If you didn’t catch the time-stopping, earth-shattering news, the Right Reverend Mo’ Golf, prelate of the belly putter, hit the first tee shot of the inaugural Erie County Amateur. There is a separate post on the actual (not fictional) goings-on at that fine and commemorative event, so be sure to check it out. You’re here, however, so read up on Mo’ Golf’s Lessons Learned @ the ECA today. It’s kind of a whirlwind, so keep up.1. You can start the day double-triple (while not losing a ball or going oob) and still make the cut;
2. The County Executive is a fine golfer but, judging by his short game, he is spending way too much time at work in the office to regain his tournament toughness;
3. Grover Cleveland golf course (nee Country Club of Buffalo, site of the 1912 US Open) can defend par by locating holes on some sinister slopes;
4. Ryan Hawkins (62), Chris Covelli (64) and a bunch of other guys (6 or 7 at 65) can play! They might go lower tomorrow;
5. If a green at Grover is flat and elevated, or sloped toward you, it holds. If it is flat and fairway level, your approach will hit and skid for a long time;
6. You have to grind it out. Never give up;
7. Grover will keep you honest. If you spray your drives, sooner or later you’ll get stymied;
8. You can play hickory-shafted clubs and shoot 80;
9. Cat Peters has gone from good local female golfer to legitimate D-1 player in the last year;
10. The 1912 US Open was actually played August 1st and 2nd, so if you’re free, head over to Grover one of those two days to feel the spirits around you!
Those guys should have shot lower than that. They have no business playing that type of course. They are too good a player.
Tim, if you had seen where the pins were cut, you would understand why. Do you know how difficult it is to go low and stay low? I don’t, because I can’t do it. But I played both days and can attest to the difficulty of many putting surfaces. As for the “they have no business…” comment, read the back story and don’t dis any golf course.
We love your comments, but this one falls way short of your standard.
Tim: The course was in great shape, probably the best it has ever been, and the hole locations were tough, not only for approach shots but also putting. Maybe its just “Grover” in your eyes but it held its own against some of the best local players and from what I heard all of those players are looking forward to next year’s event. So don’t disrespect the old course as the Travis/Ross greens were the great equalizer that held down the scores.
Ron: Thanks for the nice comments. I would love to work on the short game more but I have to get that Bills lease done!
Mr. County Executive, with all due respect to your short game, we need that lease!
Tim & others (et al) I encourage every amateur golfer in Erie County to get their handicap down to qualify for the 2013 playing at Elma Meadows. This can be one of the area’s great events, as shown by the quality of the weekend field. We need another championship to complement the BDGA Individual and the WNYPLGA “A” Championship. Who knows~one year we could have a triple crown winner.