I had the opportunity to play in the CVS Charity Classic this year, hosted at the beautiful Sakonnet Country Club, an exclusive country club set in the rolling farmland of Little Compton, Rhode Island. Right on the coast, it had a fantastic view of New Port just across the bay, it was one of the most picturesque courses I’ve had the chance to play.
This came about thanks to a gentleman I caddied for the last two years. I helped him and his buddies make their golfing experience at Belgrade Lakes among the best in their lives. We hit it off immediately and he inquired about my golf game, I told him that I was among the top 10 players in Maine. He was quite impressed. After the most fun rounds of caddying I’ve ever had, we went our separate ways.
Two weeks later, I was working at the course when my boss came out and said there was a call for me. The gentleman I had caddied for asked if I could come down to Rhode Island and take part in a corporate tournament that he was playing in. Of course I said yes. It was too great an opportunity to pass up.
I’ve played in corporate tournaments before, but they dialed this one up to 11. All the amenities were first class. A beautiful old stone clubhouse greeted me when I arrived.
Then I got to play the course. It was in fantastic shape. The greens were like carpeting and the roll of every putt was so pure that all you had to do was get the ball started on line and it felt like there was no destination but the bottom of the cup.The layout was impressive, although a little cramped. Multiple holes ran side by side, which was great for freeing up the driver, but felt as though they had squeezed in a couple holes too many. But what can you do? You can’t have a sixteen hole course.
I put on a show for them, hitting some of the longest drives of my life, including a 330-yard bomb on an uphill par-5 as well as winning the long drive contest with a 295-yard drive that finished just 3 yards shy of the end of the fairway. Not bad for a 5’9, 145lb. kid. I added substance to the style as well, making 3 birdies on my own ball, shooting even par and helping our team to a third place finish.
Before making the 4-hour drive home that night to be at work by 6:00 am the following morning, I got the chance to talk with my host and tell him just how thankful I was for the amazing opportunity.