WORCESTER — As James Skagerlind stared down a 7-foot putt on the 18th green Saturday afternoon, the Holden resident had a chance to win the 104th Invitational at Worcester Country Club.
The lefty golfer and 2008 Wachusett Regional grad then took the putter back, hit the ball and watched it drop into the cup for the win with partner and former high school classmate Jeremiah Lynch IV.
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“It felt pretty natural, and I put it right in the middle,” said Skagerlind, a member at Worcester CC. “So, it was a good way to end it. It’s been fun.”
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” said Lynch, who also is from Holden. “It’s so good. I’m just happy.”
For the second time since 2021, the duo of Lynch and Skagerlind won the three-day member-guest Invitational held at the picturesque Worcester Country Club — which was home to the 1925 U.S. Open and 1927 Ryder Cup.
“It’s our premier event,” said Worcester Country Club head professional Andy Lane.
Eight flight winners and two wildcard teams earned a spot in the playoffs Saturday before the 10 teams of two golfers participated in the “Grand March” from the first tee box out onto the course.
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“It’s quite a scene,” Lane said.
Lynch holed a long birdie putt on the par-4 first hole to help advance his team in the elimination playoffs and then sank a tricky par putt on No. 18 (the second playoff hole) to secure his team a spot in the final four.
“Happy to see those go down,” said Lynch, who normally plays at Wachusett Country Club in West Boylston.
“We made our way through the march today,” Skagerlind said. “Jerry putted amazing in the march and made it really easy for me. These things come down to surviving and making our putts.”
After Lynch lagged a nice putt from atop the 18th green on the third playoff hole, Skagerlind scanned his team’s par putt and didn’t see much break in it.
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“Put it right in the middle,” he said.
That he did.
As the putt went in, spectators from atop the 18th green cheered while Skagerlind and Lynch embraced with a hug.
“We caught the magic this week,” Skagerlind said.
“It’s the most fun thing I really do, ever, so to get a win, it’s amazing,” Lynch said. “I would’ve had fun no matter what and to do it now twice is a really proud accomplishment.”
A few moments after winning the Invitational, Skagerlind and Lynch collected their latest hardware and green jackets, which are given out to the winners of the prestigious tournament.
Then, Skagerlind popped a bottle of gold champagne on the 18th green as the dynamic duo enjoyed the sweet taste of victory while “Joy to the World” (think Jeremiah was a bullfrog, for Lynch’s first name) rang over the loudspeaker.
“It’s a great event and great weekend,” Lynch said. “It’s just awesome.”
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“Worcester does an amazing job with this,” Skagerlind said, “and we’re so happy to be a part of it every single year, and hope for many more.”
—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: ‘Best feeling in the world’: Holden residents win 104th Worcester Country Club Invitational
