Hadges the ace of club

Thorny Lea mate Parziale edged out on 36th hole

MATT PARZIALE Long hitter

MARION - Slender and humble, John Hadges showed little emotion and spoke little if at all this week in the 100th Massachusetts Amateur. He was trying to focus on his game plan.

But his play spoke volumes of his focus.

Yesterday at the Kittansett Club, Hadges's unwavering dedication to his game plan proved brilliant as he defeated fellow Thorny Lea member Matt Parziale on the 36th hole.

"I was just sticking to my plan all week," Hadges said. "I was playing from the front fringe. That was the idea. Obviously, it worked out. I may not have hit every [shot] there, but that was the idea."

The idea came to fruition on the final hole, a 445-yard par 4.

Hadges's third shot, from about 40 yards in front of the fringe (just as he planned), landed within 10 feet left of the hole. Parziale's third shot was about 20 yards directly in front of Hadges's and it landed 10 yards left of the hole on the edge of the green.

Hadges sank his putt, becoming the first medalist to win since James Driscoll in 1998.

His trophy will have company. Hadges has won his club championship several times, plus the Southeastern Amateur, the Hornblower Invitational, and the Norfolk County Classic.

Neither finalist had more than a 1-up lead, and neither held it longer than three holes - Parziale from No. 7-9.

The win was impressive, even more so because Hadges's style wasn't characteristic, according to several Thorny Lea members.

"He's the best putter at Thorny Lea, but I've never seen him so deliberate on the putting greens," said Nike Boufides, a 42-year member.

So did Hadges ditch some of his normal style for something new?

"I might have, but not consciously," he said.

The strategy was even more interesting because of the matchup. Hadges and Parziale have faced each other at Thorny Lea, and it was the first time since 1994 two players from the same club met for the championship.

Their approaches were a study in contrasts.

Hadges was . . . taking . . . his . . . time.

Parziale played as if his dinner was getting cold. He would eye his tee shot, take a few practice swings, and use his strength to send the ball screaming down the fairway.

The keys to their games were obvious: Hadges has a great short game, Parziale great length.

Understandably, given their familiarity, neither was affected by the other's style.

"No, not at all. I know what he does and I do what I do," said Parziale, a senior at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla.

"I've played Matt, so I'm used to it. He hits it a long ways," Hadges said. "When we play at our course, he's good for three or four drivers a round. Other than that, he'll hit it through everything."

Hadges's focus proved stronger, and after he was presented the Commonwealth Cup, he finally reflected on his week.

"I was grinding pretty hard out there all day," he said. "I'm sure I grinded just as hard at some point in different tournaments, but today I really was focused."

Thanks to that focus, when he plays Parziale at Thorny Lea, Hadges will have bragging rights.