Yesterday, I played my second match in the Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort’s Club Championship. This is fourth year I organized and ran this event for my home course and I am happy to say I snuck through to the third round. My tough opponent, JC, was not going to make it easy for me and right from our first tee shots the match was a back and forth battle. The best part of our round is that it was just fun. JC is a great golfer and even better playing partner. It was the total package of fun and excitement.
Continue readingMattawa Golf and Ski Resort
Playing Your Best Game Of Golf
Every once in awhile, we hit the links and from the first tee shot our game is dialed in. That is what happened to me yesterday. I played my first match play game in the Club Championship tournament against the current club champion, Misha. Right from the beginning, I was on fire and I ended up playing the best game of the year. Unfortunately, Misha did not have his best game and the outcome reversed from last year. I always wonder why from one day to the next how my game can change. I think I know why yesterday I was successful, but there is definitely a larger picture on this topic.
Continue readingThe Match Play Tournaments Have Started
For the past four years, I have organized a small match play tournament at the Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort. With and Open and Club Champion events, I am always hoping to add more players. This year, under a straight match play format, the numbers are smaller than last year, but alas that is the nature of the event. Regardless of the numbers, I am hoping that the field continues to be have fun and at least have a chance at playing some competitive golf.
Continue readingFinally Playing Regular Golf
As most of you know, I started my golf season with a round of hickory sticks at the World Hickory Golf Day in Cambridge. The Golf Historical Society of Canada hosted and its an annual event that marks the start of my golf season. Well, fast forward it to Monday past and I teed it up on the links with my friend Jack. We did a quick nine holes (temperature was 29° C or 84°F) and it was a great start to what I hope to be an awesome season. I hit some good, poor and great shots. Let me explain.
Continue readingFeeling Good About Losing A Match
I was knocked out of the Open Match Play event held at the Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort. It was the second round and he is a very good player. I played very well, but I was out gunned yesterday. Golf is an amazing sport where on any given day anything can happen. The interesting thing about our match, each of us only gave one hole to our opponent. The rest of the time, the holes were won outright by a birdie. Misha closed me out 3 and 2, yet the match was much closer than the score.
My opponent, Misha, is a long hitting player whose greatest advantage is length. I hit some very good drives, yet Misha was easily 40 yards longer. Not only did he hit the ball a great distance, he was straight and in play on all shots except for one (he still shot par on the hole after taking one penalty stroke).
During the front nine, neither of us putted all that well. We had several opportunities but I was the only one to make birdie. After the front nine, I was 1 up and I shot a one over par 38. Misha also shot a 38 with only one bogey for the round.
On the 10th hole I missed a short putt to go two up. I opened the door a crack and Misha took total advantage. Rattled off four consecutive wins with three birdies and a par. Suddenly, I was down three with four holes to go. After pressing the next two I was closed out 3 and two.
I played Misha last year and won the match. The difference this year was Misha’s control with every club. If he missed, he did so by the narrowest of margins. His putting heated up on the back and I could not keep pace. When we finished I was one over and he was two under. It was a great match and I am hoping to play against him again next year.
On a side note, I mentioned that I play hickory sticks and had an extra set given to me by Lorne Emery, president of the Golf Historical Society of Canada. He said that he would be interested in playing a round with them in September. I will connect with in a few weeks and he can give them a try.
Well, I am out of the match play competitions for this year. Not winning is new, but my ego can take it. 😉 I a happy to lose to Misha because he won the match!
I want to thank Mike and Brenda the owners and operators of the Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort for their continued support of the match play tournaments.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 