In the Beginning....

Over 25 years ago 4 friends played hookey from work on the last Friday of July to play a round of golf at the Hillview Country Club.  Afterwards, they gathered at my home to have a few beers and eat some lobsters. It was such a good time that we decided to do the same thing next year. Normally these type of plans never transpire, but the following year we grew to 8 participants. By the 3rd year it started to take on a life of it's own and was being referred to as the Crustacean Classic

(mainly due to the dinner faire served after).

Tee shirts and golf shirts were part of the memorabilia, as well as a Custom Crusty quart of beer. Then one year "the trophy of all trophies" was introduced to the competition - "The Coveted Claw".  A hand made putter with a brass head in the shape of a lobster claw. The claw is awarded to the golfer who lands closest to the pin on the 18th hole at Hillview (a par 3). Like the Stanley Cup, the Coveted Claw is in the custody of the winner with all it's bragging rights. The winner must return the following year to defend it or will automatically have to surrender it.

The claw has also had some close calls. For instance, Dave McColgan, our 2008 winner had to rescue it from a house fire he had. Rumor has it that after he rescued the Coveted Claw and the oak plaque it is mounted on, he went back in to save his wife.

Although the initial group of players were Wakefield High graduates it has since spread to a network of friends of friends of friends. We have lost a couple of them to date; Dave "Oakie" O'Connor and Mark "Mac" McCarthy.

We also stopped serving lobster and substituted it with a traditional cookout.

But nothing substitutes old friends getting together once a year.

Who knew that this would grow or even sustain the years. There was a period of time when Crusty lay silent and there wasn't a competition.......hey, life gets in the way sometimes. But the classic is back and will continue for years to come.

....and one more thing.....

Chickie says "Hi"