2018 Petersen Shootout - Day 1

For the seventh time in nine years, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout [2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017]. We missed 2013 when Rod kept moving the date around and it finally landed on a weekend when Sharon, Jack and I were in H@waii. In 2015, Larkin wasn't available. I signed up with Borja as my wingman, but when he canceled at the last minute, I bailed.

I left the house about 9:00 am. Taking Highway 50 to 89 to 88, I got to golf course about 11:45 am. There were a couple of construction stops on Highway 50. I got to the Genoa Ranch Course about 15 minutes behind Larkin. We played this course the first year we came to the tournament in 2010.

Rod started the day with a long putt contest at 12:00 pm. The group teed off in a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. Larkin and I played with Jon Carlson, Mike O'Malley and Abel Caro. All three met Rod through Chico soccer, particularly the team's 2017 trip to Sp@in, and were playing in the tournament for the first time.

This year's group was enormous. While in most of the previous years, the count was in the mid-twenties. Last year, there were 42 people in the tournament. This year, there were 60 people! The group included Gainsley, Rick, Art and Colin plus Borja and his brother-in-law Scott.

I was pleased with how I played. I didn't strike the play was well as I did in H@waii, but I shot a very liberally scored winter rules 105. I pared two holes and bogeyed six holes, but three putted six greens and four putted one green. The scorecard is here.

For the second year in a row, the group is staying at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden. I stayed at this hotel in a suite once in late 1991 with she-who-will-not-be-named.

Larkin and I spent some time in Rod's suite before we headed to dinner. We had dinner at the J.T. Basque Restaurant down street from the hotel. We had lamb chops with the family style meal.

We made a stop at Rod's suite after dinner. Larkin and I ended up crashing fairly early (10:30 pm?).

2012 Petersen Shootout Day 3

I dragged myself out of bed about 7:30 a.m. and headed down to the buffet for breakfast. Afterwards, Larkin and I packed up and checked out of the room.

I made a decision sometime during the weekend that I was going to make a loop east before heading home. I made a loop that included east on 80, south on 95 through Silver Springs, west on B2 [15 miles of gravel road along the river] to 50, west on 50 to Carson City and north on 395 back to Reno.

Unfortunately, I didn't do all of my homework. I probably missed a number of historical waymarks that I probably could have hit. I stopped at five Nevada State historical markers, including: Buckland's Station #192, Camels in Dayton #199, Halls Station #200, Chinatown #163 and Dayton #7. I also hit three Pony Express Markers, including two in Dayton and one on B2 west of Fort Churchill. Additionally, I stopped at Fort Churchill and walked a loop through the ruins.

I rolled back into Carmichael just before 2:00 p.m. I have a new set of irons coming in the next week and I am already looking forward to the 2013 Petersen Shootout.

2012 Petersen Shootout Day 1

For the third year in a row, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout Golf Tournament. This golf outing is organized by one of the coaches [Rod] from Jack's Outlaws Baseball Team. The group totaled 24 guys.

Leaving Carmichael about 9 a.m., I was at the golf course a little after 11 a.m. The group played the Somersett Golf Course on the first day. Larkin and I were in the last group of the day playing with Shawn and Dave.

Looking at the course on the satellite, it looked like an open course with few trees. I got a rude surprise. While there were few trees, the course was narrow with lots of very rugged outbounds and sand traps.

I bought a new driver and 5 wood for the trip. Overall, I felt like I was striking the balls as well as I ever have, but I struggled with my control. With the tight course, this was a problem; I hit a number of balls outbounds.

I needed up with a very liberal winter rules score of 118. I shot 65 on the front nine and a 53 on the back nine. I actually won one of the closest to the pin holes. On a 193 yard par three, I hit a my five wood into the wind and on to the front right of the green. I was the only person that landed a ball on the green on that hole.

After finishing up golf, we headed to the hotel and checked in. Like last year, the group is staying at the Eldorado. We got cleaned up and headed up to the hospitality suite.

Larkin and I ended up having a late dinner at The Brews Brothers microbrewery in the hotel. We finished the evening wandering through the casino watching people gamble. Neither of us gambled, but I am planning on playing some blackjack tomorrow night.

2022 Petersen Shootout - Day #1

For the tenth time in thirteen years, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout [2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021]. We missed 2013 when Rod kept moving the date around and it finally landed on a weekend when Sharon, Jack and I were in H@waii. In 2015, Larkin wasn't available. I signed up with Borja as my wingman, but when he canceled at the last minute, I bailed. In 2020, the original dates for the tournament were cancelled due to the pandemic. Rod ended up having a taking a smaller group in late July, but both Larkin and I were uncomfortable with the idea.

I starting talking last year about bringing Jack and Drew. We made it happen!

Drew spent Thursday night at our house. Drew, Jack and I rolled from Carmichael about 8:15 am. With a quick stop in Woodfords, we rolled up to the Genoa Lakes Golf Course at 11 am. In spite of the chains controls at Twin Bridges, we made fairly good time taking Highway 50 to 89 to 88.

Sitting at the bar eating a hot dog before the start, I had an odd mental experience. The song playing was Chris Isaak's Wild Game. She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and I had hung out in Genoa [December 1991?].

The shotgun start was at noon. Although I didn't play very well, I really enjoyed the day. I am still struggling with my elbow. I was really happy with how well Jack and Drew played. Jack took a lesson on Monday and was striking the ball very well. He is a much better athlete than I am. It got pretty windy and cold over the last few holes. I ended up shooting a liberally scored 113.

After golf, we headed to the Carson Valley Inn. The four of us walked to Khristopher's Ristorante for dinner. Larkin and I had a late dinner there in 2019. I had Chicken Fettucine, while Larkin had Lasagna. We ended up crashing fairly early.

2023 Petersen Shootout - Day #1

For the eleventh time in fourteen years, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout [2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, 2022]. We missed 2013 when Rod kept moving the date around and it finally landed on a weekend when Sharon, Jack and I were in H@waii. In 2015, Larkin wasn't available. I signed up with Borja as my wingman, but when he canceled at the last minute, I bailed. In 2020, the original dates for the tournament were cancelled due to the pandemic. Rod ended up having a taking a smaller group in late July, but both Larkin and I were uncomfortable with the idea. For the second year in a row, Jack and Drew went with us!

Jack and Drew spent Thursday night at our house. The three of us rolled from Carmichael about 7:30 am. We rolled up to the Toiyabe Golf Club just afer 10 am [80 to 395]. Larkin and I played this course as part of this tournament in 2019.


Jack, Drew, Larkin and I teed off about 10:54 pm. For the first time since Larkin and I have been playing the tournament, it was a shamble on both Friday and Saturday. Jack was crushing the ball off tee. I struggled a little early, but settled down in the later holes and was striking the ball pretty well. Thanks to Jack's tee shots, I ended up with an 89. This is probably the lowest shamble score that I have ever carded.
After golf, we headed to the Carson Valley Inn. We had dinner at the J.T. Basque Restaurant down street from the hotel. Larkin and I ate there in 2018. I had lamb shoulder with the family style meal.

Larkin and I made a quick stop at Rod's suite after dinner. We all ended up crashing fairly early.

2016 Petersen Shootout Day 1

For the fifth time in seven years, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout [2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014]. We missed 2013 when Rod kept moving the date around and it finally landed on a weekend when Sharon, Jack and I were in H@waii. In 2015, Larkin wasn't available. I signed up with Borja as my wingman, but when he canceled at the last minute, I bailed.

Leaving Carmichael about 8:30 am, I made a quick stop for gas and supplies. It rained hard all the way to Kingvale. At Kingvale, I hit the chain controls. Snowing pretty hard, it was slow and very slick on the grade down into Truckee. I finally got to the Silver Oak Golf Course a little after 12:00 pm. Although it cleared up through Reno, it was raining steadily again.

I frankly thought that we wouldn't end up playing, but everyone started off. Although it was supposed to be a shotgun start, Martin, Rod, Larkin and I teed off on the first hole. I actually played pretty well on the front nine. It stopped raining for four or five holes. I had a couple of nice pars and was striking the ball pretty well. I ended up hitting the ball to within about 19 feet on the par three sixth hole and winning the closet to the pin. With no one in front of us, we played the front nine in about one hour and 45 minutes.

We stopped for a hot dog after the front nine. Unfortunately, everyone ended up getting bunched up. Larkin and I played the 10th by ourselves and then skipped the 11th to catch up with Rod, Scott and Martin. With the rain continuing, I struggled a lot on the back nine. The group ended up skipping the three more holes and finishing on the eighteenth.

I have no idea what I scored. The scorecard was so wet that we couldn't have kept score if we had wanted to... [Note to self], I made a tactical mistake. I have a very nice set of rain gear that I bought to take to New Ze@land. Unfortunately, I brought the jacket, but not the pants!

After finishing the golf, we headed to the Max Casino in Carson City. We have stayed at this hotel in 2010 and 2014. It is now a Wyndham Hotel.

Larkin and I got cleaned up and walked across the street for a late dinner at Red's Old 395 Grill. I had Cajun Chicken Pasta and Larkin had the Chicken Picatta. We ended up sitting and talking at the table for a long time.

Wandering back to the hotel, we caught back up with the group (Irish Car Bomb?!?). After listening to music for a while, we crashed in the room about 11:30 pm.

2017 Petersen Shootout Day 1

For the six time in eight years, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout [2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016]. We missed 2013 when Rod kept moving the date around and it finally landed on a weekend when Sharon, Jack and I were in H@waii. In 2015, Larkin wasn't available. I signed up with Borja as my wingman, but when he canceled at the last minute, I bailed.

Scrambling to get going, I finally left the house about 8:50 am. Taking Highway 50 to South Shore to the Kingsbury Grade, I got to golf course about 11:10 am. It was an extremely easy drive with very little traffic. I was surprised how quickly I got to the Genoa Lakes Golf Course. We played the nearby Genoa Ranch Course in 2010.

Rod started the day with a long putt contest at 11:30 am. The group teed off in a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. Larkin and I played with Dave and Wes. While the sky was clear, the day was cold with a stiff north wind.

This year's group was big. While in most of the previous years, the count was in the mid-twenties. This year, there were 42 people in the tournament, including Kevin, Rick, Art and Colin.

After struggling at Se@ Ranch in February, I was very pleased with how I played. I shot a liberally scored winter rules 101. I pared four holes and only three putted two greens.

The course played slow. It was after 6:30 pm by the time we finished.

The group is staying this year at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden. I stayed at this hotel in a suite once in late 1991 with she-who-will-not-be-named.

After getting cleaned up, Larkin and I spent some time in Rod's suite before we headed to a late dinner. We had dinner at the CV Steak (Pacific Calamari Steak and spicy Seafood Linguine). We literally closed down the restaurant. We crashed in the room about 11:30 pm.

2024 Petersen Shootout - Day 1

For the twelfth time in fifteen years, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout [2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023]. We missed 2013 when Rod kept moving the date around and it finally landed on a weekend when Sharon, Jack and I were in H@waii. In 2015, Larkin wasn't available. I signed up with Borja as my wingman, but when he canceled at the last minute, I bailed. In 2020, the original dates for the tournament were cancelled due to the pandemic. Rod ended up having a taking a smaller group in late July, but both Larkin and I were uncomfortable with the idea. For the third year in a row, Jack played with us.

Jack spent Thursday night at our house. He and I rolled from Carmichael at 8:30 am. We picked Larkin up in Folsom. We rolled up the Silver Oaks Golf course just after 11:30 am [50 to 88 to 395]. Larkin and I played this course in 2019, 2016 and 2010.


This year's group is enormous. From the mid-twenties when Larkin and I first started coming, the group size has grown to more than 85 this year!

After a putting contest, at 11:45 am, Jack, Larkin, Ben Borja and I teed off on the fifth hole in a shotgun start. We played a shamble. With Jack struggling, we didn't have anyone in the group who was crushing their tee shots. I ended up with a 102; this may be the worst scramble score that I have ever had. I was striking the ball better than Thursday, but was still very inconsistent.

The course played very slow. It took us more than five and a half hours to play eighteen. We finished up after 5:30 pm.

After golf, we headed to the Carson Valley Inn. With Jack wanting a steak, we had dinner at the CV Steak Restaurant in the hotel. Larkin and I ate here once before in 2017. It turned into more than a little bit of a fiasco. I ordered the Elk special. My order didn't show up until almost 40 minutes after Jack and Larkin got their steaks. The manager ended up comping all of our dinners.

We had a booth next to a screen that allowed us to watch the Kings versus Pelicans play-in game. The Kings lost the game by the score of 105 to 98 and failed to make the playoffs.

Larkin and I wandered by Rod's suite. The size of the group has really changed the suite dynamics; it is just not as intimate as it once was. We crashed just after 11 pm.

2014 Petersen Shootout Day 1

For the fourth time in five years, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout [2010, 2011 and 2012]. We missed last year when Rod kept moving the date around and it finally landed on a weekend when we were in Hawaii. This year, I recruited Gainsley to join us. The foursome got filled out at the last minute by Mike Roessler, the dad of one of Coop and Jack's classmates and teammates on the Jesuit baseball team. After playing in Reno for three years, the tournament has moved back to Carson City.

I left Carmichael after 10 am and rolled into the golf course about 12:20 pm. We played the first day at the Thunder Canyon Country Club. After playing with Gainsley on Wednesday, I was stiff as I tried to warm up on the driving range. I got off to a horrible start on the first hole, but settled down a little as the day wore on. I had a couple of pars on a Par 5 and a Par 3 on the back nine.

There was a very stiff wind blowing all day. It seemed to impact my putting as much as anything. I just couldn't find the right speed or line on the greens all day. I swear that the wind was blowing the putts all over the greens. I ended up shooting a liberal winter rules score of 110.

Afterwards, we headed to the hotel and got checked in. The group is staying at the Carson Station Hotel in Carson City. Getting cleaned up, Larkin, Gainsley, Mike and I headed to Reds395 across the street for dinner.

I finished the evening playing Blackjack at the hotel. They have added a few Blackjack tables and a craps table since we were here in 2010. The group took over most of the Blackjack tables. I ended up playing for almost three hours (about 10 pm to 1 am) sitting next to Rod's brother Scott for about half that time. Starting with a $100 stake, I walked away with $97!?!

2019 Petersen Shootout - Day 1

For the eighth time in ten years, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout [2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018]. We missed 2013 when Rod kept moving the date around and it finally landed on a weekend when Sharon, Jack and I were in H@waii. In 2015, Larkin wasn't available. I signed up with Borja as my wingman, but when he canceled at the last minute, I bailed.

I left the house about 8:30 am. Taking Highway 80 to 395, I got to the Toiyabe golf course about 11:10 am. I have never played this course before.

Like last year, the group was big. There were just under 60 people. The group included Gainsley, Rick, Art and Colin.

Rod started the day with a long putt contest. I won! I made the second round. I was fourth closet to the pin in the second round, but the first three missed before I sunk my four foot second putt to win.

The group teed off in a shotgun start at 12:30 pm. Larkin and I played with Ben Borja, his brother-in-law Scott and the husband of Ben's wife Lynn's best Friend (Mike).

We didn't go to the driving range. Partly as a result, I started horribly. Starting with a shotgun start on the 7th hole, I just couldn't strike the ball over the course of the first two holes. I eventually settled down and posted a 50 on the back nine. Overall, I had a liberally scored winter rules 106. The scorecard is here.

For the third year in a row, the group is staying at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden. I stayed at this hotel in a suite once in late 1991 with she-who-will-not-be-named.

Larkin and I spent some time in Rod's suite before we headed to dinner. Looking for someplace different to eat, we walked to Khristoper's Ristorante. It ended up being a very interesting evening. Before we ordered, the owner [Fred J. Simon, Jr] started talking to us. He ended up sitting at our table for the rest of the evening. Both Larkin and I had the lobster ravioli.

We made a stop at Rod's suite after dinner. Larkin and I ended up crashing about 11:45 pm.

2021 Petersen Shootout - Day 1

For the ninth time in twelve years, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout [2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019]. We missed 2013 when Rod kept moving the date around and it finally landed on a weekend when Sharon, Jack and I were in H@waii. In 2015, Larkin wasn't available. I signed up with Borja as my wingman, but when he canceled at the last minute, I bailed. In 2020, the original dates for the tournament were cancelled due to the pandemic. Rod ended up having a taking a smaller group in late July, but both Larkin and I were uncomfortable with the idea.
Leaving the house about 8:30 am, I rolled up to the Eagle Valley West Course about 11:30 am. I skipped Rod's chipping contest and spent some time on the driving range. I actually felt like it was the best that I had ever hit balls on the driving range!

Teeing off at 1 pm, Larkin and I ended up playing by ourselves. The guys that we were supposed to play with (Kenny and Bob) jumped over to play with a couple of other guys. We had Kevin, Rick, Art and Colin in the foursome behind us... Larkin has played this course a lot with his buddy Myers.

I was pretty happy with how well I played. I ended up with a 107. Par fives continue to be a struggle; I had eights on all four of the par fives. My focus suffered over the last four or five holes.

After the golf, Larkin and I headed to the Courtyard Marriott in Carson City. We are spending two nights there. Somehow, Larkin and I ended up in a suite. We walked over the to the Casino Fandango and used one of our drink coupons before taking a shower.

After getting cleaned up, we ended up walking to an Olive Garden about a block away. We both had spaghetti. We ended up crashing in the hotel room just before 11 pm. We never tried to figure out where Rod, the suite and everyone else were.

2012 Petersen Shootout Day 2

The cost for the weekend included buffet breakfasts for Saturday and Sunday. Larkin and I had breakfast in the hotel. Afterwards, we grabbed our stuff and headed to the bus. One of the guys on the trip works for Trailways and arranged for a bus to pick us up, take us to golf and then bring us back to the hotel after golf.

Everyone was supposed to be at the bus by 9:30 a.m. Sitting on the bus, Rod sent a text at 9:32 saying to be there at 9:45. Eventually, the group was rounded up and the bus left about 10:10...

We played Wildcreek Golf Course on Saturday. The format for the day was a Shamble where you play your ball from the best tee shot. Larkin and I were playing in a foursome with Ken and Tim. Both of them could crush the ball; they were consistently hitting the ball 260 to 280 yards. I ended up shooting a 100. Except for chipping around the greens, I felt like I played pretty well. Larkin struggled more than I think I have ever seen him struggle.

Taking the bus back to the hotel, we got cleaned up and headed to dinner. The cost for the weekend included dinner and a hosted bar on Saturday night. I had prime rib. Afterwards, the group headed to the hospitality suite for some entertainment. Several of the guys on the trip are very talented. They have fantastic ability to play parody songs making the lyrics as they go.

I ended up wandering down into the casino and playing blackjack for about three hours by myself. I was hoping to have the opportunity to play with a group, but could never make a connection with anyone else. I was probably up $50 to $100 at one point and ended up down about $25. I crashed back in the room about 2 a.m.

2014 Petersen Shootout Day 3

Larkin and I were both up fairly early. We had breakfast at the hotel and then packed up the room.

I rolled from the hotel a little after 9:00 am. After a quick stop for one waymark in Carson City, I headed back towards Reno and then down I-80 back to Sacramento. I made a quick stop in Truckee at the Donner Party Monument. I was back in Carmichael about 11:45 am.

My only regret is that the group didn't have a suite like it did in Reno in 2011 and 2012. The group didn't get around to hanging out in the suite with a floor show like it did in either of those years or in 2010 when the tournament was in Carson City. I am particularly fond of Sean Connery singing Jim Croce songs. I am sorry that Kevin and Mike didn't get a chance to have that experience.

All and all, it was a great weekend. I always enjoy Larkin's company.

2013 Fall Dinner Party

Sharon and I have made it a tradition to host a fall dinner party [2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003]. This year, the group included the Gainsleys, Sanborns, Larkins, Renterias and Janie. This is the first time that we have included the Renterias.

It was a very busy day. Jack played baseball in the morning and then went to the St. Francis Homecoming in the evening.

The theme of this year's dinner revolved around our trip to H@waii. It may have been the most we have ever incorporated a theme. We gave people leis when they showed up, the Sanborns made Mai Tais, there were tropical flowers on the table and Hawaiian music was playing. Sharon served an excellent Pacfic Rim based dinner. For the first time, we served fish as a main course. The menu is here.



It has become a tradition to finish the night with Dinner for One and three SNL Justin Timberlake videos. This year we also watched What Does the Fox Say and a couple of youtube videos from the Petersen Shootout.

It was about 11:20 pm when Sharon and I walked the Larkins and Gainsleys to the front gate to catch a cab.