Mass Am Qualifier - Nashawtuc

June 23 - 757am tee time at Nashawtuc CC off the 10th tee for 15 spots; to my pleasure, my group was a two-ball (phenomenal pace of play with 2 players) with David Sullivan from Vesper, a very nice guy and great golf swing; my Dad caddied; the weather was very consistent with minimal wind, overcast skies, off and on mist, and temperatures in the mid 60s. We were prepared for rain, but it did not come at all during the round. All in all, weather was not an issue. The course was wet which made the 6,800 yard layout play longer.

My swing felt great most of the day. I was steady in the middle of the round, making 8 pars in a ten hole, I just couldn't break through with a few birdies. My mantras for the day 1) Consistent breathing; 2) Swing like you are in an open field; and 3) Relax your hands and arms. I ripped a 3-wood off the 10th tee. It caught the right rough and put me inside 150, however, I had a huge tree to get over. I pured an 8-iron and it caught the top of the tree, luckily bouncing back to the fairway. My third shot was on the green and I three putted for a double bogey. Not the start you want when the cut ends up being +3!!

The greens were soooo good. The best greens I have played on in 2011, better than Essex. As much as I liked them, I couldn't get many putts to drop. I experienced a number of lip outs and other close calls and I did not hit my approach shots within makeable distances. I finished with 82, well off the cut line. No birdies and two double bogeys. Despite missing the cut, I feel like my game is making progress. I continue to hit a left-to-right ball flight, but its very playable. When I make my best swings, the ball flight is straight to a slight draw. My weakest clubs remain the long-irons. The best shot of the day was my 8-iron chipping. I made made 3 or 4 great up and downs with the 8-iron, knocking chips within inches from the fairways to slightly elevated greens.

Common bad swing flaws: long backswing, overly precise on desired results, lifting the club too quick

As usual, MGA runs a great tournament.

Go low,

Kurt

Samoset Golf Trip

My Dad, my brother, and I led an eight man golf weekend at Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME. LeBlanc, Karlberg, Casey, and the Doucettes rounded out the group. We drove up early Saturday morning (June 18), stopping for breakfast in Saugus and then later in Maine at a Cumberland Farm to ask for directions. We veered off Route 1 in Brunswick and found ourselves making a loop instead of a straight shot up the coastline. After many minutes of anxiousness wondering if we were going the right way (on a gas attendants word; no GPS and no maps), we made it to the resort in time to check in and make our 1pm tee times.

We played 18 holes on Saturday and 27 holes on Sunday. The weather was great both days. Low to Mid 70s and sunny. We did get a thunder and lightning storm after golf on Saturday which led to a double full rainbow. It was the clearest rainbow I've ever seen, pulling onlookers from all points inside the hotel to catch a glimpse and take pictures.

The golf course and resort were impeccable. We really enjoyed the ocean holes and variety of the layout. Its not a difficult course, except for when the wind blows. Its fair, exciting, and well conditioned. The front nine is open off the tee and mostly on the water. The back nine is treelined and further from the water.

We liked the new Italian restaurant on site. They make excellent pizza. I would not recommend Archers in downtown Rockport. It was mediocre. Good appetizers, but below average entrees.

Great pool, option to walk 3/4 mile outward to a lighthouse on Rockport Harbor, and nice accommodations. One of our favorite parts was sitting at the couches around the pool at 8am. It was already warm, you could tan, read the paper, or use the hot tub. We are already thinking about going again next year. We stopped at Gelato Fiasco on the way home (Monday) for a great taste of Josh's homemade gelato.

I shot 72-77 and 38. My game is coming around. Rory McIlroy destroyed the US Open field at 16 under. Will this be the beginning of the Rory era in golf?? You could feel the buzz right away. I had a Guinness to celebrate.

Had a great time. Maine is a nice vacation spot.

Kurt

Year Up Golf Tournament

Year-Up, known for closing the opportunity divide for young urban adults, held its annual golf tournament at Weston GC on June 13th. This year's STAG team consisted of myself, Ben, Pat, and Donna. On the heels of over 50 plus rounds played in 2011 and wearing a short sleeve mock turtleneck, Pat was our dark horse. He was poised to carry the team as he wailed away on drivers at the range as fast as Kobayashi eats hot dogs. Ben was debuting a new set of customized, tailorized, you name it, Taylor Made woods and Donna was returning from a golf weekend on Stowe Mountain (VT). Myself, well no story behind my appearance, but I was ready to go. We were prime for a victory.

The result was a mere 4-under par, 14 pars and 4 birdies in a scramble format. We even used our mulligans to the max, salvaging birdies. The winning team shot 15-under par, 6 shots ahead of the closest competitor. Pat and I were calling it the 'cheating tournament' as you could buy up to 8 mulligans and 8 strings. Regardless, we play for the opportunity, the opportunity to hit that amazing shot, to make an eagle, to share high fives, to hit Alan's house, to walk the grounds of the wealthy Weston grounds, and of course to receive the expensive tee gift.

Our best moment was on our 2nd hole, the par 3 10th hole. Ben placed a $20 wager on each one of us to hit the green and double your money. We all hit the green!

Pre-Round: Pat and I almost got clocked by a golf ball at the driving range when some novice hit a ball off a fence essentially 90 degrees to his left and it ricocheted back at the golfers standing to his right.

Weather conditions were great, low 70s and sunny.

Ciao,
Kurt

Golf Channel - Stonebridge

The Golf Channel Am event at Stonebridge CC was held despite rain all day. I teed off at 9am and the rain did not stop for one minute over the 5 hours. And it was coming down hard! The greens held up well and did not have standing water, however, it was hard to find a place on the fairways over the last 4 or 5 holes that wasn't drawing water.

My flight started with 4 players and ended with 3. One player dropped out after 7 holes due to the poor conditions. I did not expect any rain like this whatsoever. I showed up with my umbrella, but no rain jacket or rain pants. Rookie mistake and I paid the price. My body was shivering for most of the back nine and I could hardly make a good move at the ball. I managed to hold it together through 14 and then I ran out of gas....I finished with two doubles and a bogey on my last 4 holes to shoot 81. Besides that, I played very well. My putter was solid, saving many pars. Keeping the ball in play was top priority. I often didn't hit the green in regulation and made up and down. I hit 8 greens and had 29 putts.

My 81 was good enough for an easy victory!

Shot of the day: I holed out from the greenside bunker on 12 for birdie. It was one of two skins on the day. Birdies were few and far between!

It took me a while to stop shivering after the round. I had to change clothes, as my wet golf clothes made me shake even inside the clubhouse.

The golf course was 6,800 yards from the tips. Course conditions were nice. The greens were recently aerated, so they were a little bumpy, but not too bad none the less. I only had 29 putts, so I liked them! Public can play here with a cart for $60-$70. Its a good value, but about 75 min ride from Boston. I would recommend it if you are in the Manchester, NH area.

Positive Energy,
Kurt

Fun Golf Weekend

June 4: Campbells Scottish Highlands in NH with my brother and Mike Murphy

Plagued with swing challenges, I couldn't overcome Mike's birdie-birdie-birdie finish. He beat me 1-up. I shot 77. Derek hit a birdhouse. Mike shot under par on the back nine. I made one birdie on the par-5 2nd.

June 5: Kettle Brook GC in Paxton, MA with my Dad and my brother

Feeling in good rhythm from the 6th hole on, I shot 73 (1 under from the 6th hole to finish). My best shots continue to be when I'm comfortable with my alignment (actual shoulders, feet, arms, clubhead position as well as my own visual conviction), my takeaway is slow, and my tempo is smooth. I made 5 birdies and left a few out there, including a spectacular hybrid shot to 5 feet on the 235 yard (uphill) 17th. I'll be returning to Kettle Brook for the Worcester County Am in July. My Dad shot 78 and left many easy shots out there. His best shots were ones in rhythm and with good width in the backswing. Derek's hybrid club was consistent and he almost made a 90 foot putt (inches away).

Both days brought us 70s and sunny. Looking forward to more golf!

Kurt

Sherrill Cup

Team Lexington GC - Kurt Flionis, Dan Brennan, Steve Keegan, and Rob Lynch competed against 24 other private clubs at Essex County Club in Manchester, MA; format was 18 holes stroke play in the morning (all scores count) and 18 holes scotch (alternate shot) in the afternoon. Due to severe thunderstorms, the tournament was cut to the 18 hole stroke play and the first 6 holes of scotch. We completed the morning session with a 311 score, good for top 5 position with me shooting 78, Steve with 78, Rob with 80, and Dan with 75. In the afternoon, we struggled with each team shooting around bogey golf for the scotch. Our final team total was 371, about middle of the pack. Plymouth CC won the event with approximately 356. Followed by Tedesco and Brae Burn.

I played scotch with Rob in the afternoon. We started off great on 1. I hit a monstrous drive and rob hit a smooth 7-iron from 153 (into the wind) to 6 feet. I unfortunately missed the putt, but still a great start. We bogeyed 2 and parred 3. Then, we tripled number 4. Our bogey streak continued through number 8. Then we parred 9, 10, 11, and 12. Play was called on our 13th hole.

My game was solid in the morning. I started with a triple and double bogey on my first 2 holes.

Then recovered nicely going even the rest of the front nine and plus 3 on the back nine. Steve Keegan commented I was being too technical on the third hole and to just let my great swing take care of itself. After that, I played very well. Sometimes a simple call out is needed to snap out of it! I birdied #6 and #15.

My driving was consistent and my wedge game was smooth. Bunker play was phenomenal. Putting was okay and hybrid/long iron were weak.

I absolutely love the golf course and the event. Hope to be back next year and win this thing!

Cheers,
Kurt