U.S. Open Champion Matthew Fitzpatrick Visits Manasquan River Golf Club
BRIELLE, N.J. – Chris Dymek, head golf professional at Manasquan River Golf Club was in his pro shop preparing for the clubs four-day member guest last week when a surprise visitor derailed his plans a bit.
Dave Henry, Director of Outside Operations at MRGC walked into the pro shop and alerted Dymek of this visitor.
“He walked in my office and said, ‘Hey, pro, you're never going to believe this, but a big black SUV just pulled up, and I pulled Matt Fitzpatrick’s clubs out of the car,'” Dymek recalled.
Just a few days after hoisting the U.S. Open Trophy at The Country Club, Matthew Fitzpatrick of England took an unexpected trip down the shore, visiting the Monmouth County gem.
Dymek eagerly introduced himself to the PGA Tour professional and then had the opportunity to play alongside Fitzpatrick, sharing tips and tricks of the course.
Dymek amusingly told Fitzpatrick, “I played a lot of tournament golf, nowhere near what you play, this is probably the most nervous I've been since my first New Jersey State Open.”
Fitzpatrick thoroughly enjoyed MRGC. "He made a comment on the 14th tee box that this reminds him of home and where he grew up playing junior golf," said Dymek. "The visuals of water and fescue, he was very fond of the place, which was a nice thing to hear as well. It was a great experience."
The Manasquan River membership had the opportunity to view their own slice of elite golf, as they watched Fitzpatrick and Dymek play the 18th hole.
“He asked me about the 18th hole, Dymek recollected. ‘I said, you know, some people will just hit an iron off the tee and some people will rip driver and get it up there near the grain. There’s a lot of people up there. Why don't we put a little show on for them?’”
After their round concluded and Fitzpatrick was heading out of the club, Dymek ran out to give him a Manasquan River souvenir. As he was handing Fitzpatrick a polo, Dymek noticed the U.S. Open trophy in Fitzpatrick’s vehicle.
“It was one of those pinch yourself moments,” said Dymek. “You say to yourself, that's not the replica, that's the one that they get to keep for a year and they get to bring back and, you know, just staring at that and knowing that probably the second-most incredible trophy in golf besides the Claret Jug was right there in front of us was a really cool moment.”
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