Out West for MGA Father Son

My Dad and I traveled to Springfield, MA for the 34th annual MGA Father Son Tournament (our 2nd time competing). What a trip! I'll tell you Springfield is quite different than the buzzing city of Boston. Besides the Basketball Hall of Fame, I didn't feel much energy in the area. We stayed in the downtown Marriott which had nice rooms and a great breakfast. Would recommend to travelers. We had dinner at Max Tavern's at the Hall of Fame. Solid food. Its known for its steak. I had the NY Strip and my Dad loved his prime rib.

The golf tournament was held at Wilbraham CC, a semi-private course, par 72, approx 6,300 yards. Course conditions were great: nice fairways, tee boxes, and fast greens. The front nine was built in 1922 and the back nine was built in 2002. The nines are completely different with the front nine having soft, tiny greens and fairly forgiving fairways. On the back side, the fairways narrow and greens are very firm and average to above average size. We found the course fun to play and challenging, requiring the player to choose between multiple clubs off the tee, shape shots, and putt well (undulating greens). Accuracy is paramount on this golf course. If you don't find the fairway, bogeys can be accumulated in a hurry. Price is right too. You can join here cheap (less than $2k/year) for full golf privileges and practice facility (range, putting green, chipping and bunker green). No initiation fee.

My Dad and I played beautifully on the front nine, making two birdies to shoot 1 over par. In the photo above, my Dad and I analyzed a birdie putt on the difficult 9th. My Dad drained the 20 footer for bird, the shot of the day! I bet no one else in the field birdied 9.

The back nine was a complete 180. We shot bogey golf, never regaining a flow. We blame it on losing the tee honor after the 11th hole. Our playing partners than set their pace of speed golf and we couldn't keep up without losing focus. After being +1 thru 10, we finished at 82. Our downfall with mediocre driving and poor short game.

Our playing partners were Dennis and Nick Lopata from Wilbraham CC. It was beneficial having the home team on our side and they were two great guys. We enjoyed lunch and beers after our 3 hour and 45 minute round.

Its second consecutive year we have put together solid performance for a major stretch of the tournament. The experience of teaming up with my Dad is the best part about it. I know where I get my drive to compete. Team golf ball was the Callaway Tour i(s). I've decided to take a leave from the Titleist and try the Callaway, seeing how Titleist isn't paying me anything.

Format was a modified alternative shot, meaning select best drive and alternate the rest of the way in.

Great fun! Can't wait for the next one!

Let the good times roll,

K