The 2026 TOB Season is in the books. We successfully beat out a massive nor’easter to get in the last 18 holes of the season for the FINALS. We did have a little rain, and a LOT of putt-moving wind – let alone how it moved all of the other shots.
The event was held on Saturday, September 26th at Quail Hollow Golf and Country Club in Oakham, MA. We had more golfers in the FINALS this year – 115. on 29 teams in 3 different divisions. Unfortunately we had one no-show.
In all, five places in each division were awarded cash, which worked out to 17/29 teams. There were a huge number of skins – 17 in total across the three divisions. And we had 4 more teams win in the closest to the pin replacement drawing. So 25 teams won something. Below I’ll focus on first and second places. Let’s get into the results!
Nicklaus Division
In the top division, Nicklaus, the team of Reece McLeod, Matt Morrow, Ed McLeod, and, Lynn Morin won. They secured the victory by a single stroke by coming in at a hard-fought 9-under par. This was the best score of the FINALS tournament. Close behind them were two teams tied at second place at 8-under par:
- Matt Paakkonen, Mike Kularski, Jerry Parker, and Spencer Rice
- Fran LaMothe, Dave Fiske, Brian Chaffee, and Mark Bruso
Well done all!
Player Division
In the middle Player Division, there was a tie between two teams at 7-under par after 18 holes of windy and sometimes rainy golf. This led to a dramatic 4-hole sudden-death playoff on the 18th hole. Coming out on top after this battle was the team of Chip Wetherell, Jake Malin, Norm Laliberte, and Susan Benoit!
Chip’s team edged out the valiant foursome who took second place. That team’s members were: Tom Savage, John Markey, Nancy Shores, and Jim Parker.
Congrats to both teams!
Palmer Division
Lastly, in the Palmer Division, the team of Ken Dorman, Denis Miner, Marcy Kimball, and Connor Hibbard achieved victory with a two-stroke lead over their next competitor. They achieved a score of 6-under par.
In second place, at 4-under par, was the team of Jim Gregoire, Rich Ford, Sr., Mike Mills, and Jason McCarthy.
A great job by both!
Total Results Listing
Below you can see the results of all three divisions, as well as the skins and the closest to the pin drawings. We did not have closest to the pin contests this year – instead we had four drawings – and the winners are also listed below as are the Skins won by division. Click on the image to get a better view:
Special thanks again to all of our sponsors this year:
- Techo Bloc
- Still Harts
- Toomey-Lovett (Jim Lovett)
- 308 Lakeside restaurant
- Hardwick Crossing Country Club
- Lamoureux Ford
Extra special thanks to Carl Fitz, Colleen Fitz, Matt Paakkonen, Tara, Kenny, and all the staff at Quail Hollow. They work so hard to make the Tour of the Brookfields possible – and we greatly appreciate all they do.
Next Year and Some Photos
We hope to have all of our players return next year plus some more. Recruit a few yourselves! When we know some details, we will share it with you on the Facebook page and in this blog. The Committee hopes to meet before the snow flies to capture any lessons learned and make next year even better!
One thing we are possibly looking at is a mid-year “Grand Tour of the Brookfields“. This would replace the FINALS as our annual big event and would include a player draft night similar to the FINALS. The difference would be that we would have some flexibility with regards to the weather we face in late-September and early October. With the FINALS as we have been doing it – we have little to no backup dates – whereas a mid-year event like a “Grand Tour of the Brookfields” would give us that. Like I said, nothing is set yet, but if we go in that direction we may need to set qualifications that are different in terms of events played. So stay tuned.
2027 Dates for the Tour of the Brookfields
By the way, next year marks the 47th year of the TOB!! Here are the event dates for next year – sponsors TBD as we flush out any changes in format. Of course – a draft night is TBD depending on what we decide to do. All are on Saturdays – plaeas mark your calendars:
- April 24th
- May 22nd
- June 19th
- July 24th
- August 21st
- September 11th
- October 2nd
Personally, I want to afain credit and thank the Committee for being a great team. George Fiske, Brad Earle, Ed McLeod, Mike Kularski, and Matt Desimone, you guys are AWESOME. It is wonderful to work with all of you on the TOB Committee!!!
Special thanks to Matt Paakkonen and John Desimone for running the pari-mutuel! You guys did great!
By the way, PLEASE subscribe to this blog. You’ll get any updates on the TOB. (You will also get a good view of my many somewhat hobby projects that involve historical miniature gaming and more). I don’t monetize this blog.
Photos for the event really came at a premium – and thanks to my lovely wife Lynn Morin for getting in a few that I can share.
Now some photos from the Thursday Draft Night and Saturday’s FINALS!!
Draft night photos
Saturday’s FINALS Photos (as we stay warm and dry in the clubhouse, register, and get any pari-mutuel choices in)
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See you next year!!
