LP Gas, August 2010

OpeningDelivery S E N IOR E D I TOR B R I AN R I CHESSON Twists and turns Friendly team competition hole in one contest add to propane golf outing A s the bright Florida day slowly turned to night propane industry members gathered at a welcome reception by the pool and under the lights over pizza and beer to kick off the annual Propane Golfers Association outing Twenty six years ago longtime LP Gas Magazine Editor Zane Chastain started the golf outing giving propane retailers a reprieve from a long winter and a gathering place for friends and family How fi tting then that later in the evening the group conversation turned to Zane his friendliness and the many funny stories with which he was associated Zane hasnt attended many golf outings in recent years due to health reasons We miss him said Steve Krutsinger of Krutsinger Services Inc A short silence followed that seemed to indicate how much others agreed The next three days were packed full of good times as fi rst time and longtime participants united on Innisbrook Resort and Golf Clubs beautiful courses The Copperhead Island and Osprey layouts offered their own challenges and wildlife sightings A new twist to this years outing was a friendly team competition Industry veterans Bob Mayer of Blossman Gas and Harry Lyons of LP Gas Insurance Specialists of America captained their teams to a near draw with Mayers group holding a threestroke edge A match play format also allowed attendees to pair up with different partners each day providing business opportunities under the sun as well Another notable addition this A match play format allows attendees to pair up with different partners providing business opportunities year was a hole in one contest for a Harley Davidson motorcycle which CHEQ Services and company representative Kevin Schor sponsored Although there were no aces the contest added drama and in the words of Wehof Forms Bob Kostick some unnecessary pressure each day That pressure mounted during the long drive and putting contests as both events required playoffs to determine a winner In the end Kirk Bailey of Diversifi ed Energy 253 yards and the retired Tommy Coates 226 yards had the longest drives in the junior and senior divisions respectively while Gary Drake of Courtesy Gas prevailed in the putting contest Dufour Petroleums Rod OBarr kept the atmosphere light by playing music on his stereo During one postround lunch at the clubhouse OBarr was swaying to the beat with John Geiger of Trinity Containers David Reynolds of Blossman Gas and Phil Farris of Plains Marketing Keeping with the music theme was Walt Wehof of Wehof Forms who played all 18 holes one day while listening to his iPod the ear buds dangling under his shirt On one tee box he sang part of Barenaked Ladies If I Had a Million Dollars Oh and by the way he fi red a 38 on one nine We love to welcome new attendees to the outing Among this years rookie class was Russ Melendy of Coker Fuel who was a good sport despite our botching the pronunciation of his last name on several occasions Other fi rsttime participants were Brian Numrich of Ferrellgas Bill Hughes of Liquid Controls Bill Holmes of Blackmer Jere Moser of Itron Steve Strange Sr and Steve Strange Jr of American Management Corp Jamie Lockhart and Jaime Alberti of Hilco Transport Farris and Drake Check out event coverage on page 10 and at www propanegolfers com With sympathy Our condolences go out to the Linden family of Lindens Propane in LaGrange Ohio Co owner Philip Linden 75 was killed in a tanker truck crash on July 5 while delivering anhydrous ammonia to a farmer Earlier this year co owner Holly Linden told us the biggest reason for her husbands success was his attitude toward service He started the company and worked at the company all these years wanting to help people and service people she said Its about helping one person at a time and meeting their needs According to an article in The Chronicle Telegram of Elyria Ohio Linden often donated propane to fi re departments for use in training exercises LPG brichesson@ questex com 6 LPGas August 2010 www LPGasmagazine com