A glorious fall day greeted the 26 teams (104 players) that participated in the weekly NHC/NEPGA Pro Am held at Bald Peak Colony in Melvin Village, NH. A brisk, frosty morning turned into a fall day that we all dream about. We were settled in the lakes region of NH, on a stunningly beautiful golf course, temps in the high 50’s, with good company, and great conditions. Life is good on this day for the NHC PGA Professionals and their teams.
Todays team format was a 1 BB Gross & 1 BB Net Combined score, and they could not be the same ball. The home team from Bald Peak led by Paul Tessier shot an 11 under par to tie the team from Rochester led by Brett Smestad. Tessier’s team consisted of Mike Chuli, Tom Rollins, and Tim Melanson, while Smestad’s team consisted of Mike Mahan, Troy Joncas, and Brian Nowak. Nice job teams. Two teams tied for 3rd place shooting 10 under par. Those teams were Wilkins/Laconia and Pollini/Ridgewood.
The pro contest saw Ridgewood Professional Jay Pollini shoot a 3 under par 69 to take top honors. Jay made 6 birdies on the day offset by 3 bogies. Bald Peak’s Paul Tessier and Bill Andrews of Portsmouth came in with 1 under par 71’s to tie for 2nd place. Tessier mad 4 birdies and an eagle on the day while Andrews made 5 birdies. Dan Wilkins of Laconia came in at 73 to end up 4th all by himself. Jeff Williams of Scottish Highlands and Cory Mansfield of Derryfield both shot 75 to tie for 5th place. Sam Cody of Stonebridge and Eric Sandstrum of Keene came in with 76 to tie for 7th place. Chuck Yaeger of Bald Peak and Jon Ellis of The Oaks came in with 77 to tie for 9th.
With 2 weeks left on the season’s schedule the Davis & Towle/Central Insurance NHC Player of the year race is tight. Rooky Sam Cody of Stonebridge leads Jay Pollini of Ridgewood by 6.43 points. Dan Wilkins of Laconia is in 3rd place just 20.33 points behind Cody. It should be a fun couple of weeks watching the play out for this award.
We would like to thank Paul Tessier and the staff at Bald Peak Colony for hosting todays event. It is always a special day when we visit there and it is much appreciated. It is a great place and we are fortunate to have an event there each year. I have fun because I get to play in this one!
A cub bear and his mom hung out around the putting green before play started.
Many players talked and joked around while they waited for the frost to lift.
Steve Lundquist watches his tee shot on the 7th hole.
Castle in the Clouds sits on the mountain surrounded by foliage. It is always hard to concentrate on golf at Bald Peak.