Bob Olsman

 

Few members have had as great an impact on the level of camaraderie, collegiality, and general bon home at the Cricket Club than the inimitable “Bobby O”. From his signature “Who’s In” weekend army to the Thursday evening Gin Game to his keen “critical eye” for detail during his tenure on the House Committee, Olsy has helped take good times and quality control at PCC to a new level. His attention to the R&S is no exception, and the D.O.G & Chair wish to extend our sincere thanks for all of his helpful suggestions…particularly those related to “how they do it at L.A.C.C.”.

 

The D.O.G: “Thanks for your dedication to PCC, Bob!”

 

The Chair: “Who’s IN?? When it comes to the “D.O.G. & Chair” class of 2013, I’ll tell you “who’s in”…it’s Bobby-O!"

 

Jay Clayton

 

Jay has played in the Ross & Smith Invitational for almost 20 years during which time he has never actually been a resident of the Philadelphia area. This includes six years that he was living in London and kept full golf privileges at PCC just so he could play in the R&S. Which is really cool...or maybe kind of creepy. Jay either really loves the R&S or is really hurting for a game.

 

The D.O.G.: "Thanks for your dedication to PCC, Jay!"

 

The Chair: "If you are going to keep bringing these out-of-towners down to the R&S maybe it's time to give them a tutorial on "handicap maintenance, Philly-style."

 

Robin Gallagher

 

Robin has played in the R&S since before accurate records have been kept (aka the "Derrick Grill/Terry McDowell era") and has long been a mainstay of the 20th ("Jerry's Kids") flight. This year Robin has brought in a ringer with a 12 index and moved all the way up to the 17th flight, so we are expecting great things.

 

The D.O.G.: "Thanks for your dedication to PCC, Robin!"

 

The Chair: "Day-two performance might be improved if Robin skipped the Fridaynight/Saturday morning poker game at Whitemarsh...but getting this guy to go home is like pulling teeth."

 

Mike Henry

 

Mike freely admits to being "older than dirt" and has (by his recollection) played in "at least thirty" Ross & Smith Invitationals, which is no mean feat for a tournament that was founded twenty-six years ago. While his memory may not be what it once was, the one thing he and all of us remember is his historic ace a few years ago on the 10th (or 8th?...maybe 3rd?) hole which was one of only three (or four? two? whatever) in R&S history.

 

The D.O.G.: "Thanks for your dedication to PCC, Mike!"

 

The Chair: "Watching Mike Henry celebrate is ace was one of the all-time great R&S moments...like Grandpa Munster channeling Hale Irwin on the 72nd hole at 1990 U.S. Open."

 

Chip Marshall

 

A long-time mover & shaker in Philadelphia, Chip has for years helped bring about great progress at PCC with his unique "guy behind the guy behind the guy" style of influence, and the R&S is no exception. In fact, he has been around for so long and has his fingers in so many pies that the Committee really isn't quite sure where our decision-making ends and Chip's "invisible hand" begins. Anyway, near as we can tell he's a great asset to the tournament. Probably. We think.

 

The D.O.G.: "Thanks for your dedication to PCC, Chip!"

 

The Chair: "I'm not even afraid of Kaiser Soze...but I'm afraid of Chip Marshall."

 

John White

 

Not only has John White displayed an unmatched dedication to the R&S, he's done so in the face of some daunting and rather unique obstacles - his guests keep joining the Club. Every time F. John shows up with a new guest the D.O.G. & Chair roll their collective eyes and make a mental note: "OK, there's another guy who will be looking for a spot in a year or two". In any event, somehow John always finds a partner and always seems to find his way to the Grand Champions Playoff on Saturday afternoon. No pressure, Brad.

 

The D.O.G.: "Thanks for your dedication to PCC, John!"

 

The Chair: "Damn straight it's another 4 for 3. You thought PFM guys couldn't count??"

 

Al Pierce

 

Any list of R&S greats has got to include The GAP - "The Great Al Pierce". Not only has Al played in every R&S ever contested (at least fifty according to Mike Henry) but he was the first Cricket Club member to extend a welcoming hand when the Chair himself showed up at HIS first R&S over twenty years ago. Like a cool drink after days lost in the desert, after a year of "no thanks, we already have three" it was all the Chair could do to contain himself from planting a wet one right on The GAP's kisser.

 

The D.O.G.: "Thanks for your dedication to PCC, Al!"

 

The Chair: "It's hard not to be humbled in the presence of true greatness. However, we do note that among his many achievements, Al holds the record for most R&S appearances without winnng."