Before we get into that, let's recap what we have so far for the Top 14 of '14:
14: Team Titleist takes the Four-Ball
13: Dave Houghton proves that age is just a number
12: Colin Brennan's auspicious professional debut
11: A marathon playoff at the Senior Four-Ball
And now number 10!
While the Father & Daughter and Father & Son Championships are a heck of a lot of fun for all involved, they also draw some pretty darn good golfers! The champions of both events have built a bit of a reputation for being unbeatable in their respective events.
At the Father & Daughter at Wellesley, John and Mary Mulcahy made it a ridiculous five in a row! Mary has some serious game - she competed in the 2014 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship and has been a perennial contender in WGAM Championships. She currently plays on the golf team at the University of Central Florida.
Wellesley, MA —For a mind-boggling fifth year in a row, the team of John Mulcahy(Hatherly CC) and Mary Mulcahy(Hatherly CC) captured a divisional title at the Massachusetts Father & Daughter Championship.
The Mulcahy duo carded a score of 6-over par 77 at Wellesley Country Club on Thursday to claim the Championship Division title as their own.
The Mulcahys have not lost at this Championship Proper since 2010 when Mary was just 15 years old but the road has never been an easy one. In three of the five years – including 2014 – the duo has captured the title by just one stroke. And despite the string of recent victories, John still can’t forget the championship of 2009 when he sent his 7 iron into a hazard on the final hole to finish T2.
“All I had to do was hit it onto the green and we probably would have won it,” said John. “It was a really long winter thinking about that shot, but to win it again today for a fifth time really feels good.”
On this day, the title looked to be in jeopardy through nine holes as the Mulcahys made the turn at 4-over par 39 and were several shots off the lead.
They capped off the front nine with a birdie – the lone one of the day – on the 425-yard, par 4 9th hole where Mary – from just left of the green – chipped to two feet for a tap-in birdie.
“That got us going in the right direction,” said John. “Through the first eight holes we made five birdies and then after that we were one over. For most people the scores were higher on the back, but that was a big birdie for us and then we got up and down on a few holes and kind of settled down.”
And at the Father & Son at Willowbend, the affable Drohens took the title for the second year in a row and the third time in the past five years. Both Jim and Bill are MGA past champions - Jim in the Senior Amateur and Bill in the Amateur Championship. Both fierce competitors, they always look forward to this event where they can get out on the course and enjoy each other's company.
Mashpee, MA — For the third time in five years, the team of James Drohen (Bradford CC) & Bill Drohen (Brookmeadow CC)walked away from theMassachusetts Father & Son Championship with more than a smile.
The dynamic duo continued their success on the links together by capturing the senior division title at Willowbend to claim the Lester and Peter Oppenheim Trophy as their own.
With their latest victory, the Drohens have now won the senior division title three times – 2010, 2013 and 2014. Only three other teams (see below for the history of this event) have won the title more times since the event was introduced in 1977.
Included in that esteemed list areFordie & Fordie Pitts, Jr. (1984, 1986, 1988, 1990), Joseph & Jason Cook (1987, 1989, 1995, 1998) and Dick & Jim Salinetti (1997, 1999, 2000).
“I looked at the web site last night and saw the names of the teams that have won three times and it includes names like Salinetti, Cook and Pitts,” said James. “That is quite impressive company, so it looks like we need to come back and win a fourth title.”
Whether they won the title or not, the Drohens would be back. This is an event that they look forward to competing in together each and every year. With Bill now working as a full-time teacher and a father to two young children, the opportunities to play 18 holes together are not as plentiful as they used to be.
“It’s nice to win, but whether we received these trophies or not we would not miss this tournament,” said Bill. “We get to play maybe two or three times per year, but nothing is better than playing together.”
James – the 2003 Massachusetts Senior Amateur Champion – echoed his son’s feelings.
“It is perfect day at a perfect place,” said James. “We enjoy each other’s company and look forward to the opportunity to spending this time together.”
And we've got some great sites lined up for next year's Father & Daughter and Father & Son Championships - do you think the Mulcahys and the Drohens will extend their winning streaks?
And stay tuned this week for number 9 in the countdown! Have a great Sunday night everyone!
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