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6 up, 6 to go –

no problem

By Bruce Penton Mike Godfrey tees off during a round at the 2011 Tamarack.

ike Godfrey has an unofficial Tamarack record “I remember thinking all I have to do is tie one hole,” said
that most people wearing spikes would like to Godfrey.
Mforget. Meanwhile, his caddie, Selkirk buddy Mark Starodub,
On the other hand, if it was forgotten, Godfrey and his departed after No. 11. “He said ‘you’ve got things under
family members wouldn’t have the great six-up-with-six- control’ and he had to go caddy for his wife,” said Godfrey.
to-go-and-lost-the-match story to laugh about through the “Later that night, either with a text or email, he said ‘what
years. hole did you win it on?’
“We’ve laughed about it ever since,” says Godfrey, a The vanquished golfer sent back the bad news. “I didn't
Selkirk native who moved to Brandon when he was in win,” he said.
Grade 12, and through golf met the girl of his dreams, McDonald won 13 and 14, then 15 and 16 against a
Trista Hall, and eventually married into the Phil-Carole Hall fading Godfrey, who was now only two up with two to go.
family. “By the 17th tee, I could hardly see the ball,” said Godfrey,
“I’m an easy-going guy. It’s a great story, and I don't mind laughing easily at the sordid memory. McDonald then
talking about it,” said Godfrey. made Tamarack history by completing the comeback,
It was in the early 2000s, competing in a lesser (first or winning 17 and 18 and then the extra hole (No. 8). “I hit it
second) flight, and Godfrey was in the process of crushing into the trees on the left (on the extra hole) and couldn’t
former Brandonite Cam McDonald, now of Edmonton. make par,” said Godfrey. “Cam got a four to my five.”
Godfrey holed a bunker shot on No. 11 to take a six-up A similar match-play collapse almost happened later in
lead, and after the duo halved the par-3 12th, the match Godfrey’s career when he played his brother-in-law, Rob
was virtually over — Godfrey was six up with six to go. Hall, in a nine-hole match at a tournament in Melita. “I won
But it wasn't. the first four holes and he won the next four.” But this story
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