Hall & Merkulov Receive Rolex All-American Honors

It will be interesting to keep an eye on these two young guns from Rochester:

The following is copied from the AJGA.com web site.

Headlining the boys on the Rolex Junior All-America First Team is Jordan Spieth of Dallas. A two-time first-team selection, Spieth ascended to the No. 1 spot in the Polo Golf Rankings after winning the U.S. Junior Amateur in July. His 2009 season also included runner-up finishes at the HP Boys Championship at Carlton Woods and the Junior PGA Championship. In all, Spieth posted top-10 finishes at each of the eight national tournaments in which he competed.

For the record-setting fifth consecutive year, Andrew Yun of Chandler, Ariz., has earned Rolex Junior All-America honors. A first-team selection in 2006, 2008 and 2009, Yun joins Justin Leonard as the only five-time Rolex Junior All-Americans in AJGA history (Leonard’s run includes two years as a Rolex Junior All-American in the 11-14-year-old boys division). Yun, who is currently a freshman at Stanford, has 19 AJGA top-five finishes and four victories in his six-year junior career.

Patrick Cantlay of Los Alamitos, Calif., is the third returning member to the Rolex Junior All-America First Team. Previous Rolex Junior All-Americans earning first-team accolades for the first time are James Back of Cerritos, Calif., Michael Hebert of Orlando, Fla., Jeffrey Kang of Fullerton, Calif., and Bobby Wyatt of Mobile, Ala.

Additionally, five first-time Rolex Junior All-Americans are making their debut on the first team: Emiliano Grillo of Resistencia, Argentina; Shun Yat Hak of Lake Mary, Fla.; Gavin Hall of Pittsford, N.Y.; Yaroslav Merkulov of Penfield, N.Y.; and Patrick Winther of Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

More about the First Team

Gavin Hall, Pittsford, N.Y.  (pictured above)

Hall, 15, was named a first-team Rolex Junior All-American on the strength of four top-15 finishes in 2009. With a final Polo Golf Ranking of 10, Hall posted runner-up finishes at the AJGA Cliffs Championship and the Rolex Tournament of Champions. He also competed on the Canon Cup East Team in 2009.

Yaroslav Merkulov, Penfield, N.Y.

Merkulov, 17, ended the season No. 3 in the Polo Golf Rankings. He had four top-10 finishes in national tournaments in 2009, including a second-place finish at The Junior PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Merkulov also posted a tie for fourth at the Western Junior Championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Junior Amateur. He also competed on the Canon Cup East Team and has verbally committed to play golf at Duke University next fall.

Welcome to the Game Mr. Baker

John Schantz's tee shot on #15 - birdie, greenie, loner

A full field of 9 players showed up today for an early 8:30 tee time on a cool but otherwise very pleasant late October day.  Making their maiden appearances today were 2008 club championship finalist Shawn Baker and his father Gary.  Our normal tradition is to let the newcomers make a few bucks and try to suck them in for future appearances.

After a quick explanation of the game Gary led things off.  Play was on the East due to aerification on the west.

Gary immeadiately, as almost every rookie does, violated the first rule of captain and crew - "never let the stroker beat you" - by selecting his son while 6 of the next 7 players were getting a stroke. On the other hand father son teams are supposed to play together.  Shawn did not let his father down as he dropped a 12 footer for birdie.  The field escaped with a halve when Dave Fries put it in on top of Shawn.

Shawn used his power game on #4 reaching the left green side bunker in two and then hit a superb bunker shot to a tight left pin for the gimme birdie and 3 hole carryover team win with Dave (who, as captain, had put his tee shot on Kilbourn Road).  So far so good for the rookie - 4 holes, 1 win, 3 marks.

On #6 only two players would hit the green, Shawn and Jim Mason.  Jim made the birdie and Shawn had the greenie for another 3 hole team win.  Darn rookie got the hang of this game too quickly!  If nothing else he should be taking money from Mason not helping him!

John Teegardin and Doug Lyon teamed up for another 3 hole team win on #9 to complete a front nine sweep by the team over the field.  A few timely birdies or a stroke hole can do a lot for the team on the East Course.

Doug and Gary Baker both made birdies on #11 to a back left pin (playing 184 yds into a gusting wind).  Unfortunately, Brad McAreavy's fine tee shot and potential greenie was not rewarded as he 3-putted (matching Dylan Bronson's 3-putt on #3 to give back the greenie there as well).

The team of Schantz and Lyon lost a 3 hole carryover on #14 when they failed to match the birdies by Dave and Dylan.

At this point I was down big with no marks and no wins.  But, sometimes all it takes is one good shot at the right time. Jim was captain on #15 and promptly put it in the water.  He called for someone to hit it close, but not  close enough for a loner.  Brad followed and missed the green as well.

So, with 158 yds and the wind in our face I hit a solid knock-down 5 iron to 3 feet and told Jim to get lost (he's waiting for the chance to get me back).  I was more than a little nervous as there were still 6 players to hit and with a 3 hole carryover on the line a loss would cost me $48.  Three more players would hit the green but none with good chances and all missed their birdie tries.  I made the putt and my day.

On the minus side I gave part of it back on #17, teaming with Shawn losing a 2 hole carryover.when Dylan made a nice 2-putt birdie from 40 feet.  At the end of the day I finished down $3.50.  You can decide if that's good or bad considering I won $38 on one hole.  All I know is that without one good shot it would have been ugly.

The other main highlight of the day would be the running 12 hole debate (13 including the 19th hole) as to whether one could, should or would stand in their opponent's putting line in a team format.  Let's just say some members of our group thought it was perfectly acceptable.  Gee wiz, and I thought we were all friends.

Stay tuned next week to see if Shawn can tear himself away from the bar circuit and join us for another day of fun and games. Is he a one hit wonder, hate to win and run boys but I gotta go type or can he back it up? He was pretty successful for a rookie but then again he's a good player.  I'm not so sure we'll see his father out there again :)


Game Summary:

East Course
Players 9
Carryovers to next hole capped at 3
Marks 18
Mark Leaders - Shawn Baker,  Dylan Bronson & Dave Fries 4 each
Game Leader - Shawn Baker $26

Parent's Weekend

I was away at Syracuse University for Parent's Weekend and to see the riviting matchup between SU and the Akron Zips.  A long way from the old days of a sold out Carrier Dome for Nebraska, Miami, Va. Tech and other powerhouse football programs.  At least SU won (unlike last year).

On hand for the Saturday edition was Ron Mack.  Ron always has some good stories to tell so I'm sorry I missed him.  Apparantly, the highlight of the day were 5 of 6 balls in the water on #15 East.  If I heard it right, Ron, as Captain, put it in the water and then took Brad as his partner (second hitter).  If only Brad had know the next 4 balls would follow Ron into the pond he would have had a no brainer loner.

Game Summary:

East Course

Players 6

Carryovers to 9, then back 9 played a double points

Marks 13

Mark Leader - McAreavy 4

Game Leader - Mason $11.50

Payback's a Bitch

One day after lighting up the back nine for 5 marks, 6 overall and winning all the big carryover holes Jim Mason couldn't make a break and came out on the losing end in both the game and marks.  The good news there were only 5 players today so the damage was minimal.

The hot hand today belonged to John Schantz with 4 back nine birdies and a greenie to go along with a front nine sandie. Of course with only 5 players...................

The other theme for the day went something like "nice drive but that puts a wedge in his hands" as Brad McAreavy continued his off and on struggles with the wedge missing greens at 1,5,6,9 and 15.  Yet somehow managed to hit the green on #3 from the right rough by hitting it under, around or through the right hand trees, easily hit #11 and #16 from the 170 yard range and also hit a fine 6 iron to 14 feet on #17 for the greenie (to beat me by an inch - we measured!). Go figure.

On the plus side the missed wedge on #9 was the only costly one as John Teegardin violated a cardinal rule by passing on Jim Mason.  Brad missed the green from 40 yards while Jim made birdie from 100 yards for a 6 hole field win.  As I've always said I'd rather lose with him than to him.

I spent most of the front nine moping around mumbling profanities, letting a few clubs "slip" from my hands and basically just being a grump. After missing birdies from 4 and 6 feet on #9 & #10 I finally got my act together with birdies on 11,12 and 17 for field wins over Jim and assorted partners.  A birdie on #16 was good for a halve and a chance for a loner failed when Brad made a nice up and down to match my par on #14.

For the second day in a row all the excitment was on #18 where a 5 hole carrryover was at stake.  Jim was captain and took John Teegardin, again the only stroker.  From 200 yards Bill Schuler hit a perfect "wind cheater" (a.k.a. thin to win) 5-wood to 4' putting the pressure on JT.  John did not make solid contact and left it 15 yards short of the green. A so-so chip left him 7' which he calmly knocked down.  Bill ran in his short birdie for the halve.

Note: We returned #16 to it's traditional status as a par 5 today.

Game Summary:

Players 5

Carryovers to next hole

Marks 18

Mark Leader - John Schantz 6

Money Leader - John Schantz $19.50

'Tis The Season

The leaves are changing color, the days are getting shorter, and colder, the Bills are losing, the Yankees are in the playoffs, Tiger wins the FedX Cup, Democrats are trying save everyone by taxing and spending (this time into oblivion) and the big winner in Captain and Crew - Jim Mason.  New season, same story.

For some reason it's still not offical "flocksome" season so with a questionable weekend forecast I put out the call for an outlaw game of Captain and Crew.  There were only two responses but by 9:00 AM we had 8 players and off we went.

By the time we reached the fourth hole there were three carryovers and, you guesssed it, Jim Mason was captain.  Bill Schuler hit it 12 feet, pin high to a back pin and made the putt for the first two marks of the year and a win for Captain Mason.  Schantz and Mason teamed for a 2-hole loss on the sixth when Mike LaBue made birdie.

It looked like the field might give it right back on number seven when Doug Lyon and Brad McAreavey teamed-up for a net 3 but Rich Johnson buried a slippery downhill 12 footer for the halve.

A front pin on the eighth had Jim predicitng our first ever C & C ace.  John Teegardin was captain and almost made Jim a prophet hitting it to 20 inches.  Good enough to go it alone.  But not good enough for the win as Bill Schuler, Rich Johnson and Doug Lyon also made birdie.

Rich picked Brad McAreavy on the ninth but Bill made a nice 15 foot downhill birdie putt for a field win worth 3 holes.  At least Brad was able to recoup the loss when he drove it pin high just left of the 12th green and was chosen by Jim Mason. Him? Again?

Brad hit a good chip but was nice enough to lag his 10 foot uphill birdie putt and let Jim run in his 8 footer. Holes 13 - 17 were all halved.

Oh, did I forget to mention that in addition to the birdie on 12 Jim birdied 13, had the greenie on 14 (as my partner, of course he missed that putt!!), and had a sand save on 17.

So, back to number 18.  Brad was captain, fanned his drive right and took JT (the only stroker) and Jim drove it long and straight then hit it to 6 feet. Then, out of nowhere from 15 yards short of the green comes a ball that takes two bounces, bites, and rolls..........into the hole for birdie.  When did Brad finally learn that shot?  Very nice.

Of course Jim made his putt.  What else did you expect?

Game Summary:

Players  8
Carryovers  to next hole
Total Marks an impressive opening day total of 22
Mark Leader - do I really have to spell it out for you? 6
Money Leader - ditto. $44

Smith Sinks Spitz in USGA Mid-Am Final

     Tim Spitz celebrates his 3 & 2 semi-final victory (John Mummert-USGA).

Rochester amateur and Monroe Golf Club member Tim Spitz provided area golfers a week long thrill by qualifying for match play and making a deep run at the 2009 U.S. Mid Amateur Championship.  The competion took place on the Cassique Course at The Kiawah Island Club in S.C.

The champion receives a gold medal, custody of the Robert T. Jones Jr. Memorial Trophy for one year, an exemption from qualifying for the next 10 U.S. Mid-Amateurs, and, historically, an INVITATION TO THE NEXT MASTERS TOURNAMENT!!!  Both finalists are also exempt from qualifying for the 2010 U.S. Amateur.

Unfortunately, Spitz could not keep up the fine play that carried him through his first four matches falling 7 & 6 to 2003 champ Nathan Smith in the scheduled 36 hole final.

Spitz, who brought his wife and three young children with him on the trip, has accrued many local victories in his hometown of Rochester (3-time winner at the Tournament of Champions and the Brook Lea Invitation). En route to the final, he defeated 2005 Mid-Amateur champion Kevin Marsh in the first round and four-time quarterfinalist Pat Carter in the semifinals. He stressed that making the final is his biggest golf accomplishment “without a doubt.”

Spitz, a reinstated amateur who graduated from Furman University in Greenville, S.C. in 1997, realized that he gave Smith an early opening.

“I’m disappointed that I didn’t play better,” said Spitz, a municipal bonds specialist. “I hit it just as good as him and he putted well and I putted horribly. I hit a lot of very bad first putts this morning and he made a few. My putter really let me down this morning.”

A key turning point in the morning 18 was the par-3 fifth hole where Spitz’s tee shot went into the hole and rebounded out for a conceded birdie. However, Smith delivered a 35-foot birdie putt from the fringe to halve the hole and remain 3 up.  Smith played the morning 18 holes without a bogey on his way to an 8-up lead.

Despite the one-sided final match it was great fun following Tim's run through match play. I'm sure many local golfers had the same reaction as I did to this accomplishment - WOW! That's cool! Congratulations to Mr. Spitz for the finest performance in a USGA event for a Rochester golfer in a generation (or maybe two).

The U.S. Mid-Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are for amateurs.

(portions of this posting were taken from the USGA Mid-Am web site)