Porter Cup 2009
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TIM'S TAKE: Reigning champ Mitchell tempers expectations
LEWISTON — As Adam Mitchell nibbled on breakfast at Niagara Falls Country Club, he scanned the walls for something to read. That’s when the former Georgia Bulldog got a reminder of his everlasting link to the history of one of America’s most prestigious amateur golf tournaments.
“It’s cool seeing all the crests of the Porter Cup champions and seeing my name up there,” Mitchell said on Friday. “It’ll be there as long as this place is here.”
With a hot putter and a scorching opening round of 62, Mitchell took the green jacket in last year’s Porter Cup by three strokes, edging Zach Sucher for the hardware. The week was magical, as Mitchell father surprised him by hopping a flight to work the bag for the final round.
It was far and away his biggest tournament win. Still is.
This year, Mitchell returned to NFCC to defend his crown, although he clearly understood that following last year’s performance would be no small feat.
“It’s hard. Any other performance but a win when you come back is disappointing,” Mitchell said. “It’s hard because you can’t expect that out of yourself. After last year, knowing that I can compete with the best, showing everybody else I can do it, that’s special. It gives you a whole lot of confidence. It gives you a fire to make you want to do it again.
“But you just have to play golf and have fun.”
He didn’t have much fun on Friday, as back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 4 and 5 pushed Mitchell to 1-over for the event, eight shots off the lead. His chances of repeating are nearly nil as Tim Mickelson and Mike Van Sickle each stand at 7-under.
Mitchell knows why he’s out of contention — that hot putter didn’t make the trip this time around. He said he’s hit the ball better than last year, much better, in fact, but the putter has let him down.
Still, returning to the course that gave him his biggest win has been a thrill for Mitchell, who was featured prominently on Porter Cup posters alongside another former champ and his former collegiate teammate, Brian Harman.
“It’s been great. Everybody’s been awesome,” he said. “It’s fun to be back. Steve (Denn) has been great. Everything I could ever want, they do without asking.”
Do Mitchell and Harman ever share barbs about which victory was bigger?
Mitchell said no.
“It’s more cool that the school (Georgia) has won five. It shows how good our program is. This is one of the best tournaments in the whole world and the best players come to play and we’ve won four of the last 12.
“It just shows how good our program is.”
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
- Porter Cup 2009
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PORTER CUP: Rain couldn't compromise event
When the clouds finally cleared on Saturday, though, fans and organizers were treated to an incredible finish as Brendan Gielow, Andrew Yun and Cody Gribble went to a three-way playoff and Gielow captured the crown by sinking a chip from off the green on the third extra hole.
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PORTER CUP: Gielow takes title in spectacular fashion
For all the talk of Doppler images, weather cells and emergency evacuations, the 51st Annual Porter Cup will rightfully be remembered for something more significant — the most scintillating finish in the tournament’s proud history.
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PORTER CUP NOTEBOOK: Wind is Mickelson downfall on final day
Tim Mickelson had a feeling that a recent respite from golf might catch up to him at the 51st Annual Porter Cup.
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PORTER CUP: Weather is the story after second round
The unfortunate story after Friday’s second round of the storied Porter Cup wasn’t who might emerge in Saturday’s final round, but if the round will be played at all. Tim Mickelson and Mike Van Sickle share the lead.
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TIM'S TAKE: Reigning champ Mitchell tempers expectations
Adam Mitchell returned to NFCC to defend his crown, although he clearly understood that following last year’s performance would be no small feat.
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PORTER CUP NOTEBOOK: Fresh from Open, Weaver keeps his focus
Drew Weaver was considered one of the favorites to win the 51st Annual Porter Cup at Niagara Falls Country Club.
That’s a little different than his recent appearance in the U.S. Open, where Weaver came in with little fanfare.
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PORTER CUP: Mother Nature claims second round
Porter Cup organizers had Thursday night marked for an annual trip that takes golfers and their families to the Maid of the Mist.
Turned out they got a preview of the world-famous thrill ride standing outside Niagara Falls Country Club.
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PORTER CUP: Mickelson among leaders after opening round
For one sizzling back nine, Niagara Falls Country Club played the role of safe haven for Tim Mickelson on Wednesday.
The wife of his well-known brother has been fighting through a publicized battle with breast cancer. His mother underwent surgery in a Houston hospital just a week ago for the same ailment.
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TIM'S TAKE: Captain Marucci still rolling along
As the captain of the 2009 Walker Cup team — the amateur equivalent of the Ryder Cup — it’s Marucci’s job to figure out who has the intestinal fortitude to represent the good ol’ U.S. of A. in the upcoming event, which will take place in September. The Americans have a two-match, four-year winning streak in hand and Marucci wants to build on his perfect 1-0 mark as team captain.
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PORTER CUP NOTEBOOK: Rough forecast for upcoming rounds
After wreaking havoc on last year’s Porter Cup schedule, Mother Nature followed suit by handing the players a 50-minute fog delay before the opening round of the 2009 event on Wednesday.
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