Longview Golf Course

Photo by JP Marion

April 30, 2004: The brothers' four stand at the grave site of George Franz, RJ's late father-in-law, on the occasion of the second annual GFI (George Franz Invitational), the tourney created by RJ and the Franz family in George's honor and attracting some 40 golfers this year. Mr. Franz is buried just off of scenic Longview Golf Course's 7th tee, the perfect resting place for a man who loved the game and often played here. Blessed by perfect weather, the event was as good as it gets (not counting the golf).

Photo by JP Marion

The one, the only Maggie Marion was an integral part of the GFI in 2004, generously sacrificing a day of school to hang out at the course, take team photos, and run the chipping contest with her Aunt Annie (and guzzle unlimited cans of soda while constantly munching on bags of junk, er, snack foods AND -- best of all -- getting to drive her father's golf cart!). Uncannily selecting the most difficult part of the fringe around the green for chipping, she cheerfully watched as contestant after contestant failed miserably to deal with the hump that stood between them and the pin until the eventual winner knocked it to within 22 inches. Now that she's taking golf lessons, we look forward to Maggie's own participation in next year's GFI -- and to watching her give that diabolically-positioned chip a shot.

Photo by JP Marion

JP Marion -- who is in no way, fashion, or form an Atkinsite -- chowed down on this carb-crammed lunch at the Padonia Station, Baltimore, after an outstanding George Franz Invitational. Then, he went back to the trough and heaped another helping of precisely the same food on his plate. JP developed his love of such fare in the cafeteria of Lindbergh Elementary School, Dearborn, MI. His choice of beverage to wash down the grub? A pitcher of pre-sweetened Lemon-Lime Kool-Aid.

Master of Ceremonies RJ, and hard-working co-conspirators Patty and Annie, took center stage to hand out a staggering array of awards and gift items, including more than 10,000 golf balls (or so it seemed). Thanks to several hundred thousand dollars worth of audio equipment (some of it is visible in the background), everybody was able to hear every syllable uttered by anybody who came within two blocks of the mic.

Manly MC RJ, his eyes an eerie red due to a pronounced lack of sleep in the weeks leading up to the event (and the two martinis he snuck in before he took the stage), proposes an apt toast to the man we were all there to honor: George Franz.

Another Kodak Moment: The one, the only Maggie and her heroic father feeling the vibe at the Padonia Station, as the GFI winds down for 2004.

(All above photos by JP Marion.)

Swinger

This pencil sketch of RJ by noted faux artist and "Painter of Lite," Thomas Kinkykade, was commissioned by the august HackFest Committee, headed by the Honorable WO Marion, Commissioner, to honor Lefty's stellar work on the GFI. The series is entitled The Marion Borthers (Note: Mr. Kinkykade, being dislexic, cannot spell). Once matted and framed, it will hang in RJ's Baltimore basement Hall of Fame (where he also keeps his revered memory box of fake Scottish golf relics proudly on display).

Note: Mr. Kinkycade's commission was later extended to include drawings of all four Marion brothers. A fifth piece -- that of Charlie Messinger (see below) -- was accidentally created when the artist mistook the newly sculpted Messinger, who has lost nearly 200 pounds, for RJ.

The Thinker

Charlie Messenger, of New Balance, the official shoe of the George Franz Invitational, on his arrival at Longview Golf Course. Early that morning, the svelte new Charlie jogged over from his store at The Avenue and was here contemplating whether to ride in a cart like everyone else, or to instead run the course for the added exercise. Although it slowed him down considerably, he ended up taking the cart in order to serve as designated driver for his teammate and former Villanova grad Mike.

ShutterBug

The third painting in the acclaimed four-part series entitled The Marion Borthers by the faux Painter of Lite, Thomas Kinkykade (who, being slightly dislexic, is a poor speller), captures JP in a familiar pose...camera in hand, recording a shot of his lunch, so he'll have evidence to sue the restaurant if the food makes him ill. Note Hitchcockian touch in background... youngest brother MJ in an equally-familiar pose: stuffing his face.

Dry Heaves

Another original sketch in the brilliant Thomas Kinkykade series entitled The Marion Borthers (sic), this one, entitled "Dry Heaves," shows Michael J's arrival at the GFI, ten minutes prior to tee time. Falling victim to nerves, MJ tried to let loose as Mr. Kinkykade furiously sketched the effort in the Longview parking lot. Alas, Michael's grunts and gutteral thrusts were futile, and he was able to bring up little more than an oyster-sized globule of residual tar and nicotine from the previous evening's cigar.

Young Matt

Longview Golf Course, 7:00 a.m. Although it was the earliest he had opened his eyes all year, Mateo O'Brien Marion still managed to make it to last month's GFI in style, sporting New Balance shower clogs and the 2003 Cox Classic hat. Down from Salisbury College for the occasion, he performed admirably on the course -- even though he was bedeviled with the bane of a young man's existence: "girl problems."