THE SECOND ANNUAL JOE MERRILL INVITATIONAL GOLF CLASSIC

Scarborough, Maine 8/22/98

Team Merrill: B. Ketchum, S. Merrill, J. Merrill, D. Fournier

Another chapter was added to the storied history of the Joe Merrill Invitational Classic under warm, sunny skies today. The tournament, which for two years has attracted some of the region’s top mediocre golfers, was captured for the first time ever, in record breaking fashion, by the event organizer and his team of ringers. Team Merrill, led by the consistent play of Drig Fournier, buoyed by the addition of low-handicapper Brian Ketchum, and highlighted by the dramatically improved performances of the Merrill brothers, won with a score of 159. The score shattered by fifteen strokes the previous tournament record, set last year by Team Matero. For its part, Team Matero bettered the old mark by ten strokes in finishing second at 164 under the best two of four balls scoring format.

Willowdale Golf Club was again the site of this historic event. Some of the logistical problems encountered the previous year were alleviated by the organizers in not scheduling the tournament on the same weekend as the Phish concert. As a result, the traffic snarls caused in 1997 by golf fans and rock fans vying for the same highway space were avoided and all entrants were able to make their tee times. The ideal conditions found on the golf course contributed to dramatically low scores, as only one team failed to beat last year’s winning score. This despite the two remaining teams, Team Higgins and Team Pioneer, being handicapped by the lack of a fourth player. Also of note were three players breaking 80, led by Drig Fournier’s 76, where Fournier was the only player to even break 90 in 1997. Given the unexpected competition, the event organizers are considering adding a low gross prize in 1999.

The individual awards were again dominated by the Merrill and Matero teams. Closest to the Pin prizes were awarded to Drig Fournier and Tim Matero, while Long Drive prizes went to David Matero and Joe Merrill. Accuracy proved to be of paramount importance on both driving holes, as both winning drives were greatly outdistanced by shots which failed to remain in the fairway and the truly long hitters went away empty-handed. The Sandbagger Award (high score) was handed by last year’s winner Steve Merrill to Doug Austin of the Matero squad. And as a new twist this year, all participants were asked to predict their finishing score. A prize was given to the golfer whose guess was most accurate (Brian Ketchum) as well as the golfer furthest below his predicted score (Scott Sancomb). Due to a clerical error, this award was not presented at the tournament. An additional award was presented to the golfer furthest above his predicted score (John Higgins).

Following are the team and individual results:

Team Merrill (Team score: 159)

 

Team Matero (164)

 

Drig Fournier

76

Tim Matero

79

Brian Ketchum

93

David Matero

90

Joe Merrill

93

Scott Sancomb

107

Steve Merrill

109

Doug Austin   

122

 

Team Matero: D. Austin, D. Matero, T. Matero, S. Sancomb

Team Higgins (169)       

Team Pioneer (178)

Drew Turnbull           

77           

Bill Ramirez   

94

Bill Higgins

101           

Rick Martel    

96

John Higgins

120

Jake Turner    

111

Team Higgins: J. Higgins, B. Higgins, D. Turnbull

 

Team Pioneer: R. Martel, J. Turner, B. Ramirez

 

Individual Awards and Prizes

Long Drive - Hole 2   

David Matero - est. 250 yds.  

Izod Windshirt

Closest to the Pin - Hole 7     

Drig Fournier - 15 feet

Dozen Golf Balls

Closest to the Pin - Hole 11

Tim Matero - 14.5 ft.  

Izod Hat

Long Drive - Hole 14 

Joe Merrill - est. 235 yds

JMI Classic Hat

Sandbagger     

Doug Austin - 122

Izod "Crying" Towel

Closest to predicted score:

Brian Ketchum 93 (Actual) 93 (Guess)

GH Bass Hat

Furthest below predicted score

Scott Sancomb 107(A)/120(G)

JMI Classic Hat

Furthest above predicted score

John Higgins 120(A)/106 (G)

JMI Classic Hat

Long flight      

Drew Turnbull Arkansas to Maine

Pionite hat

Doug Austin receives the Sandbagger Award from defending sandbagger Steve Merrill

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