ACUSHNET, Massachusetts — Sue Curtin and her 17-year-old son James Curtin have a habit that others just can’t seem to break.
For the 10th consecutive year, the Curtins won a Division title at the Mother Son Modified Scotch tournament, cementing their legacy as among the best tandems to play in this event. Not only did they win Division 2 (Sons 18 and younger) they matched the team of Judy Frodigh and her middle son Will Frodigh, who won Division 1 (Sons 19 and older).
Since both squads shot 2-under-par 70 at Acushnet River Valley Golf Course in Monday’s 18-hole event, all four of their names will be added to the event’s trophy as co-champions.
A total of 75 players competed in this year’s Mother Son Modified Scotch. Entries were open to mothers and grandmothers, as well as sons and grandsons. 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 Gross and Net scores. The Championship Division is regular scoring, while Net uses 60% of lower handicap plus 40% of higher handicap for team handicap.
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Will Frodigh has plans to turn pro and move to Florida later this year. But before that happens he wanted one last chance at winning a Mass Golf event.
In their third time playing in the Mother Son Tournament together, Will and his mother Judy teamed up for one last outstanding performance, making an eagle on the front nine and adding two birdies down the stretch to win their Division by two strokes.
“We figured it would be fun one more year,” said Judy Frodigh, whose sons Danny and Patrick also compete regularly in amateur events. Her husband, Peter, also serves on the Mass Golf Board of Directors.
Judy said it’s difficult to follow along with all her sons playing golf, as they’re often scattered across the region. But that only makes opportunities like this more meaningful, she said.
“We had a blast out there together,” said Will, who recently finished up his final year at Elon University. “We really played well for each other. Every shot she had, she’d give me a good look at a putt.”
On the par-4 5th, it was actually Will setting up the putt for Judy as he drove the green to set up a 40-foot putt that would put them back to even par.
“Will gives me great reads,” Judy said. “The greens were slower, so it took me a while to figure it out. But this one dropped right in. That really changed our momentum.”
On the closing stretch, Will credited Judy’s strong chipping that allowed the pair to get under-par and ultimately win. Ultimately, they wee both helping each other out throughout the day.
“Will is easy going and laid back,” Judy said. “If I have a bad shot, he gets me to move on.”
“He’s had a great last year of college, he played really well, and he just had a great summer,” she continued. “He’s worked hard. I just love playing with him. I try to get as much time to watch each one. When they’re home and they’re local it’s easier.”
Finishing second in the division was the team of Joanne Catlin and John Catlin out of Oak Hill Country Club, who shot even-par 72. Joanne is a two-time winner of the event with her son Jake. Janet Young and Brian Young, of South Shore Country Club, rounded out the top-3 at 2-over 74.
Debra Moll and Danny Moll, of Blue Hill Country Club, won the Net Division with a score of 9-under.
Over the past decade, James Curtin has gotten closer and closer to matching the abilities of his mother Sue, a two-time Mass Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship for the Keyes Cup winner and a multi-time qualifier for USGA events.
And this year, he may finally have caught up.
James said he’s currently playing the best golf of his life. Such is the case that he even beat his mother head-to-head from the same tees for the first time (at Royal Prestwick Golf Club) when the family was in Scotland to watch Curtin compete in the R&A Women’s Senior Amateur.
“It was our last round of golf in Scotland, and it was one of the best rounds of golf I’ve seen him play,” Sue said of James. “It was some of the most fun we’ve had together. And now to pick off the Mother Son again is a lot of fun.”
Over the years, not only have the Curtins gotten better — and James has grown a foot taller — they understand each other’s games better. On Friday, James caddied for Sue during her final round of the Ouimet Memorial Tournament, helping her to a 77, her best round of the championship.
On Monday, they got a push from Deborah O’Kelly and Timmy Adams, who were 1-under through six holes en route to finishing second place in the Division (3-over 75) and first in the Net scoring (4-under).
“They played a steady round, and it kept us on our toes and made us stick to our game plan,” Sue said.
And even when O’Kelly and Adams eagled the par-4 4th, the Curtins did the same. On that hole, James hit a pitching wedge from 127 yards into about 2-3 feet for a short eagle putt. The Curtins also made birdie on the 3rd and 5th holes.
“From the red tees, I usually have great position in, and let her make the putts,” James said.
With 10 titles now in hand, the Curtins have one more year in their current division, but they have no intentions of stepping aside from this event anytime soon.
“As long as we’re healthy we’ll be out there,” Sue said.
The remaining Mass Golf Mixed Team & Parent/Child events will take place throughout the next two months. On Thursday, the Father Daughter Modified Scotch will take place at Charter Oak Country Club in Hudson. 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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