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Chris Baran: August 13
(Check out Baran's Player Spotlight here)
The last few weeks have been quite the roller coaster ride!
After the first round of the North Adams Match on Friday, July 27th, I went home for a while, feeling a bit frustrated as I didn't shoot what I had hoped. When I returned, I was told that with my round of 76, I needed to play in a three-way playoff for medalist honors, which I won on the 2nd hole. I began to feel a bit better going into the weekend.
On Saturday, I won my first round match against Dick Rivers in 12 holes.
In the afternoon, I was able to beat Jim Crews in 17 holes.
Then, I knew things would get tough.
On Sunday for the semi-final round, Jason Whitmire and I once again went head to head. After a grueling 20 holes, I was fortunate to come out on top.
Moving on to the finals, I had to face home course favorite Kevin Lamb. The battle was back and forth through an entire 18 holes. It was a big relief to birdie the last hole for the win. I had played 38 holes of match play that day and was exhausted. Both matches that day were two of the toughest matches I have had to play in a long time. Winning the North Adams Match Play was almost as sweet as the first (in 2005), but not quite. In 2005, finally getting the monkey off my back—so to speak—was really important to me after being "bridesmaid" for so long! Not to mention, it was kind of my "coming out" party to the Men's Player of the Year points scene.
This year's win was just as meaningful but in a different way. After coming in second in 2006, I was hoping that the win wouldn't be a one time thing, so this year just made it official that the "monkey" is really history!
Moving on to the following weekend, shooting a 70 and winning the Worthington Singles was kind of like icing on the cake. (That weekend, I also won the two-day member guest with my brother Pete at Forest Park.) I finished the weekend feeling very positive about my game and ready to tackle the next tournament.
I feel that I'm playing better this year because I have tried to play smarter. I am taking the time to think about each shot instead of just getting up there and hitting it. I am just trying to keep focused on that and playing a smart game.
Moving into this past weekend and the Allied Singles event at Waubeeka, the day started off good for me with a 1-under 71. I am not sure what happened in the second round. I had a really tough back nine and ended up shooting an 82. I was disappointed with my finish. I am not sure if I got tired or what happened but I know that was the best I had at the time.
After a busy three weeks straight of golf, I am taking a little camping vacation with my family this coming weekend, to rest, regroup, and be ready for the Club Championship tournament at Waubeeka the following weekend.
Like this? Check this out:
2006 Men's Player Spotlight Archives
2006 Women's Player Spotlight Archives
2006 Senior Player Spotlight Archives
2006 Junior Spotlight Archives