BERNARDSTON, Massachusetts – Crumpin-Fox Club hosted two days of tournament play as part of the 2020 Father Son Modified Scotch, and both days featured thrilling playoff finishes. The style of play was modified scotch, with players selecting which drive to play and then alternating shots from that point forward.
On Wednesday, Mark Souliotis and Michael Souliotis of Haverhill CC finished first out of over 60 teams in the senior division, which consists of sons ages 19 and over. Brendan Hester and Jack Hester of Pleasant Valley CC paced the 22 teams making up the junior division, consisting of sons aged 14-18, on Thursday.
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SENIOR DIVISION
It took a playoff to decide a winner, but Mark and Michael Souliotis captured the senior division title of the Father and Son Championship. Wednesday’s victory is the third for Team Souliotis, adding to their victories in 2018 at Ledgemont CC and 2016 at Plymouth CC.
It was a long day for the Souliotis team, which teed off at 8:36 a.m. and made birdie on the first playoff hole just before 8 p.m. to defeat the team of John Drago and Nick Drago of Plymouth CC.
The Souliotis’ started off shooting 1-over-par on the front nine but kept a clean card on the back while taking advantage of the par 5s. They made birdie on the 506-yard 14th and eagle on the 508-yard 17th to finish with a 2-under-par 70.
The Dragos also shot 70 but were unable to take advantage of the par 5s on the back nine to pull ahead of Team Souliotis. Nick Drago will look to continue his fine play when he competes in the 112th Massachusetts Amateur Championship next week. He will tee off at 9:30 a.m. Monday at The Kittansett Club.
Only two other teams shot under-par Wednesday. The team of Dean Godek and Matteo Godek of Agawam Municipal GC finished T3 after making four birdies over their final six holes to finish at 1-under par. Their 71 was matched by Cyprian Keyes GC duo Mark Lemons and Tom Lemons, who made five birdies.
JUNIOR DIVISION
The Massachusetts Father & Son Championship continued Thursday with the playing of the junior division and the second playoff in as many days. It was Brendan Hester and Jack Hester of Pleasant Valley CC who bested Mason Dumas and Paul Nothe of Quaboag CC in the playoff after one hole. Jack Hester’s approach shot sealed the deal as the pair two-putted for par to win the hole.
“I was just going for the middle of the green,” Jack Hester said. “I had a little uphill lie. The ball was a little below my feet so I knew would it would come off a little to the right so I just tried to get the distance”
Brendan, the 2001 winner of the Massachusetts Amateur Championship, will also be competing in the Championship Proper next week taking place at The Kittansett Club and The Bay Club at Mattapoisett.
The Hesters started their round hot, birdieing three of the first five holes, but would make five bogeys over the next 13 to shoot a 2-over 74. Dumas and Nothe closed with three birdies over their last seven to shoot an even-par 36 on the back nine to force a playoff.
“We were 3-under through five,” Brendan Hester said. “I think it’s important to get off to a great start so that was good. We played really well together all day long.”
Finishing in third were Brian Glennon and Matt Glennon of Cohasset GC, who shot a score of 3-over 75. Scott Cote and Ryan Cote of CC of Greenfield would finish solo fourth with a score of 4-over 76, while Jason Clark and Brayden Clark of Ipswich CC would round out the top five with a solo fifth finish while shooting a 5-over 77.
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