Mike Dunham and Cato Anderson
(Photo Courtesy of Ben Egan)
CONCORD, MA (August 6, 2016) -- The 2016 Concord Four-Ball Invitational is in the books. It was quite an exciting event to say the least. 2015 Champions Mike Dunham (Concord) and Cato Anderson (Concord) defended their title with a one-shot victory over Brad Tufts (Tedesco) and Mike Sexton (Brae Burn).
Sexton and Tufts shared the 36-hole lead with Dunham, a former NHL goalie, and Anderson after firing a tournament low 64 (6 under) in the second round. As the final 18 holes got underway Tufts and Sexton continued where they left off after round two. They played their front nine with a birdie at the 1st and 5th paired with seven pars for a 2-under 33. Dunham and Anderson had birdies at the 1st and 6th, but bogeys at holes 4,7, and 8 for a 1-over 36. Sexton and Tufts ventured to the back nine with a three shot lead. As the story goes with many great tournaments, the action all happens on the back nine Sunday, in our case Saturday.
Dunham and Anderson got back into the swing of things with a birdie at No. 11. Cato Anderson, holed out a bunker shot from the green side bunker. Sexton and Tufts would play holes 10-13 even-par, but after Mike Dunham holed out and iron shot on No. 13, for an eagle two, things were tied.
Both teams remained even through 16 with some great putts that were made on each side. Dunham made a two-putt birdie after a Tufts-Sexton bogey to take a two shot lead. As I sat on the porch watching the tournament unravel I heard many a patrons say "that's the tournament", but not so fast.
From the fairway approximately 150 yards away, Brad Tufts took dead aim at the flag, which was located front center on the 18th. His ball landed on the stick, hopped forward and then spun back looking as if it had a chance to go in the hole. With only a couple feet left, the pressure was now back on the team of Dunham-Anderson to make a tough two-putt par. It was Mike Sexton's turn to play from the back left side of the green, however, and he would guarantee the pressure by draining a 40+ foot putt, to put his side at 8-under for the tournament and one shot behind Dunham and Anderson. Dunham secured the win as he eased his long putt up just shy of the hole. A short tap in later which would card a 4-under 31 for the back nine, and the team made it an official Concord Four-Ball Invitational repeat.
Other notable rounds from the Championship flight included Tim Acquaviva (Webhanet) and Bobby Leopold (Wannamoisett) who fired three rounds under-par (69,69,66) to take the third place honors at 6-under.
The Senior Division of the event also had some great golf. The team of Bob Malcolm (Oakley CC) and Michael McCarthy (Framingham CC) would end the day where they started after firing a 2-under 68, with splits of 35-33. This 68 would tie for low round of the tournament in the Senior Division with John Tew (Concord) and John Thompson (Concord).
The team of Thompson-Tew posted a 68, about 10 minutes prior to Malcolm and McCarthy coming in, for a 36 hole total of 1-under 139. This is a score that would be good enough to win many years, but not in 2016.
The 2015 Senior Division Champions, Tom Bagley (Concord) and Jack Watts (Concord), posted an opening round 76. As Saturday unfolded, however, things became very interesting. The team of Bagley-Watts moved back to even-par for the day with a birdie on hole 5. They would then birdie 9,10,11, and 14 to move to 4-under for the day. The round would settle at 69, however, with a tough 15th hole and a bogey on No. 17. The 69 would be the only other under par round in the Senior Division. Bob Reni (New Bedford) and Dana McMaster (Framingham) took 3rd place honors with a steady 1-over 141 (71,70).
-Editors Note: Story by Concord Golf Professional Ben Egan
ABOUT THE Concord Invitational
Two divisions (one gross and one net). Participation is
by
invitation only, except for several entries in each
division which are filled with Concord CC teams based
on a qualifying round. Teams making the cut play a
third round Saturday afternoon.
View Complete Tournament Information