It is official, I have finally made it to 80s club. It has been a long hard road but here I am. The fog was thick and the greens were aerated and full of sand but I was finally in the zone.

It’s not like I haven’t been close. In 2015, in the rain and cold at Cedar Knob, I was on the 18th hole looking a score of 88 in the face, but after hearing those footsteps and sensing breathing on the back of my neck I knew it was not to be. I blew up that 18th hole like Al Bundy in a gas station bathroom.

If you were there that day then we both know the shame still lingers. I finished with a 94 and began my long journey searching for a score in the 80s and with it, some sort of redemption.

In 2015, I would shoot a 94 two more times, once at Agawam and the other at Veterans.

In 2016, I shot a 92 at Ledges, a 90 at East Mountain and 93 at Franconia.

This year at Franconia I shot a 91 during week 2 and a 93 at the Pretenders. So close, yet so far.

I would like to thank my wife for her constant and unwavering support in all of my golf endeavors. The countless hours of waiting for me to come home, the financial investment, scheduling vacations around the Broken Joe schedule, endless hours of reading the score recaps and editing, and all the rides left un-ridden because I was out on the golf course. In fact, truth be told, we played golf together at Pine Knoll on Saturday, and I shot an 86 on Sunday. Coincidence? She thinks not.

I would like to thank my brother, Big Daddy, who was there to witness my greatness. In fact, he was my competitor in Match Play when I was on my way to scoring in the 80s. He was there the whole time on the 18 hole reminding me that I might actually make it to the 80 that day. He even tried to inspire me by reminding me about what happened at Cedar Knob. Even after I flubbed my tee shot and my 2nd shot, he was again there for me, encouraging me not to throw it all away and that I had plenty of room for mistakes and could still make it to the 80s. That was until I got to my 3rd shot and then he wasn’t so sure of his ability to do math in his head. Fortunately I finished with a 5 on the par 3 and walked away with 86.

I want to thank the other golfers in Broken Joe Golf for inspiring me to “Play better golf”. As anyone of these guys can tell you, this game is not easy. We don’t call it Broken Joe Golf for nothing.

I just hope that I can serve as inspiration and a beacon of hope for all of the golfers that are still in the 100s and 90s. To let them know that if they work hard and put in the time and the effort they too can reach a better score.

If you see the 80s golfers standing around after golf, whispering their words of knowledge and of skills unmatched and you see me there, know that you too can have these answers. Just wait until they leave and buy me a beer.

PS – Now I know how Dave feels. I shot an 86 and still ended up 3rd.