Details
of our Seacoast Cup Finals Match Play
Chan vs. Newby - As you
all know 8 players began several months ago in their quest to win the
Seacoast Cup. It all came down to our final 2 players who have survived
the quarterfinals and semifinal rounds. Both Curtis Chan and Bob Newby
were ready to take on the final match.
Pre Match Interview
comments:
- Curtis Chan
was upbeat and confident in his game as he still was feeling great from
his dramatic comeback win over Bill Grow in their semi-final round. His
driver has been working well. He even went to the range this week and
gained a lot confidence in his short irons. He feels if he just plays
his game he will have a chance to be victorious.
- Bob Newby said
he has been practicing his game and focusing in on playing within
himself. He says he’ll be focusing on reminding himself to playing the
match “one hole at a time.” He said he broke his early morning golf
routine by leaving his home late and forgetting his golf shoes. He had
to buy a new pair in the pro shop before getting out to the practice
range.
The Match -The
weather was overcast and foggy. In fact as the two players hit their
drives off the tee, no one was able to see where the balls went as they
disappeared into the fog. Curtis out drove Bob and was set to begin
his task of making pars and birdies. Bob found his tee shot 204 yards
from the cup…not a good start, but he had a stroke over Curtis on this
first hole. He set for his 2nd shot and focused on making
contact. His shot again disappeared into the fog, but found its target
and Bob didn’t even realize it until he drove up to the green….he was 8
feet from making birdie. What a start ! Curtis couldn’t believe his
eyes, and he knew he was in for the showdown. Bob won the first hole
and confidently felt that today could possibly be his day as he reminded
himself to take each hole, one at a time.
It took several holes
for Curtis to get into a rhythm for the day and by hole 10, Curtis
established a 2 up lead. He felt some confidence come back into his
game and he knew that all he needed to do was to make pars and this
would hold Bob off from taking any lead. But on hole #11, Bob came back
with a nice par while Curtis took a bogey to have his lead cut to 1. On
the 12 hole Bob had a handicap stroke so he knew Curtis would have to
birdie to increase his lead. Bob played this hole perfectly and scored
a par (net birdie) and Curtis could only salvage his par. This put the
match to All Square . Curtis’ lead was now gone and Bob was gaining the
momentum in the match.
On hole 14, Bob
confidently putted out for a par, while Curtis had to make a 8 foot putt
to tie. His putt glanced at the edge of the cup, and did not fall, and
Curtis had to take a disappointing bogey. Bob now had a lead 1 up.
Curtis was a bit rattled as his last 3 holes ended up with his putts not
falling into the cup.
On hole 15, both players
tied. The score remained 1 up for Bob on the par 3 hole #16.
Curtis realized that he had to win this hole as the next few holes would
be Bob’s stroke holes (#16, 17). Both players hit nice shots off the
tee and found the green. The cup position was back center. and
both tee shots were about 23 feet away on the upper side of the
cup. Curtis putted first and almost birdied the hole…but again his put
lipped out. Bob went next and was able to see the break that Curtis’
putt took. He didn’t realize there was that much break in his initial
read, but he saw Curtis’ putt break severely to the right. He lined up
his putt and the line was perfect as he birdied the hole. Bob now had a
2 hole lead with only 3 to play. He was now in a position to finish the
match... if he could only win the next hole.
On hole 16, Curtis began
to feel the pressure. He knew he had to win this hole or the match was
over. He felt good on this hole, as it is one of his favorite holes at
Encinitas Ranch. The blind tee shot surely would be to his advantage
over Bob, since he was longer off the tee with his irons. Bob hit his
tee shot and barely made it to the top of the hill. Curtis realized
that all he needed to do was to hit a nice 5 iron shot 175-180 yards to
give him a short iron to the green. Bob surely wouldn’t make it to the
green in 2 shots with his drive. Curtis lined up, and then the tension
set in, realizing the importance of this shot. A good shot would keep
him in the game, a poor shot would mean the match. Curtis pulled the
trigger on his shot, and his shot went long and left. It didn’t look
good as it was on line towards the hazard. Curtis realized his quest
for the cup was coming to an end. As he drove to locate his ball, it
dawned on him that even if he found his ball, it would take a miracle
shot to win this hole over Newby. Newby was on the fairway, but still
had an extra stroke.
Curtis did find his
ball, but it was just within the hazard, and was unplayable. He took
his penalty drop and told his playing partner that he had to hole out
from 138 yards to save par. This was a tall order to fill and Curtis
did what he could and got his ball to 12 feet from the hole.
Bob, in the mean time
put his second shot 30 feet off the green and a chip shot was required
for this 3rd shot to get to the green. Bob could feel some
pressure, but he had some relief when he realized that Curtis was
already lying 4 and was still 12 feet from the cup. He reminded
himself, “just make contact and chip the ball up to the hole.” Bob took
aim and made the perfect chip as the ball landed 4 feet short off the
pin and rolled right into the bottom of the cup.
The biggest smile on the
golf course was now on Bob Newby’s face. Curtis was in awe that he had
just witnessed an incredible shot, and that Bob just won the Seacoast
Cup !! The other players, congratulated Bob for his endurance and
incredible play on the last 2 holes for making back to back birdies on
difficult holes to seal the deal and win the match 3 and 2. Bob Newby
just became our 2008 Club Champion and winner of the Seacoast Cup !
From the post match
conference room here are some comments:
Curtis Chan : “Bob
played well today. He played within himself and didn’t get rattled when
he was 2 down. I knew I had to get a fairly big lead on him before we
got to #14, but Bob picked up his game on the back nine and really
played well. He made several great lag putts to make par and his long
birdie putt on #15 really put the pressure on me. My hats off to Bob
for winning the Seacoast Cup Championship. He really earned it with
some great play today. I’m very happy for him!! I be back next year to
win the cup. I really think Bob’s new golf shoes made the difference.”
Bob Newby: “I
can’t believe that I won today !!!...I really stuck to my game plan all
day…to play each hole one at a time. Curtis didn’t play well today, but
he had enough game to put the pressure on me. When he went 2 up on me
after hole #8, I kept pressing to catch him. It took me until hole 12
before I got a break and made a nice putt for par. When I got it to All
Square I new I had a chance. Curtis missed a few putts and that really
opened up the door for me. He really helped me see the break and the
line on my birdie putt on #15. I didn’t expect to make my chip shot for
birdie on #16, but when it dropped in, it suddenly dawned on me that I
just won the whole thing !!! Curtis put up a good fight , but today,
things went my way and I’m so happy to be the new champion.”
2007 Seacoast Christian Golf
Club Champion
Bob Newby
