November 10, 2013 - Fab Four at Lexington GC: Flionis, Lynch, Keegan, and Brennan put the peg in the ground at 8am for our first fall matchup. There was much anticipation for this battle. We have played at least ten prior matches, but we decided to set the state clean, calling this the first match. It was balmy November morning, possibly peaking at 50 degrees. I was layered with rain pants, under armour, golf shirt, and sweater. The humorous jabs began on the putting green and never let up until 18 when Danny had a 18 foot downhill slider to potentially tie the match. His confidence was high even though the guy making putts all day was his partner. Danny aka Norstradamus was most notable for calling Keegan's birdie putts on 7, 16, and 17 (each one was over 15 feet and I disagreed it would happen each time!).
Lynch was impressive making 5 birdies, carrying us to a 1up victory (oh how sweet victory is against these guys, boom). Oh, yeah, Danny missed that putt on 18 for birdie; if he only hit it an inch further to the left as his partner guided him toward. I followed his miss by draining a 10 foot uphill right to left slider for birdie, my first and only birdie of the round. I struggled with my swing at times, but putted very well and had my share of well struck shots to shoot 75 (12 pars, 5 bogeys, 1 birdie).
There is a comfortable but fiery competitiveness about these matches and we all let each other have it. As Danny and Keegan cut into our 3 up lead with a par chip in on 12 and a birdie on 13, both by Danny; Lynch threw a dagger by making a 30+ foot birdie putt on 14 to give us a 2 up lead with 4 to go. Danny came back with a 15 foot par saver to halve 15. Then Keegan drained a match saving birdie on 16 for a halve after Rob's two putt birdie. On 17, Keegan made another match saving birdie from 15 feet to cut the lead back to 1up.
Its 1-0 boys. Bring it on for the next match.
Course conditions were very good. Greens rolling nice and the fairways did not require any preferred lies. This is the bonus season for us. Its the rounds you really appreciate and I tend to take the pressure off myself. Relaxing and lower expectations leads to good results.
And this marks a one month countdown to Arizona
You gotta give up control, to get control.
Kurt
Monday, November 11, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
New Hampshire Fun
Oct 15 - Seems the Flio family always has a good time playing in NH. We find courses are laid back, the energy is calm, and courses are not limited to restricted land areas. Today, the course was challenging yet fair, and staff was so welcoming. My friend Richie who I saw at the Norfolk invited my bro, my Dad, and I to play unaccompanied at his home club Abenaqui. We arrived to an upbeat, friendly, knowledgeable, pro in J. Sheerin. Mr. Sheerin is a very accomplished player with a PGA Championship under his belt and three US Senior Opens.
Weather was cloudy in the high 50s and we had the course generally to ourselves. The pro gave us the lowdown on the course with his notes and set us off on the first tee. Greens were smooth as butter, not fast, but hardly a bump. The fairways and rough were lush. Its a flat golf course with many scattered water hazards and small greens. We enjoyed the layout and loved the scene. We felt like we were playing at our own estate. Its so private it feels like a big backyard with massive homes nearby.
My ball striking was excellent, taking driver off many tees with no fear and attacking flags. I had three bogeys and two birdies to shoot 73. Almost holed out on the par 3 11th with a 5 iron, puree'd. My Dad came alive on the back nine, just missing bird on 15, birdieing 16 (the Dan Brown), and again closely missing on 17. My bro putted lights out, I swear making every putt in the 10-15 foot range. Not sure how he does it. If I did that, I'd be a player!
Its interesting that 17 and 18 provide a completely different design and feel, like you are in North Carolina. I guess these holes were built in the last 10 years after a micro blast destroyed prior holes. I would recommend this course to anyone who has the chance to play it. Fun layout. Great condition. Good staff. And thanks to the Abenaqui legend Richie for making this happen!
Play NH golf,
Kurt
Weather was cloudy in the high 50s and we had the course generally to ourselves. The pro gave us the lowdown on the course with his notes and set us off on the first tee. Greens were smooth as butter, not fast, but hardly a bump. The fairways and rough were lush. Its a flat golf course with many scattered water hazards and small greens. We enjoyed the layout and loved the scene. We felt like we were playing at our own estate. Its so private it feels like a big backyard with massive homes nearby.
My ball striking was excellent, taking driver off many tees with no fear and attacking flags. I had three bogeys and two birdies to shoot 73. Almost holed out on the par 3 11th with a 5 iron, puree'd. My Dad came alive on the back nine, just missing bird on 15, birdieing 16 (the Dan Brown), and again closely missing on 17. My bro putted lights out, I swear making every putt in the 10-15 foot range. Not sure how he does it. If I did that, I'd be a player!
Its interesting that 17 and 18 provide a completely different design and feel, like you are in North Carolina. I guess these holes were built in the last 10 years after a micro blast destroyed prior holes. I would recommend this course to anyone who has the chance to play it. Fun layout. Great condition. Good staff. And thanks to the Abenaqui legend Richie for making this happen!
Play NH golf,
Kurt
Presies - Norfolk 2-Ball
Oct 12-13: Swen and Flio teamed up again (last time was 2011) at the Norfolk County 2-Ball. As usual, a very solid field of amateur players with lots of birdies to be made on a short layout, but some would say diabolical greens. The weather was excellent both days; sunny and in the mid to low 60s, wind a significant factor; typical of the elevated location in Quincy. The wind can add or subtract 2+ clubs to a shot at any given time.
Day 1: Score 68 (2 under). Started on #10. Play was very solid. Swen is mr. high energy and I'm loving it. He birdies 12 from off the back fridge, makes up and down from the left side of 15 for birdie, and hits an incredible shot on 14 from a willow tree (far right corner of fairway, just short of the water on tee ball). Swen drove it over the green on 3. I drove it to upper tier, leaving a 20 foot eagle putt; made the birdie. I birdied #1 with Driver, LW to front pin. I had a great driving and ball striking day, had 168, 185, 185 into 15,16, and 5 (failed to birdie each one!). Missed makeable putts on 14, 16, 18, 5, 7, and 9; 16 greens including 2 fringes; 72 with 38 putts. Solid performance (around Top 10 in field), felt 66 was easily achievable.
Day 2: Score 75 (+5). Energy weak. J. Burke show. We started on #18 in shotgun. Burke birdies #2, #3, and #5. Then on back nine, Burke goes off with birdie on #12 (chip in), birdie on #14 (stiff in two), eagle on #15 (7 feet on 2nd), birdie on #16 (long putt), and birdie on #17 (3 feet in two). His team shot 62 to finish in 5th place. One of the best performances I've personally seen in an amateur tournament We went birdie-less and watched Burke/Fitzgerald move up the leaderboard. My parents watched the last 8 holes. Slow round; about 6 hours. My ball striking was worse, but putting came through with sub 30 putts. Score 76.
62-59 won the event. Ridiculously great play. Look forward to the opportunity each year to make the final groups. As they say on TV, these guys are good!
My keys were energy conservation throughout with good nutrition, good visualization on where I wanted to land pitch and chip shots, and a longer, smoother tempo putting stroke. Great to see familiar faces; Parker, Stover, Falcuccis, Sharaf, Riley, Keegan, Brennan.
Great tourney.
To much more fall golf,
Kurt
1 Andy Drohen (The Ranch G.C.), Chris Congdon 62-59--121
2 Kevin Carey (Dennis Pines G.C.), Don Reycroft 63-63--126
3 Herbie Aikens (Pinehills C.C.), Matt Parziale 63-65--128
Michael Willock (Cohasset G.C.), Sean Crowley 63-65--128
5 Arthur Fitzgerald (Worcester C.C.), Jordan Burke 67-62--129
6 Brian Higgins (Franklin C.C.), Daniel Falcucci 65-66--131
7 Steve Neidermire (Thorny Lea G.C.), Greg Chalas 67-65--132
8 Chris Corey (Holden Hills C.C.), Mike Lemerise 67-66--133
9 Justin Sharaf (Meadow at Peabody), Mike McLaughlin 68-66--134
Frank Vana (Andover C.C.), RJ Foley 70-64--134
Dave McAdams (Gardner G.C.), Dylan Evans 66-68--134
T42 Kurt Flionis, Erik Swenson 68-75--143
Day 1: Score 68 (2 under). Started on #10. Play was very solid. Swen is mr. high energy and I'm loving it. He birdies 12 from off the back fridge, makes up and down from the left side of 15 for birdie, and hits an incredible shot on 14 from a willow tree (far right corner of fairway, just short of the water on tee ball). Swen drove it over the green on 3. I drove it to upper tier, leaving a 20 foot eagle putt; made the birdie. I birdied #1 with Driver, LW to front pin. I had a great driving and ball striking day, had 168, 185, 185 into 15,16, and 5 (failed to birdie each one!). Missed makeable putts on 14, 16, 18, 5, 7, and 9; 16 greens including 2 fringes; 72 with 38 putts. Solid performance (around Top 10 in field), felt 66 was easily achievable.
Day 2: Score 75 (+5). Energy weak. J. Burke show. We started on #18 in shotgun. Burke birdies #2, #3, and #5. Then on back nine, Burke goes off with birdie on #12 (chip in), birdie on #14 (stiff in two), eagle on #15 (7 feet on 2nd), birdie on #16 (long putt), and birdie on #17 (3 feet in two). His team shot 62 to finish in 5th place. One of the best performances I've personally seen in an amateur tournament We went birdie-less and watched Burke/Fitzgerald move up the leaderboard. My parents watched the last 8 holes. Slow round; about 6 hours. My ball striking was worse, but putting came through with sub 30 putts. Score 76.
62-59 won the event. Ridiculously great play. Look forward to the opportunity each year to make the final groups. As they say on TV, these guys are good!
My keys were energy conservation throughout with good nutrition, good visualization on where I wanted to land pitch and chip shots, and a longer, smoother tempo putting stroke. Great to see familiar faces; Parker, Stover, Falcuccis, Sharaf, Riley, Keegan, Brennan.
Great tourney.
To much more fall golf,
Kurt
1 Andy Drohen (The Ranch G.C.), Chris Congdon 62-59--121
2 Kevin Carey (Dennis Pines G.C.), Don Reycroft 63-63--126
3 Herbie Aikens (Pinehills C.C.), Matt Parziale 63-65--128
Michael Willock (Cohasset G.C.), Sean Crowley 63-65--128
5 Arthur Fitzgerald (Worcester C.C.), Jordan Burke 67-62--129
6 Brian Higgins (Franklin C.C.), Daniel Falcucci 65-66--131
7 Steve Neidermire (Thorny Lea G.C.), Greg Chalas 67-65--132
8 Chris Corey (Holden Hills C.C.), Mike Lemerise 67-66--133
9 Justin Sharaf (Meadow at Peabody), Mike McLaughlin 68-66--134
Frank Vana (Andover C.C.), RJ Foley 70-64--134
Dave McAdams (Gardner G.C.), Dylan Evans 66-68--134
T42 Kurt Flionis, Erik Swenson 68-75--143
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Member Member 2013
Oct 5-6: T. Keebaugh and I partnered up for the first time and shot 65-63 (-14) for a 2nd place finish in the best-ball net event. We had a great rhythm going over two days, helping each other on reading putts and only a few holes where we made bogeys. Day 1 - Temps were 60s and sunny. The greens were running close to 13. Kevin even changed the pins on 3 and 9 during the round because the putting was so difficult. I made a 40 foot birdie "putt in" on 3 before the pin was moved. Todd played excellent, carrying me most of the way to a 65. I did stick one on 18 to inches to finish our round. Did not take advantage of any of my three stroke holes. Day 2 - Weather was rough with rain all day. We started on 9. We played great. I birdied 13, 14, 16. I net birdied 4 and 9. Todd made a 3 net 2 on 7. 8 under par with one over total on the easy par 5 second and 11th. We thought the tournament might be ours given the weather, but Geldart and Taves stormed the course with a 60 to win by 4 shots. Keebaugh is a great guy and pleasure to compete with. Played with S. Keegan and C. Manning, defending champs.
Another great weekend at LGC.
To good people,
Kurt
Another great weekend at LGC.
To good people,
Kurt
Friday, October 11, 2013
Weekend Sept 28-29
Sept 28: Played at LGC with my brother, his colleague Alex, and Matty Champ. Alex plays out of Kernwood and he said Lex greens were the fastest he has ever played...a big statement coming from a Kernwood member. My bro told Matty he was going to see a 130 today; well after Derek made a par on #4 and was +4 thru 6, he was sandbagging his way along! Matty was just ripping it off the tee...Kaboom, probably the loudest sounding ball speed off the driver I've ever played with.
It was a nice, calm, quiet day at the club. Derek and I continued after a buffalo chicken lunch, playing 6 more holes. I went off with a 5iron and a putter. Derek played the first hole with his 4 iron and putter, then reverted to the full bag. Beautiful SW shot on #5 by my bro to recover after a poor tee shot, 45-50 yard shot to a front right pin, not easy coming from the right side. I played below average, but somehow won the best 15 holes competition. Matty paid for my entry too!
Sept 29: Fall 2-Man at LGC with my good friend J. Flanagan. It is a team score of best ball gross added to best ball net. The same player can be used for the gross and net score. We bring a good team given my low handicap and Flanagan's 18 handicap. We shot a total of 144, good for T4 and 4 shots off the winners M. Champagne and T. McDonough. We had a nice run at it. This was the beginning of a new relationship too. J. Flanagan, I look forward to next year. Keep up the great playing.
This was a 3 day weekend of golf. Can't beat it! Weather keeps on doing well.
Oh and this was my 100th blog post! Thanks to everyone who takes interest!
Take dead aim,
Kurt
It was a nice, calm, quiet day at the club. Derek and I continued after a buffalo chicken lunch, playing 6 more holes. I went off with a 5iron and a putter. Derek played the first hole with his 4 iron and putter, then reverted to the full bag. Beautiful SW shot on #5 by my bro to recover after a poor tee shot, 45-50 yard shot to a front right pin, not easy coming from the right side. I played below average, but somehow won the best 15 holes competition. Matty paid for my entry too!
Sept 29: Fall 2-Man at LGC with my good friend J. Flanagan. It is a team score of best ball gross added to best ball net. The same player can be used for the gross and net score. We bring a good team given my low handicap and Flanagan's 18 handicap. We shot a total of 144, good for T4 and 4 shots off the winners M. Champagne and T. McDonough. We had a nice run at it. This was the beginning of a new relationship too. J. Flanagan, I look forward to next year. Keep up the great playing.
This was a 3 day weekend of golf. Can't beat it! Weather keeps on doing well.
Oh and this was my 100th blog post! Thanks to everyone who takes interest!
Take dead aim,
Kurt
Sunday, October 6, 2013
LGC 1 Day Member Guest - An Epic Epic Finish
Sept 27 - The Bentley boys came to LGC; Bates, Kyle, and Teller. Its always a pleasure being on the golf course with these guys. Its bound to be a competitive, fun day and this lived up to it and more! Batesy's towering drives, Kyle's sling draw, and Teller's consistent irons.
A quick overview on the format: Best-ball 2 man teams (gross and net prizes). Given that I had three guests (some others in the field had 1 or 2 guests), I would be posting three scores; one with Bates, one with Kyle, and one with Teller.
Our goal was to win gross, nothing else. When we came to #16, I was the only player to make a birdie (I had three) in the group, so I was busting the guys to step it up. On 16, Kyle, Teller, and I made birdie and Bates goes 'i'm not going to waste one here, i'll get the next one'. On the par-3 17th, Bates sticks it for closest to the pin prize and makes birdie. Huge! This put Bates and I at 3 under gross. On the 18th fairway, I looked at Bates and said lets get one more. He knew exactly what I was talking about and where we stood. I hit my approach in the right greenside bunker and Bates left in short in the rough, not acceptable shots. My bunker shot was nice to about 6 feet. What does Bates do? He chips in!, in Larry Mize fashion...arms up and high fives all around. This was not an easy chip as he had to throw it out at least 6 feet to the right and have it curl right to left, rolling above the pin and coming in back door! We finish 4 under 67 and win gross by one shot!
Finished T3 with Teller at 66 net and T7 with Kyle at 67 net, both in the money. It was a winning day all around, especially for the fact that Teller and I gave Kyle and Bates a whippin. Batesy's birdie birdie finish only saved them from completely losing their shirts.
Other notes from the day:
A quick overview on the format: Best-ball 2 man teams (gross and net prizes). Given that I had three guests (some others in the field had 1 or 2 guests), I would be posting three scores; one with Bates, one with Kyle, and one with Teller.
Our goal was to win gross, nothing else. When we came to #16, I was the only player to make a birdie (I had three) in the group, so I was busting the guys to step it up. On 16, Kyle, Teller, and I made birdie and Bates goes 'i'm not going to waste one here, i'll get the next one'. On the par-3 17th, Bates sticks it for closest to the pin prize and makes birdie. Huge! This put Bates and I at 3 under gross. On the 18th fairway, I looked at Bates and said lets get one more. He knew exactly what I was talking about and where we stood. I hit my approach in the right greenside bunker and Bates left in short in the rough, not acceptable shots. My bunker shot was nice to about 6 feet. What does Bates do? He chips in!, in Larry Mize fashion...arms up and high fives all around. This was not an easy chip as he had to throw it out at least 6 feet to the right and have it curl right to left, rolling above the pin and coming in back door! We finish 4 under 67 and win gross by one shot!
Finished T3 with Teller at 66 net and T7 with Kyle at 67 net, both in the money. It was a winning day all around, especially for the fact that Teller and I gave Kyle and Bates a whippin. Batesy's birdie birdie finish only saved them from completely losing their shirts.
Other notes from the day:
- Fantastic weather, sunny and 70
- Greens were fastest all year at LGC, probably running at 13 and rolling beautiful; very easy to three putt, ask Teller
- I hit a banana hook on the first hole (bubba esque) with a 6 iron, blind to the green from approx 120 yards in the left treeline. Shot went to 20 feet for birdie on the back tier. Gallery included Geldart and Wilczewski.
- Other memorable shots I had: a greenside flop on 13 in front of the right bunker to a white right pin, minimal green to work with; right greenside bunker shot to a back middle pin on 18 (big sloping right to left), second shot swing up against the left trees on 15 that made the green from 80 yards (was able to swing almost full even though clubs was going through the pine), and a 45 foot birdie putt on 5 from right side of green to back middle pin. Building on my creative golf shots is satisfying.
Another memorable, winning day with the Bentley boys. We will have to do this again very soon.
Always enjoy your friends,
Flio
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Dennis Four Ball - New Born Experience
Sept 14-15: This was a special year for multiple reasons: 1) Mike's newborn daughter, Lindsey, would be with us for the first time; 2) Mike's in-laws would be hosting us in their newly renovated home (wasn't complete last year); and 3) We would see how Mike's game would hold up as a father!
We had another weekend of spectacular weather; sunny and high 60s both days. The first day we got a late starting time, 12:40pm; allowed us a full morning of beach with the dogs, breakfast at home (Murph scrambled eggs and thomas's english muffin), and relaxation. Our starting time was surrounded by two Mass Am championship, a 2012 Round of 16 US Amateur competitor who beat Harris English, and many other accomplished players. Gets me fired up! We opened with a 2 under par 69. Birdies at #2, #8, #13, and #18. Bogeys at #4 and #11. Mike got at the par-5s with 3 birdies. Overall, we played well, just couldn't get many putts to drop. 63 was low score of the day.
At night, after a great dinner from Lost Dog, we were treated to a free fireworks show at the house. Some wealthy family ran a fireworks show off a barge for their daughter's wedding. It was as good as the fourth of July in Boston, no joke! 15 minutes of cracks and pops, one after another. I tried to make it late with Mike watching golf, football, and airplane repo and keeping an eye on Lindsey, but I crashed and left Mike with his hands full for the evening. Estimated sleep time for Mike +/- 5 hours total, not straight through. Got a taste of newborn parenthood, its a hand full and exciting.
Round 2: Another afternoon tee off; more beach! more breakfast, this time at Grumpy's, our favorite muffins and great breakfast food all around. We were in the Top 10 with a goal to catch third place score of 66. Also a nice treat was that we got paired with friends V. Galvani and D. Marseglia (fellow Bentley alum). We shot 71 with birdies at #5, #8, #10, #15. Bogies at #6, #7, #12, and #17. I don't think we played as well individually; as our drivers were astray. Maybe some fatigue. On a course like Dennis Highlands (ability to spray tee shots) and the quality of field, you really have to bring your highest confidence on the greens. Trusting the rhythm of the putting stroke and being aggressive, knowing if you run a birdie putt by, you will make the comeback putt. I never got that feel over the two days.
My most memorable moments were my trouble shots. On #10, I hit a blind knock down 8 iron from 125 yards that landed inches from the cup and rolled to the back of green. I had to clear an opening that was high enough to fly one tree and low enough to avoid another. Then, on #12, my drive was a few inches from the main roadway coming into the club; I was nervous about gouging my club. After committing to the shot, I got a wedge behind the ball without hitting the pavement, cleared the trees, and landed on the green to save an unlikely par. Mike dominated #8 (par 5), putting it greenside in two both times and doubling up on birdies.
Oh and Mike still has game! Beautiful short game to watch.
I recommend this tournament to any amateur players looking for a good four ball weekend. This weekend keeps getting better (how come our scores aren't?)
To new life,
Flio
We had another weekend of spectacular weather; sunny and high 60s both days. The first day we got a late starting time, 12:40pm; allowed us a full morning of beach with the dogs, breakfast at home (Murph scrambled eggs and thomas's english muffin), and relaxation. Our starting time was surrounded by two Mass Am championship, a 2012 Round of 16 US Amateur competitor who beat Harris English, and many other accomplished players. Gets me fired up! We opened with a 2 under par 69. Birdies at #2, #8, #13, and #18. Bogeys at #4 and #11. Mike got at the par-5s with 3 birdies. Overall, we played well, just couldn't get many putts to drop. 63 was low score of the day.
At night, after a great dinner from Lost Dog, we were treated to a free fireworks show at the house. Some wealthy family ran a fireworks show off a barge for their daughter's wedding. It was as good as the fourth of July in Boston, no joke! 15 minutes of cracks and pops, one after another. I tried to make it late with Mike watching golf, football, and airplane repo and keeping an eye on Lindsey, but I crashed and left Mike with his hands full for the evening. Estimated sleep time for Mike +/- 5 hours total, not straight through. Got a taste of newborn parenthood, its a hand full and exciting.
Round 2: Another afternoon tee off; more beach! more breakfast, this time at Grumpy's, our favorite muffins and great breakfast food all around. We were in the Top 10 with a goal to catch third place score of 66. Also a nice treat was that we got paired with friends V. Galvani and D. Marseglia (fellow Bentley alum). We shot 71 with birdies at #5, #8, #10, #15. Bogies at #6, #7, #12, and #17. I don't think we played as well individually; as our drivers were astray. Maybe some fatigue. On a course like Dennis Highlands (ability to spray tee shots) and the quality of field, you really have to bring your highest confidence on the greens. Trusting the rhythm of the putting stroke and being aggressive, knowing if you run a birdie putt by, you will make the comeback putt. I never got that feel over the two days.
My most memorable moments were my trouble shots. On #10, I hit a blind knock down 8 iron from 125 yards that landed inches from the cup and rolled to the back of green. I had to clear an opening that was high enough to fly one tree and low enough to avoid another. Then, on #12, my drive was a few inches from the main roadway coming into the club; I was nervous about gouging my club. After committing to the shot, I got a wedge behind the ball without hitting the pavement, cleared the trees, and landed on the green to save an unlikely par. Mike dominated #8 (par 5), putting it greenside in two both times and doubling up on birdies.
Oh and Mike still has game! Beautiful short game to watch.
I recommend this tournament to any amateur players looking for a good four ball weekend. This weekend keeps getting better (how come our scores aren't?)
To new life,
Flio
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