On Friday afternoon, at Barton Creek in Austin, Texas, I ambushed the Kosberg Open. For 25 years these friends, dating back to grade school in Chicago, have been getting together for annual buddies trips. The original Kosberg Open takes place in the summer--usually at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin.  But a few years ago Diane Anstadt was preparing a 50th birthday gift for her husband, Brad. She sent Brad and three of his best friends to the World Golf Village in Florida for three days of golf school in the fall. That trip to Florida developed into an annual October golf outing and 11 guys made it to Austin this year. You'll read about their story in the January issue, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak to the beautiful female mind that was so supportive of her husband and his friends that she paid for four guys to get away together. As far as I'm concerned, speaking with Diane was a peek behind the curtain; a chance to speak to what we're all looking for--unconditional love for what we love--Diane has unconditional and selfless love for buddies trips. This was my phone conversation with Diane Anstadt:

Do the other wives resent you for giving your husband such an elaborate gift like an all-expenses paid golf trip with three of his best friends?
No. They don’t say it out loud at least.

Are you comfortable getting the credit for starting a second annual golf trip for these guys?
I guess that trip I sent them on started it. I hope the other wives aren’t mad about that, but I don’t think they are.

How did you come up with the idea for this present?
I figured--They can never have enough golf and lessons and that he wouldn’t want to go by himself. So I asked Eddie (Newmark) first, because he’s one of the planners of the group.

And how did the other guys react when you told them you were paying for them to take a golf trip with your husband?
They were very grateful. It was impossible for them to say no. I just felt bad I couldn’t extend it to all of their friends.

But I hear your husband hasn’t improved since that trip.
The more he learns, the more he forgets. And he takes so many lessons from so many teachers who have so many different perspectives.

Are all the wives cool with so many annual golf trips?
We accept it because it has been so many years of friendship for these guys. And we’re all friends. We do a lot of things as couples. When golf was involved on previous trips, we’d never see the guys. They’d go play and we’d lie by the pool or go shopping. It’s just better to send them off by themselves.

Tell me more about this group of guys.
They are very unique. A lot of people around town refer to them as, “That group.” Most of them have been friends since elementary school, some from high school and some from college.

And the ladies, do you guys connect when the men are gone?
We’re planning a trip to Aruba and they can’t give us a hard time about it.

And what do you think of these guys and their camaraderie?
I’m jealous but supportive of it.

Well, this story about your husband and friends will appear on my blog and in the January issue of Golf Digest.
That’s neat. It’s too bad my Dad isn’t alive to see it. He was an avid golfer and subscribed to Golf Digest. He would’ve loved to witness this.

Here are some more photos from the Ambush:

This is Corey Schiff (above), who sent in the group's itinerary. When I showed up to announce to the group that they were being Ambushed, Schiff was up in the golf shop. I called him on his cell phone to let him know I was at the 18th green giving out gifts. "I had a feeling you were going to be here," said Schiff.

Edward Newmark (above, left) plans the fall Kosberg event. Marty Magida (right) plans the summer event. The beverage cart girl is a key component to buddies trip success. We love them too.

Ron Schaffel (above, left) told me he missed a flight to a Kosberg Open a few years ago because he broke off from the pack to get an airport hot dog. He also told me Gary Rosenberg (right) is his best friend. "Gary stood as my best man . . . in both of my weddings."

I can't say enough about Barton Creek in Austin as a potential buddies trip venue--especially in late October. These guys paid $540 for three nights of quality lodging (two to a very nice room), a complete breakfast buffet and unlimited golf on four courses (two Fazios, a Crenshaw and a Palmer) for three days. The week before they had seven inches of rain in Austin, but the day I arrived these guys got nothing but blue skies and a healthy dose of the big yellow ball. This is a shot of the property from my hotel window:

Do you take a buddies trip? Do you know of a buddies trip that you'd be willing to share with our readers? Let me know about it by clicking here and filling out a short entry form. You and your friends might be next.

--Matty G.