Wild Goose Chase March 2009
(by Gerard Odenbach)

It was a fair weather day as eight boats with 44 chasers embarked on a choppy water hunt for the elusive Marco Bay Geese. The boats participating were: “Probable Cause”-Larry Skelson and Nina Esala; “ Knot Home II”-Jack and Betty Barter; “Cookin’”-Brent and Susan Cook; “Loon Song”-Al and Linda Saunders; “Docked Oar D”-Joe and Sharon Doggett; “Splish Splash”-Jim and Ginny Mueller; “My Ruthie”- John and Ruth Putnam; and “Shoel”-Joel and Sherry Fitzjarrald.

“My Ruthie”, captained by J. Putnam, encountered an immovable object owned by Florida Light and Power while trying to be the first over the starting line. The high voltage power line tower survived the mishap although we later heard there was an electrical surge that temporarily disabled the Club website!

“Cookin” was not too hot as it had one engine quit, but they returned to the hunt after a safety check with half power and joined the flight of goose chasers. Once the clue sheets were handed out by Team Skillern (Skillerns, Thawleys, and Odenbachs) on “Odiekanobi” the team returned to port to assist the chasers at the Esplanade.

Lunch was served at CJ’s at the Esplanade and additional Club members joined the festivities and enjoyed the good food and companionship, while Team Skillern tallied the results.

First Place was awarded to Team Doggett who had found all eight Geese and the team was presented with the prestigious and beautifully engraved- MBYC “Wild Goose” Trophy (to be passed on to future winners), and a liter of Grey Goose Vodka (that they did not share).

Second Place was won by Team Saunders who received a ¾ liter bottle of Grey Goose Vodka!

Third Place was taken by Team Putnam and they received a much smaller bottle of Grey Goose Vodka.

A couple of special awards were presented to selected participants by Charlie Skillern.

All in all, it was a fun event held in the northern waters of Marco Island and Isle of Capri. Team Doggett also caught a picture of a wild Bobcat that was in the chase near one of our geese in a field!

Next year’s event will be hosted by this year’s winners: TEAM DOGGETT.