I played my first match in on the Open side of the match play events at Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort. It was a head to head battle against one of, if not the, best player at my home course. Len is a great player who hits the ball very long, has a great touch around the green and is a strong putter. I had my work cut out for me if I was going to have any chance of winning this match. We decided to play the ball down and as a result, both of us found some very difficult lies as the round progressed. Regardless, it was the same for both of us and as such the fairest way to play our round. As it turned out, this match was a seesaw battle without a storybook ending.
The first two holes did not produce the kind of start I expected. I bogeyed both and Len walked to the third hole two up. I was thinking that I did not need to panic, but just play my game and keep the ball in play. To be fair, my putting was what let me down…..at least at the beginning of the match. Surprisingly, I took the next two holes for the same reason I lost the first two. It was quickly coming to light that any mistake would be capitalized on by their opponent. With the match now even after four things were looking up (at least from my point of view).
We tied the 5th hole with pars with not real exciting shots being made, just solid golf by both players. This trend changed on the tee shot of the 6th hole. Len hit his ball to within 2 feet and had a tap in for a birdie. It was an amazing shot with a slight draw and no release. It was a perfect shot short of going in for a hole in one. On the 7th hole, pulled the ball left, it hit a tree and bounced out into the middle of the fairway. The golf gods were looking favourably on him during that shot. He made a great approach shot and we both were putting for birdie. Walking to the 8th tee, I was only one down. I was in a great position all things considered.
As we teed it up on the par 5, 8th hole, the disparity in our driving distances came to light. Without any exaggeration, Len out drove me by 30 to 40 yards on every par 5! Yup, I was never in any position to reach the greens in two and he had the opportunity every time. This difference in distance changed my course management strategy as I accepted the situation. So, I focused on fairways and greens. For the most part it worked well although in this case he walked away two up after an easy birdie.
The 9th hole played out in Len’s favour. After a very uncharacteristic poor second shot, Len was sitting 25 yards from the pin off the green. I was on the fringe about 10 yards from the pin thinking I could get a point back and head to the back nine only one down. Well, that thinking was folly as Len chipped in for birdie and won the hole. Now I was three down heading to the back nine and wondering how I could make a comeback of sorts.
While standing on the tee box on 10, Len asked if about if we were playing the whites or blues for the back nine. I thought about it and offered to play the blues which he agreed too without hesitation. I figured it might be the change I needed to make a run at the match. Hitting from longer distances, about 320 yards farther over the nine holes, I definitely need to hit the fairway in order to have a chance of hitting the greens in regulation.
As we turned the corner something happened. I won the first two holes and was down on heading to the 13th hole. I was solid hitting the fairways and greens that needed me two points. However, Len was not be held back for long. He used his great ball striking to win the next two holes to increase his lead from one to three with four holes to go. The rest of my tale is a great example of why you never give up during a match play if there any holes left to play.
As we played the next three holes, Len struggled a bit and I picked up my game. It was the chance in fortune I needed in order to push this match to the final hole. As it turned out, I won the next three and we were tied heading to the final round. I wanted to point out that I hit my best 3 wood in a long time on the par 5, 17th hole. I finished about 15 yards from the green (that is about a 230 yard 3 wood) and was able go get up and down for birdie. We walked to the 18th hole all tied. Who would have thought!
Well, this is where the Cinderella story ends. I was first to hit and pushed my drive into the woods on the right (rookie mistake). As soon as Len say where my ball went, he smartly, selected an iron poked his ball to the 150 yard marker. Totally a smart play! As I played 3 off the tee, using my 3 wood, I finished in the middle of the fairway about 125 yards from the pin. This should have been my club of choice from the beginning.
Not to give up, I hit what I thought was a perfect wedge right at the pin. It was a perfect distance, but I guess I was a bit excited as I hit the ball over the green by 3 yards in four. I got up and down, but Len coolly holed out to win the match. It was an anticlimactic way to finish, but I have go give Len credit for never letting up and walking away with a well fought win.
Yesterday’s match was a doozy. It had all the fixings of a fun and exciting match. We both hit some great shots, had some lucky bounces, but never relented at any time. The best part of the match was playing with Len again. He is a great athlete and competitor. But more importantly, he is a gentlemen who was fun to talk to and compete against. This is the second match in a row where I thoroughly enjoyed playing golf with the result be secondary. I wish Len the best as he moves on to the next round and hope his good fortune continues.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
