Incredible first match of the year with @Gottliebk12 - a beautiful day at Willow Hill in Northbrook. While the match was the opposite of a pillow fight through the entire afternoon, with mostly great ball-striking all around and some outstanding shots causing us to trade blows for 8 holes (including an 85-yard jarred eagle on 7 from me and the traj-iest high draw ever witnessed from @Gottliebk12 on 6), the instant classic of a final hole captures the entire match:
Tee: Crushed tee shots pounded down the middle.
2nd: Two duffed second shots - topped 5-wood from me and chunky hook from Kevin. Leaves me with 175 in and Kevin with 150 in.
3rd: I hit the 5-wood of a lifetime into the wind but land a yard short, rolling all the way back down a hill into a catchment area. Kevin hits a harsh hook left and almost exits the property. Ball is found sitting down in the rough and at the bottom of a 25’ embankment.
4th: Kevin hits a high wedge that nearly stalls in the wind, lands 12’ from the hole and spins backward. A true shot of the year contender. I chip up with beautiful contact but check up on a ridge before reaching the shelf the hole is on, leaving the ball 20’ out.
5th: I putt first. My putt to take the match by the reins looks perfect and JUST lips out. @Gottliebk12 confidently walks in the 12’ putt to win the match on the final shot of the afternoon with exactly zero doubt the ball was in the second it left his putter.
@Gottliebk12 wins 1UP in an outstanding first match of the year. In the words of Kevin, “this is why we play the game.” Golf is great.