2008 TankFest Tournament of Champions
 

TankFest Tournament of Champions
Year	Team	Place
TF2008	B. Zielinski, D. Zielinski	1	+1
	M. Ligenza, L. Copson	2	+2
	A. Carrier, J. Rocca	3	+7
	M. Montessi, B. Barbarini	4	+12

View Pictures of TFIX

2008 Pre Tournament Recap

The boyz kicked off the festivities with the 2007 Poker Playoff V (we missed playing it in 2007) tournament on the eve of TFIX.  As competitors began to get knocked out, the boyz broke out the caps game up in Esta's bonus room.  Its been ages since the boyz were all together throwing the caps around, but it was just like riding a bike, as the boyz got right back into the groove with some stellar play.  Just Zip's opinion, but the final game of the night might have been the best game of all time, with LL and Zip defeating Roxie and BD at 17-15.   Triple retaliations seemed to come with ease during the game.

The rain poured down hard all night long and into the morning, delaying the start of TF from 9:20 to 11.  BD got back into his old groove, checking the radar and satellites all morning long (even getting up and giving his weather forecast with Esta's Big Screen in the background).  With the delay, the boyz threw a few caads around at the Schwagawam Clubhouse to pass the time (and BD and Zip were bold enough to crack a first brew after a long night)... everyone was hurting from the prior night's good times (and LL left his mark right in front of the clubhouse... a nice present for the Walrus).  The course conditions were better than expected though and the boyz had the course to themselves for the first nine holes.   
 

2008 Tournament Recap

BZer and Zip Zalapski shocked the 4 time defending champs LL and BD to take down the 2008 TankFest Championship.  It was the 2nd straight year that tournament got real interesting during the final 3 holes, with the 2008 title being won on the final hole.  BZer and Zip finished bogey-par-birdie, making up 4 strokes on the final three holes, stunning the defending champs with a 1 stroke victory. 

After 9 holes, it looked as if BD & LL were going to walk away with the championship and await their fate on the 5 Year P&P rule (and whether it would be abolished at the next vote).  At 2 under, the defending champs had a 4 stroke lead on their next competitor BZer and Zip, with Roxie and Esta 6 back and Team MM and Bubz essentially out of the competition with an injury to Bubz's back. 

On the back 9 nine, Zip and BZer quickly cut into the lead on hole 10, picking up 2 strokes with a bird and a bogey for LL/BD.   But BD/LL pushed the lead back to 3 strokes on Hole #12 and it stayed that way until "Turmoil Corner", consisting of Holes 16-17-18.  BZer and Zip put up a bogey and par, while LL and BD struggled to go double bogey and bogey (on 16 & 17).   And there stood the final foursome on the 18th tee, with the gallery watching up ahead at the green.  BZer and Zip needed a bird or a par and some help to hopefully force a putt-off.  After the tee shots, both teams were dancing on the green and it looked as if BD/LL had solidified another championship with a solid tee shot.   BD and LL were away, but could only get to within 10 feet on their first putt.  BZer's first putt from 30 feet away came to a rest about 2 feet from the hole, essentially locking in a par and showing Zip the line.  Zip followed that line and rolled the ball home for the bird, letting out a big scream and squarely putting the pressure on LL/BD.  Neither were able to convert their 10 footer and Zip and BZer celebrated an exciting end to their Championship with a big high five and hug (playing 1 under golf on the back and picking up a total of 5 strokes on the final 9). 

It was another great tourney, with BZ taking down his first TF Championship -- the Champs celebrated in style, sipping MLs from the Cup at the closing ceremonies.  Once again, a special thanks goes out to Roxie for hosting the closing ceremonies, BZer for getting us ready for the day with opening ceremonies and Esta for giving us a spot to have the pre-tourney festivities the night before. 

We had our first repeat gift during the life of the TF Group, as we had new golf towels made up for the boyz.  Roxie captured closest to the pin on Hole #3 and LL bombed away on Hole #11