2017 DOG & CHAIR
The Unauthorized, Unofficial & Highly Irreverent Ross & Smith Hall of Fame
Report From the DOG & CHAIR
The 4th annual D&C shareholders meeting & Team Dinner was held on Saturday May, 27th. Present were all D&Cers with the exceptions of D&C15’s Talbot & Redpath who were playing in the USGA Four-Ball at Pinehurst, blissfully unaware as always that a pair of mid-single digit handicappers just don’t shoot 6-under gross better ball. And while John & Bruce failed to advance to stroke play they report having had a great experience and “at least those guys will let us play together”. Also understandably absent was D&C13 Jay Clayton who as we all know has had a busy year but was able to conference in from a golf cart parked atop the 15th green at Mar a Lago.
Special thanks to team social committee co-chairman D&C15 John Westrum and D&C16 Wally Smerconish for arranging for the use of the Wells Fargo Center for the festivities, and especially for the entertainment as provided by their friends on the Sixers dance team, yowza. Further thanks to team steward & epicurean extraordinaire D&C13 Bob Olsman for crafting a menu selection of edibles so nuanced & divine that only a relatively small handful of those assembled felt the need to head to Tony Luke’ s afterwards for some “real food”. Thanks also to our team sommelier and team tobacconist, D&C13 John White and D&C14 Stevie Cherok respectively for providing enough Spottswoode & Kistler to float a battleship and sufficient Havanas to burn down same. Well played, gentlemen.
After dinner, treasurer and finance chair for life D&C16 Al Thorell was called upon to give his report. Given that no actual D&C financial records exist Al was understandably and momentarily at a loss. To his credit he quickly recovered and (drawing on his years of experience presenting at the PCC Annual Meeting) delivered a smooth, polished, and as far as we know, plausible extrapolation on the current accounts, balance sheet, and cash flow of the D&C. All were suitably impressed and murmured their approvals over their cabernet & Montecristos.
As dessert was served the floor was opened to questions, comments and “new business”. Points of discussions ranged from the procedural; D&C16’s McFarland & McFarland, “this is about that golf tournament in July right?”, to the philosophical; D&C16 Dick Price’s impassioned plea that our band of Merry Men was too male-oriented, and could benefit from the inclusion of “more ladies”. Pointing out that the Ross & Smith itself is by definition a “men’s event” seemed to satisfy the legendary swordsman, if only just. On a more practical note, D&C13 Chip Marshall pointed out that after 4 years our confederation of misfits has yet to hold our long-contemplated D&C team golf outing. It was immediately decided that this was "Fall business" and further, that the week before Thanksgiving worked for most. Proving once again that “no good deed ever goes unpunished" Chip was summarily charged with organizing the "first annual" by rousing acclamation. Thanks for volunteering, Chip.
Finally, as after-dinner drinks were served the floor was opened to nominations for the one & only Unauthorized, Unofficial & Highly Irreverent Ross & Smith Invitational Hall of Fame.
The DOG & CHAIR Class of 2017
After a discussion that was lively, impassioned, often profane & always entertaining, the assembled masses shrugged their collective shoulders & with a resounding “whatever”, unanimously approved the following worthies for enshrinement:
Dave Buck & John Garcia – Twenty years of “pick it up, Monty” ought to be worth something.
John Sabia – Past R&S Champion who’s never seen a back he couldn’t slap, a bear he couldn’t hug or a cheesesteak station he could pass by. You’re the man, John.
Nick Irwin – No one embodies the spirit of the R&S more than our own “Nicky Two Shoes”, proof positive that it’s not whether you win or lose it’s how good your hair looks doing it. HOF.
Dan O’Donnell – We’re not looking for Notre Dame tickets, Dan-O. Honest. At least not this year anyways.
Sam Pace – The Unsinkable Sam Pace. He may have been knocked down more times than Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman but he keeps coming back for more. Hope springs eternal Sam, this is your year buddy. HOF all the way.
Artie Miller & Chris Dallas-Feeney – Fittingly enshrined together, these two are what it’s all about & no one enjoys the R&S more. They are friends to all & always a blast to be around. Thanks for your unwavering support Artie. CDF, thanks for putting up with him all these years, Stars & Stripes forever. HOF
Respectfully submitted,
The Dog & Chair
July 14, 2017
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"OBTW"
