Terrain is familiar for golf invitational

Boxford course to host 34th annual event

Far Corner Golf Course in Boxford "has a very good reputation in the North Shore area for being one of the elite golf courses in Massachusetts," says veteran golfer Ki Kwon (above). (Lisa Poole for The Boston Globe)

B OXFORD - Ki Kwon and Bob Avellino have played Far Corner Golf Course so much over the past two decades, they could put beach chairs in the bunkers.

"It's like you're playing in your own backyard," Kwon said. "I basically grew up on that golf course so I feel really comfortable there."

They both have more than 20 years of experience on the course, and what they love about it is in all that time, it hasn't changed much at all.

There still a lot of tough par 3s, and one tricky par 5.

But if you play them right, the eighth through the 15th holes - with a couple of par 5's reachable in two shots - have a way of being kind to players trying to make a late push.

"It adds some drama, I think," said Avellino.

The 55-year-old Peabody resident practically held the deed to the course in the '90s when he won the North Shore Invitational in 1991, 1994, 1995.

After originally hosting the North Shore's premiere golf event at Thomson Country Club in North Reading back in 1975, Bill Flynn of Danvers, its creator and Massachusetts PGA Hall of Fame member, bought Far Corner in Boxford in 1978 and has used the course to host the event every year since, gathering the top two golfers from every club in the area for 36 holes over two days.

"It has a very good reputation in the North Shore area for being one of the elite golf courses in Massachusetts," Kwon said.

"Then the level of competition you get from the best players in the area private and public golf courses . . ."

The 34th annual Invitational kicks off tomorrow, and the tournament's prestige among area golfers remains as constant as the course itself.

The event earns points toward the Massachusetts Golf Association's standings, attracting such skilled golfers as St. John's Prep grad Ken Whalley (Rowley Country Club) and North Shore Amateur champions Bill Drohan (Bradford CC) and John Gilmartin (Indian Ridge CC, Andover).

"All our top players in the area look forward to playing in the event," said Avellino.

But many of the participants come back for the fraternity, for a chance to see golfers they haven't come across in a while and also for a chance to show their appreciation for Flynn, a man who would go on the Mount Rushmore of Massachusetts golfers if there were one.

Kwon, a 1 handicap, wouldn't have been the golfer he is today if it weren't for Flynn. He was the 2006 medalist at the state amateur qualifier at Beverly Golf & Tennis Club in 2006. The same year, he led the North Shore Invitational on his home course after the first round, and he'll be looking for the title when the players tee up tomorrow.

Kwon, who lives in Methuen, started working in the pro shop when he was 15, and Bill Flynn took him under his wing.

Flynn's son Bob handles most of the administrative work for the tournament. Bill suffered a stroke last year, but will still be on hand this week to host the tournament as he does every year.

"He's meant a lot to me, and not only for me but for golf in Massachusetts and the North Shore area," Kwon said.

"I think that's why a lot of people come back, the respect and appreciation they have for Bill Flynn and also Bob Flynn, the whole Flynn family, for what they've done for golf."