Usually those in your foursome regale you with stories that engage your senses and make you laugh. Such was the case a few days ago when my presence was surrounded by three men who pour so much of their energy into the world of golf.
Jesse Menachem, Executive Director/CEO of Mass Golf; Colin McGuire, Executive Director of the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund; and Bob Donovan, who preceded McGuire at the Ouimet Fund. Quality people who made for a rather brilliant day at Foxboro Country Club, an unheralded public layout that deserves your attention.
In firm embrace of the belief that golf has never failed me, there are days when it is especially sweet because topics brought up during the round ignite intrigue and stay with me on the ride home and into following days.
Thus, my foursome on this day is not a group of quality people but is filled out with three thoughts that percolate with great respect because of the names involved.
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THE BENCH
It sat next to a tee at Foxboro CC and caught my attention not so much for the gleam of the granite but for the name engraved into it. Buck Renner.
That is how all his friends knew him, as simply Buck, but John Renner, who died suddenly in 2012, will forever have a soft spot in my heart because he was so devoted to his son, Jim, and that love was returned in abundance.
“He was one of the good ones. I miss him every day,” said Jim Renner, who realized a childhood dream by making it onto the PGA Tour. That he was introduced to golf by his father and followed in some enjoyable footsteps – John Renner won the Attleboro Open in 1983 and was in the field in those years when his son won (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002) – is a special footnote to their relationship.
Oh, more notable achievements are part of Jim Renner’s resume – runner-up in the State Am (2001); winner of State Opens in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine (in the summers of 2008, 2009); twice he won on the Hooters Tour; and there were many seasons on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour.
But to look at this lovely bench at Foxboro CC, the story in my mind is of a father and son who loved one another and shared a burning passion for golf and that there are quality people who made sure that a fitting memorial was put in place.
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Chris Bradley (far right) was as big a cheerleader for his sister Pat's LPGA career and PGA Tour nephew Keegan (in the center with his late grandmother Kathleen) as anyone in the family. He's shown here with his late brother Tom (far left), Mark (second from left), and John (second from right).
THE BROTHER
As unexpected as the news was – after all, Pat Bradley had mentioned during a round of golf two weeks ago that her brother was not doing well – being told during the Foxboro walk that indeed, Chris Bradley had died after a battle with cancer, was upsetting. “Heartbreaking for the Bradleys,” said Pat the legendary LPGA star and World Golf Hall of Fame member.
She speaks the truth because the anguish has hit hard in recent years. Kathleen Bradley, the matriarch of this lovely family, died in 2022, and sons Thomas and now Chris have passed.
“He was a great brother, a dynamic guy,” said Mark of his brother Chris who was 70 and lived most recently in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
While it was their only sister who made golf her career, the Bradley boys were quite passionate about the game and my time was spent many years ago being regaled with a tale of the family trip to Ireland. Pat Bradley, a proud “Corker,” was presented an honorary membership at Old Head in Kinsale, while Thomas, Chris, and John played in the famed “Three Brothers” golf tournament.
Mark took part one year, but on this time around he and Pat served as team captains and Kathleen was there to cheer them on. “It was a lovely time. We met some wonderful Irish people,” said Mark.
Like all the brothers, Chris took immense pride in his sister’s sterling career (he also caddied for her quite a bit) and he was equally thrilled when Mark’s son, Keegan, made it onto the PGA Tour. In fact, Mark forwarded a picture of Chris with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, “probably telling him how to run the tour,” he laughed.
When the Pat Bradley Room was unveiled at Mass Golf headquarters in Norton, Mass., Chris Bradley was in attendance and he said the family was filled with so much gratitude for this wonderful tribute. His mother would have loved it, he said, and no doubt that’s true.
But it strikes me how beautiful it is that Chris got to see it. Godspeed, Brother.
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Anthony Adelizzi was a polished speaker at the annual Ouimet banquet a few years ago and he's continued to put a shine on his drive to becoming a PGA member.
THE YOUNG PRO
“Did you hear that Anthony made another hole-in-one?”
It was a question that made me smile, because while the answer was no, there wasn’t any knowledge of that, it would be followed up with a call to Anthony Adellizi and that is always inspiring.
The assistant at both public courses in Dennis on Cape Cod – the Pines and the Highlands – Anthony was introduced to me by the folks at the Ouimet Fund. Anthony, who has overcome great odds as someone with the Autism Spectrum Disorder, was the guest speaker at the banquet in 2023 and what he’s done in pursuit of becoming a PGA member is nothing short of brilliant.
After attending Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., for several years, Anthony is back home in Dennis and continuing to do remarkable work to achieve his dream. He’s worked through Levels 1 and 2 and is focused on Level 3. “I’m almost through,” he said.
Making holes-in-one at Kings Way GC in Yarmouth is becoming a remarkable occurrence for young Anthony. He made his seventh one at the 145-yard, par-3 third hole, to go with the two he’s made at the par-3 16th and one at the par-3 seventh.
For the latest one, Anthony was playing with his father, John. “I made par at No. 1, birdied No. 2, and aced No. 3,” said Anthony, “so my father said, ‘I’m done, I concede, let’s go in.’ ”
He’s premium sharp-shooting aside, Anthony Adellizi, is a tribute to the collective patience of this 28-year-old man, his parents John and Dianne, and the sensitive and caring folks at the Dennis golf courses, Director of Golf Maryellen Fabiano-Stowe; Michael Holsworth, assistant director of golf; and Head Professional Michael Pry, “a great mentor,” Anthony said.
And cheers to the man who got all this rolling years ago, Bob Miller, a longtime club pro on Cape Cod who mentored Anthony and fueled the young man’s passion.
Yes, the aces attest to Anthony’s individual prowess. But in pursuit of PGA membership, Anthony’s involved in a team game that makes you smile.
