Poor boy 2023

Toasting another year of Poor Boy competition

The Reigning Champion

The newest challenger Denny Ramey

Given that last year's top two finishers hailed from Scioto County, the Poor Boys went out and recruited another Appalachian person to challenge "The Reigning." Some are hoping the dark clouds in the background are foreshadowing dark times for the "Reigning." Denny plays out of Scioto Country Club, giving him double Scioto juju.

The Poor Boys

Steve Jones

the "reigning"

Captain Jones, Chairman of the Poor Boy Competition committee is the prime creator of the Poor Boy. Steve has been honing his game at Columbus Country Club this spring, and plotting his strategy with an eye towards holding the coveted Poor Boy Cup on Sunday and taking it home for the first time in 14 years. His strategy may involve the 2nd and 3rd holes in one in Poor Boy history.

the "reigning"

Poor Boy Reigning and Perpetual Champion Steve Fitch, seen here grabbing the esteemed Jones Trophy from its rightful owner, is known for his last day charges when the scores are doubled. After last year's miscarriage of equity, the rules have changed, taking away his edge. The Poor Boys always look forward to the unique and thoughtful gifts Steve and Brenda provide each year.

Frank Ray

the "reigning"

Jeff Leonard

Frankie, also known as Pop Pop to his golfing grandchildren, continues to be an inspiration to his fellow Poor Boys by shooting his age on a regular basis. This year he did it in frigid 49 degree weather, in Columbus, in February! Frankie's travels this year took him, along with Fitchy, to the UK where they scouted future sites for the Poor Boy Internatiionale.

Jeff Leonard

Jeff, shown here expressing his opinion on Fitchy's win in 2022, has been the only one in the past few years to break Fitchie's stranglehold on the Poor Boy trophy. Jeff is one of the trio of Fairlawn golfers who are hoping that playing a round with his homies will provide the edge needed to take the cup this year. The Poor Boys always appreciate Jeff's culinary skills and hospitality when he hosts the Friday evening barbeque at the house on Sandusky Bay.

Ron Kopp

Jeff Leonard

Ralph Grajzl

Ron, seen here accepting his prize for being the sharpest Poor Boy in golf trivia, is also a member at Fairlawn Country Club where he has arranged to host the Poor Boys for this year's Friday round. Fresh off a close second place finish in a Naples club Member-Guest, Ron is ready for the Gold in this year's PBI.

Ralph Grajzl

Jeff Leonard

Ralph Grajzl

Ralph, amazingly, is coming back for a third helping of Poor Boy hospitality(?). After describing last year's third round at Eagle Creek as, "like the Bataan Death March, but not as festive," Ralph is showing real pluck by taking another bite of the Poor Boy apple. Clearly, when Ralph gets the Poor Boys on his home Fairlawn turf here's hoping he will use his local knowledge to his advantage.

returning this year Tim van eman

(Editor's Note: We think this is Tim in the photo under the mask, hat, and glasses) After 3 agonizing years of playing over and over in his mind Fitchy 5 putting on the 18th at his home course of Wedgewood to puke up a lock Nassau bet, Tim has decided he knows the key to getting into Fitchy's head. He just has to play his way into the final foursome on Sunday. So, after a 2 year absence Tim is back playing on the shores of Lake Erie in the 2023 Poor Boy

On the D/l This Year Cross

returning this year Tim van eman

After 74 years of bad posture coupled with bones from the shallow end of the gene pool, Gary Cross, seen above going into surgery at the University Hospital Frankenstein Institute of Spine Surgery and Tesla Recharging, has had to pass on this year's Poor Boy, but is looking forward to hearing stories of how the Poor Boys let Fitchy in again...or didn't.

Venues for 2023

Plum Brook Country Club

The Poor Boys kick off the 2023 event with 18 holes at Plum Brook on Friday this year. Designed by Tom Bendelow, the "Johnny Appleseed of Golf Course Design" Plum Brook provides a strong test of shot accuracy and recovery from juicy rough at this time of year.

Elyria Country Club

Plum Brook Country Club

Similar to Fairlawn, Elyria Country Club presents a classic test of Midwestern golf. Elyria returns to the Poor Boy rota after a 5 year absence.

Eagle Creek

Plum Brook Country Club

Eagle Creek

Eagle Creek Golf Club located in Norwalk, Ohio returns to the Poor Boy rota of courses this year after providing a thrilling finish in 2022. Designed by Brian Huntley, this par 71 course received 4 1/2 stars out of 5 from golf digest.

day one - plum brook

Could this be Fitchy's secret?

Brenda's muffins are a mainstay of the Poor Boy Columbus contingent.. Maybe there's a secret ingredient that turns Fitchy into Popeye?

Ralph preparing to make this year's run at the PB trophy.

Day 1 on the first tee

The first group was led off by the leading Rookie of the Year candidate, Poor Old Denny Ramey.

The second group, featured the leading candidate for Come Back Player of the Year, Tim Van Eman.

Day 1 Highlight

Frankie Shows Why We Only Put Numbers on the Scorecard

Poor Boy Frankie Ray had the good fortune of sculling a drive on the treacherous number 4 hole, which then decided to take the bridge across the water hazard. Frankie then made a great recovery into the trap in front of the green and completed an up and down for a routine par.

Day 1 - Plum Brook

Plum Brook was in excellent shape as the Poor Boys teed off. There was a delay after the round as the executive committee took up the issue that the competitor playing as Van Eman was in fact a clever AI created deep fake. However when they looked at 2019 they saw an opening score of 34, followed by a DAL finish.

Round two - Elyria

He may shoot in the 80's but he always dresses in the 60"s. Frankie preparing to take on Elyria.

Tim, teeing off at Elyria. You can see the look of concern as he plays without his lucky Muirfield hat. Look closely for the small electrodes embedded in the hat he borrowed from Fitchy.

Day 2 - elyria

Another beautiful day for golf as the Poor Boys headed to Elyria. When the smoke cleared, Fitchy had edged ever closer to Tim, who spent most of the day asking people to answer the phone that was ringing. It was setting up for a climactic Sunday show down.

Now it's Party time!

The Poor Boys left Elyria headed to Jeff's Friend's House (JFH) looking forward to a barbeque and celebrating Captain Jones' 70th birthday. Seen here, the Captain is overwhelmed by being presented with an ice cream birthday cake that spent the day reconstituting itself in Jeff's truck. The look in his eyes when he opened the box was priceless.

RON SAVES THE DAY - Professing an allergy to ice cream cake served at 180 degrees, Ron had stopped on the way to JFH and bought a cake capable of holding candles. Later Ron once again dominated the trivia contest, making him the "reigning" trivia king.

The Poor Boys were treated once again to a sumptuous feast prepared by Chef Jeff, followed by a few adult beverages while enjoying the sunset on Lake Erie. The newest Poor Boy, Denny Ramey got his welcome to the Poor Boy bottle of wine from Fitchy.

Photo Gallery

This year the traditional tournament favors thoughtfully provided by Brenda and Steve, recognized the contributions of the Poor Boys significant others with a bag full of treats that were well received when the Poor Boys went home.

Teeing off on day three

The tension was thick as the Poor Boys teed it up at Eagle Creek. Poor Boy Jeff is seen here stroking a beauty down the first fairway.

Day 3 Hole of the day

On Sunday's pressure cooker 16th hole, Poor Boy Ron overcooked his drive into the pines, nearly OB. Grinding all the way, Ron got on the green in 4, and made the putt for a 5 net 4, securing his finish in the money.

Day 3 - eagle creek

In a tradition like no other, the Poor Boys descended on Eagle Creek for a titanic struggle to unseat the reigning champ. In a round that was marked by Denny asking Tim several times to, "turn down that damn hat," only two positions changed at the end of the day.

You guessed it......

he did it again!!!

FITCH UBER ALLES. In a totally unsurprising result, Poor Boy Fitch pulled his patented last day magic to edge out Tim by one stinking point. A par on the 18th hole cemented his victory.

At the end of the day, the Poor Boys all agreed that this was another great year of fun and fellowship and are all looking forward to the 20th Poor Boy to be played in 2024. Thanks to all that made it possible.