By GARY LARRABEE
We’ve finally made it to 2017, a huge year for our resurrected North Shore Golf publication and our golf-crazy region.
Nothing looms larger than the area’s hosting of the 38th United States Senior Open championship, set for Salem Country Club in Peabody June 26 to July 2, featuring the greatest players in the world age 50 and older.
Play the world’s greatest courses at The Clubhouse in Middleton
By BILL BROTHERTON
Bob Bowman takes a mighty swing and splits the fairway with his tee shot. His playing partners, Mike Bondanza, Marc Jean and Jim Varzakis, applaud his effort, but not without a bit of good-natured ribbing. The foursome is about halfway through their round at Wildstone Golf Course in Cranbrook, British Columbia.
By BETH BRESNAHAN
A colleague once took me to the driving range to teach me the basics. After a few swings and misses, I finally connected with the ball. It ricocheted off the divider and somehow sailed behind me, nailing him between the legs. As he folded toward the ground, I apologized profusely. I then gave away what remained of my bucket of balls while my friend tended to his. I never tried golf again. And not surprisingly, no one, especially my male friends, has since offered to teach me.
By BILL BROTHERTON
Matt Sawicki, director of championships for the United States Golf Association, says he spends about 180 days a year on golf courses. “Recently I spent five weeks in a row on courses and I didn’t hit a single golf shot,” said the St. Louis native. “I play five to 10 times a year, and my 10 handicap reflects that. … though it’s a trending-up 10.”
By BOB GREEN
By ANNE MARIE TOBIN
The late Bill Flynn accomplished many things during his lifetime. A member of the Professional Golf Association of America for 52 of his 74 years until he passed away in 2011, he excelled as a player, was a skilled businessman and, when it came to giving back to the game of golf, had an unparalleled passion for serving others and promoting the game, especially when it came to juniors and inner-city youth. He believed that the game of golf could teach children some of life’s most important values.
“The players, they love to come to this area. A lot of them bring their families for the week.” ~ Andrea Bruno
By BILL BROTHERTON
The art of hospitality is defined as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.
Andrea Bruno, Salem Country Club’s executive committee division chair of the Hospitality Committee for the 2017 U.S. Senior Open, says it’s the perfect job for her. And it’s easy to see why, after sitting in the clubhouse and chatting for a bit with the affable Lynnfield resident. She’s having a blast, and the hip surgery she had 2½ months prior hasn’t slowed her down one bit.
