Spotlight on the Singles

Pittsfield, Mass. (July 28)--No. This isn’t The Dating Game. And no, I’m not your host Jim Lange.

There’s another Singles Spotlight in Berkshire County this weekend, courtesy of Berkshire Hills and North Adams Country Clubs.

Through Sunday, Berkshire Hills welcomes a field of more than 140 to the 50th edition of the Singles. Ditto for North Adams, which will celebrate its 70th year as one of New England’s most venerable singles match play events by playing host to a field of more than 60 competitors.

Like the actual Dating Game, only the most eligible Singles Stars stand a chance of winning.

Let’s meet our likely contestants.

Berkshire Hills Singles (Men's Player of the Year winner’s share: 200 points)

Contestant: Andy Congdon
Closet: conquered last year’s event via a playoff; two-time Singles winner; six-time Berkshire County Allied Champion; 20-time Mass. Am qualifier, including this year; 14 appearance in match play (two-time Mass. Am. quarterfinalist); the county’s elder statesman on the Allied scene.
Comment: “Defending a title separates you from the rest of the field. It would be very pleasing to defend.”
Conjecture: Congdon possesses the lengthy resume and enough experience to span two careers. But the question remains: Does experience trump the talent of his precocious rivals?

Contestant: Donnie Troy
Closet: 2nd in ’03 Singles (72-71-75); freshman standout at Eckerd College; teamed with sidekick Chris Marinaro to win both Allied 4-ball and Berkshire Hills Pewter Cup (7 shot victory); sunk 50-foot birdie putt on first playoff hole to win Allied 4-ball; tied for 20th in Providence Open (72); missed cut in N.E. Amateur; qualified for ’04, ’05 Mass. Opens, missing the cut each time; qualified for the ’03 Callaway Junior World’s at Torrey Pines and ’03 National Big I; four-time All-Berkshire selection at P.H.S.
Comment: “I like my chances. I’ve played well there before. And I practically grew up on that course.”
Conjecture: Troy has dominated the 4-ball scene with Marinaro. He’s also shown the ability to compete in first-tier amateur events. But is he ready to bag his most significant victory to date?

Contestant: Ed Budz
Closet: hasn’t played in Singles since ’02; tied for 9th in ’05 Stockbridge Classic; past Singles winner; past Berkshire County Allied champion at BHCC; five-time Taconic club champion; six-time Mass. Am. qualifier; advanced to match play on four occasions; missed qualifying for this year’s Mass. Am. by a single shot.
Comment: As one of the older guys, golf is still important, but it’s not that important. Missing Mass. Am. qualifying showed me my game is still there. My short game is coming around and I’m hitting it well.”
Conjecture: Budz’s hectic schedule has him traveling to and fro. His golf game has been an infrequent stop. Maybe the laid back approach will take him to the winner’s circle.

Contestant: Chris Marinaro
Closet: didn’t play in ’04 Singles; first round 69 gave him early lead in ’03 Singles, but closed with 82-76; played pivotal role in Allied 4-ball and Pewter Cup victories with Troy; shot 71 in Mass. Am. qualifying to miss by a shot; standout at St. Leo’s college; two-time state high school champion at St. Joseph’s; appeared in ’03 Optimist International at PGA National; won ’04 state qualifying for national Big I;
Comment: "I'm not playing too well. But I'm feeling very confident about the Singles. I grew up playing there. I know it like the back of my hand."
Conjecture: Marinaro has shown flashes of brilliance tempered by unexpected spells of mediocrity. Where he stands on the final leaderboard will correlate directly with his ability to salvage a bad round.

North Adams Singles (Men's Player of the year winner’s share: 65 points)

Contestant: Jim Peace
Closet: nine-time N.A. Singles champion; five-time County Allied champion; 13 club championship titles (10 at Wyantenuck); three-time Mass. Am. quarterfinalist; state Mid-Am finalist; currently sports a two handicap; 80 in Senior Allied at Egremont.
Comment: “It’s hard to do what you once did. At times, I can get it going, but I don’t know when. It depends on which swing shows up.
Conjecture: Peace said it best. When he struggles, his game is middle-of-the-road. When he’s playing well, he can compete with anybody—regardless of age. Another addition to his trophy mantle is within his capabilities.

Contestant: Chris Baran
Closet: hasn’t played N.A. Singles in four years; three runner-up finishes; ’05 Waubeeka Singles champion; 6th in Allied 4-ball; 3rd in Crumpin-Fox Open Singles; nine-time N.A club champion; ’03 Worthington Singles champion.
Comment: “I’m having a great season. This is my best year ever.”
Conjecture: With a win and several top 10 finishes under his belt, Baran is riding a wave of momentum into this weekend. Peace and Slosek boast impressive resumes, but Baran’s game is equally strong.

Contestant: Mike Slosek
Closet: 6th in U.S. Am. qualifying (74-72); 8th in ’04 Mass. Pub Links; qualified for ’04 Mass. Am. at Taconic; three appearance in N.A. Singles; didn’t play in ’04.
Comment: "The game this year has been pretty erratic," said Slosek, who gave this interview while practicing at Forest Park. "I just need to hit whatever clubs will get me pars, and let them beat old man par."
Conjecture: Slosek’s success in state and national events proves he can compete on long, punishing courses. North Adams quirky layout, however, will test his intelligence and patience.

Contestant: Bob Ahlen
Closet: three-time N.A. Singles champion; five-time Berkshire Hills club champion (‘65, ‘66, ‘69, ‘71, ’91); eight-time Mass. Am. qualifier; ’63 and ’64 Berkshire Hills Singles champion.
Comment: “I love North Adams. I’ve been playing up there since 1955. The people are so nice. I’ve always played well up there. I just have to rely on my short game because I can’t hit it as far as I used to.
Conjecture: Whatever distance Ahlen lacks at the age of 76, he makes up for in grit and sage. North Adams short, yet pesky design caters to his precision over power approach. If he advances to match play, look out.