Last Saturday dawned with cerulean blue skies stretching as far as the eye could see, zero humidity and a light, beautiful breeze. I think you’ll agree it was nothing short of gorgeous. In my book, there is no better way to spend such a picture-perfect day than out on the golf course. Which is exactly where my co-workers Brian Golden, Pat Newell and I were on the beautiful morning in question.

With my friend Julie Gates rounding out our foursome, we were one of 33 teams to enter the Brandi Estelow Nursing Scholarship Fund tournament at Blue Stone Golf Course in Oxford.

Do the quick math and you’ll realize that translates into roughly 130 golfers on the course. Which is why it may very well have been the longest round of golf in the history of man. Just over 6 1/2 hours, if I recall correctly. Not that we minded, though, because it was an absolute blast.

Thankfully, I had lots of sunscreen with me, not to mention a cooler filled with cold libations. (All purchased on premises, thank you very much.)

Because the turnout was so high, we were sent out in eight-somes. I’m not sure that is actually a word, but it definitely accomplished what it was intended to. Everyone moved at a good pace, with little to no waiting. And, perhaps most importantly, everyone made it out alive, since you had more than just your teammates to chat with.