2014 MGA Father Son Tournament

June 23 - MGA Father Son Tournament @ Willowbend GC (Bay and Bog Course)
18 Holes Modified Alternate Shot; Score = 83

The Cape Cod setting was exciting given my family used to spend a lot of time in the Mashpee area.  A two-day experience gave us a chance to enjoy some old favorites, including Bobby Byrne's pub where I had excellent nachos and a good baked salmon.  We played a practice round with great, longtime friends Mike and Chuck Murph.  I made a very memorable eagle on the 18th hole with a blind 5-iron approach to the peninsula green.  On tournament day, my Dad and I didn't hit the stride/momentum you want for alternate shot.  The score was below expectations.  Willowbend is a tricky golf course, with some challenging greens, intimidating tee shots, and well placed hazards.  The 16th tee shot has a crazy blind lay up area (in front of marsh), nearly blind 'go for it' over the marsh fairway, and a blind green.  Never seen anything like it.  Golf course was in great condition and weather was sunny and high 70s.

16th hole approach

Willowbend Villas are a treat for lodging as well as providing a nice swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, and food options.

Can't beat another chance to compete with my Dad, the athlete I grew up admiring most.

To Father-Sons,
Kurt

Mass Amateur Qualifier - Bass Rocks

June 19, 2014
Mass Amateur Qualifier - 18 Holes Stroke Play - Score: 83

Coming into this round, my game was progressing very nicely with solid play at the Hornblower and Sherrill Cup.  I made multiple swing changes over the spring/winter that developed quickly.  My brother was caddying, always a special time together.  I have played a few times at Bass Rocks in tournament conditions, including past success qualifying for the Mass Mid-Am.  I thought the course would be the least of my worries.  The result was exactly the opposite as I forgot how difficult their greens could be.  I mean firm and fast and probably running at 12 on the stimpmeter! (at least it felt like it)  At only 6,000, you are ready to be hitting a lot of wedges into greens, but the course forces you to go for accurate tee shots over distance and puts a number of mid-irons in hand.  Between the greens and a few mental miscues (including hitting an 8 iron from 130 yards after taking the laser's distance to a rock wall behind the green), I felt apart after a 1 under start through 4 holes and shot 83.  I had 4 three putts and 37 overall.  The weather made it a perfect day to play; light winds, sunny, and mid-70s.

The Mass Am continues to escape me, but never gets old trying.  Thanks to my brother for being there with me and sharing lots of great stories.

Bro Time,
K

Sunday River - 12 Man Team

Golf Clubs drying off from Friday's round at Old Marsh GC

June 14-16:  This year we expanded our annual golf trip from 8 to 12 players.  New and returning friends, B.McDowall, D.Conte, K.Richards, and A.Swenson.  Since I am writing this so late, I want to reflect that this 12 man team would bring it all if we represented the US in the Ryder Cup.  We would bring hole-in-ones, hard play in torrential rain with head first dives into pools of water, shanks, fist pumps galore, hugs, chest bumps, and a lot of laughs off the course.  This year included a hole-in-one by B. Murph in the worst golf weather I've ever played in at Old Marsh GC in Maine.  There was not another sole on the course.  K. Richards went barefoot on the second hole because his shoes were flooded.  D.Conte fended off the shivers for 18 holes as he only had a golf shirt and a light jacket.  We gambled at Oxford, with McDonough going Boom Boom on the roulette table again, hit one number for over $700.  Almost left C. Bates at the casino before driving the crew back home and making our epic stop at Wal Mart late night.

Can't wait for next year!!  We expect to move it from US Open weekend to PGA Championship weekend.

Sweet swinging, hole-in-one man B.Murph