STERLING, Massachusetts – Just as Ross Henderson was about to hit a potential match-winning putt on the final hole, his wife, Kris, stopped him in his tracks.
“I turned around and there was mud on the ball,” Kris said.
Sometimes wives really do know what’s best.
Ross proceeded to mark and clean off the ball before stepping a 15-footer to propel the couple out of Bedrock Golf Club to a one-stroke victory in the 2020 Sheeran Mixed Tournament, Mass Golf’s annual competition for legally-married couples. The Hendersons finished 2-over 73, edging out day-1 leaders Emily Hess and Jamie Hass (Blue Hill CC) by a stroke Tuesday at Sterling National Country Club.
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The Hendersons were the first of 14 pairs to tee off Tuesday. In the format, both players hit their drives, select the best one, and play alternate shot into the hole. On the final hole, Kris hit her drive a little off the fairway and to the right on the 511-yard par-5. After Ross hit it back left, Kris put it on the green to set up the winning putt.
In a way, though, the Hendersons were surprised to even be in this spot. Their winning odds weren’t looking promising after back-to-back bogeys on 10 and 11 put them at 3-over through 10 holes. “After we bogeyed 11, I thought ‘there goes the tournament,'” Ross admitted.
But Ross said the couple got in the zone and was able to roll off seven in a row, leading them back to hole 1 with a chance to win it.
“To pull out the birdie on the last hole to win was special,” added Kris.
Hess and Hass, who have won the tournament twice, set the pace Monday with a 3-over 74 after making a birdie on the 8th hole and making par on nine of their final 10 holes.
Anne Scheider and Neil Schneider, both from Framingham Country Club, earned low net honors with a 5-under-par 66 on the first day by recording two net eagles and three net birdies. They both edged out Sheila Monterastelli and Emo Monterastelli, of Hopkinton Country Club, via a tiebreaker.
The Sheeran Mixed Tournament originated in 1959 and was renamed in 1972 when its trophy was presented by Dr. and Mrs. Paul Sheeran of Winchester Country Club. Last year, Caroline and Nick Wilder, of Indian Ridge Country Club and Indian Ridge Women, split the title with Jane and Jane Fiste, of Gannon Municipal Golf Course.
The second and final Mixed Team event of the year will be the Mixed Four-Ball Championship for the Stone Cup, which will take place October 21 at The Cape Club in Falmouth.
There is also one more Women’s Tournament remaining, the LaBonte Four-Ball on October 19 at Ipswich Country Club.
For complete coverage of all Mass Golf events, visit MassGolf.org or follow @PlayMassGolf on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
