Fall Begins and Dacey Soars
Fall is fully upon us! The leaves are changing and falling, and the course is looking GORGEOUS. Sure it might take a few extra minutes to finish your round as your kicking leaves aside to find that driver that slid under them, but for this guy – fall is the best time to play!
So far the fall has seen some noteworthy events take place that we will run through now.
White Tee Project Breaks Ground
To close out September, we held a successful work day! Amongst the projects involved were emptying of the trashes, repairs made to the bridge to hole 1, and the installation of 3 white tee boxes. Long have we been eyeing the completion of the courses tee boxes for the shorter layout, and while we have plenty more work to do it was nice to finally get it going officially. Holes 1 and 3 are completed, and 18 is close to completion. Be on the look out for some additional tees being done before winter begins, and keep in mind that some locations may be altered in the process. Huge thank yous to the folks who hung around after monthly to give back!
Team Challenge Begins with a Strong Opening Weekend
One of the most uniquely New England phenomenons begins as the temperatures drop and the days shorten: New England Team Challenge. Courses all across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and New York field teams of 20 men and 3 women to represent them for pride, prestige and a cash payout throughout the winter months. With 7+ teams in 8 pools, TC is a wildly popular way to spend the off season.
Dacey fields two teams – The Owls who compete in E Pool, and the Ents who compete in the Play In Pool- South division. The Ents had a strong season last year, nearly making a jump up to E Pool to join the Owls who faltered down the stretch. With both teams feeling like they squandered opportunities last season, both entered this year with some retooled rosters and renewed vigor for the season.
The Ents got to work first, hosting Team Nantucket on October 5th on a gorgeous day. The Ents came in with some added motivation for this one, as the islanders handed the Treefolk their only loss of the regular season at home last year. “ACK was the only team that beat us last year, and at home which was devastating,” said captain Nick Berry. The Ents started off fast, doubling up on Nantucket with a 12-6 lead at half- powered largely by strong debuts for new comers Steve McNaney, Matt “Beefy” Baroudi, and Todd Leitao (5&3, 5&4 and 4&3 respectively). The lady Ents picked up where they left off last season, with Caley Allen cruising to a 5&4 victory of her own, and Emily Hanson handling business to the tune of 3&2.
The Ents again got strong showings from their new additions in doubles, with McNaney and Nate Hartmann putting up a sizzling 51. Though Nantucket fought to split the doubles round, the Ents still won comfortably 21-15 to start their season 1-0. “The Ents have gone through some changes this off-season and we have returned with quite a team,” added Berry “we’re hoping to keep the momentum going into November where we plan to dominate.”
The Owls were also quick to start their season, traveling to Connecticut to play the Lufberry Flying Aces on the 6th. Much like the Ents, the Owls got contributions from their new additions in singles. John P. Smith, Terry Belmosto, and Brad Wagner-Lefevre all brought home points behind 5&4, 4&3 and 4&2 efforts. The Owls also got strong showings from their ladies- with Christine Glowa earning a 3&2 win, and Kelly Meisner dropping the hammer 8&6 to start her season. The Owls were able to go take an 11.5-7.5 lead into lunch. 
Lufberry woke up and put a charge into the Owls in doubles. Needing 6 wins to complete a comeback, the Flying Aces put up multiple rounds in the high 40s to claw their way back. However despite their best efforts, Dacey weathered the surge. The mixed pairings of Christine Glowa/Andy Garrett and Kelly Meisner/Nate Lundstrom both won comfortably, while the remaining wins came from the Smith/Alex Sakash and Scott Groome/Dave Leger teams in extra holes. The Owls were able to hang on for the valuable early road win, 19.5-17.5. While it was a team effort, the women of the Owls really carried the day having a hand in nearly a third of the points earned. “We wound up leaning heavily on our women,” wrote captain Chuck Edman, “they delivered with 2 wins each which gave us just enough of an edge to pull out the win on a tough away course. We needed every point possible.”
“You need to earn your road wins in this league,” added captain Alex Sakash, “and I am glad we had veteran guys with chemistry in the positions they were in for the playoff matches. Scotty and Dave had chemistry from past seasons, and having JP back home is huge. We didn’t play our best, but he and I have been through plenty of dubs matches together before. We picked each other up when it mattered and never felt out of it even if we trailed up until the last hole of regulation.”
The Ents and Owls both sit atop their respective pools to end the opening month. They switch places in November, with the Owls hosting Stonykill on the 15th at home, while the Ents will travel south to Ecker Hill in Connecticut on the 2nd.
Hoot and Scoot VII
As is tradition on a Federal holiday, Dacey hosted a Flex Start Holiday Hoot and Scoot C-Tier on Columbus Day: our 7th! For the first time, Owl and Team Infinite member Dan Snyder slid into the TD chair! 38 players attended this event. Congrats to winners Bob Kulchuk/Mike Dussault for sharing first place in MPO, Dylan Capaccioli and Caley Allen for taking MA1 and FA1, David Galvin and Justin Challis for MA2 and 3, and to Nicki Broderick for continuing her reign as queen of FA3.
November holds both Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving, so we are looking forward to possibly offering two more Hoot and Scoots this month!
Dacey Regulars Show Strong at The Fall Classic
To close October, many Dacey players headed north to compete in the Hollows Fall Classic up in Manchester. This event is a popular regional draw, and gained A Tier status last year. Rostered Dacey players had strong showings, with podium finishes in MA1, MA40, and FA1 belonging to Owls and Ents. John P. Smith took down his second A Tier win of the year in Manchester in MA1, with fellow Owl Terry Belmosto following behind in 4th. Dave Leger of the Owls played steady golf, staying in second place throughout the weekend in the MA40 division. The Ents Caley Allen also hung tough in second all weekend, and managed to make a move in the rain during the final round to push a playoff for first. Ultimately Allen fell short of taking the title, but never the less she was proud of her performance. “I never gave up, didn’t get in my head, played my game,” Allen said, “no disappointment here :)”
Other performances of note include Dacey regular Shane Wyatt, shooting two 1000+ rated rounds en route to a 6th place finish in MPO.
Looking Ahead…
November is sure to be an equally busy month! First on the docket is Feathers of the Fall 2 Sponsored by Dynamic Discs on November 3rd. The course is not closed, but will be hopping with a sell out field competing! Both TC teams are in action, and we hope to bring you two more Hoot and Scoot events before we roll into December!
