The Rat Race Golf Tournament has passed.

Saturday, on the first day of play, the headlines should have read, “canceled because of rain,” but no, all 42 couples (I think I’d call them much tougher than those toughies who wear pink) showed up ready to play — the majority in rain gear, some toting umbrellas, others huddled in luxurious closed-in carts, and a small minority, who’d failed to read a weather report, took shelter under trees shivering in their shorts.

“Abysmal,” lamented one sodden-looking character, “there’s no better word.”

Because of open-air golf carts, ink-blurred scorecards, cold hands and slick golf club handles, the game conjured up several strange scenarios. One gal, in her tee shot to the #4 green, watched as her iron slipped out of her hands and whipped like a boomerang through the air, clearing the nearby 12-foot safety net.

On the putting green, golf balls rooster-tailed to the cup.

One golfer, who misjudged her approach shot to #8 green, cringed as her ball zinged toward Trout Creek, but then took a crazy bounce, and stopped short in a water puddle on the green.

The steady morning drizzle took its toll on all three flights making for a lot of drowned rats, cats and cheeses, but again this rare species of golfer came through completing 18 holes. Ten couples — with low gross scores ranging from 77 to 84 — qualified to compete in the Sole Survivor. The event included locals, Marvin Gibbs and partner, Vicki Edmundson from Baker, Bill and Judy Ables, and Lance and Michelle Homan. La Grande couple, Keith and Stephanie Williams, won the event.

Azure blue skies greeted golfers for Sunday play.

There were many winners in each flight. The following is a selective list from hometown Alpine Meadows: Women’s KP — Pam Garrett. Men’s Long Drive — Cats, Lance Homan. Rats, Dean Duquette. Women’s Long Drive, Rats, Sherri Currie. Saturday and Sunday Chapman 1st Low Gross, Rats, Marvin Gibbs/Vicki Edmundson. Rats, Bill and Judy Ables in a tie. Third Low Net — Cheese, Chuck Haines/Ruby Zollman. 2nd Low Gross — Rats, Gary and Carol Marr in a tie.

AMGC will host its Crab Feed/final seasonal tournament this coming Saturday, Sept. 19. Hope for nice weather.