FM Championship 

Saturday August 30, 2025

As it turns out, this was the situation I had been hoping to avoid by becoming a walking scorer rather than a mobile Marshal at the FM. By that I mean, the predictability of knowing exactly when your teetime is was such a tremendous benefit to the walking scoring assignment. Today, however, it was like being back in MM scheduling having to awaken at 4:45 am and make the drive up to TPC Boston in order to arrive by 6:20 am. I quickly grabbed my scoring equipment consisting of the radio and handheld device (iPhone) and headed out to the 11th green where we left off last night. It was rather pleasant actually, no one else was around, all I heard was crickets. The three players, Porvasnik, Kang, and Phatlum arrived with their caddies, ready for the 7 am restart. Immediately, Jessica Porvasnik asked me to summon a rules official with my radio as she was concerned that her ball mark from the previous night had been moved. As it turns out all three balls had been moved apparently so that the greens could be rolled for resumption of play. A rules official determined the players could estimate their previously marked positions and play resumed. It was a rather peaceful and pleasant golf experience, although a little chilly at 55°.  Early morning mist was rising off the ponds and we could hear roosters crowing nearby. Managing the scoring system was becoming second nature, although constant attention was needed to log every single shot accurately. I got to chatting with Phatlum’s caddy who told me that her nickname is “Whin”, pronounced just like my name “Wyn”!  I asked if she would object to me mentioning we have the same name and he said go for it, she would love it, and she did! She and I later chatted about her terrific par save on 9, the last hole, which enabled her to make the cut at -3. She was ecstatic. Such a sweetheart.   

A disheartening moment occurred after Kang sent her shot wide left of the green at the par three 8th hole. She was dragging her 7 iron along the wooden walkway from the tee to green as she was +7 for the tournament. I thought any minute she was going to wing it into the pond off to the left but she held it together nicely. Not so sure I would have seen the same degree of composure a few years back at the FedEx Cup event, (I’m looking at you, Mr. Poulter).  I received a signed golf ball from Whin at the end of it all. Handshakes and thank you’s from Kang and Porvasnik.

Took my lunch to the car, very nice chicken sandwich and fruit cup all the while wondering if I would get an assignment for the afternoon as there was a surplus of walking scorers apparently. Brian did set me up with a good group although not marquee, with the exception of Megha  Ganne, recent winner of the Women’s US amateur Championship.

Also playing in this afternoon group teeing off at 1:42pm was Jin Young Ko, Korea & Yahui Zhang, China. For this third round, I was joined by a standardbearer, Scott, a terrific guy, chemist from Stowe, Mass. He didn’t need my help in posting the scores accurately and it was a good check and balance situation.

A little bit worried that an entire second round would be exhausting, but I was able to make it through successfully, ultimately 35 holes for the day. At the conclusion, had a great interaction with Ko’s caddy, a burly Australian dude who came up behind me, slapped me on the shoulder, and said some encouraging words, acknowledging my very lengthy day helping out with walking scoring, ending with him saying to those gathered round, “He’s a legend”!

Nearly 12 hours on the course

24,625 steps

8.3 miles