The OTL champs agree that the yearly tournament has two distinct phases. "However, no matter how serious we take it, we've still maintained the spirit of the sport." It's not as rowdy as it used to be, and you don't see as many fights or people getting too drunk," said Jeff Briggs, a four-time OTL champion, winning his latest tournament last year. To help emphasize the sport rather than the spectacle, the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club - founder and original sponsor of the tournaments - has made strides to tame the tournament and make it more than just beer, babes and bats on the beach.
"Sure, I used to play in bikini bottoms and tops, but that's what we did back then, and I admit it was a lot of fun." "When I decided I wanted to play the game well, that's when I came to the realization that those team names don't need to be (obscene)," said McGowan, who's been a top OTL player for more than 25 years. But, things changed as she improved at the sport.
Lisa McGowan, a five-time champion in the OTL Women's Open, admitted that she belonged to teams with racy names over the years. Many of the team monikers would make Chris Rock blush and can't be printed in a family newspaper.Ī few of the less raunchy ones included: Damn Rabbit Died Winkin, Blinkin and Nude Old Farts With Young Hearts (age 70-plus team) It's Not Pretty Being Easy (women's team) and Sons of Beaches.Īs a general rule, the better the team, the less gross the name.
Over the years, the tournament gained a reputation for its debauchery and sexual overtones, vividly illustrated by the risque team names.