Consistency brings Mike Calef another Massachusetts Amateur Golf Title

LONGMEADOW ? When Mike Calef moved to Texas last year, his attitude toward the Massachusetts Amateur Golf Championship underwent a change.

Naturally, now that he keeps it in perspective, he has become unbeatable. Calef wrapped up his second straight title Friday with an 8-and-7 match play win over Ian Thimble of Hyde Park in a 36-hole final at Longmeadow Country Club.

"It used to be my world. I had to bring my very best game for that week in July,'' the 34-year-old from Brockton said. "Now, I want to bring a solid game but it's also a week to see my friends, enjoy the banter and go out to dinner at night.''

This composed attitude has helped Calef become a model of consistency in a tournament that serves as a grueling test of stamina and focus under the best conditions. This week, rain made it even more of a grind, one that required Thimble to play 46 holes and Calef 39 holes Thursday.

"I was going all week on adrenaline. It wasn't there today, and you can't do that against Mike, because he's such a great player,'' the 23-year-old Thimble said. "I gave it my best effort. He deserved to win.''

Because of his wife's work commitment, Calef moved to Texas just before the 2012 tournament. He won that event, then won again in a 105-year-old tournament that has not always treated defending champions kindly.

"Maybe I should have moved 15 or 20 years ago,'' Calef said as a joke. In truth, he and his wife are looking to move back to Massachusetts, but work demands will determine those decisions.

Because he remains active at Brockton Country Club, he remains eligible to play in the Mass. Amateur.

Calef's strategy for the final was to get one or two holes ahead, putting pressure on Thimble to hunt for catchup birdies on a challenging course that did not figure to yield many of them.

"I just tried to hit fairways and greens, and put some pressure on my opponent,'' he said.

By the 18-hole halfway mark of the final, Calef was 4-up.

"After 18, I said, I'm not out of this by any means,'' said Thimble, a No. 32 seed whose play this week full of promising signs for a 23-year-old golfer who plans to turn pro in October. "By the time we hit the back nine, I knew I'd need a miracle.''

"Ian has a ton of game,'' said Calef, who tried the pro route himself before returning to the amateur ranks.

Looking at the Mass. Amateur from a broader perspective has not dulled Calef's hunger to do well. He admitted feeling some butterflies at the outset, which he said is typical of any tournament he plays.

"My expectation every year is to get to match play (by surviving the early rounds of stroke play). After that, anything can happen,'' Calef said.

For two straight years, the same thing has happened at the end.

The match ended on the 11th hole, which has been kind to Calef all week. For the finalists, It was the 29th hole of the day.

"It hasn't settled in yet, but the feeling is amazing,'' Calef said. "I never dreamed of winning this twice, let alone back-to-back. It's awesome.''

Source: http://www.masslive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/consistency_brings_mike_calef.html

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