams in her skin-tight, ESPY-night miniskirt! And speaking of hot, that’s exactly what Richard Robinson was. (Keep reading to get all the sizzling info on his round.)

Sixteen golfers showed up to do battle in Lockport at the quasi-links-style course, Broken Arrow Golf Club. Once again, the Racine contingent of Larry “Capt. Kirk” Kirkwood, Pete “Hole-in-One” Long, Frank “Red” Smith and Will “I Ain’t Scruggs” Suggs made the long trip (you gotta appreciate their dedication). We welcomed first-timer and former NFL pro Levar “Gridiron” Fisher into the mix. Plus there were regulars: Rob “Ooooph!” Simpson, Joe “I Love Skins” Taylor, Ron “Brown Suga” Pullie, Kelvin “Where Have You Been Lately” Calhoun, Wallace “Little Big Man” Harris, Isaac “Black in the Game” Carter, Commissioner Billy D, and Roger “Roc-It” Crockett. And then there was standout Richard “They call me Pretty Ricky” Robinson.

Broken Arrow is no push over of a golf course. It’s not particularly long, but it has some dangerous hazards that sneak up on you at the wrong times. The greens are fast and tricky to read. Even so, The Circle displayed some impressive play. Wallace Harris shot 39 on the front nine. Levar Fisher closed like an NFL DB closes on a receiver crossing into the middle, posting a 1-over 37 on the back-nine! Larry Kirkwood, relentlessly trying to shed his second-place jinx, finished well too, posting 41 on the back. And Kelvin Calhoun was consistent throughout, carding a steady 86 for the round.

But none of those guys could match the blistering pace set by Rick Robinson. Maybe he got up on the right side of the bed that morning. Or maybe it was that he “got some” the night before? Whatever it was, he was stroking it long and pure. His standard, looping, high draw was working to perfection, and he even threw in a few cuts and fades. And then there was that putter! Using his characteristic claw-grip to drop the pill from long range, medium range … wherever! Even Wallace Harris (who was with Robinson stroke-for-stroke through 13 holes) eventually had to stop, marvel and finally give-in to the mastery.

When it was all over, Robinson posted a 76! And if it weren’t for a couple of lip-outs his score could have been a few strokes better. He finished 6-under his target, easily allowing him to claim the “Claret Cup”. Congratulations to winner Pretty Ricky!

Congratulations to the following COF British Open players and thanks to all who participated!

TROPHY Competition:

1. Rick Robinson -6

Score: 76

Target: 82

2. Larry Kirkwood -1

Score: 86

Target: 87

T3. Wallace Harris +1

Score: 84

Target: 83

T3. Kelvin Calhoun +1

Score: 86

Target: 85

SKINS Competition

A Flight (par or better) 7 skins @ $34/skin

Rick Robinson: 3 skins on 3 birdies

Levar Fisher: 2 skins on 2 birdies

Roger Crockett: 1 skin on 1 birdie

Wallace Harris: 1 skin w par

B Flight (bogey or better) 7 skins @ $11/skin

Pete Long: 3 skins

Frank Smith: 2 skins

Billy Dexter: 1 skin

Rob Simpson: 1 skin

By ROC-It on 06/22/2011 at 7:36 pm

Where else would the Circle play the tournament the PGA Tour calls “Golf’s Toughest Test”? The answer: Ruffled Feathers, of course. Ruffled is legendary golf architect Pete Dye’s only Chicagoland track, and a typically Dye-abolical one at that.On a spectacularly sunny day, major-record 19 golfers showed up to do battle on Ruffled’s supremely manicured grounds for the silver US Open cup. The Circle was delighted to welcome COF first-timers Cedric Welch and Kevin Ingram. Also Will Lucas, Gerald Beechum, Shaun Butler, Frank Smith, Rob Simpson, Will Suggs, Herb Lowe and Raullo Eanes joined us for the first time in 2011. Plus there were the usual contestants Joe “I Love Skins” Carter, “Pretty” Ricky Robinson, Ron “Brown Suga” Pullie, Larry “Capt. Kirk” Kirkwood, defending champion Lerone “Sid” Sidberry, Wallace “Little Big Man” Harris, Chuck “Custom Club” Henderson, Chairman Billy D and Roger “Roc-It” Crockett.

By ROC-It on 05/22/2011 at 7:23 pm

Maybe it’s not Augusta National, but Ravisloe’s groomed fairways, deep bunkers and slick greens were once again in pristine shape for the 3rd annual playing of the COF MASTERS. The rains held off and we were treated to a pleasantly mild day for the battle.

This time we were competing, appropriately enough, for the black jacket (our version of the pro tour’s green jacket). Several of the COF Summer Tour’s best were in the field: defending champion Roger “Roc-It” Crockett, Isaac “Black in the Game” Carter, Joe “I Love Skins” Carter, “Pretty” Ricky Robinson, Ron “Brown Suga” Pullie, Larry “Capt. Kirk” Kirkwood, Reggie “Captain of the Friendly Skies” Dunlop, Pete “Hole-in-One” Long, Lerone “Sid” Sidberry, Wallace Harris, Chuck Henderson and Rodney “RJ” Harrington.

By ROC-It on 04/22/2011 at 7:25 pm

You don’t wanna bang with us. Cause you know we dangerous. If you real, you can swing with us Cause we are from that Dirty South.

~ E.s.g. & Slim Thug featuring Carmen San Diego

For this tournament The Circle ventured way, way down South to the opposite end of the lone star state’s panhandle … Houston, Texas … for our annual spring-time tournament. On April 30th & 31st, we kicked off what was dubbed “The Dirty South Open.” Twelve Circle members (call ‘em the “Dirty Dozen!”) teed it up under the Texas sun: Tommy “Long Ball” Blanchard, Ron “Brown Suga” Pullie, Chris Malloy, Eric Boone, Maurice Shaw, Chuck “Home Boy” Henderson, Thomas “Thutt” Hutton, Kevin “Papi” Pitts, Reggie “Captain” Dunlop, Phil “The LA Playa” Black, Roger “Roc-It” Crockett and host Darrell “DJ Quik” James.

Few events are more highly anticipated than the Granddaddy of them all, the COF Championship. Last fall, many in the Circle crew could hardly wait to wage battle over the tricky fairways and island greens at Ruffled Feathers in Lemont, Illinois.

The individual competition was divided into four flights: C, B, A and A+. The C flight was won by a Circle veteran, Bob Ingram, who managed to play consistently (even with that stogie affixed to his lips) and edge Frank Smith. Both shot a combined 199 for the two days, but Ingram won the tie-breaker and took home the hardware for first place. Smith got second place, and Rob Simpson took the third place prize.

The B flight had a runaway winner. After a couple of years away from the action, Lonnie Jones returned to the competition and sprinted to victory. Jones shot an impressive 88-94 for a combined 182 and the first place trophy. The Black Doctor, Reggie Ware, tried to keep pace but settled for second with his combined 199 score. The steadily improving Will Lucas won a tie-breaker to edge Chuck Henderson for third place.

As usual the A-flight was up for grabs. This highly competitive flight is usually decided by whoever has the hottest sticks coming into the weekend. Would it be The Big O? ROC-it? DJ Quik? T Harvey? Well, Chicagoans who had been around to watch Larry Kirkwood logging a series of second-place finishes throughout the summer might have predicted he was poised to cash in big. The Wood carded an admirable 88 after day 1 with Crockett (90) and James (92) hot on his heals. But Wood was the only one that managed to stay in the 80s on Sunday, shooting another solid round of 89 for a combined 177 and first place. Crockett came in second and James third.

We thought about giving Tommy "Long Ball" Blanchard the A+ trophy before the competition started, but we decided to let the guys tee it up. Blanchard was pushed on the first day when Circle rookie Levar Fisher shot an 83 and relative newcomer Chuck Dog shot 84. But neither was better than Blanchard, who carded an 81. And on Sunday he decided to stop giving guys false hope. Blanchard posted an enviable 77, and walked away with the trophy … again. Fisher posted a solid 84 for second place and Chuck Dog turned in an 87 for third.

Oh, and by the way, Blanchard claimed the coveted Circle of Friends Cup … again. Congratulations Tommy!
 

Thanks to all that participated. We hope to see you soon … on the short grass!

PRIZES

Longest Drive – Rick Robinson, Van Sapp
Closest to Pin – Larry Kirkwood, Roger Crockett
Longest Putt – Frank Smith, Will Suggs
 

Best Dressed – Isaac Carter
Tracy Jackson Spirit Award – Darrell James