Davis captures 11th title

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

In the words of my good friend, the late Don Murray, a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and Pulitzer Prize winner: “Each time I sit down to write, I don’t know if I can do it.”

Today was my turn.

But when I have the marvels of Harry Davis before me, the mind flows quickly. I can never say enough about this wonderful man, not on the golf course and not as a person, including his two-round game of 152.

When details of the Pine Club Championship came rolling in, all but the competitors at hand knew Davis would win it. I assure you Davis didn’t know it. But there it stood for the recently honored Hall of Famer: 11 club championships in the last 13 years! I’ll wager that all willing to bet on this outcome in 1998 would not have put your marker on his name.

Another happy surprise was former Palm Coast Mayor Jim Canfield, slugging a low net of 140, a flight won by Bob Sieling’s gross score of 172. Tears flowed for Canfield when told the win did not include a private parking space.

For other championship winners, go to www.PalmCoastObserver.com and click on “Blogs.”

Chipping
Another gem in Palm Coast golf is PGA professional Eric Gonzales, at the Cypress Course.

Gonzales, a marvel at teaching the young, especially with his Little Links program, offers a tip of the day that may solve your problem.

“Since the best players in the world miss greens, a chip is usually required,” Gonzales said. “Most players I see break their wrists and have their weight on the back foot. The chipping stroke should be made with arms and shoulders only. No wrists! Weight should be on the forward foot promoting a descending blow that pops the ball in the air.”

The Little Link program starts June 9 with a draft day at the Pine Course.

I wuz thinkin’
Jake Jacoby put the age factor to boot the other day as I watched him pull a rare miss off the tee with his 3-wood at the Pine’s 11th hole. He then hauled out a 7-wood and whacked it 198 yards to the green’s edge.

Eagles were also flying in Palm Coast. Hall of Famer Jerry Edwards did it on the Pine’s 500-yard 18th playing with Willard Anderson, Bob Sieling and David Erbe.

Mickey Mann took on the 485-yard 15th hole and eagled with Harry Davis, Don Hunt and John Sbordone in tow.

Last, a rarity by the gals at the Grand Reserve Friday game. Six, count ’em, six players birdied the 111-yard 13th hole-in-one match. The stars were Janice Peterson, Rae Ann Schumacher, Mary Page Slovak, Harriet Trad, Nancy Rupert and Fran Halpin.