The Mass Amateur is really our flagship championship - not to take anything away from our other ten championships, but this one is really the biggie. And rightfully so! It is our oldest and most storied event, lasts an entire week, and puts players through a grueling test. Add in some amazing venues over the years, and past champions named Ouimet, Guilford, Bishop, Johnson, Salinetti, Driscoll, and Vana...it's really an incredible event.
The week begins with a flurry of activity, as a field of 150 golfers descend on the championship course for round 1 of stroke play qualifying. We go off two tees in both a morning and afternoon wave. Repeat this on Tuesday - but with a lot more at stake, as the qualifying cut is made at the end of the day. The top 32 will move on to match play. Starting around late afternoon, a crowd gathers at the scoreboard and doesn't leave until the cut is made. Some players cruise through stroke play qualifying - but that doesn't guarantee success in the match play rounds. In fact, in the last 15 years, the stroke play medalist has won only twice (John Hadges in 2008, and Mike Calef in 2012), and has been knocked out in the first round of match play four times!
Wednesday is really the craziest day of the Championship - with the rounds of 32 and 16 all crammed into one day. By the time sunset hits on Wednesday evening, we have the quarterfinal matchups set...and everyone could really use a cold beverage!
Now it's Thursday morning and what was once a field of 150 golfers has been whittled down to 8. The feeling on the course is a lot more calm, but the competitors know what's at stake - just two more wins to get to the final match. For the two golfers that emerge at the end of the day, they will have played more than 100 holes of golf, probably under beating sun and humidity - and they have 36 more to go on Friday. By the time we get to the final match, it is really a test of mental and physical fortitude. Both players are exhausted, no doubt, so it all comes down to who wants it more.
Working at the Mass Amateur last year is what made me fall in love with working in the golf industry. Yes, it is a tiring, crazy week - and even more so for the players! - but it is just an incredible tournament that showcases the best of the best in our fair state.
Qualifying for the 2014 Massachusetts Amateur Championship will take place at ten different golf courses across the state. Entries close on Thursday, May 1 - don't miss out on your chance to play at this fantastic championship! Click here for more information
No comments:
Post a Comment