Month: June 2017

Good news is that Mike Finster is in a good position to make the cut and play the weekend if he plays well today.  Bad news is that a lot of other guys are in the same situation.  More good news is that Mike tees off at 2:40, so he’ll have the goal in sight and a good idea of what he needs to shoot to advance.  Won’t be any waiting around tonight.  Either early to bed for an early tee time, or wrap up dinner with friends and family.  Over the last 2 years, Mike has had one of each–I think he prefers the Saturday tee time.

Warming up along side Senior Tour royalty Bernhard Langer.  And I think that’s Vijay next to him.  Mike has on his lucky Northwestern shirt today–good omen.

 

Front nine in the books.  Another +1 trip out, so +3 for the tourney.  Current projected cut is +2.

Play began today at the US Senior Open at Salem Country Club in Peabody, Mass.  Our favorite golfer, amateur Mike Finster, teed off at 8:45 a.m.  He promptly hit the pin on the fly and made bogey on the first hole (he teed off on #10), but then ground out pars until a birdie on his 8th hole (#17).   But he followed that up with a bogey on 18 to finish his front nine at +1.  He’s still within sight of the fast starters.

Back nine was like the front–2 bogeys and a birdie.  Leaves him at +2 for the tourney.  Top 60 and ties make the cut and play the weekend, so Mike’s got a little work to do Friday.  Smells to me a little like 2 years ago in Sacramento…

Arriving at Salem Country Club.  Mike really excited to play here because it’s the one nice course in the Northeast that Trump doesn’t own.

Finster family gathers for pre-round shot and a beer.  When the heck is Joseph going to get to go to a golf tournament?

Mike and couple (other) guys you’ve never heard of.  This will be different Saturday.  Believe me.  Big time.

Mike alone with his putter and thoughts.

 

Family does the wave.

Sizing up a putt.

Getting good advice from caddy English Mike

 

Send good thoughts and prayers Mike’s way for Friday–would love to see him on TV this weekend!

 

 

Mike played in the morning today with Jeff Maggert, and in the afternoon with 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam.  Word from caddie English Mike is that Finster continues to hit the ball well and is ready for his 8:55 a.m. tee time Thursday.  And today is Mike and MB’s anniversary–celebrated on the course 2 years ago at Mike’s first open in Sacramento too.  Happy anniversary to you crazy kids!

10

8:55 am

Mike Finster (a)

Dale Smigelsky

John Pillar

Watching like a hawk….

With Maggert

 

Poor kid mistook Mike for John Daly

 

Afternoon with Woosie.  What is it with Mike and folks from across the pond?

Updates from the course starting Thursday a.m.!

Mike and family and friends arrived in Peabody, MA, over the weekend for the start of the US Senior Open at Salem Country Club.  Mike played practice rounds Monday and Tuesday and word on the course was that “Mikey Likey.”  He’s hitting the ball well and likes the layout.

Word is that Wednesday partner will be a certain knighted multi major champion.  We will see.  He keeps promising me Jimenez and it never happens.

Monday’s grouping:

 

So who is this?  Somebody help me . . .

 

Today played with the “best player to  never win . . . ” oh never mind.

 

The great one and caddy English Mike discuss futbol and the queen.

 

 

June 5, 2017

Today golf amateur and professional father, husband and roofing salesman Mike Finster qualified for his THIRD STRAIGHT US Senior Open, to be held June 29-July 2 at Salem Country Club in Peabody, Mass.   Adding to his legend and Cinderella story, Mike shot 68 and was medalist in a qualifying tournament at Adena Golf and Country Club near Ocala.  His round, one of only four in red numbers, included 6 birdies and 2 bogies on the tough quarry course.  Here’s a birdie and crowd reaction:

After the round, his gallery of rogues and ner-do-wells gathered to await word (I could  not get off work).

But the scoreboard said it all:

And Mike with his official invite, of which he is now building a collection:

Congrats to Mike, his wife Marybeth, caddy/friend English Mike and the entire Finster family and team.