THE RHINO INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Rhino 2024

Congratulations to Todd Etter, who shot an 85 on a really difficult track at the Jubilee Course to win his first ever Rhino championship. Only one other player (Matthew Curtis) managed to break 90 so that puts into perspective just how well Todd played. He is the first UVA grad (but hopefully not the last) to ever win the Rhino, and I know that's a development Matt would have really enjoyed, given how long the MD crew has dominated this event. I can only assume Todd is wearing his championship kilt non-stop and has found a keg of Lost Rhino beer to pair with the "travel trophy" Rhino horn tap. Todd is a worthy champion who has steadily improved his game over the last several years and it was fitting that he broke through and won on this particularly momentous Rhino in Scotland.

There were so many great moments and memories from this Rhino that it's difficult to single out specific things. But a few stand out to me: walking the Old Course together on Sunday; seeing the videos/photos of Todd Berger playing the Old Course just a couple of days later; gathering for group photos on the Swilican bridge; our late dinner and awards ceremony at the Jigger Inn, right next to the Road Hole; running into Rory McIlroy playing the Old Course (because he couldn't get an invite to the Rhino); our group lunch at the Tom Morris Bar & Grill; looking spiffy in the awesome Rhino shirts Eric gave us; having a wee nip from the Rhino flasks when the golf got really tough; and, perhaps most of all, the glorious weather and sunset we experienced as the final groups finished up on 18.