It's coming up this Saturday in Menomonee Falls at North Hills Country Club. I was there 2 years in a row back in like '98 and '99 but haven't been there since. I was hoping to go and maybe get a few autographs from the current/former Packers and Brewers and was wondering if anyone has tried this before and could share their experiences. Also I read in an old jsonline article that carry-in items for autographs are frowned upon and atheltes are discouraged from signing them, so I was also wondering if anyone knows if that is still the case. I'd really appreciate any input anyone may have. Thanks!

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carry-in items for autographs are frowned upon

Do clothes count?

A buddy and I have marshalled there for a number of years now. Bart runs the show and he discourages autographs with one exception: He has no problem signing or having the celebrities sign the program you get when you enter the course.

Having said that, people bring stuff in and celebs sign if they're in the mood, if you don't harass them, if you're polite and not pushy and if you're obviously not a pro seller of autographs.

Even without the autographs, the memories are priceless. Max made his final appearance last year and he was a treasure. Sayers was his typical jerk self but he was signing stuff. You could follow Bart around all day as he is just about the coolest guy you'll ever meet. Ron Kramer had amazing stories. Etc, etc.

Bring a camera, some stuff to try to get autographed, food, a cooler and good walking shoes. Bug spray and sunscreen also recommended. They used to have concessions but it's gotten pretty corporate and they really don't attempt to cater to the general public much anymore. I think it costs 5 bucks to park. Entry to the course and the program have been free in the past.

See you there!

It's $5 to get in, a bargain and it goes to a good cause. The weather for Saturday is looking good so far.

Forget autographs, take pictures instead.

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Originally posted by VegasVic:
It's $5 to get in, a bargain and it goes to a good cause. The weather for Saturday is looking good so far.

Just got an email from the tourney folks. The course is very wet. Much more rain and the back 9 is not gonna happen. Let's hope this silliness clears pronto!

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Originally posted by rastapackermon:

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Originally posted by VegasVic:
It's $5 to get in, a bargain and it goes to a good cause. The weather for Saturday is looking good so far.

Just got an email from the tourney folks. The course is very wet. Much more rain and the back 9 is not gonna happen. Let's hope this silliness clears pronto!

Thanks for the info. Let me know if anything else comes up.

I live about 5 minutes from the course and it's been pretty much been a downpour for the past 3 hours. It's stopped now but very dark with lots of lightning.

I'm a member there - they'll be lucky to play 10 holes, if at all. Too bad, good fund raiser.

You called it. We're down to 10 holes.

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Originally posted by VegasVic:
it's been pretty much been a downpour for the past 3 hours. It's stopped now but very dark with lots of lightning.

welcome to Iowa

Highs in the 70's & lows in the 50's without rain for at least 5 days.

Its not how many times you're knocked down, but how many times you get back up.

Your bout clarity is somewhat disturbing.

I am not a golfer, but I do have two golfing experiences.

First, I went golfing only once, at the Whitnall Park course for you Milwaukee golfers who know it. I was absolutely terrible. But I did I birdie the 5th hole!! And I did finish out the front 9. The next day every muscle around my rib cage hurt so bad. So I now have a ton of respect for good golfers. I'll watch them on TV in total amazement, now knowing how difficult it is.

Second, I was actually standing next to the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland last September (actually, just outside the Old Club House windows - I even peeked in to see club members all dressed up and sipping...tea?).

I thought you had to be pretty good to get out on the Old Course, but believe me, there were some real hackers out there. I think I could've done better - really. This Scotsman later told me, "Ah, we let the Americans play. They come all this way, after all." I actually thought it was more the dollar-to-pound exchange rate that allowed the Americans to play.

Just standing next to the Old Club house watching everything and everybody, this bus pulls up, and all these Americans get out. You could tell they were Americans: loud, Texas drawls, brash. One guy had on a UCLA Football T-shirt that tried but failed to cover his huge gut. Some of them proceeded to walk right out onto the 18th green next to the Old Club house. One guy actually gets down on his hands and knees and kisses the green as his wife takes pictures. The Scotish caddies that hang out just down the steps from the club house waiting to be hired, went totally ballistic. They yelled at the visitors, telling them to get off the green, get off the course, go back to your bus. They were pissed.

I have to admit, I was rather embarrassed to be an American. Even I knew the greens on the Old Course were finely manicured, holy ground, especially the 18th. A few moments later, though, two Scotish gents with their clubs in tow passed me, and each voiced a friendly "good morning" in their beautiful Scotish brogue. My impression of the Scotts as being a very friendly people was re-affirmed.

So I went and had a good time at the Lombardi. I didn't take many pictures because my digital camera isn't that good and can't zoom in worth a darn. I did get a few good autos, though. I got Bob Uecker on the sweet spot of a baseball. I got Jerry Kramer, Willie Buchanan, Lynn Dickey, Bonnie Blair, and a quite a few others in the program. (Last time I went it was a small brochure with a little room for autos, but now it's a nice program with separate pages and pictures for each celebrity.) I was hoping to get Paul Hornung on an 8x10 photo, but he didn't play (he was there and signed just a few autos by the clubhouse). I tried on 3 straight holes to get Bart Starr, but he writes slowly, personalizes everything, and has a crowd that follows him, making him hard to get. No big deal, though, because I got his signature on a football back when I was still a little kid. Nick Barnett and Gorman Thomas are two big names that weren't there but were originally listed to appear.

Overall, I'd have to say it was a great experience. I was just off the 16th green (which was actually played as the 4th hole out of 10 total) and there weren't many people there except when the stars came through. It was refreshing to be able to see some of these guys in a more relaxed setting and not have to fight huge crowds to get their autographs, take pictures, or shake their hands. On that 16th green Jerry Kramer made a tough putt from about 30 feet away, and that was cool to see. I did notice a couple of professional autograph collectors/sellers up by the clubhouse (one guy even got Greg Koch to sign a stack of about 5 8x10 photos - which I didn't like to see), but most of the spectators were just fans. It was a warm day, and as I left I was sweatier and more tired than I would've guessed just from being outside and walking around. It was a lot of fun.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by oshbaul:
Lombardi.