Sunday, July 26, 2009

2009: MacDonald, Hydorn Triumph

With Baker Tower looming on the far right, Shane MacDonald hits his drive on the 16th hole in Sunday's championship match. Watching from left are Jake Obar and Andy Hydorn. (Double-click photos to supersize.)


Hydorn looks on as MacDonald tries to will in a birdie bid on 14.


Andy Hydorn's putt on 14 heads for the hole.


Jake Obar and a young onlooker watch his drive on 15.


Bill Vielleux lets his 3-wood go after his shot soared long and into the woods on 15.



MacDonald, Hydorn Win 2nd TKI
HANOVER – Lebanon’s Shane MacDonald laughed Sunday afternoon as he recalled his introduction to longtime Tommy Keane Invitational playing partner Andy Hydorn 19 years ago this month.

“Scott (Peters) told me this rep was a great guy and we should play the TK together,” MacDonald said. “I didn’t even know what he looked like and he didn’t know what I looked like. Our tee time was something like 12:50 and I rolled in at 12:40. Andy said, 'Are you Shane? Thank God, because our tee time is in 10 minutes.’

“We hit our tee balls and I went right over, grabbed the cooler, put it on the cart and said, ‘Let’s go.’ Andy was looking at me like I was crazy because he had never played beverage golf before.”

Every arranged marriage should last this long. And be this successful.

With MacDonald wasting no time drilling shot after shot down the middle and Hydorn showing off his usual sweet swing, the pair claimed their second TKI title with a 2&1 victory over Jake Obar and Bill Vielleux. MacDonald and Hydorn also shared the 2002 championship with Scott and Mike Peters.

“It was a good match,” said MacDonald. “Jake and Billy are great guys to play with. They probably didn't play their best golf, but we ended up being 4-under through 17 holes and we didn't make a bogey, which is pretty much what we've been doing.

“We're not flashy. Andy has the power and hits it as far as they do. I don't. But I can just frustrate the heck out of them.”

Obar, who teamed with Rex Whitney to win the 2006 TKI, gave the winners their due. “Andy probably has the best golf swing in the tournament,” he said. “And Shane doesn't make many mistakes. He'll laugh and giggle because he doesn't hit it very far, but he can play with most people out here and he chips and putts better than most.

“They just missed a lot of putts early. If they had made them they could have really drummed us. They are a tough team. They are a great team to play against because they are such good guys.”

Vielleux and Obar got the early jump when the former made an 18-inch birdie putt on the par-3 fourth hole and the latter drained a long one to win the sixth hole and put their team 2-up.

Although they were next-door neighbors as children, the former standout Hartford High School athletes were playing together in the TKI for the first time. “Growing up my dad and uncle always played in this tournament,” said Vielleux. “Not being into golf until my early 20s, I'd come up and watch, but I've only played in this the last three years. I played with my dad the last two years. It was great playing with Jake.”

A bogey on No. 8 sliced the first-year teammates’ lead in half.

“We didn't convert on a couple of good birdie chances early that we really needed to make,” said Obar. “And you really can't make a bogey in a championship match. Anytime you are letting them win with a par you are giving them something. That's not to take anything away from them because they played well. But you can't let them win with par.”

The teams had matching birdies on 10 and 11 before MacDonald nailed another long putt for birdie on 12 to square the match for the first time in eight holes. Hydorn thought the first birdie of the day was just as important to his team's fortunes as the one that tied the match.

“A key point was 10,” he said. “We were two down after six and they had made a bogey, but we hadn't made a birdie yet,” he said. “We had a couple really close putts slide by the hole. I think the one on 10 going in really got us going.”

The match was all-square until 15 when Vielleux hit his 3-wood into the trees and had to take a drop, and Obar’s six-footer to halve the hole with a par wouldn’t fall. “That was the turning point,” Obar said. “Bogeying 15 and then 16.”

With Obar and Vielleux needing a GPS to find the green off the 16th tee, MacDonald made it hurt by rolling in a prayer to win the hole with a par. “I hit a good shot in and it just went long,” he said. “It was right on and then I had a little hard-pan lie and I didn't want to leave it there. I just wanted to get it up there so I’d have a chance at a putt, and it went in. I didn't want them to be able to halve it with a 5. It would have been a tragedy if we let them halve us when they were all over the place.”

With the 17th playing as a par-4, Hydorn ended the match by driving the green and then rolling his long downhill putt to gimme range.

“I've always said I love playing with Shane because he settles me down,” said Hydorn, who flew in from Houston just to play the tournament. “He does his thing. He doesn't hit it out of play and that's huge. What our strategy was, was to put two balls on the green. Not have somebody out of play. Luckily we were able to kind of do that.”

And they’ll be trying to do it again next July when they celebrate 20 years as teammates.

“I’ll be back, no doubt,” said Hydorn. “I've lived in Chicago, Massachusetts and Houston while this thing has been going on. And you know what? Every year I make time to come back. I have a lot of friends up here now and I really, really enjoy coming up and seeing everybody. It's just a great time.

“I think the world of Shane. I consider him a friend and a good one. It's just kind of funny that we don't really see each other or talk a whole lot outside of this. I've lived in a lot of different places and I have a lot of friends from different groups. It's hard to keep up with everybody, but Shane and I don't skip a beat.”

Added MacDonald: “My wife laughs about that. She says, ‘You see each other once a year and it's like you are together every weekend.’ ”

They aren’t, of course.

They only play like it.

DIVOTS – Obar and Vielleux advanced to the championship match with a 4&3 win over Dean Cashman and Mike Pollard in the morning match. ... Hydorn and MacDonald earned a 2&1 win over Josh Hilderbrand and Josh Wilson in the morning. ... Tony Pippin and Ted Byrne earned the First Flight title with a 2&1 win over Joe King and Sean Lacey. ... Brothers Dave and Ron Cioffi took the Second Flight crown with a 1-up win over Jim Keane and Kevin Sullivan. ... While he’s an amateur, Hydorn makes his living in golf as a partner in golf apparel company Back Nine USA.

MacDonald, Hydorn Win 2009 TKI

(Click on the brackets to enlarge.)

Full story to come tonight.

Championship Final Set

NOON UPDATE

Morning matches in the TKI Championship Flight have concluded and the afternoon matches will tee off shortly under gray and humid skies.

Advancing to the Championship final are the teams of Jake Obar/Bill Vielleux and Shane MacDonald/Andy Hydorn.

Obar/Vielleux took a 4&3 win over Dean Cashman and Mike Pollard. MacDonald and Hydorn, the 2002 winners, scored a 2&1 win over Josh Hilderbrand and Josh Wilson.

One semi has concluded in the First Flight with the team of Ted Byrne/Tony Pippin advancing.

The Second Flight semis have concluded with the the team of Jim Keane/Kevin Sullivan to square off against David and Ron Cioffi.

Note: I'll be out on the course the rest of the afternoon following the Championship Flight. Final results will be posted at the conclusion of the match. Brackets and a story tonight.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Brackets Heading Into Sunday

(Click to enlarge)

Semifinals Set

HANOVER – The match of the day on a day of big matches at the 34th Tommy Keane Invitational might have been Saturday afternoon's Championship Flight quarterfinal pitting 15th-seeded Dean Cashman and Mike Pollard against Peter and Doug Williamson, the father-son team that was seeded 10th.

The two teams combined for just one bogey in a well-played match that wasn’t decided until Cashman’s 115-yard approach on the 19th hole left him a 6-foot birdie putt. Cashman calmly drained the putt to put away the defending champions and send his team into a Sunday morning semifinal against Jake Obar and Bill Vielleux.

Obar and Vielluex, seeded third, advanced to the quarters with a 7&5 victory over No. 14 Dave Aznavorian and Rick Watson.

In the other half of the bracket, Shane MacDonald used a red-hot putter to earn family bragging as he and Andy Hydorn posted a 5&4 victory over son Nick MacDonald and Patrick Pelletier. Shane MacDonald and Hydorn were seeded ninth while top-seeded Nick MacDonald and Pelletier were coming off a 6&5 win in their morning match.

Hydorn and Nick MacDonald, co-champions of the TKI in 2002, will now face the No. 5 pairing of Josh Hilderbrand and Josh Wilson, which surprised six-time champions Mike and Scott Peters, 3&2, in an afternoon match.

The winners of Sunday’s morning matches will square off in the afternoon for the championship.

Saturday's Final Results

HANOVER – Results after Saturday's matches in the 34th annual Tommy Keane Invitational golf tournament at Hanover Country Club:

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Morning Matches
1. N. MacDonald/Pelletier def. 16. McCaddin/Wetmore, 6&5
9. Hydorn/S. MacDonald def. 8. Lyon/Waters, 3&2
4. Peters/Peters def. 13. J. Keane/M. Keane, 6&5
5. Hilderbrand/Wilson def. 12. Curtis/Kelley, 2&1
15. Cashman/Pollard def. 2 Dardani/Volpe, 5&4
10. Williamson/Williamson def. 7. Hathorn/Cable, 1 up
3. Obar/B. Vielleux def. Aznavorian/Watson, 7&5
11. Carr/Donegan def. 6. Leonard/Leonard, 1 up
Afternoon Matches
9. Hydorn/S. MacDonald def. 1. N. MacDonald/Pelletier
5. Hilderbrand/Wilson def. 4. Peters/Peters
15. Cashman/Pollard def. 10. Williamson/Williamson
3. Obar/B. Vielleux def. 11. Carr/Donegan

FIRST FLIGHT
Morning Matches
1. Day/Fred def. 16. Bentivoglio/Bentivoglio, 4&3
9. Pippin/Byrne def. 8. Silver/Dransfield, 5&3
4. Donnelly/Hazard def. 13. Appleton/F. Kelley, 6&5
5. D. Vielleux/D. Vielleux def. 12. Brownell/Brennan, 4&2
2. Cole/Gammons def. 15. Wood/Merrill, 5&4
10. Jankowski/Jankowski def. 7. Freeman/Lincoln, 5&4
3. King/Lacey def. 14. Franco/Robitaille, 1 Up
6. Doyle/Doyle def. 11. Blaisdell/O'Hara, 21 holes
Afternoon Matches
9. Pippin/Byrne def. 1. Day/Fred, 5&4
4. Donnelly/Hazard def. 5. D. Vielleux/D. Vielleux, 5&4
10. Jankowski/Jankowski def. 2. Cole/Gammons, 5&4
3. King/Lacey def. 6. Doyle/Doyle, 4&2

SECOND FLIGHT
Morning Matches
1. T. Keane/Johnston def. 16. Mock/Mock, 7&6
9. J. Keane/Sullivan def. 8 Dalimonte/Dunworth, 4&3
4. Cutler/Lombardi def. 13. Manchester/Rusin 1 up
5. Harrison/Spera def. 12. Noonan/Mandrachia, 1 up
2. Frechette/Hall def. 15. Winslow/Mello, 5&4
7. Klauber/Gnann def. 10 Jacobs/Fitzgerald, 20 holes
3. Barlow/Vincent def. 14. Keane/LeHaye, 5&4
6. Cioffi/Cioffi def. 11. Downes/Scanlon, 3&2
Afternoon Matches
1. T. Keane/Johnston def. 9. J. Keane/Sullivan, 20 holes
4. Cutler/Lombardi def. 5. Harrison/Spera, 3&2
7. Klauber/Gnann def. 2. Frechette/Hall, 19 holes
6. Cioffi/Cioffi def. 3. Barlow/Vincent, 5&4

SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Championship Flight
9. Hydorn/S. MacDonald vs. 5. Hilderbrand/Wilson
15. Cashman/Pollard vs. 3. Obar/B. Vielleux
First Flight
9. Pippin/Byrne vs. 4. Donnelly/Hazard
10. Jankowski/Jankowski vs. 3. King/Lacey
Second Flight
9. J. Keane/Sullivan def. 4. Cutler/Lombardi
7. Klauber/Gnann vs. 6. Cioffi/Cioffi

(Brackets, story to come tonight)

One Match Remaining

Brackets will be updated later, but with just one match still going on, here are some results:

Championship Flight
9. S. MacDonald/Hydorn def. 1. N. MacDonald/Pelletier, 5&4
5. Hilderband/Wilson def. 4. Peters/Peters, 3&2
15. Cashman/Pollard def. 10. Williamson/Williamson, 20 holes
3. Obar/B. Vielleux def. 11. Carr/Donegan 1 Up

Sunday a.m.
9. S. MacDonald/Hydorn vs. 5. Hilderband/Wilson
15. Cashman/Pollard vs. 3. Obar/B. Vielleux

Brackets, other flights after final match is in.

5 p.m. Brackets; First Flight Finished

Brackets as of 5 p.m. First flight afternoon matches are complete. Check back at 6 p.m. for more hourly reports. (Click brackets to supersize)

4 p.m. Brackets

No results in from the championship flight yet. Two from the first flight and one from the second. More around 5 p.m.

Updated Brackets


2 p.m.: All A.M. Matches Final

(Updated brackets to be posted around 3 p.m.)

Championship Flight
1. McDonald/Pelletier def. 16. McCaddin/Wetmore, 6&5
9. Hydorn/MacDonald def. Lyon/Waters, 3&2
Next: McDonald/Pelletier vs. Hydorn/MacDonald

4. Peters/Peters def. 13. J. Keane/M. Keasne, 6&5
5. Hilderbrand/Wilson def. 12. Curtis/Kelly, 2&1
Next: Peters/Peters vs. Hilderbrand/Wilson

15. Cashman/Pollard def. 2. Dardani/Volpe, 5&4
10. Williamson/Williamson def. 7. Hathorn/Cable, 1 Up
Next: Cashman/Pollard vs. Williamson/Williamson

3. Obar/B. Vielleux def. 14. Aznavarodian/Watson, 7&5
11. Carr/Donegan def. 6. Leonard/Leonard, 1 Up
Next: Obar/B. Vielleux vs. Carr/Donegan

First Flight
1. Day/Fred def. 16. Bentivoglio/Bentivoglio, 4&3
9. Pippin/Byrne def. 8. Silver/Dransfeld, 5&3
Next: Day/Fred vs. Pippin/Byrne

4. Donnelly/Hazard def. 13. Appleton/F. Kelley, 6&5
5. D. Vielleux/D. Vielleux def. 12. Brownell/Brennan, 4&2
Next: Donnelly/Hazard vs. D. Vielleux/D. Vielleux

2. Cole/Gammons def. 15. Wood/Merrill, 5&4
10. Jankowski/Jankowski def. 7. Freeman/Lincoln, 5&4
Next: Cole/Gammons vs. Jankowski/Jankowski

3. King/Lacey def. 14. Franco/Robitaille, 1 Up
6. Doyle/Doyle def. 11. Blaisdell/O'Hara 21 holes
Next: King/Lacey vs. Doyle/Doyle

Second Flight
1. T. Keane/Johnston def. 10. Mock/Mock, 7&6
9. J. Keane/Sullivan def. 8. Dalimonte/Dunworth, 4&3
Next: T. Keane/Johnston vs. J. Keane/Sullivan

4. Cutler/Lombardi def. 13. Manchester/Rusin, 1 up
5. Harrison/Spera def. 12. Noonan/Mandrachia, 1 up
Next: Cutler/Lombardi vs. Harrison/Spera

2. Frechette/Hall def. 15. Winslow/Mello, 5&4
7. Klauber/Gnann def. 10. Jacobs/Fitzgerald, 20 holes
Next: Frechette/Hall vs. Klauber/Gnann

3. Barlow/Vincent def. 14. Keane/LaHaye, 5&4
6. Cioffi/Cioffi def. 11. Downes/Scanlon, 3&2
Next: Barlow/Vincent vs. Cioffi/Cioffi

1:30 p.m. Update

1:30 p.m. Update ...

Championship Flight
1. McDonald/Pelletier def. 16. McCaddin/Wetmore, 6&5
9. Hydorn/MacDonald def. Lyon/Waters, 3&2
Next: McDonald/Pelletier vs. Hydorn/MacDonald

4. Peters/Peters def. 13. J. Keane/M. Keasne, 6&5
5. Hilderbrand/Wilson vs. 12. Curtis/Kelly (on course)
Next: Peters/Peters vs. winner Hilderbrand/Wilson vs. Curtis/Kelly

15. Cashman/Pollard def. 2. Dardani/Volpe, 5&4
10. Williamson/Williamson def. 7. Hathorn/Cable, 1 Up
Next: Cashman/Pollard vs. Williamson/Williamson

3. Obar/B. Vielleux def. 14. Aznavarodian/Watson, 7&5
11. Carr/Donegan def. 6. Leonard/Leonard, 1 Up
Next: Obar/B. Vielleux vs. Carr/Donegan


First Flight
1. Day/Fred def. 16. Bentivoglio/Bentivoglio, 4&3
9. Pippin/Byrne def. 8. Silver/Dransfeld, 5&3
Next: Day/Fred vs. Pippin/Byrne

4. Donnelly/Hazard def. 13. Appleton/F. Kelley, 6&5
5. D. Vielleux/D. Vielleux def. 12. Brownell/Brennan, 4&2
Next: Donnelly/Hazard vs. D. Vielleux/D. Vielleux

2. Cole/Gammons def. 15. Wood/Merrill, 5&4
10. Jankowski/Jankowski def. 7. Freeman/Lincoln, 5&4
Next: Cole/Gammons vs. Jankowski/Jankowski

3. King/Lacey def. 14. Franco/Robitaille, 1 Up
6. Doyle/Doyle def. 11. Blaisdell/O'Hara 21 holes
Next: King/Lacey vs. Doyle/Doyle

Second Flight
1. T. Keane/Johnston def. 10. Mock/Mock, 7&6
9. J. Keane/Sullivan def. 8. Dalimonte/Dunworth, 4&3
Next: T. Keane/Johnston vs. J. Keane/Sullivan

2. Frechette/Hall def. 15. Winslow/Mello 5&4
7. Klauber/Gnann vs. 10. Jacobs/Fitzgerald (on course)
Next: Frechette/Hall vs. winner Klauber/Gnann vs. Jacobs/Fitzgerald

6. Cioffi/Cioffi def. 11. Downes/Scanlon, 3&2
3. Barlow/Vincent vs. 14. Keane/LaHaye (on course)
Next: Cioffi/Cioffi vs. winner Barlow/Vincent vs. Keane/LaHaye

First Matches Reported

Note: Hit "refresh" each time you visit to make sure you have the most up-to-date results.

Here is your noon Saturday update on matches now completed ...

Championship Flight
3. Obar/B. Vielleux def. 14. Aznavarodian/Watson, 7&5

First Flight
1. Day/Fred def. 16. Bentivoglio/Bentivoglio, 4&3
9. Pippin/Byrne def. 8. Silver/Dransfeld, 5&3
Next: Day/Fred vs. Pippin/Byrne

4. Donnelly/Hazard def. 13. Appleton/F. Kelley, 6&5
5. D. Vielleux/D. Vielleux def. 12. Brownell/Brennan, 4&2
Next: Donnelly/Hazard vs. D. Vielleux/D. Vielleux

2. Cole/Gammons def. 15. Wood/Merrill, 5&4
10. Jankowski/Jankowski def. 7. Freeman/Lincoln, 5&4
Next: Cole/Gammons vs. Jankowski/Jankowski

3. King/Lacey def. 14. Franco/Robitaille, 1 Up
6. Doyle/Doyle vs. 11. Blaisdell/O'Hara (on course)
Next: King/Lacey vs. winner Doyle/Doyle vs. Blaisdell/O'Hara

Second Flight
No results reported yet

Friday, July 24, 2009

Saturday Morning Brackets

(Click on brackets to enlarge)

Qualifying Scores

Qualifying scores for the 34th Tommy Keane Invitational tournament at Hanover Country Club (with flight assignments for match play and seeding):

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
1. Nick MacDonald/Patrick Pelletier 63
2. Ted Dardani/Noel Volpe 67
3. Jake Obar/Bill Vielleux 68
4. Scott Peters/Mike Peters 68
5. Josh Hildebrand/Joshua Wilson 68
6. Jay Leonard/TJ Leonard 70
7. Michael Hathorn/Mitch Cable 70
8. Steve Lyon/Ned Waters 71
9. Andy Hydorn/Shane MacDonald 71
10. Peter Williamson/Doug Williamson 71
11. Charlie Carr/Ryan Donegan 72
12. Darrin Curtis/Mike Kelley 72
13. Jonathan Keane/Matt Keane 73
14. Dave Aznavorian/Rick Watson 73
15. Dean Cashman/Mike Pollard 73
16. Mark McCaddin/Rick Wetmore 73


FIRST FLIGHT
1. Tom Day/Mike Fred 73
2. Dan Cole/Matt Gammons 73
3. Joe King/Sean Lacey 73
4. John Donnelly/Rowland Hazard 74
5. Duane Vielleux/Dale Vielleux 74
6. Kevin Doyle/Brendan Doyle 74
7. Jeff Freeman/Chris Lincoln 74
8. Dana Silver/Dan Dransfield 74
9. Tony Pippin/Ted Byrne 75
10. Jim Jankowski/Andrew Jankowski 75
11. Ken Blaisdell/Kevin O’Hara 75
12. Robert Brownell/Sean Brennan 76
13. Kevin Appleton/Fred Kelley 76
14. Bob Franco/Peter Robitaille 76
15. Jim Wood/Gary Merrill 77
16. Paolo Bentivoglio/Antonio Bentivoglio 77

SECOND FLIGHT
1. Tom Keane/Kevin Johnston 77
2. Jeff Frechette/Terry Hall 78
3. Dave Barlow/Jonathan Vincen 78
4. Carlos Cuttler/Thomas Lombardi 78
5. Julian Harrison/Pall Spera 78
6. Ron Cioffi/David Cioffi 80
7. Douglas Klauber/Alan Gnann 80
8. Joseph Dalimonte/Don Dunworth 81
9. Jim Keane/Kevin Sullivan 81
10. Bob Jacobs/Daniel Fitzgerald 82
11. Bill Downes/John Scanlon 82
12. Michael Noonan/Charlie Mandrachia 84
13. John Manchester/Larry Rusin 84
14. Michael Keane/Wayne LaHaye 88
15. Tim Winslow/Andy Mello 88
16. Peter Mock/Justin Mock 93

Pelletier, MacDonald Post Record Score

HANOVER – On paper former Lebanon High School teammates Patrick Pelletier and Nick MacDonald looked like a formidable team heading into the Tommy Keane Invitational tournament at Hanover Country Club.

On a sometimes-soggy Friday afternoon the pairing looked even better.

The two Division I college players combined for eight birdies and no bogeys to card a 63 and earn the top seed of the championship flight in Friday’s stroke-play qualifying for the three-day event. The 8-under-par score is believed to be a tournament record since the course was redesigned for the 2002 season.

The team of Ted Dardani and Noel Volpe came in as the second seed with a 67, with three teams at 68. Among them: six-time champions Scott and Mike Peters.

Earning the honor of trying to take down MacDonald, a rising University of Hartford senior, and Pelletier, a redshirt junior at URI last season, is the pairing of Mark McCaddin and Rick Wetmore, who combined for a 73 in stroke play. The winners of Saturday's better ball morning matches advance to afternoon matches with the winners continuing into Sunday morning. The championship matches in all three flights will take place Sunday afternoon.

Defending champions Peter and Doug Williamson of Hanover shot a 71, tied for seventh on the day. The father-son team will square off against Hartford High School golf coach Mike Hathorn and former Hurricane standout Mitch Cable.

Among the day's highlights was a Matt Gammons hole-in-one on the fourth hole. He teamed with Dan Cole to shoot a 73.

The 2002 co-champion team of Andy Hydorn and Lebanon's Shane McDonald had a novel round, posting 18 consecutive pars to finish at even-par 71.

The Tommy Keane Invitational honors the memory of Tommy Keane, the Hanover Country Club pro and Dartmouth golf coach from 1922-1966.

Qualifying Finishes

Final qualifying scores. Brackets and capsule later.

Nick MacDonald/Patrick Pelletier 63
Ted Dardani/Noel Volpe 67
Jake Obar/Bill Vielleux 68
Scott Peters/Mike Peters 68
Josh Hildebrand/Joshua Wilson 68
Jay Leonard/TJ Leonard 70
Michael Hathorn/Mitch Cable 70
Peter Williamson/Doug Williamson 71
Steve Lyon/Ned Waters 71
Andy Hydorn/Shane MacDonald 71
Darrin Curtis/Mike Kelley 72
Charlie Carr/Ryan Donegan 72
Mark McCaddin/Rick Wetmore 73
Dan Cole/Matt Gammons 73
Dave Aznavorian/Rick Watson 73
Dean Cashman/Mike Pollard 73
Joe King/Sean Lacey 73
Jonathan Keane/Matt Keane 73
Tom Day/Mike Fred 73
John Donnelly/Rowland Hazard 74
Ken Blaisdell/Kevin O’Hara 74
Kevin Doyle/Brendan Doyle 74
Jeff Freeman/Chris Lincoln 74
Duane Vielleux/Dale Vielleux 74
Dana Silver/Dan Dransfield 74
Jim Jankowski/Andrew Jankowski 75
Tony Pippin/Ted Byrne 75
Robert Brownell/Sean Brennan 76
Kevin Appleton/Fred Kelley 76
Bob Franco/Peter Robitaille 76
Paolo Bentivoglio/Antonio Bentivoglio 77
Jim Wood/Gary Merrill 77
Tom Keane/Kevin Johnston 77
Dave Barlow/Jonathan Vincen 78
Jeff Frechette/Terry Hall 78
Julian Harrison/Pall Spera 78
Carlos Cuttler/Thomas Lombardi 78
Ron Cioffi/David Cioffi 80
Douglas Klauber/Alan Gnann 80
Jim Keane/Kevin Sullivan 81
Joseph Dalimonte/Don Dunworth 81
Bob Jacobs/Daniel Fitzgerald 82
Bill Downes/John Scanlon 82
Michael Noonan/Charlie Mancrachia 84
John Manchester/Larry Rusin 84
Michael Keane/Wayne LaHaye 88
Tim Winslow/Andy Mello 88
Peter Mock/Justin Mock 93

Qualifying Winding Down

Scores as of 6:30 p.m. Next update will be after ALL scores are in. Check back for brackets as well as a capsule story at that time.

Nick MacDonald/Patrick Pelletier 63
Jake Obar/Bill Vielleux 68
Scott Peters/Mike Peters 68
Josh Hildebrand/Joshua Wilson 68
Peter Williamson/Doug Williamson 71
Steve Lyon/Ned Waters 71
Darrin Curtis/Mike Kelley 72
Mark McCaddin/Rick Wetmore 73
Dan Cole/Matt Gammons 73
John Donnelly/Rowland Hazard 74
Ken Blaisdell/Kevin O’Hara 74
Kevin Doyle/Brendan Doyle 74
Jeff Freeman/Chris Lincoln 74
Jim Jankowski/Andrew Jankowski 75
Tony Pippin/Ted Byrne 75
Robert Brownell/Sean Brennan 76
Kevin Appleton/Fred Kelley 76
Bob Franco/Peter Robitaille 76
Paolo Bentivoglio/Antonio Bentivoglio 77
Jim Wood/Gary Merrill 77
Dave Barlow/Jonathan Vincen 78
Jeff Frechette/Terry Hall 78
Julian Harrison/Pall Spera 78
Ron Cioffi/David Cioffi 80
Douglas Klauber/Alan Gnann 80
Jim Keane/Kevin Sullivan 81
Bob Jacobs/Daniel Fitzgerald 82
Bill Downes/John Scanlon 82
Michael Noonan/Charlie Mancrachia 84
John Manchester/Larry Rusin 84
Michael Keane/Wayne LaHaye 88
Tim Winslow/Andy Mello 88
Peter Mock/Justin Mock 93

5:30 Scoring Update

Scores as of 5:40 Friday:

Nick MacDonald/Patrick Pelletier 63
Jake Obar/Bill Vielleux 68
Scott Peters/Mike Peters 68
Peter Williamson/Doug Williamson 71
Steve Lyon/Ned Waters 71
Darrin Curtis/Mike Kelley 72
Mark McCaddin/Rick Wetmore 73
John Donnelly/Rowland Hazard 74
Ken Blaisdell/Kevin O’Hara 74
Kevin Doyle/Brendan Doyle 74
Jeff Freeman/Chris Lincoln 74
Jim Jankowski/Andrew Jankowski 75
Tony Pippin/Ted Byrne 75
Robert Brownell/Sean Brennan 76
Kevin Appleton/Fred Kelley 76
Paolo Bentivoglio/Antonio Bentivoglio 77
Dave Barlow/Jonathan Vincen 78
Jeff Frechette/Terry Hall 78
Ron Cioffi/David Cioffi 80
Bob Jacobs/Daniel Fitzgerald 82
Michael Noonan/Charlie Mancrachia 84
John Manchester/Larry Rusin 84
Michael Keane/Wayne LaHaye 88
Tim Winslow/Andy Mello 88
Peter Mock/Justin Mock 93

4:30 Scoring Update

A few more scores have trickled in with the team of Jake Obar and Bill Vielleux joining the Peters brothers at 68. Nick Macdonald and Patrick Pelletier continue to lead qualifying with a 63.

Nick Macdonald/Patrick Pelletier 63
Jake Obar/Bill Vielleux 68
Scott Peters/Mike Peters 68
Peter Williamson/Doug Williamson 71
Steve Lyon/Ned Waters 71
John Donnelly/Rowland Hazard 74
Ken Blaisdell/Kevin O’Hara 74
Kevin Doyle/Brendan Doyle 74
Jim Jankowski/Andrew Jankowski 75
Tony Pippin/Ted Byrne 75
Robert Brownell/Sean Brennan 76
Dave Barlow/Jonathan Vincen 78
Jeff Frechette/Terry Hall 78
Michael Keane/Wayne LaHaye 88
Tim Winslow/Andy Mello 88
Peter Mock/Justin Mock 93

Light Rain And An Ace

Still only a handful of scores have been posted. A sprinkle has started and the skies have darkened. Word at the clubhouse is the Matt Gammon aced the 4th hole. More around 4:30. Full scores, brackets and a recap tonight.

Early 63 Tops Board

College golfers Nick Macdonald and Pat Pelletier shot a 31-32–63 to take the top spot early in qualifying at the TKI. The score is believed to be a record on the "new" Hanover course. The pair had birdies on 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 18.

Macdonald plays golf at the University of Hartford while Pelletier is a Rhode Island Ram.

Other scores trickling in include a 74 for the team of John Donnelly and Rowlie Hazard and a 75 for Tony Pippin/Ted Byrne.

More around 3:30ish.

First Groups In

Former champions Mike and Scott Peters positioned themselves nicely with a 68 as they finished the first round of the TKI in a brisk 3:25. After a one-hour delay before the start of play, the weather has held off nicely. It brightened for a bit but now is just overcast and a bit cool.

I'll try to toss up scoring updates on the half hour beginning at 2:30.

2009 TKI Preview

HANOVER – Dartmouth College reunions are held each year in June.

Hanover Country Club’s version of a reunion takes place annually on the last full weekend in July when 100 or so amateur golfers from around the Upper Valley, the region, and in some cases the country return to the venerable Dartmouth course to renew acquaintances, pair up with traditional teammates and oh, by the way, play some pretty good golf.

It’s called the Tommy Keane Invitational and it’s been going on every year since 1975, save for 2001 when Hanover Country Club was closed for renovations. The tournament honors the memory of legendary Hanover pro and Dartmouth golf coach Tommy Keane, a fixture on Rope Ferry Road from 1922-66.

“There’s a lot of history and tradition with the Tommy Keane,” said Alex Kirk, Hanover’s head professional. “So many people come back year after year and even people who can’t make it one year because life gets in the way want to be kept on the list for the future. If you ask me, it’s the biggest event we host.”

Two-man teams kick off play Friday with an 18-hole qualifying round that will determine flights for matches that begin Saturday morning. The format is better ball with the lower of two scores on each hole counting for the team. Winning teams in each flight continue play through Sunday afternoon when the champions will be crowned.

Hanover’s Peter Williamson, who would go on to capture this year’s Ivy League championship as a Dartmouth freshman, teamed up with his father, Doug, to win last July’s TKI with a 3&2 victory over the team of Dean Cashman and Mike Pollard.

“This is a special event for a lot of reasons,” said Kirk. “One is because it is a traditional gross event. But each of the flights is very competitive and each team gets to play in their own league, even though it’s straight-up, gross match. It’s true golf.”

Kirk, who celebrated his first TKI in 2006, is a relative newcomer to Hanover Country Club by the standards of two of the giants who preceded him – Keane and Bill Johnson, who ran the show for 34 years – but he’s fit right in among the many friends of the tournament who work hard to make it run smoothly each year.

“The support the tournament has had from Bill Johnson down to Alex Kirk and his staff has been second-to-none,” said Lebanon’s Jim Keane, grandson of the tournament’s namesake. “It’s been remarkable how much they care about this tournament and making sure it is a first-class event.”

Only the importance of giving a nod to those who deserve it can overcome Keane’s natural instinct to let the tournament speak for itself.

“For 34 years people like Seaver Peters and Fred Kelley, their wives and other volunteers have worked hard,” he said. “The first few years Kathy Slattery (Phillips) was making sandwiches in our kitchen to feed people. There can’t be enough said about the voluneers. They are the reason this continues to be a strong and successful tournament.”

While he continues to offer sage advice as a member of the TKI committee, Seaver Peters has ceded the head chair to son Scott, a move that nicely symbolizes the direction being taken by what is thought by many to be one of the best – if not best – four-ball tournaments in northern New England.

Scott Peters, who has won the tournament with brother Mike six times, is one of a good number of “second-generation” players in the field. Hanover High School golf coach John Donnelly is the son of the 1977 and ‘80 champion of the same name (and grandson of the former UVM golf coach who was a good friend of Tommy Keane). TKI veteran Jay Leonard’s son TJ plays with him while Jim Jankowski’s son Andrew tees it up with his dad. The list goes on.

And the theme doesn’t appear to be winding down anytime soon with a few more sons – including a pair named Peters and Keane – nearing the age of 18, the cutoff for playing in the event.

“It’s going to be passed from generation to generation and that’s a neat thing,” Jim Keane said.

TKI Tees Off After 1-Hour Delay

Scott Peters hits the first shot of the 2009 Tommy Keane Invitational after a one-hour rain delay at Hanover Country Club. The forecast sounds OK for the rest of the day and good for the start of match play on Saturday.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

More On Tommy Keane, The Man

Here's a page from the second Wearers of the Green program that tells the Tommy Keane story nicely. The Wearers of the Green is as close to a hall of fame for athletics as Dartmouth comes. Click the clipping to enlarge and make it readable.

What Is The TKI?

What is the Tommy Keane Invitational?
Held in commemoration of a man who served for 45 years as golf professional at Hanover Country Club and as Dartmouth College golf coach, the Tommy Keane is a Four Ball, match play tournament in flights with no handicap. It annually attracts the best two-person amateur teams of any event in New Hampshire.

Qualifying for the 34th Tommy Keane Invitational takes place Friday at Hanover Country Club. Check back for scoring updates and follow the entire tournament here and be sure to follow the tournament on Twitter. ( http://twitter.com/tkigolf )

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, July 24, 2009
Qualifying Round - 18 Holes, Four Ball
(Competition for medalist team and placement in flights)
Followed by dinner for contestants and guests

Saturday, July 25, 2009
AM -- 18 holes, Four Ball Match Play
PM -- 18 holes, Four Ball, Match Play
(Winner and Consolation Brackets)
Followed by cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and informal cookout at Hanover Country Club

Sunday, July 26, 2009
AM -- 18 holes, Four Ball Match Play for all winning teams from Saturday PM
PM -- 18 holes Finals for all flights, including consolation brackets
Followed by presentation of awards

Previous Champions

2008 -- Peter Williamson, Doug Williamson
2007 -- Joe King, Sean Lacey
2006 -- Rex Whitney, Jake Obar
2005 -- Matt Uretsky, Chaki Kobayashi
2004 -- Bart Whitney, Rex Whitney
2003 -- Scott Peters, Mike Peters
2002 -- Co-champs: Scott Peters, Mike Peters; Shane MacDonald, Andy Hydorn
2001 -- Course closed for renovation
2000 -- Scott Peters, Mike Peters
1999 -- Brian Doyle, Craig Steckowych
1998 -- Brian Doyle, Craig Steckowych
1997 -- Brian Doyle, Craig Steckowych
1996 -- Sam Brackett, Charlie Carr
1995 -- Scott Peters, Mike Peters
1994 -- Scott Peters, Mike Peters
1993 -- Jerry LaPlaca, Bill Downes
1992 -- Don Folsom, Brian Doyle
1991 -- Don Folsom, Brian Doyle
1990 -- Don Folsom, Brian Doyle
1989 -- John Esterbrook, Doug Hutchinson
1988 -- Brad Griffin, Rick Woulfe
1987 -- Scott Peters, Mike Peters
1986 -- Brad Griffin, Rick Woulfe
1985 -- Dave Goldstein, Jim Woods
1984 -- Bill Salta, Dan Wilkins
1983 -- Dave Goldstein, Jim Woods
1982 -- Jerry Daly, Tom Mullany
1981 -- Rich Parker, Lafayette Lahaye
1980 -- Art Bemis, John Donnelly
1979 -- Don Beckwith, Pete Moseley
1978 -- Bill Purcell, John Wilkinson
1977 -- Art Bemis, John Donnelly
1976 -- Jerry Daly, Jay Leonard
1975 -- Jerry Daly, Jim Burnett

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Twitter Comes To TKI

The Tommy Keane Invitational has entered the Tweeter age. The web address is: http://twitter.com/tkigolf

2009 TKI Application

Interested in playing in the premier amateur four-ball tournament in New Hampshire at Dartmouth's Hanover Country Club in the final weekend of July? Click on the application (below) to supersize it, save to your desktop and send it with the entry fee to Alex Kirk at Hanover Country Club.

Check back as the tournament approaches for periodic updates and be sure to bookmark this site for full coverage of the Tommy Keane Invitational. You'll also be able to follow the event via Twitter.