Saturday 9/25/10 my extended family including my 9 year old grandson, Bryson Richards, my son-in-law Pete Richards (Bryson’s father), and my brother, Dr. Paul Salmonsen all made 2’s on the fifth hole, a 146 yard par 3, at The Ranch Golf Club, in Southwick, Massachusetts. This may very well be a record. I have never heard of four 2’s on the same hole, but to accomplish this feat all within the same extended family makes the achievement that much more remarkable. This is how it unfolded. We all hit the green in regulation. My brother almost aced the hole and had the first 2 which was a kick-in. Pete made a 25-footer and Bryson made a 20-footer. I was the last to putt and the flat stick shall we say is not my strong suit. In over 50 years of playing golf, I have never felt this nervous because I knew that this could very well be golfing history in the making. All stood in silence as I addressed the left to right, uphill, 12-footer with the last thought in my mind before stroking the putt being certain that I got it to the hole. The stroke felt good but I did not look up until I saw the ball about one foot from the hole curve dead center into the back of the cup. We all yelled, and cheered giving each other high 5’s while we were waving our arms to the sky.
As a 9 year old, Bryson is no stranger to competitive golf and tournament pressure. He plays in the U.S. Kids Boston Tour and was Player of the Year in his age group from 2007-2010. Each summer for the last five years he has also participated in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships held in Pinehurst, NC. The way he plays you can just see how much he loves the game. Have a look at his beautiful golf swing which is so natural and uncomplicated.
What a thrill for all of us to experience this accomplishment. It will link us together for the rest of our days. Donald Ross, the legendary golf architect, wrote “Golf Has Never Failed Me” and I can only echo his sentiments as I look into the joyful eyes of my grandson after we all holed out.
About Tim Branco
Editor/Publisher New England Publishing Group Home of NE Golf Monthy, NE SnowSports and NE Homefinder a family of New England Regional Publications. Media consultant for newspaper & magazine industries and sales and marketing trainer and motivational speaker. Golf & Travel writer for over 20 years with published articles in national newspapers and regional magazines throughout the U.S.
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