Scouting 101: Troop Goes Golfing; Food Drive Planned for November

Bob Granchie

FORE!!!!! That’s what many of the Scouts will be saying this Thursday as we take our Troop meeting on the road and spend it at Parto’s Golfing Center in Hubbard. Although we won’t be golfing on the par-three golf course, we will be driving a few balls and playing a competitive game of Putt-Putt. Now the trick will be to make sure the Scouts don’t drive on the Putt-Putt course and putt on the driving range, “fore” you see some of these young men may have never even held a golf club before, let alone drove a golf ball off a tee. But regardless of their golfing aptitude, they will experience firsthand this Thursday the feel of a club in their hand just like Tiger Woods or Chi-Chi Rodriguez. Let’s just hope the ball goes farther than the clump of sod they unearth.

As a matter of record I just happen to be a counselor for the golfing merit badge. I know, I know, it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Contrary to popular opinion I used to be a great golfer when I was young. They used to call me “Gorilla Granchie.” I had the ability to hit a ball so far it actually would land on the next fairway. That’s the honest to goodness truth. (Now, just because the next hole’s fairway happened to be coming up the right side of the hole I was teeing off from is only an incidental footnote. I still was able to hit the ball onto the next fairway.)

I guess in preparation I should teach the boys some basic golf etiquette before they actually go up to hit the ball. Or as they say on the links, we “address” the ball. This means properly setting your feet and hands at the correct length and stance so as not to make a complete fool of yourself when you swing the club and narrowly miss the person next to you with either your club, the ball or that extricated divot you just ripped out of the ground.

Among golfing etiquette is another term which also happens to be one of the 12 Scout Laws, that being Courteous. In golf it means you always let the golfers in front of you get far enough away before you hit your shot so you don’t give them a heart attack as the ball lands next to them or, heaven forbid, on top of them. This does not help in any way toward making new friends on the course. (Trust me, I know.) Being courteous also means that when you are on the green putting you let the one who is farthest away putt first. And hopefully after you putt you won’t hear the most dreaded three words in golf that every golfer hates to hear: “You’re still away.” (Trust me, I know.) Lastly, being courteous means that after you’ve played your round, the golfer with the highest score usually buys the first round of drinks. (Again … trust me, I know.)

With that said, I think we can enjoy Thursday’s golfing party and have one heck of a great time. And no matter what your proficiency as a golfer may be there’s always a word to describe your golfing endowments: Pro, novice, amateur; hacker, whacker, smacker; duffer, rougher or muffer. Regardless, as the saying goes: “The worst day on the course is still better then the best day at work.”
Okay, let’s get into some other Scouting news. Congratulations to three of our Troop members in attaining their Brotherhood from the Order of the Arrow a couple of weekends ago. A Scout salute to Bryan Higgins, Mark Bass and Evan John upon receiving this tremendous honor. Awesome job, gentlemen! You’ve joined the ranks of very few men and surpass many who never even attempt to achieve this distinction. You have the right to be very proud … as our Troop is of you.

This coming weekend is the Buffalo Naval Base adventure. I’m sure there will be some fun stories to come out of this ‘encampment.” A total of 65 Scouts and Scouters will be sleeping in the holds of the ship, along with another 200 or so wannabe sailors from around the country, to experience what it was like for many a “salty grog” back in the days when the ship was actually commissioned. I can’t wait to set sail and start using my seaman’s lingo. How does this sound? “Avast yea, you scurvy dog! Take hold that rigging yea landlubber, before I make yea walk the plank and have yea join Davey Jones amidst the barnacles and seaweed.” Arrrr!

One last thing before I go. Our Troop and Crew are planning a Food Drive on Nov. 13 and will be canvassing the neighborhood asking for donations toward this event.

The great thing about this drive is that they’re not asking for money, only canned food. So if you see one of our Scouts in their class A’s knocking at your door, please answer it and donate a canned veggie or pre-packaged food item. (Don’t worry … they’re not selling popcorn.) Their goal is to collect 300 cans, which will be distributed to a local food bank. If you like, any canned item can be dropped off earlier by giving it to a Scout or crew member. With your help we “can” make a difference in someone’s life.

That’s about it for this week. Hope you all have a super week, and I’ll catch up with you next time. As always, take care and God bless.