Declaring yourself a professional

Hope you got to see the Film Festival movie the Phantom of the Open last week. It was a very good film, acting, and story, about a man living in England who in 1976 finagled his way into the British Open Golf Tournament. Maurice Flitcroft was a crane operator who had never played golf. He was in danger of losing his job and had read that the reward for winning the open was $10,000.00. Maurice thought why not and submitted an application for the tournament declaring himself a professional. The submission was accepted and one of his twin sons as caddie Maurice played in the event. In preparation, he went to the beach and hit a few sand shots. In his first round, Maurice shot a 120 which was the highest score ever shot in the British Open.

What was remarkable about Maurice was his ability to not be humiliated or discouraged by all his errant shots. He skied his first drive landing the ball that looked like 25 yards in front of the tee. Playing with professionals who blasted the ball yards down the middle Maurice ambled up to his muffled shots and nonchalantly hit again. We could all use a little Flitcroft in our game.

Back home from Costa Rica Notes will catch up on the results of the recent traditional Fall River Memorial Day Getaway organized by Bill Gibney. The first-place team was J. Pardini, D. Weller, and I. Ford and R. Johnson shooting a team 261. In second place shooting 267 were S. Meade, W. Salyards, R. Maxey, and Kathy Shepley. Third place went to C. Allegrini, A. Albaugh, P. Cookenboo, and S. David shooting 273. Fourth place with 274 was C. Fling, D. Coddington, P. Baumgartner, and A. Rovetti.

Saturday’s Horse Race was won by the J. Pardini team. Second place by the B. Gibney team and third place by the S. Meade team. On Sunday’s Horse Race, the J. Pardini team again placed first with the S. Meade team placing second and the C. Allegrini team taking third.

Closest to the pin on Saturday on hole 4 was G. Beck, on #8 R. Swanson, on #11 C. Fling, and on #15

T. Stratton. On Saturday for the women S. Connolly was closest on #4, K. Meade on #8, K. Selzer on #11, and K. Shepley on #15. On Sunday for the men J. Pardine was closest on #4, D. Weller on #8, J. Pardini on #11, and K. David on #15. For the women on Sunday, S. Connolly was closest on #4 and #8, K.

Selzer on #11, and K. Shepley on #15. Long drive on Saturday for the women was S. Connolly and B. Albaugh. For the men C. Fling and D. Romelli.

On Sunday long drive for the women was S. Connolly and K. Gibney and for the men P. Dunn and M. Roscoe. Twoday low gross winner for the women was S. Connolly shooting 90 and 85 and for the men C. Fling shooting 73 and 75.

Congratulations one and all!