Big Song Golf Association Rules Committee 

Being a work from home father, my son's friend Ryan decided that since he didn't understand  my technical  job description, he would instead simply refer to me as the "Miserable Failure". He joked that I wasn't likeable and people in the office didn't want me around, so they sent me home. Since I had a good job with zero commute it was actually easier to explain to people that the reason I work from home is because I am a "Miserable Failure" rather than try to explain my technical job.

My friend Dave thought that this was funny. He wanted a nickname too! So we decided to take our nicknames  to the golf starter window.

We were turned down by golf starters over one half a dozen times when presenting our golf nicknames prior to a round of golf. Excuses we heard “My boss is here, I can’t.” “No really what are your names?” was heard often. “Our insurance company won’t let us use those names”, was even one reply to our request.

Finally, one day, after we insisted,  a young starter with a sense of humor accommodated our request. We insisted that she announce  our arrival at the first tee box. The driving range was right next to the first tee. Every head on the driving range  turned toward the first tee as we arrived and she proclaimed over the PA: “Loser and Failure to the first tee”.

That day the golf marshal had a sense of humor too! A single walked up to the tee to join us. The marshal asked him if he would like to join Loser and Failure for a round of golf? The man replied "I haven't played golf in three weeks". I said great, your nickname is "Excuses". We laughed,  smiled ear to ear, shook hands and tee'd off!

Charlie Tolbert- Golf Nickname: "The Dali Chali": A winemaker. Charlie is "Mr. Even Keel". He never gets mad, always the peace maker. Great captain in a four man scramble. Charlie always keeps the spirits high and laughter plentiful. (Photo: GR)