Momentum fluctuates at times during a golf round, leading to various outcomes.
For one Longmeadow native, stellar play when it mattered most led to a first-time achievement.
Playing in a qualifier on Aug. 25 at Bayberry Hills Golf Course in West Yarmouth, Robert Henley put together a sizzling back nine to grab one of four spots to advance to compete in the upcoming U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship to be conducted Sept. 25-30 at Nantucket.
A member at Lake Sunapee Country Club in New London, New Hampshire, Henley posted five birdies on the back nine (31) en route to a 70 to snare one of the qualifying spots .
Henley got off to slow start, double-bogeying his opening hole and shooting 39 on the front nine.
“I had a tough start with a double on the first hole, but I was playing well and ultimately turned things around. When I finished the round, I honestly thought I might be a shot short still, but the two under score held up so I was super excited,” Henley said.
After settling the nerves a bit and overcoming a bad approach on the first hole, Henley went to work.
“After that I was playing fine — I missed a bunch of makeable birdie putts on the rest of the front, so I was hitting the ball well and felt like I just needed to make some putts. I made a somewhat bad bogey on the eighth to go three over and missed a relatively short birdie putt on nine,” Henley said.”
Henley made a 15-foot putt on the 10th hole for his first of five birdies on the back nine, then, a 10-foot putt on 11, and similar birdie length on 13. He reached both par 5s on the back nine in two, setting up 2-putt birdies at each hole.
“After making birdie on 10, I hit a good approach on the par 4 11th to about 10 feet. When I hit the putt, I immediately thought I missed it right, but luckily I had made a bad read and the putt stayed straight and went in. Getting a little lucky break like that made me think I had a chance of coming all the way back,” Henley said.
This was Henley’s third attempt at qualifying for this event.
“I’ve tried for the Mid-Am two other years in the past and never played well in the qualifiers. I played in the Mass AM in 2017 and 2018 and missed the cut for match play both years. Qualifying for this year’s tourney is definitely my top individual golf achievement.”
Originally from Longmeadow and part of two Lancer state high school golf titles in 2003 and 2004, Henley lives in New London, New Hampshire. Nowadays, practice time may be limited for Henley leading up to Nantucket.
“I have an 18-month-old baby and work full time, so any time on the course is precious. I am usually able to play once a week, but I’ve been trying to go to the range occasionally during lunch to hit a few balls to try to get ready. I don’t have any strategy for Nantucket because I haven’t played the courses yet. I’m just going to try to hit beautiful golf shots with a nice ocean backdrop. I’ll be going out for practice rounds the two days before the tourney starts.”
Double eagle sighting
Congratulations to Al D’amours, who pulled off a rare double eagle at Southampton Country Club on Sept. 12, using what turned out to be a very accurate 5-iron on the second shot to the par 5, 470-yard, 12th hole. Witnesses were Jay Mercadante, Mike Russotto and Tom Radkovich.
Hole-in-one
Crystal Diamond, Longmeadow Country Club, Sept. 11. 7th hole, 135 yards, 5 hybrid. Witnesses: Linda Diamond, Roberta Bolduc, Missy Walthouse.
Tom McElligott, Oak Ridge Golf Club, Sept. 8. 11th hole, 178 yards, 6-iron. Witnesses: Dave Gallerani, Larry Charest, Mike Hutchinson.
Chris Miracle’s weekly golf column, From the Fairways, appears Thursdays. He can be reached by email at chrismiraclegolf@gmail.com.
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