I always kid with the Global Traveler staff and tell them the reason we are off on Black Friday is really the annual Turkey Bowl Golf Tournament. Thanksgiving is just a resting round for the big game.

Over the years, the Turkey Bowl has had various players and, of course, some old standbys. For the past 17 years, the Turkey Bowl has been played at Cream Ridge Golf Club in New Jersey.  I am sure you can search though past blogs to read the antics of our group over the years. We played at Cream Ridge due to a fantastic guy named Bill Marine, the PGA professional at the course . . . or at least he was up until this year. Cream Ridge was sold and placed under new management, and in the process, this gentleman of golf was relieved of his duties. We miss Bill Marine.

This year, I called Cream Ridge to schedule our regular Turkey Bowl tee time, and there was no interest whatsoever in our group of 12 players. I was told, “We might not be open,” and, “It might be snowing.” I can tell you that in 18 years, the Turkey Bowl has never been snowed out or called due to weather. We have played in the freezing cold and in rain; and ice on ponds has been our friend, as our balls skidded off the ponds and onto the greens. So we changed the tradition and went for the home course of Global Traveler — Jericho National in New Hope, Pa. It was a great day!

It was a record turnout for the Turkey Bowl, with Chris “Yammi” Ottaunick sneaking a win after a one-hour frost delay. The course turned out to be warm and friendly with some of the best weather we have seen at the Turkey Bowl. The course took a hit from Super Storm Sandy, and many of the native trees saw their demise in Sandy’s winds.

So to all you golfers who check the weather before you run out for a warm Turkey Bowl Day: we will be there no matter the temperature, rain or snow — Lucky Bob, Paulie Walnuts, Yammi, John Boy, Poster Boy, Smiling Gerry, Mike and Mike and all the boys, with yours truly who has not won a Turkey Bowl in over five years. There is always next year.

— Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO