Bentley Battle

Nov 4 - First weekend in November, turn back the clocks, sunny and 50 degrees, and playing golf with my college teammates Bates and Richards.  Makes me extra happy I chose to play golf in college, an unbreakable bond of teammates and good friends for life.  That said, when it comes to our annual/bi-annual/other matches, a simple $5 Nassau, automatic press on the back, automatic presses after 2 down, and $1 junk brings as much motivation and pressure as tournament golf, especially in a tight match.

Bates and Richards vs. Flionis and Leary (Batesy's buddy from Marlborough)...Flionis/Leary win the front 1 up after Flio drains a 10 footer for par on 9...Flionis/Leary take a 2up lead on the back side through 13 (birdie by Leary on 11 and Flionis on 13), automatic press hits and Bates/Richards see the green light, they make par on 14 for a win, halve 15, Bates birdies 16 and 17 to win the press, square the overall match, and take the lead on the back nine, S&%T...all comes down to 18...Flionis makes par on 18, which squeaks out the win after Bates's slick downhill 10 footer rims out.  Squash the back nine, Bates/Richards win one press, Flionis/Leary win front nine and overall, Bates/Richards win the dots..net damage to Bates/Richards is $3...Bates beats Flio in side match 2 and 1 (crap)

Couple of key memories:

• Bates uses belly putter and drains multiple big putts, including a dagger on 17 for birdie (sharp right to left breaker from 15 feet), which he follows by saying "these greens are very similar to Marlborough"...nice of him to soften the blow...great putting...hopefully these things are illegal soon so I have a better chance of winning next time
• Bates brings half of his closet in his bag...very fashionable, alongside Richards with the lightly checked slacks
• Flionis/Leary win match 

Course was in great shape.  Looking forward to the next Bentley Battle.

Lata,
Flio

2012 Norfolk County Four Ball

October 13-14 – Another year at the Norfolk County, a 2-day best ball tournament with approximately 80 two-man teams.  The field is always strong and showed no different this year, with a number of the Massachusetts Tri-State players joining off their 9^th straight victory at Old Sandwich.  Its like when the PGA Tour says how many Ryder Cup players are showing up for a tour event.  Added competitive juices and hype.

My focus was to put up a better showing at Presidents, a course that doesn’t fit my eye and gives me problems every year.   That, or either my ball striking is off, and the wind plays havoc with poor ball striking here.  The tournament got off to a slow start.  There was a 90 minute frost delay, pushing back my tee time to 2:15pm off the tenth tee.  Weather was sunny, but cold…mid 50s and dropping by the hour.  Paired with good friends S.Keegan and D.Brennan

Murphy and I gave ourselves a number of opportunities, but failed to make putts all day.  I swear the greens were bumpy from the morning frost followed by a lot of golfers walking over them in the morning, couldn’t get a good roll.  My best shot was a 5-iron to 10 feet below the hole on 13.  Missed the putt.  Fifteen killed us, Murph hit his drive and third shot in the water, I hit a perfect drive, had 180 yards and plunked it…we made double (thanks Keegan and Brennan for still giving us the hole with your 8).  Only one team birdie on 5.  +2 thru 16 holes, then darkness hit.  We had eight and nine left to play.  After Dana calculated most of scores, the cut was projected at +2.  We had to finish our round in the AM and have balls in the air at 730, so the course could be cleared for 10:30 shotgun.  What!?  730!  We needed to wake and make two pars cold turkey or we are going home.   Keegan and Brennan were in good shape with even par. 

Next morning we wake up to sideways rain and cold!  48-50 degrees, windy, rainy.  No warmup.  Eighth tee Murph goes first, cold top…I hit it in 6^th fairway; Murph out of hole after 3 shots, I hit a 7-iron into the wind from 160 to front of green, great spot, wet green, slow right to left putt, right?  Nope, blew it by 6 feet.  Left to right putt downhill to make par, gotta have it.  Made it!  On nine, I missed a 10 footer for par, Mike has 20 feet for birdie, manageable speed, right?  Think twice, blows it by 6 feet.  This is a must make.  Got it!  I can’t remember working so hard to make two pars as a team.  We used up a lot of energy to avoid going home.

Two hours later we start on the 12^th hole with D.Evans and R.Friel.  Good guys.  Weather is cloudy, cold, windy, rainy…temperature rises and falls, rain starts and stop, last 6 holes are sunny and decent weather in 60s…we make birdies on 16, 2, 4, and 8; bogeys on 12,15,1,6, and 11.  My two shots of the day: 1) #4 – 6 iron to 8 inches above hole, ball stayed in its own ball mark; 2) #15 – another perfect drive, 190 yards to pin, I plunk 4-iron in water, drop and hit next shot with 5-iron plunk in water…Mike gets on green in 5 after two water balls…as we walk up to green, spotter marks my second ball in the water, half underwater; Hit it? Okay you never know – I take off my right shoe and sock, right foot is fully underwater, thinking Bill Haas, I play like bunker shot, I open the 60 degree and swing just like a bunker shot, don’t see anything and I hear Murph say that’s great, high lofting shot lands 12 feet past pin, then I make the putt half barefoot for bogey!!!  I went from disgust to excitement making a freaking bogey. 

We shoot 71.  Team Total = 143.  Brennan and Keegan shoot 65.  Excellent. 

Higgins and Falcucci dominate.  See below.

Great to see Swen and B. Murph!  Parka and Stova were the best of Bentley crew.  Thanks to my Dad for caddying in Round 1.  

This year the putter let us down as well as inability to hit a good second shot on 15.  No doubt we will be back next year.  Awesome event.

Fli

Results:

1st Brian Higgins-Dan Falcucci 62-64-126
2nd Andy Drohen-Chris Congdon 63-66-129
T-3rd Andrew Diramio-Ryan Riley 65-65-130
Paul Mitchell-Sean Fitzpatrick 64-66-130
Mike Riley-Arthur Fitzgerald 66-64-130
T-6th Jim Forsgard-Mark Elbery 65-66-131
Matt Bianchini-John Arcure 63-68-131
Greg Chalas-Steve Neidermire 64-67-131
T-9th Michael Haglof-Andy Loconto 68-64-132
Herbie Aikens-Bob Mancini 69-63-132
Steven Kuhn-Michael Butts 67-65-132
Michael Willock-Dan Najarian 67-65-132
Bob Avellino-Ron Harwood 64-68-132

Kurt Flionis - Mike Murphy 72-71-143

Member Member

Oct 6, 2012 - J. Flanagan and I posted an 8 under 63.  We are 4 shots off the pace going into the final round (T2 of 23 teams).  This is a net best ball at 90% tournament.  We had a solid day with 2 net eagles; I birdied 4 (right after John made 5 net 3) and John birdied 11 for net eagles...we also had two net bogeys on 18 and 10.  John putted amazing.  I give him a read and hits it exactly to the spot.  He shot an 89, good round for a 23 handicap.  The weather conditions were very good given its the first weekend of October, mid-70s and sunny with breezy conditions on the back nine.  It is great to be contention for tomorrow!  We played with R. Piccieri and D. Furey, two great guys.  Gotta love the Lex! Ran into M. Champagne and his wife at Tavern in the Square with my parents.  Good to see you Matty!

Final round update coming manana.

KFly

2012 Dennis Four Ball

Sept 15-16:  This year, Mike and I, had to make the 85 mile drive back and forth to Dennis Highlands.  We typically stay at his in-laws house in Dennis, but this year the house was unavailable due to renovations (we drove by and the place is looking awesome, almost done).  So we got plenty of talk in, food in, and traffic on our road trips.  Actually, round 2 was a 750am tee off.  I was up at 430am and in front of Mike's house at 535am!  Mike took me to Mercantiles Cafe in Dennis; if you are ever in the area, its amazing, they make their own bread and voted best sandwiches in Cape Cod.

Our tournament was respectable.  We shot 73-68.  Total 141 (-1).  Its unclear what our finish was, but we should be in the Top 15.  In the first round, the low score was 65.  Mike played great in the first round.  I played terrible.  In the second round, I played very good and Mike didn't play well.  I guess we picked each other up, but I would prefer both of us playing well!  Round 1 - 35-38; 2 birdies and 4 bogeys.  Mike almost holed out two bunker shots (on 2 and 13).  He birdied 1 and 3.  We played with the Curran brothers.  Round 2 - 32-36; 6 birdies and 3 bogeys.  I birdied 3,4,8,13, including a chip in on 3.  Also, made a ridiculous right to left downhill swinger on #4 from 12 feet.  The putt went up a hill, and u-turned back down the hill into the hole.  Mike birdied 1 and 12.  We played with B. Malcolm and R. McCarthy (Bentley grad!).

Dennis Highlands greens were fantastic.  Fast and rolled true.  The weather was high 60s, low 70s and sunny both days.

Next year we need to reduce our overall bogeys and increase our birdies on the par-5s.  We had one birdie on the par-5 eighth in Round 2, nothing else.

Good swing thoughts this week: Stable lower body, slow takeaway, and full turn.  Putting was excellent - very good feel for speed and was using a slow takeaway.  Also, most drivers I have ever hit in 36 holes - 14 the first day and 13 the second day.

Keep the good weather going!
Kurt

4 Day Golf Weekend

Labor Day Weekend 2012 Recap:
August 31 - 7am tee off at Lexington GC with D. Ryan; 75 and sunny, perfect; Flio makes 5 birdies to shoot 72 (bogeys last two holes with two three putts, gag, ugh); Danny shots 82 on his second round of the year; fun day playing with my Bentley golf teammate; we played in three and half hours, its worth getting up early! Note: Fantastic dinner with parents and godfather on LGC porch; my godfather got the ice cream brownie sundae, chatted with Richie L, ate good buffalo chicken fingers, fried chicken, hummus, and fish/chips.  Summer night to a tee!

September 1 - 630am departure to the Deutsche Bank Championship with E Swen, R Riley, and C Tarallo; beautiful weather, high 70s and sunny; we arrived just in time for Els, Mickelson, and Fowler followed by Bradley, Kuchar, and Mahan; then McIlroy, Z. Johnson, and Dufner.  We followed these three groups for 5 hours, not necessarily by choice, as we scattered throughout the course, stopping at various points, such as 11th green and 12th tee, 18th green stadium bar, 18th tee, 16th tee, 3rd tee, and 6th tee.  We watched Bradley shank a shot on number 13 and take a drop from the stance; we watched McIlroy eagle 18, Els advance it only 20 yards from the fescue on 13, Fowler hook it in the woods off 10 tee, and bombs off the tee by Bradley and Mickelson.  It amazes me how quiet the driver sound was the pros tee off, the ball comes off relatively quiet and has amazing hang time.  McIlroy's swing is soooo good.  Shortly after noon, we proceeded off-site to Chipotle and then to Norton CC for a showdown, Swen and I versus Riley (2011 Mass Am champ) and C Tarallo.  After 18 holes, the match ended all square.  I birdied 17 to tie the match and Swen made an awesome par on 18 from the 17th hole.  Riley and Tarallo are very very good golfers.  (Note: We got into the Deutsche without anyone checking our tickets...secret is sealed with me)

September 2 - 2pm tee time with my bro at George Wright GC.  Another perfect day weather wise, sunny and high 70s.  My bro drove his Ping G20 excellent and made one of the greatest pars I have seen on the #4 (par 3).  He hit his tee shot way right and couldn't see the flag from the bottom of a huge hill right of the green.  He proceeded to pitch a shot high enough to clear the hill, low enough to get under a large oak tree, and soft enough to stop it on the green from 60 yards.  He then drained a 15 footer to save par.  I hit the green for a sleeve of Bridgestone balls, missing a $1k hole in one opportunity (shot was not close at all).  We both enjoyed the layout of George Wright, many challenging tee shots, large elevation changes, and a unique Boston history about it, in the heart of Hyde Park.  My bro continued his outstanding touch around the greens with his 7-iron and 8-iron, better than anyone I have seen that doesn't play many rounds of golf.  I putted excellent and had my bro help me with my alignment.  I shot 75.  My bro finished with a fist pumping par on 18.  Can't wait to do this again.  Ran into Freddie W, playing behind us, my former colleague at Wolf.  Both of us were happy to get to play as a twosome, doesn't happen often that you don't get paired up with another twosome or a single in public golf.  Note: Excellent nacho/burger dinner with parents, bro, and his girlfriend at O'Sullys!

September 3 - 745am tee off with W. Scott at LGC for the Peter Manning Bowl.  Paired with D. McCarthy and B. Kenney.  Had a blast!  Walter and I birdied our last 6 holes to shoot net 64, good enough for T7.  We played fairly well given we made a net double bogey on #3.  It is a pleasure to play with W. Scott.  He and I always have many laughs.  I shot 72 gross with 3 birdies, 1 double, and 2 bogeys.  Putting was great again.  Birdies on 11, 13, and 15.  Also, great turnout for the event and a fourth consecutive day of fantastic weather, high 70s and sunny.

I could get used to this schedule...

Flio

LGC One-Day Member Guest

August 24 - Swen and I teamed up for the Lexington One-Day Member Guest.  Swen's first member guest. We shot 3 under par 68 after bogeying the first hole (#4).  Both of us had numerous birdie opportunities within 10 feet that we missed and Swen had one short eagle putt that just missed on #11 (an unbelievable sling draw second shot with a hybrid from right of the fairway trees (third hole side)).  Swen won the closest to the pin on #5.  We finished in second place gross, behind Jimmy Mags's team 66.  Weather was great, low 80s and sunny.  Playing partners were two lawyers, Todd (member) and Jake (guest).  Great time!
Flio

MGA Father Son 2012 at Crestwood CC

August 21 - My Dad and I competed in the MGA Father Son Tournament at Crestwood CC in Rehoboth, MA.  Its a selected drive, alternate shot competition.  Our goal coming in was to shoot in the 70s.  We only play this format once per year.  Its a blast!  Since golf is mostly an individual sport, team competition plays with your mindset.  You are not used to hitting shots that the other person is depending upon.  If I hit a bad shot, my Dad is stuck with the result and vice versa.  Also, you might go multiple holes without hitting an iron shot or a chip shot or a putt, which makes it challenging to get in a rhythm.  On the other side, its great to share the adrenaline and success of competition.  

We gained momentum on the 17th hole, when my Dad hit a shot to 6-feet and then I followed with a shot to 2-feet on the 150 yard hole.  We made our first birdie!  Then on 18, we were just short of the 520 yard par-5 in two, after my Dad hit a solid 3-wood.  I hit a poor chip which resulted in us making par.  We were moving in the right direction, birdie-easy par!  But the round ended for us, too late, we shot 81.

The first sixteen holes were a mix of poor chips and putts that cost us at least 5 shots.  Also, I didn't help our momentum on the first hole, by hitting a 106 yard approach shot from the middle of the fairway to the bunker, sorry Dad!  My Dad almost chipped in for birdie on 10 and I almost did the same on 11.  My Dad hit a huge par putt on 13 from 20 feet downhill!

The golf course was in great shape.  The weather conditions were perfect, mid-80s and sunny.  It was our first time playing Crestwood.  It seemed like a lot of doglegs, where knowing your best angles on tee shots would have helped.  Not a long course, firm greens.  Between my length and my Dad's, we should have been much better.  We played the Joyce father-son team from Farm Neck GC in Martha's Vineyard.

Can't beat playing with my Dad!
Kurt