CONTEST Radiman's Grandaddy/Hideaway Prize Pack

[radiman]

Alright, I guess I'll kick this off.

So, I have a confession to make. This was the first time that I sat down and poured myself into the live thread from 2019.

I suppose it's for a few reasons. For one, I kind of equate it to listening to a recording of yourself singing karaoke. You don't sound nearly as good as you thought you did, lol. But, I think mainly there was a piece of me that was struggling with the fact that it came and went already. Going through the thread and reliving it was going to provide closure where I really didn't want it to be. A major chapter in my life had happened. There are a few things I wished I would have done differently and I knew going through the thread would bring some of those doubts back to the surface.

But, in any event, I had a picture in mind that I wanted to share. So, the only way to get to it was to dig for it. I'm glad I did. Reading through the thread 4 months after living the experience brought forth a flood of emotions. I sat here smiling just going through all if the pictures and posts. Makes it feel like it just happened last week. I laughed and I would be lying if I said the room didn't get a little dusty.

Anyways, this is my favorite picture from the 2019 Grandaddy and I'll tell you why. This just represents so much of what I feel this event is about. I spent months getting to know these guys. It amazes me that you can throw 13 strangers together from all walks of life and over the internet and one unforgettable event, they end up being good friends. This is the bus ride from HQ to the hotel. We were all excited to finally be together. Thinking we had some idea of what the rest of the week would be like when we really didn't realize how much our minds would be blown.

Anyways, here's the picture. I feel like it sums up a lot of the event for me. And, I miss my teammates, lol. Damn it, room is getting dusty again.



Alright, now you guys blow my mind. Grandaddy hopefuls and veterans alike. I want to see some beautiful course shots, some happy times between teammates, or even just food porn.

Would be a shame if I won my own contest

 

[TrapGodEvan]

I will go ahead and give it a go.
I need to get back into going through the 2019 thread so I went back to 2018 as I followed a lot of that live. I have quoted the post instead of screenshotted as it includes GIF's.

I think it's time for a Callaway dance off!

Ethan

Vs.

Velardo

I chose this post because I think it does a great job showing the fun and camaraderie that one experiences at the Grandaddy. The Grandaddy is called that for a reason. It truly is the best amateur golf event. To be fit by the best and be given equipment that is not even out yet is unbelievable to anyone that is not a part of the forum (I honestly still struggle believing it). What is even harder to believe is that that is not the best part of the experience.
The best part of the entire experience is the friends and memories one makes that will last a lifetime. You can see the friendships being formed through practical jokes in this quoted post. Then afterwards the inside jokes from the experience continue to be shared across the forum year after year. It truly is a brotherhood.

 

[radiman]

I will go ahead and give it a go.
I need to get back into going through the 2019 thread so I went back to 2018 as I followed a lot of that live. I have quoted the post instead of screenshotted as it includes GIF's.


I chose this post because I think it does a great job showing the fun and camaraderie that one experiences at the Grandaddy. The Grandaddy is called that for a reason. It truly is the best amateur golf event. To be fit by the best and be given equipment that is not even out yet is unbelievable to anyone that is not a part of the forum (I honestly still struggle believing it). What is even harder to believe is that that is not the best part of the experience.
The best part of the entire experience is the friends and memories one makes that will last a lifetime. You can see the friendships being formed through practical jokes in this quoted post. Then afterwards the inside jokes from the experience continue to be shared across the forum year after year. It truly is a brotherhood.

Haha. The dance off. That is a great one!

 

[radiman]

Just bumping this in case it gets lost in the feed. Also, I will be adding a framed 11x17 print of the picture in the original post. If you are a Grandaddy veteran and think you have enough mementos already, you would be getting a print and can choose to donate the other items to a THPer of your choice. It's a picture I took while prepping for my reviews. You can use it to hang on your office wall or even level a table if you choose

 

[G-Man]

Awesome thread. I was around for the 2019 GD so this is awesome time to go back through. I finished 15 last night and working on 16 I hope to have time today/tomorrow to wrap up my review... I have a few posts that really sum it all up for me.

Awesome event and even better guys involved. So cool to see the THPers involved then and getting to know them now.

 

[gkeller813]

Alright, I haven't been through all the threads, but I had this photo saved and wanted to jump in and share. I really enjoy this photo because it shows the team at their destination. Everyone has a long journey getting ready for the Granddaddy, and now you guys are there! I just love everything coming together, smiling, and embarking on this amazing journey together. A bunch of strangers who had gotten to know each other meeting up, playing golf, and living a dream together. That is a pretty amazing thing.



I can't say that I have a favorite Granddaddy memory in particular, because there is so much to take in. I've followed both '18 and '19, and am working my way through the others. The things that have jumped out at me:
- The faces of the guys on R&D night, when they hear about stuff that none of the general public knows about. Always a great night of reactions.
- Al's house. A great time with a very gracious host that embodies the Granddaddy spirit
- The fittings. Being treated like Pro Staff, and then having the equipment turned around that night, amazing!
- The Bus rides. Love that picture above. You're on a journey together to a dream location, and the excitement it always visible on these bus ride pictures
- The comradery that comes from the event. Life long bonds are formed between so many members who had never met before getting together in California.

I could go on, and include lots of pictures that strike me, but I'll let others do that. Thanks @radiman for the memories that will be relived because of this. Well done!

 

[Carolina Dundee]

2.

View attachment 8918336

3. My favorite picture is almost my favorite moment when @j_sizzle9 was dancing like no ones watching. Sorry sizzle. The Grandaddy seems like the best event because it takes a group of guys and turns them into a team that will share a bond for the rest of their lives through a shared experience that only a few will ever get to have.

 

[Qwkz51]

Awesome gesture @radiman

 

[radiman]

2.

View attachment 8918336

3. My favorite picture is almost my favorite moment when @j_sizzle9 was dancing like no ones watching. Sorry sizzle. The Grandaddy seems like the best event because it takes a group of guys and turns them into a team that will share a bond for the rest of their lives through a shared experience that only a few will ever get to have.

Haha. That was a good moment. The look of disappointment on his face when he saw me recording him. Lol.

 

[j_sizzle9]

Haha. That was a good moment. The look of disappointment on his face when he saw me recording him. Lol.

@radiman I am so happy you captured that! What a memory, what an event, what a sponsor, what a community and what a team! So much fun and I love reliving those moments!

 

[tomcat]

Anyways, here's the picture. I feel like it sums up a lot of the event for me. And, I miss my teammates, lol. Damn it, room is getting dusty again.

View attachment 8937452

Alright, now you guys blow my mind. Grandaddy hopefuls and veterans alike. I want to see some beautiful course shots, some happy times between teammates, or even just food porn.

Would be a shame if I won my own contest

One of my favorites, too.

 

[G-Man]

@radiman Thanks for doing this contest, the prizes are great - It was awesome to encourage people to relive and gain an appreciation of this event, especially for me that were recent members of THP.



There are sooo many great moments that I feel I lived through checking out the Live update threads after the fact. I think the experiences are great but the Granddaddy is just that the Granddaddy of all experiences. This post sums it up. Sums up what mentally we all here on THP think about live vicariously through your pictures and update posts and the lucky dozen that get to experience the event live feel.

The teams are picked and usually involve people from different backgrounds, locations and golf experience/abilities. None of that matters because the camaraderie builds from the selection to well past the actual event. They get unbelievable hospitality, meet great people from Callaway, experience a personalized touch in the "pro for a weekend" type setup of the event with fitting and golf.

Enjoy the Granddaddy today and "tomorrow" meaning forever. That is whats awesome in these updates people spread the word and the stories of their Granddaddy. 2016 was special and some great camaraderie was formed based on the post round picture. They definitely had the time of their lives!

 

[radiman]

Man, seeing these pics really puts a smile on my face. Keep em coming boys!

 

[donny475]

for me, and i know i may be a bit of a sap at times, but i love the brotherhood of THP. I love that for the most part, most of us are genuinely happy that those we have met, those we haven't but we have shared threads with; are getting to go and have an experience like no other...at least for us mere mortals.
That is why i love the live threads when they start up....Folks are headed to the Airport, talking about flights and airport food and beer and who they are meeting, and to continue on together. In 2018 @JB meeting up in DFW with @Phil75070 and i think @SquirrelyDave @dacatalyst41, @mpeterson and his gratis food pic traveling.... @BlueHen2006 taking the selfie with his ticket in his mouth, maybe not now but did then, @shanewu sock game @ttucliffhanger posting hs video after landing in Minneapolis.

Reading how everyone is so pumped to head out to the Experience...I have been there on a trip, not the Grandaddy-yet; but hyped and wishing the clock would stop running backwards for gods sake. Those who are not going are giving advice from when they went, like @Jman -I wish i had more pics...have fun, enjoy and i wish i was going..but genuinely happy for you to live this.

Yes, I love following the golf, but knowing how you feel finally the day for heading out is here and seeing the pics from the plane, meeting up, and i remember meeting @Jman @MH and @H8tobogie in Atlanta and before we got actually on the HWY to Opelika, we were friends, a common brotherhood.
Travel day in 2018 was awesome....that is why i pic this for my thing, i love travel day because we ALL know how you feel... @tequila4kapp saying thank you for those who took the time to say, enjoy..... I know they are flying pics, i chose, but i chose them because we all know what they mean, you are on your way to a THP Experience, LIVE IT, LOVE IT; Believe in Miracles..WE are a Family here and Family supports those who get to go.

Excited for you guys!
I know this whole experience blew me away, and I am sure your minds are racing!
Can’t wait to see this unfold!

Safe travels!


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Just a quick reminder. Thousands of people are going to be coming to this thread beginning today wanting to follow along with your journey through the 2018 Grandaddy. We know the excitement is there, but we also want those people to feel included and feel they are a part of this amazing week.

Enjoy the ride everyone. Soak in every second, and prepare to reflect upon it for years to come.

My biggest advice beyond having fun, which is as easy as breathing at #TheGrandaddy is to take as many pictures as possible, and to have someone in your groups taking pics of you playing as well. My biggest regret still lies there, of all places.

I want to say thank you to the THPers who have sent PMs and texts this last day or so. Each one of your messages touched me and means a lot to me. You know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.


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[ttucliffhanger]

Wow what a contest! Great gesture man!

 

[GolferDad66]

Nice gesture Rad.

 

[93civiccpe]

Great contest and I will not be entering as I was fortunate to have one member surprise me with a Grandaddy ball and another with the copper Hideaway key. I will be following along for the memories and I don't know that I could pick just one. The "Cobra clutch" is memorable in a funny way but a couple years back when team THP wore the Christmas suit jackets to Al's house was just awesome.

 

[DNice26]

Great gesture!! I have been fortunate to have met or have had dealings with former Grandaddy alumni and have been blessed with some Hideaway mementos from them. So I will leave this for others. Will be great to see what others will come up with and hear their stories.

Totally agree and same! Awesome prize, good luck everyone!

 

[radiman]

Great contest and I will not be entering as I was fortunate to have one member surprise me with a Grandaddy ball and another with the copper Hideaway key. I will be following along for the memories and I don't know that I could pick just one. The "Cobra clutch" is memorable in a funny way but a couple years back when team THP wore the Christmas suit jackets to Al's house was just awesome.

Totally agree and same! Awesome prize, good luck everyone!

Thanks guys. But, as I said, feel free to participate anyhow. Can always donate the prize to another THPer. Or, keep the print and donate the rest. I can ship it out to whomever you choose.

 

[Snickerdog]

While not my favorite picture, I was confident starting my trip that we get to San Diego without getting lost.

 

[DNice26]

This one.......THIS......is awesome in so many ways. His videos during the event last year were hilarious as well.

What the GD means: This photo conveys it....the warmth and humor the big GD brings. I enjoy following all the threads and participating on all the contests related to the event. I've been lucky to participate in many awesome golf adventures and I'm quite certain this must be the most insane ride any average golfer could hope to have on their bucket list.

 

[RealPretendPsychic]

No entry here, but I put my favorite picture/moment below. I just made it past page 200 of the 2019 live thread, so I haven’t reached the end of Team THP’s journey. Everyone on the team did such a fantastic job engaging with fellow THPers throughout the Grandaddy that I could almost imagine being in this lobby. A team of brothers exhausted from the adventure, but coming together one last time to share war stories from a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

[radiman]

Just bumping this to see if get some more participation. Those who have entered, your odds are looking pretty good so far!

 

[OGputtnfool]

Excellent gesture!

 

[Just_Brad]

I had a couple, a couple that I vividly remembered, and one I stumbled upon while looking for the first picture lol.






All from the 2016 #TeamUnity Edition of The Grandaddy. I remember at the time thinking these guys are going to win it.
The swagger, the respect, and the genuine happiness. They had it all going on.

The third picture just cracked me up when I was searching through trying to find the first two. That picture of Velardo was just straight up sexy lol.

At the same time, going back through the old threads, it makes me sad that so many who passed through the gates of The Hideaway have drifted away. Be it #ZooCrew members or THP'ers, there were so many awesome awesome people, and so many that have moved on.

As a community member, and someone who has followed the event since Year One, what does it mean to me? It means being able to live vicariously through all that have gotten to attend. Being in the middle of nowhere in Canada, The Hideaway and the experience the Callaway puts on is something I have like a 99.9% chance of never attending. But every single year, you get to go on the journey with everyone. That inside look that people outside the forums probably don't know even exists. Every December, when the season has been over for ages, it takes me away, and I get to spend a couple days in California!

The love that the THPers have for their team members, the alumni, and for the ZooCrew..... how could you not want to be a part of that.