The Challenge more often than not turns out to be a test of survival. Not this year. Tom beat a 7-1 underdog status and narrowly held off cart rival John for a one stroke victory in the the sixth annual Challenge at the insanely difficult Tree Links. In fact the majority of the field finished within just six strokes of the lead. Others weren't so close. Make a few putts? Tom's putting reportedly won him the event including a magical par out of the trees on number 17.

And as if Tree Links wasn't challenging enough, this Bellefontaine, Ohio course is the only golf course in the free world with no water. Well, the only one the CMGC visits anyway. With only a weak citing of someone who got sick on a golf course in Texas (probably from hyponatremia), Tree Links pulled every water jug on this hot, hilly, tree-lined steam bath and only paraded the beverage girl past us once. C'mon Tree Links, get with the program. The threat of suits from heat stroke is far more probable than from Montezuma's Revenge.

Better late than never Johnny! Here were the official odds:
2-1, JM: Is there anyone in the club playing any better or more consistent? I don't think so. Hits the ball straight and avoids the big number. Should be in the thick of things regardless of low handicap.
4-1, RJ: You just can't ignore his handicap. If he can avoid a multiple hole blow-up, look out.
5-1, SB: Iron Byron is finding his game again. After a rough start to 2005 he's had 10 out of his last 12 as counters.
7-1, TK: Always a gamer. Consistent off the tee with a good iron game. Makes a few putts???
8-1, VR: Handicap, handicap, handicap... Hits as good of tee shots as anybody in the club (with old school technology). Everyone will have a hole or two with big numbers, just needs to avoid a lot of them...and maybe a Odyssey putter.
10-1, JK: Hasn't played for a long time and the golf course is definitely not his style (it has more than one tree on it). Who knows, maybe the lay off did him some good.
Off, SH: With the back injury and the uncertainty of his participation, all bets off.
Seven to one? Good job Tom.