| |
USGA Senior Amateur Blog
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Still Close
|
Grace took the lead on the 13th hole when Giles missed a 6-foot putt. On the 14th hole, Grace had the chance to go 2 up when Giles missed a 45-foot downhill offering and then the 8-foot comebacker. It elicited a growl from Giles.
However, Grace couldn't dump in his 8-footer and they halved.
Incidentally, the 13th is where the match was closed out by Francis Ouimet in the 1931 U.S. Amateur final. Can't take credit for that. A helpful club member sent that to me.
|
First Nine
|
How's this for a start? Giles chips in off the green on No. 1, but Grace halves by draining a 20-foot putt.
Grace just squared the match by converting an uphill 33-footer from off the front of the green on No. 9. Giles missed his 27-footer to halve, walking off the putt.
|
Thoughts
|
Just an observation: the weather is perfect today, perfect for a final - unless you'd prefer a blustery windy and rainy day. Not a cloud in the sky. It's one of those late September Midwest days where the sky is a deep penetrating blue.
Something to watch for today: Vinny Giles intimated the other day that his back has been giving him some trouble. Not too bad, but it's one of those lurking things that can flair up at any time.
Grace has his own issues. He's hoping not to hit the proverbial wall, after playing something like eight or nine rounds in the past 10 days, he said.
|
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Course Itself
|
Someone asked me how the players enjoyed the course this week. The simple answer is they absolutely found it to be a treat. There wasn't a single negative reaction.
Now, they may have found some spots tricky, particularly on the turtle-back greens, but that's part of the Donald Ross allure. Players felt it was a challenging yet fair setup.
To be honest, the course is quite the gem. It hosted the 1931 U.S. Amateur, which Francis Ouimet won. Walking through the clubhouse, the walls seem to come to life with historical photos from its 101 years. Yep, it celebrated its centennial last year. If only the walls could talk and the stories it could tell.
To set the record straight, Donald Ross had a huge hand in the course, but it was originally designed by George O'Neil. Ross redesigned it in 1918. Then it underwent a renovation last year under the watchful eye of architect Ron Prichard. Prichard was careful to respect Ross' changes.
|
Beverly Club
|
There is a true planes, trains and automobile feel to the surrounding areas of the course. There is a freight train line that abuts the course and every so often you can hear the clangs of the motor cars. Secondly, the club is situated amid several busy intersections. The hum of cars, sirens and honking is so usual that after awhile you tune it out.
Finally, Midway Airport is nearby. There's a steady stream of air traffic.
Players have simply learned to focus and block it out.
Pallin was 2 down at the turn. He started taking tired swings on the fifth hole. Consequently, he picked up his ball after overshooting the green, then getting too strong on a chip back toward the hole. The ball hit the slope and went off.
Poor Mark Bemowski. The course has countless trees and it seems he's every one of them in his semifinal match. He's been scrambling like crazy.
|
Quarterfinals
|
Looking at the brackets, three of the four USGA champions left are stuck in one of the same ones.
Seems that John Pallin isn't too superstitious when it comes to his caddie. He's alternated between and his wife and daughter this week.
|
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tough Loss
|
Now here's something you don't see very often - if ever. In the Robert Morris-Greg Reynolds third-round match, the two walked to the 18th teeing ground all square.
On Morris' approach shot, his ball struck a tree. Not so weird. Problem was, no one could find it. After the customary five minutes elapsed, Morris had to concede. Reynolds was credited with an eagle. For Morris, it's sort of like losing a football game on the point after attempt.
Morris took it in stride, joking about it afterward. "It's been a good run," he said. "We battled hard."
Reynolds felt bad, but added, "I hate to say that I had to win that way, but you'll take 'em any way you can get 'em."
|
Great Match
|
Watching Paul Simson and Randy Nichols duel each other was an enjoyable affair. Both turned in the equivalent of five under pars with all the match play concessions.
In a rematch from last year, Simson won on the 18th hole after nudging in a 12-footer. Nudge would be the proper description because it was a tricky downhill putt on the Donald Ross redesigned green. He aimed for the left outside edge.
"It would have gone in a thimble," said the always quotable Simson, who fell to Nichols in last year's Senior Amateur.
Nichols was away on the green, looking at a 14-foot uphill stroke. As soon as he hit it, he blurted out, "Get right. The ball never moved."
Subsequently, the ball stopped a few inches left of the hole, setting up Simson's dramatics. Nichols said he didn't think Simson would convert only because of the position he was in.
"He's just a better putter than I am," said Nichols, a semifinalist last year.
Nichols took solice in the loss, disappointed yes, but not distraught.
"It's not as frustrating from the point that had I lost and played poorly. "What can you do? You can only play so well."
|
Second Round
|
Have another gorgeous day for golf. Low 80s, hazy but more sunny than hazy.
In terms of play, John Pallin is someone to watch. The guy can boom the ball and manages his game well on the Beverly course. Maybe more impressive is the way he handles the Donald Ross greens. His stroke seems to be made for the saucer greens. Everything is close or right on.
|
Monday, September 14, 2009
Funny Scene
|
Near the end of the Kemp Richardson-Pat Tallent match, Richardson blocked his drive badly. The tee shot off No. 15 landed in the 11th fairway. As he headed toward his ball, a squirrel darted across the fairway and picked up Richardson's ball. However, it couldn't get away fast enough, the ball toppling out of its clutches.
Richardson was allowed to place the ball back in its original spot, according to the Rules.
|
|
|
|