Hackfest 2004 Review

September 20, Whistler BC (AP)

Hackfest 2004 held in and around Whistler, British Columbia at Furry Creek Golf Club and Pemberton Golf Club, witnessed the return to power of perrenial favorites Grant Ross and Mike McAllister.

In a vigorously contested two-day affair, the Ross/McAllister duo posted a glorious two shot victory over some other team. As with most major sporting events, no one ever remembers who finished second, so there is no need to post the specifics of the victory, other than to say that team Ross/McAllister posted a 2-over par 74 on the second day of golf at Pemberton Golf Club. Frayed nerves and balky putters sadly held back other teams, while team Ross/McAllister held the steady hand on the greens, making important par saving putts at every turn.

Grant Ross, Greg Randall, Neil Madill, Sean Clare, and Mike McAllister all flew out to Vancouver on the evening of September 16 to join BC residents Cam Marshall and Brian Moore in what can only be described as the finest Hackfest gathering to date. The golfing venues, and the residence of choice at Snowy Creek in Whistler Village were top notch, and many props go out to Cam for organizing this getaway.


The residence at Snowy Creek.

To borrow a phrase from Juan Antonio Samaranch, "This was the best Olympics (Hackfest) ever!"

Conjecture arose at Hackfest 2004 regarding the number of official Hackfest events that have been held to date. It is simply enough to say that Grant and Mike have been victorious in all but one. Let's say 9 out of10, as Hackfest 2003 (Huntsville, Ontario at Huntville Downs) bore witness to the single defeat of the Ross/McAllister dynasty, an anomoly quickly corrected at Hackfest 2004.

Possible venues for Hackfest 2005 include, but are not limited to:

• Highview GC, Powassan, ON.
• Ten Gables GC, Sundridge, ON.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Hackfest 2005. A revamped Hackfest Cup is rumored to make an appearance. So you've got that going for you, which is nice.

A rather artistic photo. Sean's bent three iron in foreground left, Cam's ancient Montreal Canadien's head cover at right. Grant and Mike hoof it old school. As important as it was to walk to get a feel for the course, it was equally important for Grant to get away from the odious "Taco Del Mar revenge" that eminated from Mike the previous day while they shared a cart at Furry Creek. 

The Hackfest 2004 crew. From left to right, Brian Moore (Chilliwack, BC), Grant Ross (Callandar, ON), Sean Clare (Oakville, ON), Cam Marshall (White Rock, BC), Neil Madill (Whitby, ON), Greg Randall (North Bay, ON), Ian, Greg's old RCMP buddy (Vancouver, BC). Front row, Mike McAllister (Kanata, ON). 

"Don't f*ck with me. Ok, well go ahead and f*ck with me, but be gentle."

Four! (Maybe I shoulda yelled 'two'!" The airport ran along the left side of the 10th hole at Pemberton GC. 

Hangover evident. Immediately after this shot was taken, Cam downed yet another rye. Hair of the dog, dawg! 

A delightful display of high comedy! Well done!

Grant and Cam at Pemberton GC. Glider coming in for a landing in background. This was the nicest day of the three, weather-wise. The company however, was becoming highly questionable.

Hitting my second shot on a par 4 at Pemberton GC. Notice the glider in the background. 

Or not. 

Grant, perhaps you should wait for Neil to clear the green. 

Grant displays his soft hands at Furry. 

Cam tends the pin during the second round of Hackfest 2004 for Mike, at Pemberton GC. 

Cam hits on the par 3 14th at Furry Creek, aka, the Happy Gilmore hole. His ball landed in the very bunker that Happy and Bob Barker duked it out in. Personally, I was very touched by the irony. Sadly, all my memories of the hole will not be good ones, as I hooked two balls into the Pacific for a smooth six.

Sean demonstrates the forgotten art of whizzing on the golf course without the aid of trees. Well done! 

Hitting my second on the 10th. A downpour that lasted 30 minutes a few holes previous is evident by the standing water on the green. I graciously pointed out that one could move the ball on the green, no nearer the hole, to avoid having to hit though or out of the casual water. Not sure if we told the rest of the Hackfesters behind us. Ah well. 

Sean hitting his approach on the 10th. Doode chipped in for par. 

Here I am, off to the side of the 10th fairway, having pounded a 4-hybrid up along side Cam's 1-iron. You can tell by the look on my face that my round is going well, no? 

The 9th green at Furry Creek. A nasty par four over a deep gorge. Only 240 yards long, but I was able to make bogey. Thanks! 

Cam dislocated his hip immediately after this picture was taken. Mike, in the background, was overheard asking this of Sean, "Is that a ball in your pocket or you just happy to see me?" 

From the second green, looking back toward the tee. Majestic!

Furry Creek, second green, overlooking Howe Sound. That's me, crouched down, overlooking a bogey putt. I actually made that one.