My First Worcester County

July 2-3: The Worcester County draws a strong field on July 4th weekend with Vana, Higgins, Riley, Falcucci, and many more. Its 36 holes of stroke play with Round 1 at Kettle Brook in Paxton, MA and Round 2 at Wachusett CC in West Boylston, MA. The winner shot 65-69 for 10 under par!! Incredible golf. He won by 7 shots. I shot 82-76, good for a middle of the pack finish and a respectable second round. I had never seen Wachusett CC before. Both of these tracks are public and conditions are as good as many private clubs. Kettle Brook is 6,900 yards from the tips, wide fairways, big greens, and some significant elevation changes. Wachusett CC is 6,600 yards from the tips, a Donald Ross design with small greens, average fairway width, hilly, and fast greens.

Round 1: I was nervous at the start (still ripped driver down the middle on 1) and gave away multiple strokes. My confidence declined quickly and I finished the front nine bogey, double bogey, bogey for a 43. On the back, I started well going even par thru six holes and then finished with three bogeys. I had 37 putts. The scoring conditions were ideal, sunny and 80s and minimal wind. I drove it fairly well. My iron play and putting was atrocious. Also, rode a golf cart because I had no caddie and its not an easy walking course. It was good for the energy, but poor for my tempo. I was always well ahead of the rest of the group as they walked and did not find myself getting in a rhythm. My fellow competitors were 18 and 22 years old. I was the old man! 43-39=82

Round 2: Got there 2 hours early to practice. My range session was terrible. Very stiff and hit it like I was not a golfer. When I got to the first tee, I ripped a bomb with a driver down the middle, focusing on my alignment and relaxed arms. Then, stuck a wedge to 6 feet and made birdie. Opposite to yesterday, this got my confidence up. I cruised around the first 7 holes with 2 birdies and 2 bogeys (both of par-3s as my irons continue to struggle). Then, another poor finish to the nine with a double and a bogey. On the back nine I made 2 birdies, one double, and one bogey. I birdied 2 par 5s (#5 and #10) and 2 par 4s (#1 and #12). Finally started to play the power fade and hit beautiful drives. Then on 18, I hit my best long iron shot in a while, hitting a 5-iron 180 yards to 12 feet on the par-3. The reason it worked is because I played the fade by aiming at the left edge of the green. 32 putts, still need work here. I think I am aiming more left than I think. Missing mostly on the low side. 39-37=76

Great tournament. I look forward to playing again next year. And I played with 'coolest guy in the amateur golf', Mark Goodridge.

Swing thoughts: Practice swing with intention, commit to alignment, relaxed arms, and don't be shy in playing a fade.

Rock on,
Kurt

Golf Channel - Indian Pond

June 26 - Played at the immaculate Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston, MA. At 6,800 yards, Indian Pond requires some length and good putting. The fairways are fairly generous, but the greens do not leave you anything easy. They are undulating and quick. I had 4 three putts during the round. Overall, I struck it well, specifically my driver. I felt very confident when I committed to my alignment and took away the club low and slow with width and a short backswing (feels about 3/4, but really is close to parallel at top). When my swing gets long, my timing fails and I can get quick.

I hit a few special shots out there, including a punch out cut shot from under a tree with a 6 iron on number 15. I was roughly 130 yards and I knocked it to 5 feet. I made the putt for birdie. Also, hit a beautiful low, draw 8 iron from 120 yards on number 11 to pin high. My drive went down the left side of the fairway and I was blocked out from hitting a normal shot by trees (note again my drive was in the fairway)! Ridiculous. The bad news was I three putted for bogey after a great approach. I three putted 3 out of 4 holes in a row on the back nine (11,12, and 14) and missed an 8 footer for bird on 13. I finished with a miraculous up and down from behind the green on 18 to a back right pin. Huge flop shot.

I shot 78 (+6). My Dad was there to caddy. We enjoyed the golf course and amenities. Indian Pond's clubhouse is enormous and a great spot for a wedding. They had one going on as we played the course. Also, noticed some mansions on the course, particularly a house on the 10th hole. The deck could hold more people than a typical golf clubhouse.

Weather was very good. Sunny and 80s. Would recommend this course to those that have the opportunity. It is private.

To keeping a good tempo,

Kurt

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