It’s always a pleasure having the opportunity to play Bill Wilson whether straight up or in the same foursome. But, it’s even a greater pleasure to play his sister Joan as she is an excellent ball striker and drives the ball very well. You just can’t make a single mistake playing the Wilson family or you will suffer the consequences. Don’t believe me just ask Rick Maloney.
Bill Wilson took on Norm Pelletier this week in a grudge match dating back to May 13th where Pelletier pummeled the struggling baby brother of Joan Wilson. Bill has been playing a lot better these past few weeks as his team stays in first place for another week.
The match as expected would be close as Wilson jumped out to a 1 up lead after the 12th hole as Pelletier double bogeyed and Wilson parred. On 14 Pelletier was stroking and they both parred as Pelletier halved the match. On 15 Pelletier birdied and took closest to the pin to go 1 up. But, 16 hurt Wilson as he bogeyed and now Pelletier was dormie. Wilson’s birdie on 18 helped him salvage a point as Bill shot a respectful 38 by most players standards but knowing Bill I know he was disappointed by losing 3 holes to 2. Alas, his team is still holding on to first place.
Glenn Acciard continued his winning ways as he tripped up the surging Jim Waterman by 2 strokes and two holes. Waterman’s downfall came on the tough 14th and easy 16th holes. other than these two holes these two warriors battled stroke for stroke.
Rick Maloney has kept his streak alive for winning at least one point every week this year. Not sure if this has ever happened before but I can’t remember it ever happening but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.
Maloney jumped out 4 up as Steve Maddox struggled right out of the box. There just weren’t enough holes to play for Maddox to catch up as he went down 5-4.
Ed English subbed for the world traveler Steve Spratt and English showed a side of him this league hasn’t seen in a while as he drubbed Rich Juknavorian 5 holes to 1 and English won by 6 strokes. Looks like Juke must have been falling backwards one to many times this Wednesday afternoon.
Bob Trottier taking on his nemesis Jim “I am all cleaned out” Marnie, failed again to defeat Marnie as it seems Marnie has his number. Trottier now has lost 2 matches to 1 to Marnie so far this year. Marnie missed their June 17th matchup.
Trottier has played some excellent golf this summer but this week Trottier decided to change golf balls as he usually plays the Noodle and now just went to a TopFlite. After watching Trottier’s tee ball on 10 get topped and barely roll off the tee I could hardly contain myself from laughing and clapping. So uncharacteristic of Trottier that he now looked human. Trottier just couldn’t get out of his own way this Wednesday afternoon but I look to see him bounce back with no problem.
George Vigneault showed Mike Berry the ropes as Vigneault jumped out 3 up through 15 but hiccuped on 16 as Berry whittled away an 8 stroke deficit to 5 strokes but ran out of holes to go down in defeat 3 holes to 2 and 4 strokes. A lesson I learned long ago is that you can not let Vigneault take an early lead as he will go for the jugular with his sweet smooth swing and precise putting. Glad I am not playing Berry next week. Look out Sasso, Berry will be gunning for you.
Bob Cairns and Mike Landry played in one of the hardest fought matches of the day as Landry fought back from being 4 down with 4 holes to go to halve the match. Mike’s biggest problem was the oh so tough 14th hole as Mike just couldn’t seem to get out of his own way on that hole as he tripled bogeyed and that is where the match told the story. Cairns was steady and consistent and just didn’t make too many big mistakes as Landry was battling back. The handicap stroke Cairns was getting helped seal the deal.
Skip Gray turned in another stellar round on the back nine this week as he tore Jack Goulet a new one as he won by 13 strokes and won 5 holes to one. Wondering what is wrong with Jack’s game as he can crush the ball as was evident on the tenth hole as his tee ball ended on the right side of the 13th fairway and I heard Jack put his second shot on the green only to 3 putt for a great save for Bogey. There was some glimmer of hope for Goulet but 12,13,14 and 17 proved too tough. Oh well better luck next week Jack.
Bob Sasso and Norm Comeau battled it out again. They are warriors when they play each other. I don’t know who gets bloodier when they finish but I do know this is always a good match to watch. Comeau jumped out to a quick 1 up lead as Sasso double bogeyed 10 but bounced back to win 12,13 and 14. Comeau came back to win 16 but saw his game collapse as he double bogeyed 17 to lose all 4 points to Sasso. Playing even there was only a stroke between them as Sasso defeated Comeau 40-41. Proving yet another close match between these two combatants.
Dave Murphy spanked Tom Hale by ten strokes as Hale scored a very uncharacteristic 54 on the back nine. Come on Tom we are all rooting for you to play the way we know you can. A 9 on 10 and a 12 on 14 and an 8 0n 18 was just enough to contribute to his demise. This is not the Tom Hale we all know. He’ll bounce back just you wait and see. Murphy sweeps 4 points.
Al Imlach continued his fine play after being on vacation for a couple of weeks as he stunned a much improved Paul Comeau this year. Imlach’s triple on 10 only proved that if you start out rough you should not give up. His fine play found him 3 up after 16 to win holes but Comeau’s birdie on 18 was too little to late for this match. Imlach wins 4 points.
In the feature match of the day McGillicuddy faced Joan Wilson the sister to the leagues Ace player Bill Wilson. Joan started one up on 10 as a great drive and second shot led to an easy par as McGill’s approach shot left him a 3 putt for bogey. On 11 Wilson’s tee shot left her a long birdie putt which turned into 3 putts as well, McGill tied the match. Wilson’s smooth swings on 13 led her to another win as McGill struggled to get his approach shot to reach the green from only 104 yards out. His skulled chip shot led to a bogey 5. As they approached the 14th tee McGill’s 3 wood drew nicely around the corner and left him about 160 yards out as Wilson’s tee ball caught the rough on the left side and her second shot left her in the rough as well. A double bogey 6 pretty much tells the story here as well as her short missed putts on a few holes could have spelled Victory if they fell.
Don’t let anyone tell you playing against a women is easy. I would bet on Joan everytime no matter who she played in our league. I may not win all the time but I know she will play her heart out and I know she would give them a great match.
See you all next Wednesday and let’s hope the sun shines. No more rain.
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