YOU NEVER KNOW...IN MATCH PLAY

Tuesday, September 15 at 6:15

Just when you think somebody has no chance, the impossible happens. This statement accurately summarizes many of the happenings in the afternoon matches at Beverly. Vinny Giles, well into his 60's (I've heard differing numbers, but he's at least 66) had no chance against Paul Simson. Simson was the clear favorite, having shot 65 in the morning match. Giles had to be tired, especially since it was the second of two matches today and he is probably ten years older than Simson. But in the end, it was Giles who prevailed, 2&1 in a scintillating match as the shadows gathered around the golf course.

A bunch of matches were decided on the 18th green this afternoon, usually because of three putts. Stan Lee and Mike Bell, both past champions of this event, went to the 18th tee all square, but Lee missed a three footer, giving Bell a one-up lead. Heartbreaking for Lee, the turn of events seemed to truly stun Bell, who was still shaking his head when talking to Steve Coates near the scoreboard.

John Grace was the beneficiary of a three putt by Bill Zylstra on 18. Zylstra had played strong all day, but his stroke on his last putt was eerily reminiscent of Tom Watson's miss at the British Open, with the putter fairly waving at the ball.

Another shocker had Mike Bemowski beating Jeff Burda. Bemowski is a former champ so he's no slouch, but Burda has been en fuego at Beverly this week. Burda missed the fairway on 18 so far left that he played up the 16th fairway. It's hard to win like that when the match is all even, so Bemowski got a concession without having to putt.

But perhaps the oddest outcomes of all in the afternoon matches was the self-destruction of Pat O'Donnell, who was looking like the Terminator all day. He was three up with four to play and lost on the 18th hole after shanking his approach shot into the green. An hour later, he was still talking to Mr. Budweiser on the patio. A wrenching loss for the talented O'Donnell, but an early Christmas present for Bill Doughtie of Amarillo whose wife has been watching the matches. And I should note that Doughtie played very tough down the stretch, knocking it within two feet on 17 with a wicked northeast breeze blowing hard against the left center hole location.

Tonight is the Sweet Sixteen dinner, which is a little odd, since there are only eight players feeling sweet; the other eight are slightly sour, if you ask me, but they have all been gentlemen.

Two matches in the morning and two in the afternoon tomorrow, setting up for an 18 hole finale on Thursday. The weather is getting cooler and the hawk is gonna blow tomorrow, so we're in for some exciting golf.

Terry Lavin