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

Memorial Day Pro-Am

I followed up my one-club playing sessions with a team victory in the LGC Memorial Day Pro-Am! Team Kurt Flionis, Chris Murphy, Rob Justice, and Eric Carlson shot a 128, for a two-shot victory over Rob Lynch's team. We finished on the 13th hole with a gross birdie (Kurt) and a net eagle (Eric) to close out a tremendous back nine of 9 under par 63 (gross and net).

The tournament format was 90% handicap, with each team having to take 1 gross score and 1 net score per hole. The field included 13 teams of 4. Each team was comprised of an A, B, C, and D player.

What a fun day! Eric Carlson shot 85 as a 19 handicap and Rob Justice had 86 as a 16 handicap! My team was money.

I played much better and shot 74 with 5 birdies and 1 eagle (drove the 16th green to 10 feet), a strong contribution to the gross category. I had 9 one-putts. Lately, I have not been making birdies, so this was a sign of improvement. I feel better about my game going into the Sherrill Cup on Wednesday.

Great day at LGC! (on a random note, my teammate Eric Carlson says he can get me out on Lake of Isles anytime!)

To positive energy,
Kurt

One Club Secret to Success?

My Dad asked me to play 9-holes this Saturday at Lexington GC, intending to help me regain some confidence in my game. However, it was not just any round of golf. He told me that I could only use a 7-iron and a putter! Okay, hmmm I thought about it...and the idea of making may way around a golf course with only one club seemed brilliant and fun. I shot 42, including a birdie and 3 pars. Next day I played with 3 members at Lexington (Tom Harvey, Paul Zabrinski, and Steve Jackson) and used a 4-iron only on the front nine and 5-iron only on the back nine. I shot 39-41 with 13 pars. I played so well and walked off the course with more energy and excitement than I've had in a long time. Playing with my Dad with one club was the most fun I've had on a golf course in a long time. My Dad actually played against me with a 5-iron only that night. On Sunday, my playing companions all played with their full set of clubs. It was so awesome. On the first hole, I had a greenside bunker shot and hit my 4-iron to 10 feet. I hit bump and runs from inside 100 yards. I choked down. I opened the face. I changed the length of my backswing. I visualized shots like never before.

Let me tell you the many reasons why this could turn your game around (keep in mind, i would NOT recommend this during tournament play or on a full time basis, but definitely as a practice method):

1) Creativity - It breaks the mold of hitting predominantly full swing, max shots. You are challenged to be creative with your shots by changing your grip, your length of swing, your clubface angle at address, your ball position, your swing speed...When would you ever hit a 4-iron on a 100-yard par 3? Probably never. But thats not the point. (And I did hit my 4-iron on a 100-yard par-3 over the weekend.) The point is to improve your feel or bring back your feel. Its amazing what you can do with one club. You realize how good you can still hit a shot swinging at 50% or 70%, etc. Made me realize that I am too technical over my shots, trying to hit the perfect distance at full swing.

2) Only one option - You only have one club option. It sets your mind with lower expectations and it forces you to just get it done. No time to think about whether its a hard wedge or soft 9-iron. Its one club, get it done using imagination. There is a lot of to be said about standing over a shot thinking "this is going to be fun to pull off" as opposed to thinking "this shot is so standard that I have to hit to well, anything less is a failure"...the latter being more of a 'burden' and the former being an 'opportunity'. Each golf shot is a great opportunity to shine, regardless of what happens.

3) Fun - A great change of pace to the game. My playing partners reactions were so different than a typical round. 'Can't believe you did that with a 4-iron'...what a shot for a 4-iron...'not bad for a 4-iron'...more positive, more fun, more energy.

4) Becoming close friends with each club - By the time you finish 9-holes with one club, you will find a new sense of comfort with it. For example, I could go multiple rounds without hitting a 4-iron, leading to lack of confidence under pressure. When you are forced to hit every shot with a 4-iron, you will learn what works for you and will gain trust.

My goal is to play 9-holes with each one of my clubs. I got through the 4,5, and 7. So far the 4-iron is winning with a 39.

I have to thank my Dad for turning the ship in the right direction!

I teed it up on Memorial Day with the full set of clubs in LGC's Memorial Day Pro-Am. Things started to look and feel better :)

Patience and practice,

Kurt

Norfolk County Classic - Most 3 putts ever

Over the weekend (May 21-22), I competed in my first Norfolk County Classic at Presidents GC in Quincy. Its a 36-hole stroke event that earns MGA Player of the Year points and draws the best amateurs in the state. I came into the weekend feeling good about my putting and not good about my swing. I have developed a consistent fade that does not feel natural to me, yet, its becoming normal, if that makes sense. And I have yet to accept it, at least temporarily under tournament conditions. Instead of playing it, I fight it, waiting for that slight draw to return. My best results over the weekend were when I aimed 5-10 yards left of target and let the fade take it toward the pin. Unfortunately, I mostly chose to aim straight to slightly right hoping for a draw. I think a hit a handful of draws over the weekend, but not enough to justify playing it.

Shot 80 - 88. OUCH! Five three putts in Round 1 and Seven three putts in Round 2. These stats include putting from the fringe. In my book, I consider that a putt. If you haven't played Presidents, the greens are the most difficult part of the course. They are severely sloped. Granted some of my three putts were from 40 feet plus, it was still atrocious. It happened so many times, it became acceptable in my mind that I was going to 3 putt. I stopped seeing the lines. On a 40 foot putt, it was like automatic 'hit putt 30 feet', walk up 'hit putt 9 feet', and tap in. Then, when I hit a putt 'nicely' to say 4 feet...it was like 'i can't 2 putt', okay i'll block it out and not even hit the hole (this happened twice!). Oh, the trials and tribulations. But you know what, I can't wait for the next one.

My best nine was on the front nine (my back nine) in Round 1. I shot 36 with two three putt bogeys to finish the side. I made it around the course easily for 9 holes. The rest was a struggle, mostly with the putter.

Takeaway of the Weekend: Its okay to play with what you got during a tournament round and save the swing thoughts until practice. I get too caught up in hitting the ball well and 'looking good' to score. You can score in so many different ways, even if it doesn't look pretty. Also, I want to become more of a feel player than mechanics guy.

Some Highlights:

-Played Round 1 with a 1999 Bentley graduate who works at Gordon Brothers, he fired 69, maybe had 1 bogey; solid round and good to see a fellow alum play well!

-Round 2: While walking into the middle of the third fairway, a player's tee shot from the group behind us landed at my foot. It literally passed by my eye. I saw the ball and flinched as I almost was clocked with a golf ball traveling from 250+ yards away. Scary! The guys spotting on the hole, both cringed as I looked at them and they radioed back to the volunteer at the tee box and said 'hold up' on the tee shots (thanks buddy). They knew a scary event was narrowly missed. Glad I am here to talk about the near miss. This helps me get over my bad play!

-Weather was perfect on Saturday, 60s and no wind. Sunday was chilly in the morning and warmed up to the 50s and breezy. Course conditions were good; greens were not too fast given the course got a week of rain prior

Moving forward,

Kurt

Friday Night Lights

The best weather so far in 2011 fell on a Friday. Perfect time to end the week at the golf club. We sat gazing out at the work-in-progress first tee project at Lexington, admiring how well the course was coming along. Brian and Ellen Kenney, Dick Driscoll, and myself turned to our left and to our right, realizing how empty the club was for a beautiful Friday night. Almost summer like, well not quite, but pretty close. Hey its still April right?

I heard the 1970s were rocking at Lexington GC, a social scene that buzzed beyond the fairways and greens. Maybe, well definitely, some drinking, lots of late night stories, the girls, the boys, the bar, and you know what can happen from there. A lot of 'go getters'. So can we bring back some of the 70s lifestyle to LGC? We were visualizing a crowded porch with live music and outdoor heaters, lots of chatter, some dancing, and happiness; taking advantage of the nice property we own. Aggressive, but not too far fetched.

I wouldn't mind bringing my friends or a date to the club on a weekend night for a social scene. We already have great members in place, so we just have to make something happen. No better time to start than now. I am looking forward to many good times ahead this season. I tend to be a non-drinker, but I can guarantee you I will be happy to be part of the show.

Cheers to the first Friday Night at LGC in 2011.

Kurt

p.s. I recommend a garden salad with grilled chicken and feta. Bubba makes a good one!

Day 3 - Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am @ Bay Hill

Here we are, pulling into the players parking lot at 7am, being directed to our space and given our badges for freedom to almost all areas on the property; driving range, clubhouse, putting green, and most of all inside the ropes. Yeah the small group of fans there were looking at me and Mike! Noticed girls walking around giggling wheres Ricky Fowler, wheres Ricky Fowler. He was nowhere to be seen. The grounds were fully set up for the tournament - ropes, signs, Golf Channel staging area, corporate tents, leaderboards, etc.

I watched Mike warm-up at the range and then I spent a lot of time hanging around the putting green with many of the pros such as Brad Faxon, Chad Campbell, Erik Compton, Boo Weekley, Alex Cejka, Jarrod Lyle, Sam Saunders, and a few others.

Again, perfect weather. Mike played great. He put the fear in Dicky Pride early on that he might lose. Mike was carrying the team for a while. He finished around 77. It led Dicky and his caddy (a monstrous 6'6' former Georgia Tech bball player who played with Dennis Scott and Kenny Anderson) to jar jokingly with Mike to rouse him up. Dicky joked, told stories, gave tips, and laughed it up through the entire round. I really appreciated his effort to be involved with the amateurs. I hear many pros do not take the time. Mike's group included Jim (friend of EMC), Mike (VP @ Royal Caribbean), and Dave (CEO of a luxury hotel marketing firm).

Bay Hill was in spectacular shape. Fast greens and deep rough. Dicky said he plays the deep rough with an open stance, open face, and takes a steeper swing path. During the day, I also ran by Johnny Miller, Michael Breed, Paul Goydos, and Arnold Palmer. I really noticed how the pros can get in the zone for 60 seconds to hit their shot and then can relax. Their lower bodies are very quiet. They generate a lot of swing speed but it looks effortless. Also, very good short games and very high levels of confidence. They love the competitiveness. Even a no-name amateur can get them fired up to play better.

It was a true pleasure being part of this weekend. If I'm lucky, I will be there again in the future!

Final Feedback on My Game:

1) Keep left shoulder slightly tilted up to stay behind ball on impact position, will help with height of shot

2) Best shots usually when failure rate was high - those 'expected failure' shots of high difficulty, so my mind goes into 'go for it' mode and i just 'LET IT HAPPEN' such a shot over a bunker lip or fescue or near a tree, etc. Need to translate this into more normal situations

3) Be confident, relax motion, and have no doubts

Time to play in Boston.

Take care,

Kurt

Day 2 - Pro Am Practice and Pairings Party

Today was the day that Mike and his team would pick their professional for the Pro-Am. A lot of anticipation...who would we be playing with? what lottery pick would the team get? First things first, I got to join the practice round at the New Course @ Grand Cypress. It was me, Mike, Jim (friend of EMC), and Patrick (litigation lawyer in Miami who is married to the Southeast sales mgr of Jet Blue). Judy, a travel analyst from EMC followed the group around.

It was another gorgeous day. Sunny and 80s. Now, the New Course is meant to resemble the Old Course at St. Andrews; wide fairways, no trees, fescue, double greens with heavy undulations, false fronts, deep streams, and pot bunkers. The 1st and 18th holes are very close replicas of the holes at St. Andrews. You could land a plane on the fairway. This was my first true links experience. I found reading greens to be most difficult. Mike and I were all square through 52 holes on the weekend (we called this would happen at the start of the week, coming to Orlando we were continuing a tied match last fall). Mike made a mistake on 17 and I birdied 18 with a spectacular 115 yard wedge shot to 5 feet tucked to a left corner pin over the creek. I'll take the victory after another classic Flionis-Murphy battle.

My golf swing was very mediocre. Many shots were going right and divots left, the MOST frustrating feedback. My best shots were when I loosened up my arms and shoulders and set wrists early; on my worst shots it felt like my swing was taking too long to develop. Wedge game was good again. My driver was good, irons and fairway woods were bad, and short game was average.

PRO-AM PAIRINGS PARTY
We arrived in style with sport coats, nice shoes, and slick hair. When we walked in, the place was very cool with pretty girls, small groups mingling, light music, hors d'oeuvre, ice luge by bacardi, and carving stations to a name few. In the far back corner of the function room was a tanned older man by the name Arnold Palmer, one of the greatest golfers to ever play the game and the host of the tournament. There were people from Tokyo and a line of other people waiting to speak with him and take pictures. A long story short, Judy pushed me to talk to Arnold and I did. I failed to come up with a good line, accept 'the course is in great shape, I'm from Jet Blue, thanks for having us...blah blah blah'. Anyway he looked at me briefly and then we turned for a picture. It was AWESOME.

The lottery draft for the professional was great too. All the teams listened to Arnie make a speech and then a computer generator starts picking team numbers. Each team has 30 seconds to make their selection, starting with 24 pros. Mike's team picked around 17th and got Dicky Pride, a 41-year old journeyman and member at Bay Hill. The locals told us we made a great pick. I wouldn't believe it until the next day...