Do You Believe In Miracles?

Six aces in one day

- Max Adler

The 2013 men’s closing-day tournament at Kiawah Island’s Cassique Course began on a somber note. Beloved staff member Tom Churchill had succumbed to cancer the night before at 69. This announcement was made, followed by a moment of silence, and then the field of 71 golfers loaded in carts and drove to their respective tee boxes for the shotgun start. “Churchie” loved this event, the annual pairing of members with employees, and this would be the first one played without him in 14 years. Ken Knechtel, a retired insurance agent from Connecticut, started on the 118-yard fifth hole with an elevated tee and a green that slopes gently back-to-front. The cup was cut front-middle left, behind the bunker. Whenever Churchie went on vacation, he liked to grab a member or three and go post up at a casino with a golf course. Knechtel was sorry he’d never taken him up on the offer.