Live Free Golf

Things are about to heat up, no pun intended, as our 2nd Major and Regular season Finale takes place tomorrow at the Gorgeous Nippo Lake Golf Club in Barrington. Currently Scott Sheehan holds a 25 point lead over Ben Edwards but with Edwards consistent play as of late, and a course that sets up to his game he could easily surpass and take the points lead going into the playoffs. 

Anyone currently in the top 10 could really make a big jump with a victory tomorrow and some other things falling into place, it looks to be an exciting day on the links for the boys and should be interesting how things shape up come playoff time. 

As far as tomorrows round, the course plays just a 5500 yard par 70 and is the first look for a lot of us, so it truly does look to be a wide open event. I am going to brag and tell you, I love my chances as I am a big advocate of hitting irons off the tees but I will find a way to fuck it up and lose out in the end. Chris and Rich Roussin, Scott Smith and Mark Trembley have been hiking in this extreme heat so it will be a herculean effort to go out and shoot a great round, but I would not put it past one of them. 

We do have some ringers coming in tomorrow and I think Jim Tokanel could piece together a good round and go shoot a 71/66 to take this down. Eric white will be coming back from taking the last event off to be able to stay fresh and feels energized coming into this event. He can keep his irons in play and pick his way around the course and I expect a top finish for him. John Theriault has been playing very well, if he drains putts tomorrow he could run away with this for a 2nd consecutive win as well. All I Know is that it should be a fun and hot round. 

Presidents Prediction: Paul Micali will break 100! 

What a shot and an accomplishment from the kid. #8, 147 yards at Olde Scotty. Congrats bud, also what a damn birthday Gift.

Just an incredibly sad story out in Utah as a 6 year old girl who was out for a ride along with her dad while he golfed ended in tragedy as she was struck with an errant shot on the side of the temple. 

I could not imagine how this father feels, and must hate the game of golf for what he is currently experiencing and unfortunately will have to be reminded of throughout the rest of his life. A lot of us are in this situation quite a bit as we golf and bring our young ones. Just always be as safe as possible, as I have seen many of us shoot, no one is safe, so always have your little ones behind you as best you can. 

Hope everyone had a great 4th, now we are back to reality and coming down the home stretch of our LFG Season and now it comes down to whoever wants it the most. Scott Sheehan continues to hold the lead but only by a mere 10 points. Scotts good friend Ben Edwards is only 10 points behind but will be absent this week due to him being away for his Honeymoon, congrats by the way Ben. 

Scott Sheehan is playing some good golf but it shows as his handicap continues to improve as he sits at an 11.2 right now which is the 2nd lowest only behind LFG Rookie Josh Klein who is sitting at an 11.1 and will be making his debut. Other 2019 debuts being made tomorrow will be Jeff Richer, and Todd Anderson who will look to grab some late good results and leave the door open for a potential playoff run. 

Coming off a great round and a Major Victory Joe Frechette will be back out there today to try to crack into the top 10 with a good finish. Joe shot one of his absolute best rounds at Canterbury last month and will see if he can regain that form tomorrow as he plays with Tim Meisel who can knock em off, as well as newbie Jeff Richer and LFG Veteran Dwayne Davis. 

We have many regulars who can come out and shoot a great round such as Chris Roussin who is due, John Theriault, Tom Boland and believe it or not I feel like Paul Micali could have a good finish tomorrow. Loudon does not play super long but still gives players enough room to hit drivers on most holes. If Paul can somehow keep it in play, and find a few greens he can easily be in contention, his biggest need will be to avoid the blowup holes. 

We had the chance to play Loudon last week and the course was in amazing shape. Word to the wise is too always leave your approach shots short. The ball will either release onto the green or you will be left with an up hill chip which will be easier than anything above the hole. 

Goodluck to everyone and can’t wait to see all of you. 

Presidents Prediction: Tim Meisel 84/70

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1992 was the last time I saw my old high school homie Johnny aka Red (1st picture). What a great time catching up and playing some fun golf versus playing street ball like the old days and getting my ass handed to me. I think I got him today though, never had a chance on the court 😄. Thanks to Chad @livefreegolf for running a fun group for the #603 and if it wasn’t for his group this would’ve never happened. This is why I love playing the game so much, reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. A lot of fun playing today with Red, Chad and Joe. Hope to do it again soon. Cheers boys and play well Sunday. #livefreegolf #portsmouthcountryclub #teamtitleist

A post shared by Chris (@chris.15.hatem) on Jul 5, 2019 at 6:36pm PDT

With a massive online presence much like I have, with now almost 450 instagram and 48 twitter followers, you will inevitably have some fans who want to meet. During my top 5 holes in the state post I had a twitter follower recommend the 14th hole at Portsmouth which I had never played and let him know that was why it did not make the list. We chatted for a few minutes and he invited me out to a round at Portsmouth if I had the chance. Time passed, and not much happened until about 2 weeks ago when the fan again reached out and gave me some dates and options and we decided July 5th should work. He made the tee time a week ago and we were good to go. He let me know he made it for 4 people and to bring out a few guys. 

This is where things get good, I reach out to Johnny Red to see if he has any interest in golfing with a stranger from the internet, and due to Golf being the adult version of candy, there was no way he could say no. So as he is asking me a little more info I told him it was a golfer named Chris Hatem who invited us, and red quickly asked me where he grew up? I did not know, thought maybe the seabrook area but it turned out that Chris grew up right in Manchester, went to west and was one of Johns friends who have not been in touch since 92, when they were in High School. These 2 were thrilled to get together to play and in Johnny Red style they 2 started talking shit immediately. 

I have made a lot of really good friends through running this league and am fortunate to have done so. Golf really does bring a lot of people together and Chris reached out after explaining how if not for this league the 2 would have never crossed paths and will now be able to become golfing partners for years to come. It was a pretty good feeling to have that happen and I truly do appreciate each and every event I have and all those who come out to golf. 

So just as sure as the sun will rise, the 1st and the 15th of the month brings our new and exciting handicap change and always good to see if we have improved or our game has worsen. Personally, for the last 2 years my game has been steadily improving. Over the first 3 months of this season though I have been trending in the wrong direction. 

Today, while I was updating the tournament on Golf Genius to update everyone’s handicap. I noticed that almost every player with the exception of 1 had their handicaps rise. Most, not dramatically and only a couple tenths of points. Few guys went down 1/2 a stroke, but it just goes to show you how tough golf is and that it is a humbling game. 

The only player I saw improve was Johnny Red who went from a 14.5 to a 13.8. I have the pleasure of playing with him, and he has shown some serious improvement, not only this year but great progression over the last 3 years, although he continues to not be able to see a thing and is the worst at tracking at his own shots. 

I know this is not everyone and only the players that we have currently registered for our next NH Event. but it was still interesting to see. For those other players who I did not see improve on their GHIN, Congrats and keep swinging it well. 

Golf is one of the greatest games I have ever had the privilege to play and what makes it so great is that no matter your ability, you can never be perfect in this game. So whether you went, up or down this past revision just keep going out, loving the game and shoot your best.