Grappa Invitational History

How It All Began

The origins of this trip go back to 1993, when Mike Webb and Jeff Parker had the pleasure of playing a couple of rounds of golf in Hilton Head and one round in Myrtle Beach, SC. We fell head-over-heels for Hilton Head. The golf courses are immaculately maintained, the clubhouses and facilities are absolutely 1st class, and everyone on the island treats you like a King (considering Hilton Head's popularity with the well-to-do, for all they know you might be one).

Before you can completely understand why we make such a big deal out of a little golf trip, you have to know a little about the players involved. Some of us are married, some aren't, some of us have kids, some of us don't. We take this shit very seriously. So, the one who comes out ahead at the end of the week gets to gloat, brag, strut, and rub it in everybody's face for a whole year.

In 2000 I was able to coerce four of my best friends in Sweden (I have been there several times on business) to make the trip across the pond to join us. They didn't regret it and have returned almost every event since then. For all intents and purposes, the Grappa Invitational didn't begin until 2000.

What's In a Name

Early in '97 I spent 10 weeks in Central Italy and was introduced by the natives to a popular after-dinner cocktail called "Grappa". Some of you might be familiar with it. It is undeniably the nastiest, most vile, wretched tasting shit I have ever put in my mouth. While there, I played some golf with another American. Jeff East, from Texas, actually hated Grappa more than I (and I never imagined that possible). So, Grappa became our incentive when playing against each other -- the loser gets the Grappa. My golf buddies at home, and myself, incorporated this theme into our annual tournament and the "Grappa Invitational" was born. Each day, the player who cards the worst net total for the day is obligated to down a shot of Grappa that night. At the end of the tournament it really gets ugly as winners get to distribute a specified number of shots as they see fit.