Steve Toll's Legit Blog - 4th installment
Published on July 16, 2009 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release
Forget my Anniversary, my kids' birthdays, holidays spent with our family, Legit #4 starts off with my second favourite time of year - the 4th Annual "Shwa" Ryder Cup. 16 guys - two teams of eight - and four rounds of golf for three days at the Nottawasaga Inn (near Barrie, Ontario) for the official "Shwa" Cup. I play for team "Crush" (it goes well with the Orange UnderArmour)) versus the Nighthawks (no ``K`` - it could be a spoof on me). We are the defending champs so we have to get to 10 points and they have to get to 10.5 points.
The morning match starts off with best ball. I`m ranked second on my team (I had prior counselling to accept the fact I`m not first) and my partner Brian is ranked eighth. We are playing their second and eighth seed. I play lights out. Brian was okay, but I won all the holes (sorry Brian) and we come out on top four and three. I close it out after a LEGIT par on a 206 4 iron to 8 feet and nail the birdie. Best ball ends tied at 2:2. We move from best ball to scramble and I play with our seventh seed - Brad Talling. We are playing their third and sixth seed. Brad plays great and we use a lot of his shots. We are 2 up headed to 16 - all three other matches are done. We are 5-3 after Day 1 so back to the hotel for some cocktails and cards. For anyone who knows anything about the ``Shwa`` - cocktails are an integral part of society and I fit in nicely. The majority of these guys are from Blackstock, where cocktails literally means someone ends up naked, smoking a dart, engaging the general public with some idle chit chat - these guys are legit.
After Carolyn read the blog, she told me that no one wants to read about the logistics of the golf so here it is - the Nighthawks (I know it`s weird reading it without the ``K``) celebrated on 18 with the trophy and champagne. However, I can`t write this blog without enlightening everyone with the TSN turning point - we are playing alternate shot - our third and fourth seeds against their third and eighth seeds - we get beat. WOW, Scott Woods and Michael White could be released.
When you play in St. Regis, you only have one weekend off per summer. It just so happens that the Ryder Cup fell on our weekend off but due to the political action near the reserve, we had the Borough game rescheduled for Sunday - not exactly the place I want to go after transforming myself into a pseudo-Blackstock guy for three nights. Did I mention that we only had 13 guys? I couldn`t even get kicked out. We hang in for awhile, but it ends somewhere around 14-8 - not bad.
I hang out with the kids on Monday before going to work. Carolyn makes some excuses to get out of the house - I don`t know, something about groceries, the bank - stuff I call `free time`. I guess I do benefit though - it feels great to have her cooking back. O.K. - this side of me only come out once in a blue moon so here goes - I also had a realization when she was gone and is now returned... My wife is LEGIT - she often asks me if I think she`s Wonder Woman - I don`t think it, I know it. Since she`s been back, our house is looking like a million, the food is great, our kids are happy, and she makes my life easy.
With her return, I could play my usual weekly squash game with the new GM/Head Coach of the Edmonton Rush - Derek Keenan - I spank him 5 games to 1. I have to let him take one so he keeps coming back. We`re back to the Borough on Thursday and he just gets worse - we lose 14-4 - we need Steiner back. Olivia has lacrosse that night and at least one Toll comes out on top - she wins 6-3 and pops three.
So here we go again, Saturday and Sunday in St.Regis. We play Six Nations on Saturday and lose 14-13 - good game. We all do the team bonding thing and watch the UFC - wow, that one knock out was way nuts. Sunday, we play Barrie and win 15-12. I finally score 3 in a game - it`s been awhile. This weekend was quieter than usual - why you askà - NO POUCH. The boys finally realized how much he does; and hopefully he doesn`t let this get to his head, but we actually missed him. Wait, not him - what he does. I will finally give Pouch props - he is a LEGIT equipment guy. Oh yeah, before the game, I get a call from Carolyn and she is panicked so I know something`s up. Zackary fell and needed stitches. The kid is 2 and he has had five staples on the top of head and now three stitches at the back of his head. We are hoping that the falls will stimulate brain cell growth - unfortunately research shows the opposite and so does his behavior.
I was honoured to be asked to play in the Inaugural Don Sanderson golf tournament. His story was global and I know everyone has a different opinion on fighting in hockey. My personal belief is that it was a terrible accident, which resulted in the worst possible ending. I want to thank the Sanderson family for a great day to celebrate and honour Don`s memory. Darren Dregar was the host of the event (what a class guy). Our team wasn`t the greatest, but I managed to win longest drive... golf, stitches and regular season lacrosse has come to a close for now. Playoff lacrosse and quality family time and whatever else the Toll house brings will dawn Legit 5 - until then...
National Lacrosse League Stories from July 16, 2009
- Steve Toll's Legit Blog - 4th installment - Rochester Knighthawks
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