2023 Chicago Matchplay Finals Competition Digest
Shadows of Young Tom
By NewClub Editorial Team
Young Tom Morris’ golf prowess was in his DNA. But how could he live up to his father, Old Tom Morris, designer of the Old Course of St. Andrews and four-time Champion Golfer Of The Year?
He could start by beating his dear old dad by age 13. Young Tom would be the youngest winner at the Open Championship at 17 years old.
Reporter Peter Scrivener from the BBC wrote about Young Tom and spoke with historians who studied his competitive excellence.
"He was the champion golfer In the 1840s and 1850s," said renowned golf historian Roger McStravick. "He was untouchable. Some competitions wouldn't let him play because he was so good.
In NewClub’s Chicago Chapter, with shadows of young Young Tom, a new untouchable has emerged, our three-time Champion, Bryan McCarty.
The Challenge Belt
Starting in 1860, the winner of the Open Championship received what was known as the Challenge Belt, the inspiration for NewClub’s champion’s belt.
The Challenge Belt was a perennial, returned year after year to be won by the next champion. However, the original Open Championship rules stated that if the Belt was won three years in a row, it would be kept by that winner.
Where Young Tom did it between 1868 to 1870, Bryan McCarty did it from 2021 to 2023.
One of McCarty’s friends texted him after learning he’d won for a third straight time.
“Do you own the belt now that you’ve won it three times like Young Tom?” he asked earnestly.
Unfortunately, no. There is no NewClub rule allowing McCarty to keep the belt. In the past three years, it has only been out of his possession for three weeks (between the stroke play and match play Championships). But even though he can’t keep the belt for good, it shouldn’t take away from the incredible three-peat feat.
To get to the 2023 matchplay finals, McCarty had to overcome a five-over start after seven holes in the stroke play round at Heritage Oaks to go 2-under for his remaining holes to win the medal and earn his spot in the finals.
Perhaps the only thing that can match McCarty’s stroke-gained ball striking is his demeanor and humility. “I had been looking forward to The Dunes Club for weeks. Honestly, I’m just grateful to show up and compete. I hope to represent NewClub and everything that our great group of members stands for,” McCarty said of his third consecutive Championship.
Go Blue
If you ask John Paciorek about his road to the Club Championship, he likes to compare himself to Caroline Hedwall for Team Europe in the Solheim Cup.
A reasonable comparison, considering Hedwall was one of the last picks for Team Europe but went on to mount a heroic comeback over USA’s Ally Ewing on the final day in the singles matches to help retain the Solheim Cup.
Paciorek, who played quarterback at The University of Michigan in the 80s, got into the Matchplay Finals as an alternate, got a head of steam in the quarterfinals, and ultimately won the net title.
His road to becoming a champion is truly inspirational. Similar to NewClub’s own origin story, Paciorek took a trip to Scotland earlier this year to connect with the true spirit of the game. He established a goal the year before to get himself to a form where he could walk and carry his own bag at Carnoustie. Mission accomplished!
“I walked at Carnoustie last week and I haven’t carried and played in 20 years,” said Paciorek when asked about his golf goals and how NewClub has contributed. “The club has meant a ton. When I found NewClub, it has changed my outlook on the game.”
He wouldn’t have been able to get there without NewClub’s walking culture, playing several Sunday Morning League rounds and local Chicago events on foot alongside fellow members.
JP’s next goal was to compete in the Club Championship as he approached a milestone birthday. Now he’s Chicago’s Net Division Champion.
“Holing out from the sand (on the second hole for birdie) was pretty cool,” said Paciorek. “I could have gotten real loud on that one.”
Well done, JP. You’re an inspiration to us all. Go Blue.