2017-07-30_Providence

The British Open is upon us and what better way to honor the British Isles and their cold, wet, and windy playing conditions like a hot, humid, mid-Atlantic, mid-summer’s day at Providence. And another major means a full-slate of RAGA Tour members vying for the mug. Rick, Steve, Jon N., Mike, Todd, and Patrick, brave the condition and return to that “links style” course Providence.

Providence has given up the most birdies on tour, and is 5th lowest to par on tour, so this one is going to be a shoot-out. The opening hole exposed some of the jitters as each golfer appeared to be laying in wait, anticipating the bloodbath that was to ensue. An open shot was fired as Patrick birdied the par-3 2nd, putting him the sole-lead of a major for the first time. However, the return fire sent Patrick ducking for cover, as Steve, Mike, and Todd parred the par-4 3rd while Patrick double-parred. Through the first 6 holes, it was like the standoff at The OK Corral. Mike and Steve got the early draws and appeared ready to turn this into a duel but Jon N. birdied the par-4 7th to close the gap to 1, tied with Todd, while Rick was wounded and 5 back after 7. And after the first volley of shots, Mike took a 1 stroke lead into the back 9 - time to reload and find out who will the last man standing after 18.

Mike started the back 9 guns-ablazin’ going par-par on 9 and 10. But appeared to have his six-shooters jam with a triple-bogey on 12. However, Steve may be the only gun-slinger with enough ammo to keep pace, finding himself only 2 back after 13. One last barrage by Todd, including a birdie on 18, was the only danger to Mike as we closed out this year’s British Open. Congratulations to Mike on his 1st major victory, holding off the likes of Todd and Steve to emerge from the dust and smoke as victor at Providence.