Williamsons' Timing Was Perfect

HANOVER – Timing may not be everything in golf but the Hanover father-son team of Doug and Peter Williamson showed a pretty good knack for it when it came to the Tommy Keane Invitational.

The talented son’s timing? Turning the requisite 18-years-old just days before the 33rd annual TKI at Hanover Country Club.

The father’s timing? Knocking his approach to gimme range on Hanover’s 15th hole for the birdie Sunday that iced a 3&2 victory over the team of Dean Cashman and Mike Pollard in the championship flight of the three-day event.

“That's typical dad,” the younger Williamson said with a laugh. “He always wants to put it away. He wants that glory.”

Peter Williamson – the recent Hanover High School standout who will continue his career at Dartmouth in the fall – has won his share of tournaments in his 18 years and will win his share in years to come. But he’ll treasure this one.

“To play in a tournament with your dad is always a great experience,” he said. “He caddies for me every once in a while and it's fun to win with him on the bag. But the couple tournaments we've won together have been a blast. It's fun having him as a partner.”

For Doug Williamson the feeling was mutual.

“We've been a team for many, many events, but usually I carry the bag,” he deadpanned. “I don't get to play. So this was fun to be able to participate and even contribute.”

And contribute he did said Cashman.

“We had fun, but they played better. Both of them,” he said, emphasis on both. “They teamed up well. Peter made some nice putts. Probably three 15-footers. He's the real deal. Nothing rattles him. They deserved it.”

Cashman and Pollard took their only lead of the match on No. 1 as Cashman’s nicely played chip to gimme range won the hole when Peter Williamson’s 6-footer rimmed out. The Williamsons won the next two holes and were still protecting a one-hole lead at the turn.

“Now we’re playing golf,” Doug Williamson said to no one in particular after both teams birdied the ninth.

Peter Williamson rammed a 15-foot birdie putt in on 10 and another almost as long on 12 to put his team three up before a Cashman birdie on 13 cut into the difference.

“The first seven or eight holes were a little rough,” Peter admitted. “We didn't play as well as we have been. It was kind of a rough start for both teams.

“After that both teams calmed down and we started making birdies to win holes, which is nice. I don't like winning holes with pars because it means the other team is messing up.”

When Peter rimmed out a birdie putt on 14 it gave Cashman and Pollard a life that would be extinguished by Doug’s laser shot to the pin on 15.

With his son’s ball in a difficult lie, the father stepped up when it counted.

“I had a nice distance so I knew if I could commit to the shot and hit it, it would be right there,” said Doug Williamson. “And for once it seemed like I did it.”

Because he did, he won the Keane in his second-ever appearance – but first with the most special of teammates.

“This is a great event and it’s an honor to win it,” he said. “I played with Jimmy Burnett a few years ago but I've been looking forward to playing with my son for years and years, knowing he had to be 18. This was great.”

Although his team couldn’t pull it out, Cashman, like the Williamsons, couldn’t say enough about the event.

“It's one of my favorite weekends of the year,” said the former Providence College golfer. “(Head pro) Alex (Kirk), (tournament organizer) Scott (Peters) and the whole Hanover staff do a great job. (Head greenskeeper) Stevie (Lyon), Mike, my partner. They do a great job getting this all set up. So do all the volunteers. It’s always fun.”

DIVOTS
The 11th-seeded Williamson team advanced to the finals with a 2&1 win over No. 10 Doug Lantz and Nick MacDonald in the morning round. The No. 8. Cashman/Pollard pairing defeated No. 4. Jeremiah Daly/Jeronimo Esteve team, 1 up. ...

In other finals, No. 9 Ted Byrne and Tony Pippin defeated No. 3. Thomas Monahan and Jeffrey Monahan in the first flight, No. 3 Tom Keane and Kevin Johnston defeated No. 5 Rodney Beebe and Jim Keighley in the second flight, and No. 2. Tim Winslow and Andy Mellow defeated No. 1. Mike Noonan and Charlie Mandrachia in the third flight. ...

Next on tap for Peter Williamson: U.S. Amateur qualifying Wednesday at Hickory Ridge in Amherst, Mass. “Hopefully I can get my game together,” he said. “It's not quite there yet. My putting and chipping is as good as it's been, but my ball striking is atrocious.”