The Hairy Crab Desert Classic
April 28- May 2 2024
Palm Springs, CA
The Prince of Pebble Beach partnered with Super Steve Bruton to blister Shanghai CC with a Best Ball of 62, tying the Crab amateur record. Moose/Colozzi fired an impressive 65 to nail down 2nd spot. Most of the rest of the field was tightly bunched within reach of placing. Hamilton/Blackwood fell off the pace with an 81.
In Clam action, Dave Gillan fired a 45 to lead the field outdistancing Forrest on 43 and Plaspohl on 39.
The Crab made it's long awaited return to Suzhou for an evening of dining and camaraderie.
The hills of Suzhou Sun Island claimed many a victim in the Saturday alternate shot with seven teams unable to break 80. Farmboy and the Swede reached new depths with a record setting 93. Thriving despite the carnage were Pascal/Crowe and Dodds/Walker with 71's and Beck/Lomason on 72. Dodds/Walker caught first day leaders Olsen/Bruton to form Sunday's final group.
Gardner and Damboise led the Clam's with 30 points. Gillian held his overall lead with 29, a number shared with McCann and Davis.
Sita Atafua hosted the field for the opening of Suzhou's Mexico Lindo . Crazy Jerry and Slim Shady took the stage leading the entertainment.
The Carolina Connection of Tommy Moose & Don Vincenzo Colozzi fired a -22 Stableford Scramble at Shanghai Links to take home the Crab crown with a -25 total. Olsen/Bruton held on for 2nd with -20. Duffy & Joey T charged for a 3rd place tie with Cornelius/Ryan. Defending champs Beck/Lomason tied Pascal/Crowe for the final money positions. Hamilton & Blackwood completed an almost wire to wire run for DFL.
Dave Gillian claimed the first ever Clam three day trophy with a total of 112. Clam veterans Plaspohl and Forrest placed and showed. Mr. Chen took the day with a record 51.
The field celebrated another successful Crab with dinner and trophies at the Links and well into the night at the Long Bar.