The last time we saw Dr. David Fries roaming the 17th fairway of the East course on Labor Day he was marching to victory in the 2007 club championship. In a comeback for the ages Carter Lucas defeated David 2 up for his eighth club championship title.
The weekend featured perfect weather with light winds, sunny skies and temps in the low 70's. The East course was in perfect condition with firm greens running at 12+ on the stimp meter. The crew placed four players in the championship bracket - Brad McAreavy, David Fries, John Schantz and Jim Mason.
Brad bowed out early in a match-up with Carter Lucas. David defeated Matt Kaul, Jim took down Mark Dugan with a classic display of putting and John Schantz defeated George Kavanagh (where I closed out a 1 up victory with a 35 foot downhiller for 4 on the 18th hole). The Fries and Mason victories setup a quarter final showdown between the two former club champs.While Cater Lucas was battling back from 3 down to Jamie Lamb, Jim and David were locked in a free-for-all match. With no halved holes from the 6th hole in David fought back from one down to win the last three holes for the victory. With Schantz, Mason and Fries all in the same quarter final bracket a Schantz victory would secure another spot in the finals for the crew. I obliged by defeating Brendan Glavin 4 and 2.
In a rematch of the 2007 semis Schantz and Fries squared-off again. After running in a 20- footer for par on #1 and a 1-up lead I watched David play one over golf for the next 14 holes. David's fine display was highlighted by a holed bunker shot for birdie on #8 and tee shot on #15 to 18" to close out the 4 and 3 victory.
The championship match between Lucas and Fries threatened to become one-sided after the opening 18 holes on the West course. In what can only be described as a stunning display of golf David shot a 68 to take a 4-up lead into the afternoon round. Dr. Fries's round was punctuated by a brilliant stretch where birdied 7,8,9,10 and eagled 11 to go 7-up on the match. His bid to take an 8-up lead failed when his 12-foot birdie putt at #12 would not fall. Dropped shots at 13, 15 and 17 lead to the final margin.
As the afternoon round began David extended his lead to 5-up with a fine sand save on #2. The turning point of the match may have come at #3. Hitting first David's tee shot finished 8-feet from the hole after nearly going in - no small feat considering the rock hard green. When Crater missed the green and his chip shot finished 20 feet from the hole it appeared David would take a 6-up lead. However, David misjudged the speed of the slippery downhill putt and the resulting 3-putt lead to a halve.
Carter then reeled off wins on 4, 5, 6 & 7. Game on.
Carter's momentum was shaken when he 3-putted 8 for bogey. However, the favor was returned on #11 as Carter made a fine par from the back fringe while David 3-putted from 40 feet. A missed fairway at #14 lead to another bogey for Fries and suddenly, improbably the match was all square. Both players found the green at #15 and the hole was halved with pars.
Carter's momentum was shaken when he 3-putted 8 for bogey. However, the favor was returned on #11 as Carter made a fine par from the back fringe while David 3-putted from 40 feet. A missed fairway at #14 lead to another bogey for Fries and suddenly, improbably the match was all square. Both players found the green at #15 and the hole was halved with pars.
Was one of these champion golfers going to step up and hit the big shot or could one grind out four pars hoping it would secure the victory?
The answer would come on #16. David's tee shot just found the long rough right of the fairway and his approach shot would release to the back of the green. Carter's tee shot stayed in the first cut and his high, spinning approach to the tucked front left pin hit the green took one hop and rolled to 3 feet. David's 60 foot downhiller came within an inch but missed. Carter holed-out and now took command of the match.
The answer would come on #16. David's tee shot just found the long rough right of the fairway and his approach shot would release to the back of the green. Carter's tee shot stayed in the first cut and his high, spinning approach to the tucked front left pin hit the green took one hop and rolled to 3 feet. David's 60 foot downhiller came within an inch but missed. Carter holed-out and now took command of the match.
Both players hit poor drives at 17 but solid second shots left each 35 yards from the back right hole location, Dave from the fairway, Carter in the front left bunker. Dave's chip shot bit up too quickly while Carter hit a fine bunker shot to 12 feet. Dave's 60-footer did not go in and Carter now had a putt to win the championship. He calmly stepped-up and ran it in, center cut. Carter deserve all the credit in the world for not giving up. But Dave fought every step of the way and carried himself like a champion. As his lead disappeared he didn't lose his cool and kept on marching forward.
Maybe next year?
Maybe next year?
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