MGA Father Son 2012 at Crestwood CC

August 21 - My Dad and I competed in the MGA Father Son Tournament at Crestwood CC in Rehoboth, MA.  Its a selected drive, alternate shot competition.  Our goal coming in was to shoot in the 70s.  We only play this format once per year.  Its a blast!  Since golf is mostly an individual sport, team competition plays with your mindset.  You are not used to hitting shots that the other person is depending upon.  If I hit a bad shot, my Dad is stuck with the result and vice versa.  Also, you might go multiple holes without hitting an iron shot or a chip shot or a putt, which makes it challenging to get in a rhythm.  On the other side, its great to share the adrenaline and success of competition.  

We gained momentum on the 17th hole, when my Dad hit a shot to 6-feet and then I followed with a shot to 2-feet on the 150 yard hole.  We made our first birdie!  Then on 18, we were just short of the 520 yard par-5 in two, after my Dad hit a solid 3-wood.  I hit a poor chip which resulted in us making par.  We were moving in the right direction, birdie-easy par!  But the round ended for us, too late, we shot 81.

The first sixteen holes were a mix of poor chips and putts that cost us at least 5 shots.  Also, I didn't help our momentum on the first hole, by hitting a 106 yard approach shot from the middle of the fairway to the bunker, sorry Dad!  My Dad almost chipped in for birdie on 10 and I almost did the same on 11.  My Dad hit a huge par putt on 13 from 20 feet downhill!

The golf course was in great shape.  The weather conditions were perfect, mid-80s and sunny.  It was our first time playing Crestwood.  It seemed like a lot of doglegs, where knowing your best angles on tee shots would have helped.  Not a long course, firm greens.  Between my length and my Dad's, we should have been much better.  We played the Joyce father-son team from Farm Neck GC in Martha's Vineyard.

Can't beat playing with my Dad!
Kurt

2012 Lexington Club Championship - Character Building Victory

Played over two weekends, July 21-22 and July 28-29, I have waited over a week to write and reflect on my victory at the Lexington Golf Club Club Championship, the coveted title for every low-handicap golfer at the club.  I've been lucky enough to win it four times.  And I can tell you three things: 1) It will never get old; 2) It will never been easy; 3) It always builds character.

I want to focus on #3.  As I sat on the clubhouse porch, shortly after making an incredible par on the 72nd hole to win by one shot, I couldn't get settle down from the emotions I went through during the final round; losing confidence which led to lack of tempo, tighter grip pressure, and tension.  In these situations, the game moves so much faster, you lose rhythm and every shot becomes harder than it would be under non-pressure rounds.  On the porch, I basically felt like I lost the tournament even though I won.  Watching a six shot lead drop to one by the seventh hole.  My Dad kept encouraging me to stay focused and consistently reminded me of my game plan.

When I prepared to hit my third shot into the 72nd hole from 125 yards to the back left pin (i hit a great punch out from the right woods with a 6-iron to get to this spot), I thought about my well-struck approach on the 9th hole earlier that day which came up well short.  There was still a breeze against us.  I looked at my Dad and said, "I don't know the exact leaderboard, but I feel like we need a par.  I need to be aggressive."  I came through with a fantastic shot to 10 feet below the hole and drained the putt for a 1-shot victory over my playing partner S. Geldart!

As I sat there with my parents and fellow members, I really couldn't believe it.  Everything moved so fast, yet I came through with a great finish and my putting was phenomenal.  I never had a doubt I would make the last putt, even after backing off because of a bug and with the green surrounded by a large group of members.  I had one three putt during 72 holes.  I had 30 putts or less in every round.  My friend Mr. Potter said, "This game builds character."  It is a very meaningful statement, especially at the time given I was disappointed in how it unfolded for me.  Every round you play, pressure or not, takes you through different mental and physical exercises.  You learn how your body and mind react under different conditions.  And you will likely be watching others succeed or fail at the same time in a completely different manner.  If you keep persevering and learning from situations, you will keep building on your character.

I am so thrilled the work I put in paid off and grateful for the support of my parents, brother and his girlfriend, and many others.  My Dad caddied three rounds.  My brother caddied one day.  My Mom watched the final three rounds.  And my brother's girlfriend watched a round too.

This was a very memorable championship.  The roller coaster ride was worth it all.  I can sit here and enjoy the victory as much as if I won by 10 shots.

Thanks for reading,
Kurt

p.s.: 1) I also conquered the ninth hole.  First weekend I was +6 on the ninth.  Second weekend I was even par on it, including a winning putt!; 2) I had a share of the lead or outright lead in all rounds.