Dear readers, two years ago this week we sent our first story.

It was about a guy who stole $20,000 from his own club and got away with it.

We sent it to 203 people.

A handful of you were on that list. Most of you weren't, and that's pretty much the story of how this thing grew.

There are thousands of you now. What we're proudest of is that the open rate hasn't really moved. You're still opening these at the same clip you were when CCC was going out to just a few hundred people.

That tells us something we don't take for granted: you actually want to read our stories.

Someone recently told us that getting a CCC email feels like getting a handwritten letter in the mail. It goes straight to the top of the pile because you can't wait to see what's inside.

That might be the greatest compliment anyone could give us, and it's the only bar we care about clearing every week.

One thing we've never done, and never will, is buy a list. Everybody reading this opted in. Maybe you heard us on a podcast, maybe a friend told you about us, or maybe you know us personally. However you got here, you chose to be here.

For us, it's a slower way to grow. But it means you're here on purpose, and that matters more to us than arbitrary growth numbers.

We also cleaned the place up a little. New banner up top, a new look for the story art, and a few things we've been fussing with behind the scenes for a while.

Two years felt like the right time to give ourselves a little facelift.

So this week, as we launch into year three, we thought we'd look back at a few of the stories that got us here. Please enjoy a few stories from the archive for anyone new, or anyone who just forgot:

A hole-in-one should be a moment you remember forever, but the memories should be fond. In this story, there are no fond memories to speak of.

SEE A YOUTUBE VIDEO WE MADE OF THIS STORY HERE

A once-in-a-lifetime round of golf, courtesy of a member whose lifetime had already expired.

SEE US TELLING THIS STORY ON THE SUBPAR PODCAST HERE

He left his wife for the cart girl. Then she left him for half his money… and his club membership!

CHECK OUT MATT WALSH WITH THE SKLAR BROTHERS DISCUSSING THIS STORY ON “GREAT READ!” HERE

Classic CCC noir. 1937. A drought. A water-rights conspiracy overheard on the back nine. And a caddie who vanished after saying the wrong thing to the wrong men.

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO VERSION ON YOUTUBE HERE

Year three gets a little bigger.

We are launching a paid model. Not much, but we need a little something to keep the lights on, so stay tuned and please support us if you can.

We are putting on a live-event next month we are VERY excited about - stay tuned for more information next week and if you are in the LA area, block out your evening on Saturday, October 24th. Trust us.

A podcast? For two years you have asked, and for two years we’ve said no. Now, we’re saying… maybe?

But the newsletter stays the newsletter. One story at a time, every Thursday, with the names changed for obvious reasons.

Thank you for reading. Thanks for forwarding these to your buddies, your Sunday foursome, and the degenerate at your club that reminds you a little too much of the main character in one of our stories.

That's how CCC has grown: one person telling another person, "You need to read this."

Two years down.

The names are still fake.

Our members are all real.

And we're just getting started.

Three masked men step onto the fairway with guns. What do you do?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Give up the cash (90)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Turn and run (6)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Take a swing at 'em with your 7 iron (9)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Offer them double or nothing, closest to the pin (29)

Not too many renegades in last week’s poll. Most of you had sensible, pragmatic responses about handing over cash when you have an automatic weapon pointed at you. However, a decent amount of you sickos were willing to look for more action. To you we have only this to say - call 1-800 GAMBLER and get the help you need!

Congrats to comment contest winner Mc G, who voted to give up the cash, for his comment: “I was going to lose it all anyway!” A sleeve of LA GOLF balls will be on their way Mc G!