HUDSON, Massachusetts — For the second time this season, Phil Smith (Vesper Country Club) is hoisting a Mass Golf trophy with one of his daughters. This time, it is with his eldest, Morgan (Vesper Country Club). The win marks their fourth victory in their respective division and their second as overall champions. The last time the two teamed up in this event was back in 2019, their first time competing in the Championship Division and their first overall title.
On what was a considerably toasty summer day at Charter Oak CC, the competition matched the weather out there, as things started to heat up. The top five scores all being within 1-stroke of each other down the stretch made for an exciting finish. Of note, there were two recent champions among competitors in the field: Fred and Catie Schernercker (The Country Club), Catie having just come off of a win at the Ouimet Memorial Tournament less than a week ago, and Scott and Emma Abramson (The Ridge Club), Emma having won the Girls’ Junior Championship just the day prior.
A total of 82 golfers competed in this year’s Father Daughter Modified Scotch. In modified scotch, both golfers hit a tee shot, select which drive to play, and then alternate shots until the hole is complete.
The event featured two divisions: The Championship and Forward. In the Championship Division, daughters played from approximately 5,600 yards, while in the Forward Division the daughters played from approximately 5,100 yards. Fathers played from 6,200 yards in both divisions.
A quick birdie to start the day for the Smith pair quickly turned into 7 straight pars making for a steady and uneventful front-nine. The Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course offered plenty of opportunities for the team to go low the remainder of the round with an additional two birdies added to the card before the day was done.
“I think it was overall just a pretty steady round,” said the Smiths. “In the format we have me (Morgan) tee off first and I think that plays to our advantage so Phil can swing a little more freely.”
Recounting their round, the pair attribute their success to the three birdies and some solid putting to get the job done today.
“Phil hit a good second shot on the first hole that led to a 2-putt bird(ie),” Morgan said. “Then we had a bogey on 9 but rebounded with birdies on 10 and 11. Phil hit a good shot on 10 to about 3 feet and I made about a 15 footer on 11. Then from there made a couple mistakes but held it together with a good par putt by Phil on 12 from about 5 feet. I made a good putt on 16 from 8 feet or so to save par. And then we made par on 17 and 18 to close it out.”
“It’s always fun playing with Phil,” added Morgan. “I know how much playing in this tournament and doing well means to him so I always just want to do my best. It’s interesting because I think we think pretty similar on the golf course but we do butt heads in alternate shot because we have some shots we aren’t used to having.”
When it comes to deciding who out of his three teenage daughters will join him for the annual Tournament, there is a bit of rotation in play.
“We have a rotation that just started with Molly and I,” said Morgan. “Then Maddie wanted to join in so now it’s every 3 years. Last year’s event was Molly’s year, but she qualified for the US Women’s Amateur which conflicted with the Tournament so she chose to have Phil caddy for her in that event instead. But others than that, someone has rotated in the last 9 years.”
Congratulations to the remaining top finishers in the Championship Division:
For the second year in a row, Sydney Ezold and her father Todd find themselves in the winners circle. Carding a 9-over-par 80, the pair were 2-strokes better than their closest competitors. In just their second appearance, the Twin Hills Country Club members were happy to take home another win in this event.
Congratulations to the remaining top finishers in the Forward Division
The remaining Mass Golf Mixed Team & Parent/Child events will take place throughout the next two months. Crestwood Country Club in Rehoboth will host the Father Son Modified Scotch on August 15 and 16. The Sheeran Mixed is set for September 20 at Fall River Country Club.
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