GUEST BLOG! - Successful Mass Mid Am Qualifier @ Concord Country Club

*The views and opinions expressed within this post are those of Kurt's caddy and do not necessarily reflect the views of the blog owner*

On Tuesday I took a day off from work to complete a milestone: caddying Kurt to a successful Mid-Am qualification for the third year in a row (as well as following it up with a second consecutive successful guest blog). As a mid-handicapper, I always enjoy being around Kurt and other elite amateurs so that I can soak up as many tips as possible. Fine, high-handicapper. For example, I learned Kurt's 3 golden rules to success at a big tournament:

1. Show up as early as humanly possible. You should be there 4 hours early if you can. Spend most of the time biting your nails and turning into a mannequin so that you have no nerves left by the time you tee off.

2. Call S. Keegan and ask for "Keegan's Notes". Hitting the ball down the middle and putting your 2nd shot on the green? That's old fashion, outdated golf. Without Keegan's notes, we wouldn't have known to tee off with a 4 iron hybrid on a 460 yard Par 4. We wouldn't have known that it was better to be in the big gully in front of the green than actually on the green.

3. Club down. You don't want to be seen taking a longer club for a shorter yardage. It lets your opponent know that you're weak. Came up short on that approach shot? Its okay...you were using an 8 iron from 170.

We started the day by hitting complementary balls at Concord's driving range. After Kurt hit a ground ball and sliced a few off of the driving range onto the 14th fairway, I began to worry that I may need to do something beyond simply carrying his bag. Luckily the guy hitting next to him had legs that looked like wooden telephone polls, had barely enough mobility to tee up his next ball, and consistently hit paper thin slice that made me confident that Kurt may have a chance after all.

We started on the 10th hole and Kurt began by playing it safe and hitting a hybrid...with a wicked slice into the woods. The starter almost fainted and yelled "good god" as the ball went about 140 yards and almost took a U-turn. After 4 holes, Kurt was 4 over par...and had already taken about 8 tee shots! If I had a nickel for every time I heard, "I'm going to hit a provisional...its a 3...".

On his 5th hole, something amazing happened. After debating whether he should hit a 3rd drive, we decided we would look for his first drive on the edge of the driving range among countless other range balls that people had sliced onto the 14th hole (mostly Kurt's shots from his morning session). If it wasn't for Concord CC's decision to use yellow range balls instead of white, we may have never found Kurt's ball buried in spinach next to a bunker. Picking the ball clean as he extracts nachos from an O'Sullivan's plate, Kurt stuck his 7 iron to about 5 feet. He then proceeded to sink the 5 foot birdie putt by aiming almost sideways to account for the undulation. 3 in!!! We're making a comeback!

This game is easy all of the sudden. Better follow up with 3 consecutive bogeys on the next 3 holes to make things a little more challenging. So we did...including on a 528 yard Par 5 where Kurt was 15 yards out in 2 shots. On his 9th hole--the 417 yard Par 4 18th, a switch finally flipped. A calm par...to the front nine we go...

Then the earthquake hit. Yes, the one you saw on the news. It was actually the result of Kurt's tee shot on 1. 300 yards in the air. Absolutely crushed. Just missed the birdie after a skillful flop shot...but pars are good at Concord CC from the black tees. The 436 yard Par 4 2nd hole? Easy par. The 455 yard Par 4 4th hole? Easy Par. The 437 yard Par 4 5th hole? Easy Par. We're on fire. After a miscue on that led to a double on 7 I sensed Kurt was about to write off his hot streak as a promising stretch that would be too little too late. On the 8th fairway, I told him to keep the wheels on as every shot may end up counting. He looked back at me with his "I just shot 100 buddy, what have you been smoking?" face. After a sweet par on 8, we made our way to the last hole...an 150 yard Par 3. Kurt hit his tee shot crisp but pushes it right...and then the golf gods took over. It hit the side of a hill and rolled to about 4 feet. As we were on the green reading the putt, a punkish looking player and his even more punkish looking caddy walked past me and asked us if "we were in the hunt". "What's the hunt?" I replied. 81. At this point I had no idea what Kurt's score was. I'm not sure if he did either, but he felt he was in the ballpark. All of the sudden he got the "oh crap I better hit this putt" look. Sinks the putt. A two! The old MGA guys hovering near the 9th green loved it.

After adding up the scores, we finished at 79. After a few more scores came in, it looked like we were heading for a 9 man playoff at 79 for a handful of spots. "If you shot 79, get over to the putting green or the range to warm up" was being heard throughout the patio. Kurt went over to the range and I stuck around to see what our next step was going to be. After the final groups came in and someone with a 79 inexplicably withdrew, all 79s were officially in and the two 80s were the alternates. The MGA team loved the simple math. I ran over to the range to let Kurt know...but not before messing with him and pretending we need to rush over to the first playoff hole. Although he starched his last hybrid on the range (as our dad would say...he also calls jeans dungarees), he looked relieved when I finally told him we could just take his clubs to the car and head home with a guaranteed spot in the final stage of the Mid-Am. He deserved it...Concord is a brutally challenging course and only 4 out of 65 people broke 75 (+5).

Kurt would like to thank the following people for helping him qualify for his third conesuctive Mid-Am. His caddy. Steve Keegan's notes (again). Mike Keegan's beard. All Lexington CC members for regressing to the point where a score of 320 might win you a club championship.

MGA Father Son @ Charter Oak

August 16 - Bright and early, 445am wake up call, blueberry gruel, cantaloupe, and collard greens at 5am, 530am pickup by my Dad, and 710am tee off at Charter Oak. My Dad and I were yawning a bit, but ready to take on the challenging 6,600 yard tournament layout. Charter Oak weaves through the woods with heavy elevation changes, undulating greens, large strategically placed bunkers, and long par-3s covered with hazards.

My Dad striped his first tee shot down the middle, showing no signs of nerves. He said he didn't remember hitting it, but it was solid! With the green light, I hit driver around the corner on the dogleg right par-5. My Dad then hit a nice hybrid to within 40 yards of the green. I pitched it to 7 feet and my Dad's birdie putt just edged by the hole. So close! Tap in par to start. We parred the next 5 holes with my Dad making a 12 footer on #2 and me making a 15 footer and 12 footer on #5 and #6. Even par through 6. We hadn't hit anything great, but kept our tee ball in play and made some clutch putts.

Then on #7, a 210 yard par-3 over water, we both hit our tee shots in the water. This turned into a double bogey and left us a bit deflated. We then had 3 putts on each of the next 4 holes. For the remainder of the round, our short game failed us and we shot 83 (39-44). We overreacted to our mistake on number 7. I think we really needed to bounce back with a par on 8, however, an ugly bogey from inside 100 yards set us into defensive play, losing our rhythm. On a positive note, we did make 2 sand saves on #6 and #12. And my Dad hit a nice, manufactured slice from the woods on 18, almost on to the green. (I put him in the woods - remember this is alternate shot)

The golf course played challenging, but fair. The weather turned out good, after 24 hours of heavy rainfall. Due to yesterday's rain, the course played long and we played preferred lies in our own fairway. We played with the Bohane's from South Shore CC and Olde Barnstable GC. Good guys.

I absolutely love this tournament. We have what it takes to post much lower. We left disappointed in our results, but grateful for the experience. Afterward, we watched the Murphys finish up and ate lunch together. Mike and I chatted about our excitement for the Dennis Four Ball and my upcoming trip to California. The four of us recapped our rounds, laughing at some of our silly mistakes. Great day!

Cheers to Father-Sons,
Kurt

P.S. congrats to STAG for its first earnings call in company history

Updates

Aug 6 @ Meadow Creek - finished at the top - my first time at this golf course and found it very challenging, i only hit driver once on the 6,500 yard layout...accuracy was at a premium, some very narrow intimidating tee shots, i recommend a visit if you are looking to practice hitting precision shots with distance control, course conditions were above average for a public track

Aug 11 @ Charter Oak - followed up a narrow, short golf course with a long, narrow, hilly golf course that is one of the toughest golf courses I have ever played...450 yard par-4s, playing 490 up hill with narrow, undulating greens...it was the practice round for next week's MGA Father Son, my Dad and I played with the St. Clair's...it was the best golf I have seen my Dad play, hitting beautiful hybrids tight on long par 4s and par 3s, chipping in for birdie and sticking a shot for birdie on the same hole (#6)! (we were playing two balls alternate shot), then flopping a magnificent lob wedge over a bunker to a tightly cut front pin on the 18th...excellent play and Happy Birthday Dad!

2011 Club Championship 3rd and 4th Rounds

I capped off a disappointing weekend with a crowd roaring birdie on the 18th hole. Putting from the middle right edge of the green to a back center pin, I played the 30+ foot putt 20+ feet plus to the right of the hole and watched it take the slope up and then turn left, travel sideways, and curl down into the hole. Draino!! The fellow members and I put our hands up in excitement I couldn't believe it! My Dad and I talked about the line, but then it was pure feel over the ball. I said thats for an 85! (actually ended up being for 84) After a brutal day of penalties and big numbers, it put a huge smile on my face and made my realize how much fun this tournament is. It brings many of the members and their families over to the club to support the players, socialize, and cheer on the contenders.

Rob Lynch hit a 4 foot putt to win by 1 shot over D. Rubin and S. Keegan on the 72nd hole. A dramatic and exciting finish.

I shot 79-84 over the weekend to finish 10th place, hampered by 3 triple bogeys and 4 double bogeys. All tournament I stood over most shots feeling uncomfortable with my setup. Its not a good feeling. I couldn't hit shots where I wanted. I battled to score through it, but it showed through in making big numbers. For example, I fought to be only 5 over through 16 holes in Round 3 (didn't feel like great shooting during the round, but afterward i found out it was very good playing relative to the field) and then proceeded to make triple on the shortest hole at LGC. You cannot make triples and expect to win this tournament.

Scores were high despite good weather all four rounds. Round 3 had some challenging wind, but nothing that should have sent scores as high as it did. The only pin that I thought was a bit tricked was the back left pin on 7 during the final round (right above the ridge and the apex between upslope and downslope). The rest of the course played fair. I would like to see the tee markers not put at the edge of the boxes. There is no room to setup behind the ball and go through an alignment routine.

Thanks to my Mom for watching me play the front nine on Sunday.

Great tournament! Nice work by the LGC groundscrew and staff!

Ciao,
Kurt

First 2 Days of Club Championship

July 23-24: The first two days of Club Championship are complete. I shot 80-73, leaving me 6 shots off the pace going into the final 36 holes. Course and weather conditions were great. Day 1: We had a 2-hour rain delay in the morning before any participants tee'd off. The rain was so strong that the practice green had puddles. Once the rain moved, it was 90s and hot. Pin locations were very fair (hardest pin was front left on 5). Day 2: There was a 20 minute rain delay, then cloudy and high 70s/low 80s for remainder of the day. Difficult pin locations on 9 (front middle) and 4 (front left).

My game was weak on Day 1 with three 3 putts and an 8 on the 9th hole. My sole birdie was on the 13th. The second day was much better with zero 3 putts, birdies on 1 and 11, and steady play. Again the 9th hole bit me with two bogeys. I was pin high right on 18 and hit one the best close call chip shots of my career. I had to play it extremely soft and about 30 feet right of the pin to accommodate for speed and break. It took about 10 seconds for the ball to roll to the hole, everyone saying 'go in' before it rimmed the edge and still rolled past the pin 6 feet. I missed the par attempt in disgust. Went from birdie thought to bogey in a hurry. I would have been happy with par.

Looking forward to the final two rounds. Thanks to my Mom, Derek, and Carolina for watching me in Round 2! Pace of play was good both days due to threesomes, roughly 4 hour rounds.

Notable shots:

-Round 2 - S. Keegan hit his approach shot on 6th from the face of a rock in the right rough. He knocked it on the green and took a chunk off his wedge. What a shot!

Leader is R. Lynch at 147.

Good luck everyone,

Kurt

LGC Mid Summer Classic

July 9-10: My favorite tournament at LGC behind the Club Championship. We had excellent weather and great course conditions. The greens were rolling quick, especially on Sunday with treacherous pins on 3 (middle right) and 9 (front middle). Many people were putting it off the green from above the pin on both these holes.

I teamed up with Mike Keegan and we played with Dan Brennan and Steve Keegan. As usual, a boatload of laughs and good golf shots. Good memories of Mike finishing birdie and birdie in Round 1, including an almost impossible chip shot on 17. Mike was WAY right (almost to the woods) of the right-hand greenside bunker and the pin was back right, leaving 10-12 feet of green to work with, forget about having to fly the bunker. Mike's flop shot took two bounces and dropped in the hole. The second bounce hit my ball mark from my tee shot 1 foot from the hole. It was incredible that could hit the mark pop straight up and into the hole.

We shot 65 on Day 1, leaving us 5 back of the lead. On Day 2, we shot 69 for a 2-Day Total of 134. The winning team of Gary Bianco and Steve Geldart shot 130. We finished in the Top 10. A respect showing my Mike and I despite not playing all that great. Enjoyed it very much!

Shout out to Mike's 99 restaurant hat, Dan using his R11 driver as a hammer on the tee box, and Steve throwing Dan's golf ball from the 16th tee down to the 1st tee box.

Members and tournament participants enjoyed the new LGC deck, lead by the fearless Jack F.

Next up the Club Championship!!

Practice well and get your rest,

Kurt

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