Lucky Eight – 2nd Annual Sunday River Trip – US Open Weekend (June 14-16)

Swen, Teller, Flio, Bates, Lukey, Chico, Murph, McDonough packed up Teller’s van with golf clubs, clothes, pink sleeping bags, beers, laptops, and strapped the beer dye table to the roof, set to take on Spring Meadow Golf Club, Fox Ridge Golf Club, and Lake Winnipesaukee.  We dropped Sunday River GC from the schedule without choice as the course was closed due to winter damage.  Thanks to Big Time Teller and his connections, we got out at the exclusive Lake Winnipesaukee and what a treat that was.  In short, this was a phenomenal weekend where everything was left on the table, literally for some, and we all probably needed to get the heck away from each other after 3 nights and get back to reality.  Some highlights from the trip:

• Bates opens with a 1 under par 70 at Spring Meadow
• Some 60 year old dude makes his first hole in one behind us at Spring Meadow with Murph yelling for vodka sodas
• Team Woburn (Flio, McDonough, Chico, Murph) dominate Team Bentley at Lake Winni, led by Murph’s  smooth 75 (kid was striping it, this guy is good)
• Both Murph and I eagle the 1^st hole at Lake Winni by driving the green on the 344 yard par-4
• Kyle joining the crew at Lake Winni
• McDonough and myself taking down the house at Oxford Casino, hitting big on black 26
• Bruins defeat Blackhawks in OT Game 3 Stanley Cup
• Tiger has no chance at the US Open and guys are shanking it out there; not a single birdie on the 18^th at Merion all weekend
• Listening and watching the US Open in the van; resorting to Bates’s cell to get audio of Mickelson’s disappointing finish after Swen’s laptop battery ran out
• Justin Rose wins at +1 on a course under 7,000 yards
• Luke chipping it off McDonough’s head at Fox Ridge
• Chico and Flio losing credit card roulette at diner and Buffalo Wild Wings, with Chico buying out for the game at Buffalo
• Eating competitions, non stop Bates-McDonough dollar bets (like the truck one)
• 6 guys at one black jack table
• Bates wins longest hole one with 15+ pace putt
• $20 Tiger-Phil bets
• PBR glasses
• First father’s day for Swen and Teller

Great golf shots.  Great golf courses.  Great competition.  Great company.  Great weather (70s and sunny everyday)

Cheers,

Flio

(Lake Winni par 4 16th below)

Sherrill Cup – June 5

I’ll keep this one short and sweet.  Team Lexington just didn’t have it this year.  Keegan, Lynch, Geldart, and myself never got it going.  I shot 80 (40-40) in the morning; my putter never got hot and left myself grinding all day.  Lynch and I battled in alternate shot, but couldn’t break through.   Weather was fantastic, sunny and 70s.  Golf course was playing hard as usual with very tricky greens, switching winds, and difficult fescue.  Absolutely continue to love this course and tournament.  Good people all around.  We played with Marshfield.  Great food.  Our caddy claimed to have tour experience.  I’ll give him credit he knew the course well, its distances and greens.  But finding the ball was a challenging for the old eyes.  Don’t lose a golf ball! 

Appreciating another special day,

Flio

Playing with the Pros - NEPGA Pro-Am Championship

May 28 - I had the NEPGA Pro-Am Championship marked on my calendar since winning the Lexington club championship last July.  Its a 36-hole scratch event at Pinehills GC, played with my golf pro Kevin Wilczewski.  We competed against 80 other two-man teams on the Jones and Nicklaus courses in one day.  A full 12-hour day!  The weather was absolutely amazing, mid-70s and sunny almost all day.  The late afternoon cooled off and the wind picked most of the second round.  Our playing partners were Bob Miller, PGA professional at Golf Club at Yarmouthport and his amateur partner Steve Mathias.  We couldn't have asked for two nicer guys to play with.  Mr. Miller made the putting look easy and Steve was strong in the bunker.  It was enjoyable to watch how they made their way around the courses.

Something about playing with the pros lifts up my confidence and game.  Maybe its knowing I have a professional backing me up as my partner. Maybe its the belief of lower expectations as the amateur.  Maybe its the challenge of beating a professional.  Maybe its the influence of watching a professional's focus and grace playing the game.  I think its all of these factors.

It proved to work out again.  I played probably my best golf of the year and maybe in multiple years.  My irons were landing around the pins all day.  My driver was splitting the fairways.  I made 5 birdies and an eagle.  I made multiple putts over 15 feet and really was in control of my golf ball.  My wedges from awkward distance for me, 100-120 yards, were smooth and accurate.  These type of rounds I want to bottle up the feeling, focus, and tempo and re-create it every time.  It certainly helped having a very well manicured golf course to move around, especially the greens.  They were rolling perfect.

Kevin and I started off well with good chances on the first four holes and left many free birdie runs short!  Can't do that!  We did make birdie on the par-5 third.  Kevin made a 15 foot birdie putt and I had a free run for eagle from just inside 15 feet and left in inches short!  We had consecutive bogeys later in the front nine and then went a tear on the back nine shooting 4 under 32.  After lunch, we headed to the Nicklaus off #10.  Man its a long ride, 10 minutes, to get to that tee!  And very easy to get lost!  Give yourself plenty of time to make your starting time.  When we tee'd off, my body and mind were messed up.  Not being used to playing 2 tournament rounds in one day, I felt an uphill battle to keep my focus and good swing going.  I managed three good pars on the front, otherwise I struggled to stay sharp.  Kevin came through big on this stretch to keep us at +1 for the front nine.  On the back, I got the second wind Kevin and I talked about (he said that usually happens over this many holes).  I just missed birdie on 3, birdied 4, missed a 5 foot birdie on 5, and eagled the par-5 6th with a 6-iron to 10 feet.  We closed with a 3 under 33 on the final nine.

69-70 = 139; 5 under total which tied us for 14th place and in the money.  The winning total was 11 under by Pinehills Golf Club.

Overall, a very memorable day.  Thanks to Kevin for good play and for entering this tournament.  Thanks to my playing partners for great company.  And thanks to Coach Mickey Herron for being the starter on #1 Jones at 750am.  A total surprise!!  Glad I hit it down the middle because he made me extra nervous!

Some of my keys to good swings were a quiet lower body, trust in my setup, keeping the chest down through impact, and a slow takeaway.  Most of all was great focus, perseverance, and confidence.

Looking forward to more play.

Weather is warming up!
To good greens,
Kurt

2013 Norfolk County Classic - Great Weather, Great Course Condition

May 18-19:  The stars were lined up for a great weekend with sunny skies and little wind until mid-day on Sunday.  Its rare to have little wind on Presidents GC and be able to hit a tee shot off 15 without holding your breath.  Temperatures were in the mid-60s.  The golf course was an excellent shape, greens were running hard and fast, fairways gave great lies, and the rough was challenging.  The course crew made one significant change to the 7th hole, adding tee boxes at 145 yards and 191 yards.  On Day 2, my group was the first ever to play the hole from 191 yards.  Besides not being able to see the surface of the green from the tee, this was another improvement to the course variety.  My 6-iron went right of the green and I hit an excellent chip to within a few feet of the back pin to save par.  Dana Smith, Jim Fitzroy, staff, and volunteers did an incredible job getting the course ready and running the tournament (on time, spotters in appropriate holes, well run scoring area, fun attitudes, etc.).  They make this a tournament worth coming back every year and its proven by the quality of golfers and golf course.

My game was on fire early with birdies on 2, 3, and 7.  I hit it tight on 2 and drove the third green for the first time in my Norfolk career and stuck it on 7.  I finished the front with 34 despite a two shot penalty on the scorable par-5 fifth hole.  Turned a birdie into a bogey after hitting what I thought was my Bridgestone ball from the left rough.  Devastating blow.  It was a reminder to check your ball closely before hitting it and also will lead me to make more distinguishing marks around the brand name.

Making the turn, I was thinking this is my chance to get up on the leaderboard for Day 2.  Well it was reversion to the mean for me on the back nine, with major slips at 12 (out of bounds off tee shot led to 7), 13 (missed way right lead to double), and 14 (unplayable lie led to 7 from 95 yards away on my second shot!). I shot 45 on the back to shoot 79.  Oh man it hurts to give away a 34 on the front.  On Day 2, I struck it solidly again, but didn't get much going to shoot a great round.   Fatigue set in on the final 5 holes and shot 78.  Threw away two great drives on 15, making par and bogey with less than 200 yards to the pin both days.  I am still learning how to handle my game when I'm playing well under tournament conditions; right now instead of my confidence growing as I make shots, it tightens a bit knowing I'm close to completing a good round...in other words, I'm saying don't screw it up instead of saying take it lower.

Pin placements were challenging on Sunday.  Even though we see similar placements each year, many of them get you each time.  How aggressive should you get?  If you are too conservative, three putts are not far off.

Played two days with JC Guthrie.  Great guy and good golf swing to emulate.  Keep the Scotty in the bag JC.  Also played with Alex De Gunzburg (eats up par-5s while eating cherries) and Gerry Squires (blog follower :) ).  Gerry and I were in close company on the leaderboard with the same scores.  Alongside the tournament staff, playing partners like JC, Gerry, and Alex make the experience that much more memorable.

Congrats to J. Hadges on the victory, even par 140.  Top 5 rounded out by K. Quinn, D. Clapp, A. Drohen, and D. Falcucci.  https://www.presidentsgc.com/files/2012/04/2013-NCC-Final-Results-Web.pdf

To free swinging golf shots under pressure,
K

Massachusetts Four Ball with Bates

May 14 - 15: The MGA Four Ball Championship took place at Ledgemont CC and Pawtucket CC.  2-man teams, 36 holes best ball.  The last time I played in the tournament was 2003 with M. O'Brien from my high school golf team.  We finished tied for 2nd at Stow Acres CC with a 9 under par.  A memorable moment in my amateur career.  This year I teamed up with a college teammate Chris Bates from MaRlborough CC.  We were feeling good coming into the event, excited to feed off each other and be an underdog contender.  We played a practice round at Ledgemont CC prior to the event with R. Lynch and N. Chaney.  Ledgemont is a nice track.  I wouldn't say its long overall, but it has a number of long, challenging par-4s, deep rough in spots, and multiple doglegs.  They played the first hole as a par-4, normally a short 5 for the members.  I heard mixed feedback on the greens, on the slower side.  I thought they rolled well and were played at a fair speed.  Day 1 weather at Ledgemont was cool (high 50s, maybe low 60s), partly sunny.  Pawtucket CC is a Donald Ross course in a city-like location.  Great condition with tricky greens, many elevated and some with false fronts.  During Day 2 afternoon at Pawtucket, the greens were a little bumpy at times making it difficult to putt.  My experience was tainted from the poor weather, rain, cold (low 50s, maybe high 40s), and windy most of the round.  Also, didn't like there was only one par-5.  Overall, both courses are good.  If I had to pick one, I'd go with Ledgemont (noting usually I like the old school courses more).

Had a great time playing with Bates.  We did not bring our best stuff at all and shot 76-77, close to the bottom of the barrel.  I'd like to say woulda coulda, but we just didn't have it. But we know you gotta know how to handle both winning and losing in this game, because few win often.  The most memorable tournament moment, unfortunately, was when we (slightly more Chris) ran over my golf ball with the golf cart on the first hole of the tournament!  We didn't see the ball sitting down in the rough and it plugged from the cart.  It cost us a shot out of the gate.  (Ruling is a one-stroke penalty.  Since the ball was plugged, we were able to drop to nearest point of relief no closer to the hole).  We did not drive the cart in the rough the rest of the day.

Our playing partners Jeff Kinney and Ryan Johnston were a great grouping.  Enjoyed it.

Chris's and my Dad both watched on Day 1.  Special day.  I closed with a birdie on 18 to ignite excitement going into Day 2.

The Werenski brothers won at 10 under par.

A great tournament and well done by the MGA.  They run top notch tournaments that always raises the stakes for the local amateurs.  You want to do well in MGA events.  Thats priceless.

My game was up and down.  Had some great moments.  Excited about the rest of the summer.

Keep on improving,
Flio

Golf Channel - International Golf Club

My first time at the International Golf Club - Oaks Course was impressive.  Its a challenging, fair layout, great condition, and excellent practice facility.  Its too bad the course is so far from Boston.  If you have the chance to play it, its worth it or if you live in the area, I know they are running a number of deals for new members.  My ball striking continues to be solid, made three birdies.  I was two under on the par-5s.  I had a couple of shake ups at the end and finished with a 78.  Played with G. Barton (Renaissance Golf Club) and C. Thomas (unaffiliated, tennis pro).  The weather was in the high 50s, low 60s and overcast, periods of rain on back nine.

To good golf!
Kurt

Family Golf and Golf Channel Event

May 4 - My Dad, my brother, myself, and Chuck played at Shaker Hills in Harvard, MA.  The golf course was in good shape and the layout remained very similar to prior years.  Their biggest renovations were coming at the clubhouse and the 18th hole.  The 18th will be a long par-5 with the green finishing at the spot of the old putting green, with the clubhouse deck overlooking it (all projected to be done on May 10).  The rest of the course had minor changes to bunkers, rock, and other aesthestics.  We ran into new head pro and high school friend Jeff.  Also, Chuck was enjoying one of if not his last round before becoming a Dad.  His son was born the following week!!  My Dad was striping his tee shots around the difficult landing areas and was definitely the strongest player of the day.  Derek continues to defy golfing odds with deft touch inside 100 yards.  Amazing for a guy who doesn't play regularly.  The more he plays, the potential is limitless.  Chuck is crafty calling on his draw and fade abilities.  Cool windy day, sunny, high 50s.  Great enjoyed by all!!

May 5 - I competed in the Golf Channel event at Indian Pond.  Similar weather to Shaker Hills, but slightly cooler.  I never took off my pullover sweater.  Greens were very slow, still going through recovery from green aeration.  My playing partners were a tennis pro (Carl) and Golf Channel veterans Vance and Bob S (both play across the country in majors).  Great, professional group.  We flew around the course in less than 4 hours and 30 minutes, a great pace for a foursome under tournament.  I won my division by 9 shots!  Overall game was up and down.  My best stretch starting on the par-3 fifth, a daunting 185 yards downhill (80-100 feet) over water into the wind.  Pin was cut in the front.  I hit a high, well struck 4-iron that felt like it would never come down.  It landed 15 feet right of the pin.  I made the par and then went on to birdie #6.   I'm most proud of my improved ability to bounce back from bad holes (doubled #3, #4) and growing confidence in my ball striking ability.  My good swings keep coming more and more, and the time to go from bad to good is shrinking.

Congrats to Chuck and Michelle on their newborn son!!

Kurt