BAYOU BIG DAWG, July 2-3, 2005

There were many aspects of this tournament that made it stand out as one of the best in the minds of the competitors and spectators as well. The organization, preparation and execution of tiny details accounted for all events being run smoothly and without unnecessary delays, yet never rushing the skiers. The driving was excellent as well as the officiating. The site was beautiful, conditions were near perfect and the hospitality outstanding. But perhaps the most powerful experience of all was to witness the camaraderie between the skiers. It was obvious as they each wished their head to head competitor "good luck", they meant it.

To the members of the Ski Ranch who organized this tournament, Chad Scott, Nicole and Eric Baird, you are to be congratulated on a job well done. You were prepared, organized and left no detail to chance.
Great job!!

A great big THANK YOU to David and Claire DiPol who so graciously shared their beautiful site and home and let the skiers and their families experience their warm hospitality.

Head to head elimination scores              Pictures at the Bayou Big Dawg

Link to Bayou Big Dawg Homepage

Following are comments by some of the competitors:
Steve Raphael - Arlington, TX - "This tournament is a blast, greatest site, hospitality outstanding, and soft water"

Chet Raley - Boynton Beach, FL - "I love the format of these things. We get to do competitive based skiing which in our sport is fading quickly. I love the fact that we have the ability to actually compete for something against something. I'm a really big fan of that, that's where my sport started and hopefully will continue long after I'm gone. It's been a long time since I've been back to the South Central Region to ski a tournament. I had no idea this piece of paradise existed. I rank this site in the top 3 in the world, if not the best site. The hospitality and pageantry is wonderful. Yes, I'm in Big Dawg heaven".

Chris Clark - Ft. Wayne, IN - "Great lake, well organized, love the food and having a great time, the 14 hour drive was well worth the trip".

Todd Kuykendall - Enid, OK - "First of all this is the best site I have ever skied. Conditions are really nice, tournament format is outstanding. I went to the Big Dawg in Ohio last year and this is fun coming to a 3 round record and a bonus chance to win some money, but that's not the main reason in coming, it's getting to watch outstanding skiers."

Bruce Butterfield - Sherman, TX - "The format is great, it brings a lot of competition into the sport. Gives everybody a chance at it. The tournament is going great, we should have more of them".

Ham Wallace - Nashville, TN - "Would drive 600 miles for this format. Like the head to head competition and of course in my 40 years of competition, it's all about the people".

Frank Harwood - Milton, FL - "I like the format; skiers of any age can compete together. The conditions are good, it's a relaxed atmosphere and the drivers are good."