JMI #7

Bath, Maine, August 16, 2003

After six long years, Team Matero returned to the winner's circle in the Seventh Annual Joe Merrill Invitational Golf Classic. Winners of the initial event in 1997, the Matero squad suffered through perennial runner-up status before finally capturing their second crown over the rolling fairways of Bath Country Club. Led as usual by Tim Matero, who carded an 83, and his brother David (92), the team also benefited greatly from the play of now-regular team member Greg Day, who finished with an 87, and Jim Harford, late of the Merrill squad, who shot 100. The steady play of the Matero entry enabled the team to cruise to a five-stroke victory over the defending champion Team Higgins, which was unable to overcome a poor front side by all team members that resulted in an 18-over-par 162. Higgins' case was not helped any by John "Weak Link" Higgins, who captured his first Sandbagger Award (men's division) with a 124. An unexpectedly high 86 from Drig Fournier doomed the Merrill entry to third place, one stroke behind the Higgins team with a 163 as none of the other team members could step up their play to compensate for an off day from their ace. Greg Collins rounded up a solid team that finished fourth with a 172. All team members shot in the 90s, however the lack of a fourth player proved (as usual) to be too much of a handicap to overcome. An entry from Bass Shoe followed with a 175, led by Charlie Sullivan's 81 and Cheri Tate's low women's round of 106. The Ward squad found themselves a true ringer in Ed Piirainen, who captured the Drig Fournier cup by six strokes with a 75. Piirainen carried the otherwise uninspired play of his teammates to a sixth-place 176. Finally, Team Fournier reunited and overcame a 94 by Don Fournier to defend it's position in the cellar. Sharry Fournier reprised her Sandbagger Performance, even managing to add a couple of strokes in the process.

While the Materos regained the crown, the team again failed to capture any individual awards, after several years of domination in these categories by Tim and David Matero. Some have whispered that Tim Matero has "eased up" his play to allow others to win some prizes, but as someone who has known Tim for many years, I can assure the reader that this is far from the truth. Long drive awards were both captured by members of Team Higgins, with Drew Turnbull taking the honor on #7 and Dave Marr hitting the longest shot in the 18^th fairway. Cheri Tate of Team Bass was closest to the pin on #9, while Brian Ketchum of Team Merrill knocked one stiff on #13. Marr and Ketchum also proved to be prescient in predicting their scores of 82 and 93, respectively, while Penney Ward of Team Ward was furthest ahead of her prediction (9 shots better). On the other hand, let's just say that Sharry Fournier's prediction proved to be a bit on the optimistic side and leave it at that. Everybody had a good time, as usual, even though Team Kwiatkowsky chickened out at the last minute and didn't participate. Bath Country Club was again a wonderful host for the event, and their "Three to Go" special proved to be a wonderful innovation. Special thanks to Drig Fournier, and especially to the members of Team Higgins, who generously donated prizes this year, including Nike, Izod and Cole Haan gear. Finally, thanks to all who participated, and I'll see you all again next summer.

Team Matero (157)

David Matero	92
Tim Matero	83
Greg Day	87
Jim Harford	100

Team Higgins (162)

Drew Turnbull	85
David Marr	82
Bill Higgins	106
John Higgins	124

Team Merrill (162)

Brian Ketchum	93
Joe Merrill	100
Drig Fournier	86
Alan Lipman	108

Team Collins (172)
Greg Collins 98
Keith Hillock 93
Frank Cushing 91

Team Bass (175)
Charlie Sullivan 91
Steve Maier 97
Holly Pulver 143
Cheri Tate 106

Team Ward (176)

Ed Piirainen	75
Beth Piirainen	124
Penney Ward	136
Tony Ward	112

Team Fournier (189)

Aline Fournier	144
Sharry Fournier	160
Don Fournier	94
Doreen Merrill	122

Individual Awards:

Award

Winner

Drig Fournier Cup (Low score)

Ed Piirainen - 75

Low Score - Women

Cheri Tate - 106

Sandbagger - Men

John Higgins - 124

Sandbagger - Women

Sharry Fournier - 157

Ringer

Ed Piirainen (37 below closest teammate)

Long Drive #7

Drew Turnbull

Closest to Pin #9

Cheri Tate - 38' 11"

Closest to Pin #13

Brian Ketchum 9' 3"

Long Drive #18

David Marr

Score Prediction

David Marr, Brian Ketchum

Furthest below prediction

Penney Ward

Furthest above prediction

John Higgins