I first heard about the event a little over a year ago. Just a couple of weeks before they held Classic Number Six actually.
A day of golf and festivities at Morris Country Club, celebrating the tools of golf that predate the 460cc behemoths common in today’s golf bags around the country - specifically the persimmon wood. Inspired by equipment, but developed and perfected by Patrick and the team over at Field Day Sporting Co., a day of persimmon drivers and woods and enjoying golf the way it used to be.
Unable to attend, I threw it on the bucket list and started checking eBay for a set of persimmon woods.
Jump forward twelve months and Matt Painter and I were ready to take on the world.
The festivities kicked off with an event at the shop, bringing together competitors and local buddies alike. It was a great opportunity to reconnect and spend some time with my buddies Beau and Matt and meet a bunch of new friends. It’s always fun to meet new folks over good beer and golf conversation. Stories flowed like the beer from the taps - recollections of courses we’ve all played, golf trip memories retold from different perspectives and highlights of previous Persimmon 2 Man events.
Being inside the Field Day Social, their brick and mortar store there in Morris, we were able to peruse the shop, do some shopping and wander with an adult beverage. I do love Patrick’s shop, and it rekindles memories of days running around Eaton’s Junior Gentlemen, a shop run by my Grandparents and then Uncle, back when I was a kid.
We drank and enjoyed each other’s company until closing time, and went our own ways to prepare for a day of golf and merriment.
That eBay habit paid off, and I landed a beautiful set of Titleist woods earlier this summer, original grips and all. I managed to sneak in a few range sessions and had been hitting them fairly well off the grass. I was feeling excited and confident with the possibilities.
With an afternoon tee time, we opted to sneak in a morning round at Nettle Creek, to help work on getting familiar with the Persimmons. Matt’s always got solid game, and we both played decent, leaving us excited for the afternoon round.
Matt played well all day and set us up for success. I on the other hand, didn’t play up to my handicap, but I truly had a blast. The low point of my day was an 18” putt, pushed and left short. I did hit some good shots, and we went down fighting. When the wheels come off, they definitely come off, and Matt did all he could to keep us in it. We finished 5th in our minds, but not really sure how was fared against the field. But I can honestly say, I think Matt and I took home the title for most laughs and best day had. We both went home with some prizes, hit some phenomenal shots and added some great memories.
To say I’m looking forward to the Persimmon 2 Man 8.0, is an understatement. Patrick, consider this my registration for 2023!
