“To the best of my recollection…” submitted by Tom Martin

2003

2003 was in Albuquerque/Santa Fe.  An unfortunate piece of Shootout history was that it was originally hosted by Alan Jones.  In December while working on preparations Alan was sadly diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.  By late winter he was in hospice and died quickly.  Alan was a golfer and initially chose the golf courses.  I followed up with that.  Jack Morrison and Dick Fate picked up the rest of the hosting duties of restaurants and a great hotel and rates in Albuquerque.  All went smooth.  Hugh Mac gave the very best presentation of the Woody succession performance on the last night.  The Woody was awarded to Joe Albano.  He was staying on the top floor of the hotel when his toilet overflowed early in the morning before he left for golf.  The hotel plumbers fixed it while he was on the course, but they had to open the windows to air out the room.  When Joe returned, his room was full of pigeons and their droppings.  As he tells the story…

In 2003 Alb/Santa Fe I recall we played the University of New Mexico course, also Cochiti course on the Cochiti Indian Reservation and the Paa Ko Ridge golf course (annually rated the top course in NM.)