USGA 2010
Originally Published on October 06, 2010 by ranchomurieta.com
Diaries written by: Don Thames
DAY #3:
October 04, 2010
Lake Nona, FL – I played a tough competitor today and was fortunate to win one-up on the last hole. Tom Doughty hails from Amarillo, Texas, speaks with a drawl and plays like the devil. The match was a see-saw affair throughout. Doughty gained a two-up lead after draining a 20-foot putt for birdie on the 10th hole as I stood there with my mouth open and my hopes narrowing. I began to think that this guy was not going to make a mistake. Then I had my chance. He three-putted a slick down-grain downhill putt on hole number 11 to open the door.
After evening the match on 13 with a par, I made birdie on 15 to go one up. In my mind, I believe that pars to close would win the match. Doughty had other ideas. On the 461-yard 16th, my opponent struck a hybrid club to within four feet for the birdie and win. Now we were even going into the par-three 17. He knocked it to 30 and I stuck a seven iron to 10 feet. We pushed, as my putt did not cooperate. The match carried to the 18th hole, but Don Thames bested his opponent and the course Monday.
Lake Nona sits to the left of the 17th fairway and is a beautiful scene for the non-golfer. For the player with hooking tendencies, it is a magnet for balls. Doughty pull-hooked his three wood into the lake and I stood on the tee with one intention. Keep it dry. I found the fairway and remained 147 yards from the hole. Meanwhile Doughty dropped and drilled his approach to 16 feet for par. This guy would not let up. I punched an eight iron to 17 feet for birdie.
All I was trying to do was lag the putt down there and make par, forcing Doughty to make his. I had a slick downhill down-grade putt and let it get away to three feet past. Doughty lipped his par putt out and I nervously made the three-footer for the win.
Tomorrow I will be playing my old college teammate and All-American Jim Knoll. Jim and I are best of friends and are both incredulous that we have to face one another. We talked about it after the round and feel the same way about the situation. We will both be trying to win but will be happy with the result regardless of the outcome. Of course, we will both be trying and hoping to win but will root for the rest of the tournament.
What some happy golf students say:
"Don is an amazing teacher. He helped me go from barely even being able to hit the ball to being able to play on weekends with my dad. Golf is now my favorite sport."
- Trevor A.
"Don is great at diagnosing the weak areas in a golfers game. After one chipping lesson with Don my handicap decreased by two strokes in just over a month."
- Chase A.
"I have been in the Jr. Golf Program with Coach Don since I was 5 years old. Coach Don has helped me to be successful on the Jr. PGA Team and in other golf tournaments."
- Axel S.