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The 41st annual Hagstrom-Osberg Golf Open Tournament, “The H2O”, at the newly remodeled Little Falls Golf Course was a hit.

My mother’s sister, Leone, Auntie to me, married Duane Hagstrom, co-owner of Hagstrom Chevrolet in Upsala, Minnesota. Between the two families there were 10 cousins. Auntie’s youngest, Kevin, is a very good golfer and for many years he and I won this best ball event every year. For that reason, we named our team ‘Ming’. After all, we were a dynasty. Because of my bad back, all I can do is putt.  When I was 12 years old, we lived at 1620 Colorado Avenue in St. Louis Park. There was a Putt-Putt close by, and I spent a lot of time there every summer.  But when you only putt once every year, your skill level is reduced.

This year Ming consisted of Cousin Kevin, my brother Geoff and his wife Susan and another brother Brian and his wife Jean Marie.  On the second hole my 20-foot putt rimmed the cup.  Later in the round I did sink a shorter putt.  We finished the round with a score of 1 over par.

It was one of the hottest tournament days of memory.  There were seven groups that managed to finish the front nine.  My son’s buddy Joe led a team named “The Js”, made up of several men whose names started with the letter “J”.  They were one of three groups that scored one under par and had it not been for the excessive heat, we would have had an interesting play-off.  Instead, we awarded the trophy to the “Js”.  Like the Stanley Cup, we are going to have to add an addition onto the base, since all four sides of the base will be filled with the names of the winners for each year.

After golf we gathered in the party room of the club house for a very tasty meal of pizza, salad, bread sticks, and ice cream. Brother Bill let the prayer, and brother Brian led the award ceremony. We are fortunate to have more than a few traditions in our family.  I trust that your summer will be filled with many family events as well.

“It’s good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling.”  Mark Twain