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NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera was on the ropes, and the Red Sox were poised to earn a memorable comeback victory.

WAREHAM — A day after the Fourth, a first almost happened for the Wareham Gatemen.

WIMBLEDON, England — Thrilled as she was to win her fifth Wimbledon singles championship, Venus Williams dialed down her celebration.

When we last spoke, I was a sometimes insightful, sometimes belligerent, frequently opinionated, rarely brief writer. Love numbers, baseball jerseys and the idea that the occasional e-mailer believes my reasons for not deeming Jim Rice worthy of the...

Like the smell of the fisheries wafting downtown on summer nights, the teeth-gnashing about the All-Star team will inevitably commence once the squads are announced this afternoon (2 p.m., TBS).

A retired dentist who's 86 years old, Dr. William Abesh, has a regular tee time at Allendale Country Club in North Dartmouth.

July 23 will mark the 10-year anniversary of the 1998 Gun Control Act (Chapter 180), and GOAL (Gun Owners' Action League) has appropriately named the 10-year span that followed as the "Decade of Disaster."

WAREHAM — Brandon Workman was working a no-hitter into the ninth inning before it was broken up with one out in the Wareham Gatemen's 4-0 Cape Cod Baseball League victory over Cotuit last night.

HYANNIS — Team Cape Cod walked off with an extra inning victory in the front end of a doubleheader and went on to sweep Central, N.H., at Barnstable High School yesterday.

NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera was on the ropes, and the Boston Red Sox were poised to earn a memorable comeback victory.

Still suffering from Tiger deprivation? I received a note from a Brewster reader who said he was tired of watching Bubba, Woody or maybe D.J., and was turning off his TV set until The Grand Return next spring.

OTTAWA — The Cape Cod Crusaders righted the ship in a 1-1 tie with the Ottawa Fury last night.

By FRANK SOUSA

You talk about ironies. Here is the state pounding its chest, and rightfully so, about the 610,000 acres of recreational land offered its citizens while considering a measure that would lead of the closing of thousands of acres of land to hunting.

The new state recreation map shows all the sites in the states that we can all enjoy.

State Sen. BillS540 would establish a Wildlife Management Commission that could not only undercut MassWildlife and its biologists and thus sportsmen out of the care of our wildlife resources, but has an amendment which would lead to land closings galore.

The amendment would remove the present "no trespassing" system whereby those who do not want you on their property post you off.

It would mean that the only land open to hunters would have to be posted "Open to Hunting." This would be punishment of those who generously share their land.

This is absolutely an anti-sportsmen measure. What makes it hurt is the fact that the millions of dollars sportsmen donate for land purchases are kept open to all. There have been some rumblings that sportsmen keep our purchases to ourselves while others, again a small percentage, want the Wild Lands Stamp land open to all except those who have posted their large land areas.

The only way to go is to keep land open to all for eternity.

Best you contact your state senator and representative and ask that they move against this measure

NEW STATE REC MAP: All the natural recreational offerings are listed in the new Massachusetts Outdoor Recreation Map that shows where you can fish, hike, hunt, kayak, beach, swim - you name it.

It will be available at all MassWildlife offices and hatcheries, highway info centers, and on line at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/publications/recreation map.pdf

The map has 610,000 acres, which includes 67 beaches, 39 pools, 60 playgrounds, 200 miles of trails, 28 campgrounds, 3,525 camp sites, and 16 harbor islands.

DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. said, "Massachusetts has one of the largest state park systems in the nation, which is quite remarkable given that we're one of the smallest states."

SWIMMING BEAR: Florida Wildlife Biologist Adam Warwick fired a tranquilizer dart into a wayward bear near the Gulf of Mexico prior to relocating it.

The dazed animal, 375 pounds, entered the ocean and was being carried out to sea in its semi-drowsy state and was definitely drowning, according to onlookers.

Warwick jumped in and swam after the bear, finally catching up to it. He then swam the bear back to shore.

The biologist said the clearly confused animal at times looked at him and appeared to want to get on his back to hasten the return to land and safety.

Thanks to Wayne and Connie Rodd for forwarding the tidbit.

AN ALL OUTDOORS FIRST: I do not know if this is about the power of the press or whether a Maine conservation office and a judge were truly impressed by this column or merely playing a game of Monopoly, where you can draw a card that states, "Go directly to Jail, do not pass Go, do not collect $200.

Not only would a Western Mass sportsman not collect $200, he faced a $160 fine and loss of future licenses in Maine and Mass for 10 years.

Clayton Syd Sydia of Ware and his friends were bear hunting in Canada, but staying in Fort Kent, Maine when one of the group decided to enjoy the "free" fishing day in Maine and was arrested for fishing without a license.

Neither the arresting officer nor the judge apparently had ever heard of free licesne days.

When Syd heard about the arrest back at the camp he called his wife and she emailed a copy of the All Outdoors column that announced the free fishing days. It was presented to the judge.

The judge contacted the District Attorney, who cancelled the charge on the basis of this column.

The column does not work on speeding tickets, nor will he get you free coffee. Although some find it useful in other ways.

One woman wrote that the photo of me on the column fit perfectly over mice holes, while another said that when torn into shreds it was perfect for a kitty litter box.

You can see why I have remained the humble, yet fantastic creature that I am.

PROUD PAPPY: Jerry Ratelle of Chicopee said he "hates to brag but . . . "

You don't have to Jerry, I'll going to do the bragging about your family. His son Jay and his grandchildren Hunter and Kyle won first place each in their respective divisions at an earlier archery shoot at the Wales Sportsmen Club Jay won the Top Gun Division; Hunter won the 11-13 Boys Division, and Kaylie, the Girls Under 10 Group.

He had high praise for Arrow Speed Archery of Chicopee for correct outfitting and good advice.

QUABBIN AND ANTLERESS PERMITS: Quabbin Special Deer Hunt Applications will be available Aug. 15. Contact Quabbin Visitor's Center at 413-323-7221.

Antlerless permits applications must be postmarked no later than July 16.

HANDGUN LEAGUE: Springfield Sportsmen Club league shoots will be the first, second and fifth Saturday of the month at 5 p.m. Hotdogs and hamburgers will be available. The deadline is now, so contact WWW.SpringfieldSportsmansClub.com

FUZZY PHEASANT FEAST: A New Mexico Sportsmen Club, the Fuzzy Pheasant, turned the 600 birds they downed during the season to the local Open Door Mission.

This had to be one heck of a treat. I love turkey and chicken, but they taste like silly putty beside a well-basted pheasant.

AN UNWANTED FISHING COMPANION: Our son Doug, his son Dougie and another grandson Frankie Sousa were fishing from one-man kayaks on the inside of Monomoy Island on Cape Cod when the school of bluefish became very agitated and within moments the choppers became chopped. A large shark's fin cut through the waters with the business end doing their job, according to Doug who spotted it.

Sharks have been very active around Monomoy feasting on an ever growing seal colony there.

I always enjoyed scuba diving around seals, especially around Brandt Rock. They are curious and are always swimming up to your face plate and staring in, like a big-eyed little kid staring through the glass of the candy counter.

Then I learned they are the favorite food of several shark families, including the great white. I realized in a black wet suit and flippers that I could be mistaken for a seal and thus practiced saying "Shoo!" in seal language.

They, sharks, are impressive under water but are of little danger. I believe that you could count the number of shark attacks in Bay State waters in the past 50 years on your little finger.

Frank Sousa can be reached 
at franksousa01033@yahoo.com; 
or P.O. Box 207, Granby, MA 01033; 
or fax (413) 467-2174 

By RON CHIMELIS
rchimelis@repub.com

A young lady from Holyoke doesn't mind being asked why she is standing patiently in the rain, just to meet Doug Mirabelli.

"Do you want the truth?" asks Kara Gagne, a recent college graduate who has worn a "Mirabelli 28" jersey to Chicopee's Szot Park.

"He was a great player, too," she adds. "I know he struggled a bit at the plate. But not many guys could catch that knuckleball."

True. One unique skill, and a spot on a team where every role player is a celebrity, explains Saturday's long line that snaked through an open field, filled with rain-soaked fans willing to pay $20 for Mirabelli's autograph.

"He was one of my favorites," says Matthew McRobbie, a Springfield ninth-grader whose spirit was not dampened by the drizzle.

The object of this idolatry was a .231 lifetime hitter, released by the Red Sox in March. Now living in Michigan, Mirabelli was brought to Chicopee by Bill Stetson, owner of the city's Rumbleseat Bar & Grill, to spice up Szot's July 4 festival.

Not since that police escort from the airport to Fenway Park has a Mirabelli arrival created such excitement. Only in Red Sox Nation.

"I like the role players," says Zach Matys of Agawam, a college student wearing (appropriately) a Tim Wakefield shirt.

The day's hero greets his admirers warmly. Having caught Wakefield so well for so long, Mirabelli is asked if catching a knuckler is a skill than can be taught.

"It's hard," he said. "But I guess I did a pretty good job with Kevin Cash."

So good, in fact, that Cash took his job. Mirabelli, 37, said he hasn't thought much about playing again.

"I'm coaching girls softball now," he said. "That's all."

"He's a good guy," Stetson says. "He'll pose for pictures with the fans, which a lot of autograph signers won't do."

Stetson is that rare breed, a guy willing to sponsor an autograph gig (which requires a sizeable appearance fee) without the goal of a fast buck.

"I sell beer and pizza for a living," he says. "I'm hoping to get back maybe three-quarters of what I paid."

He did it to help Chicopee's July 4 event, and he's succeeded. A large chunk of the crowd is here for this reason.

A few moments with Doug Mirabelli, member of two world champions, has brought sunshine to their rainy day.

"I wish he'd come back (to play again)," Gagne says.

I leave Szot, uplifted. I see guys like Bill Stetson, making Chicopee a better place.

I am reminded that Red Sox fans are the best. And I realize that if this many people are this eager to pay $20 for a Doug Mirabelli autograph, the economy can't possibly be as bad as I'd thought.

The Western Mass. Pioneers finished their road trip to the Steel Belt 0-2, after a 2-0 loss last night at the hands of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

The Pioneers found themselves shorthanded because of red cards but held their own until the 62nd minute, when Pittsburgh's Jean Rubens-Gerome opened the scoring.

The Pioneers were deep in the hole after Pittsburgh's Justin Evans banged home a penalty kick in the 72nd minute to make the score 2-0.

"We had a thin roster tonight," assistant coach Greg Kolodziey said after the game. "We held up forthree-quarters of the match and then we just ran out of gas."

The Pioneers will also find themselves short handed for their next game, as Chicopee's Jeff Deren picked up a red card last night.

By BILL WELLS

WEST SPRINGFIELD - "Pistol" Pete Pashko earned his nickname while quarterbacking the Cathedral High School football team in the late 1940s.

Even though he stopped playing football, that nickname stuck with the future Cathedral Hall of Famer. After returning from nearly two years in the service, and with the encouragement and support of his four brothers, Pashko put his "pistol" to use in a different sport.

For more than a decade, against some of the best teams in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, Pashko was a star fast-pitch softball pitcher.

And in an era when fast-pitch softball was at its peak, when games were typically played under the lights before crowds well into the hundreds, "Pistol" Pete Pashko starred on the best team in the region.

Pashko moved from Maine to Springfield when he was 13-years-old. He attended Cathedral, where he played football and basketball for Billy Wise, Sr.

During his junior year, he started at quarterback, where he earned his future life-long nickname because of the stunning speed in which he threw the football.

"Frank Korbut was our fullback," Pashko recalled. "I felt sorry for him. I hit him off the helmet once and almost knocked him out. I felt sorry for him, but Billy Wise said, 'Never mind, Pete, just keeping throwing it. It's up to them to catch it'."

Pashko wanted to try out for the baseball team his senior year, in 1949. But he injured his knee while helping the Panthers to the Western Massachusetts championship in basketball, and missed the baseball season.

He was drafted by the Army in 1952, and after eight weeks of basic training and another eight weeks of military police training, he was shipped to the Far East. Pashko was about to be thrust into the Korean War. But Pashko caught a break: the Army was in need of military police in Japan, and Pashko was selected.

"I was all set to go to Korea: with the white helmet and my 45 (rifle). I was lucky," he said.

At Japan, where he served for 18 months, while not on duty, he played football, basketball and baseball in leagues provided by the Army. He was named to the "All-Japan Team" in 1953.

"That year and a half went by fast," he said. "Before I knew it, I was shipped home."

When he returned home, Pashko married his high school sweetheart, Grace, and moved to West Springfield. He wanted to stay involved in sports, but didn't want to play football or basketball. His brothers - Jim, George, Nick and Tom - encouraged him to try softball: specifically, pitching.

"I got home and started throwing a softball," he said. "My brothers told me to keep throwing. I was as wild as a son of a gun, but after a while .¤.¤. practice. Then I got a rise ball down pretty pat."

In the mid-'50s, Pashko started playing for Front Page Cigar, an independent team regarded as the best in the area. Owned by Harold Hudson, the team played against premier teams from throughout the northeast.

"Some guys came from baseball and had that hitch a little bit," he said. "I threw a fastball, and when they hitched, the ball would go by them."

The mound was originally set at 32 feet before being moved back to 36. Either way, hitters stood little chance against Pashko's fastball.

Later, the mound was moved back to 42 feet, which benefited Pashko even more. He developed a rise ball, which started in the strike zone before zipping above the letters. The pitch resulted into a lot of pop-ups or missed swings.

"It was low coming in, and it went right up. I threw a curveball, too," said the right-hander, who also threw a change-up and knuckleball.

Pashko stopped playing fast-pitch softball when he was 38 years old. He tried slow-pitch, but "that only lasted a year. I couldn't wait for the pitch when I was hitting."

Pashko is 78 years old. His memory is very good, and he's in good health despite having a hip and knee replacement. His six kids all live in West Springfield, and he and Grace have nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

"I watch a lot of baseball: a lot of sports," he said. "I try to stay busy. If someone needs something done, I do it.

"I enjoyed my whole life."

Pashko certainly enjoyed his fast-pitch softball career. He starred when the sport had substance: when it was news. Whether is was at Memorial Park in Westfield or Ma Mannings in Chicopee, Pashko and his Front Page Cigar teammates drew enthusiastic crowds of hundreds of fans multiple times a week in the summertime.

"Fast pitch softball in the 1950s and 1960s was right up with the other sports in terms of attracting fans," said Pashko, who once struck out 17 in a seven-inning game. "People enjoyed the game for an hour-and-a-half. You saw a lot of good talent out there. Fast-pitch softball was great at one time.

And so was "Pistol" Pete Pashko.

Bill Wells can be reached at wellsb6@charter.net

By GARRY BROWN
gbrown@repub.com


After Jason Varitek fanned, and looked miserable doing so, to end Game 3 at Tampa Bay Wednesday night, a frantic friend called to say, "Do we have any catchers in the minor leagues?"
One might regard that as a typical panic reaction of a Boston Red Sox fan, most of whom still have trouble shaking free from the "bad old days" when everything that could go wrong for the Olde Towne Team usually did.
Of course, things have gone much better for the Sox since the turn of the century. And let's not forget that Captain Varitek had a lot to do with the 2004 and 2007 World Series trophies which now decorate Fenway Park's executive suite.

Still, we know that major league baseball is the ultimate "what have you done for me lately?" endeavor. That's why a slumping Varitek can become a matter for panic phone calls, especially after his ninth-inning popup yesterday with the bases full.
His slump has become something serious. Over his last 33 games, he's hitting .133. Over his last 18, he's hitting .102. This from a veteran who came into the season with a career average of .267.
It's still a bit early to tell if the captain really has become a .219 hitter with no power, or if he's merely going through one of those maddening funks that can grip any big league hitter without warning.
With Varitek, who had his 36th birthday April 11, the more worrisome question might be, "Is he getting baseball-old?"
When judging Varitek, we certainly must take into account the position he plays. Some catchers can do it over a long haul, some can't.
Carlton Fisk caught full time until he was 43, then hung on to set the record for games caught (2,226). Bob Boone, second to Fisk with 2,225, was still catching more than 100 games at 41.
Not so with Hall of Famers Bill Dickey, Gary Carter and Yogi Berra. They all were out of the full-time catching gear by age 34.
Johnny Bench, one of the greatest to don "the tools or ignorance," retired at 35. Over his last three seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, he caught a total of seven games, spending most of his time playing third base or first.
The modern wonder of the catching fraternity happens to be Ivan Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers, who ranks third behind Fisk and Boone in games caught. He's still going at 36, aiming to catch more than 100 games for the 15th time.
As the regular Red Sox catcher for nine-plus seasons, Varitek holds the franchise record for games caught (1,208).
The Red Sox need him to be their rock behind the plate, but they also need him to be a hitter, dangerous from both sides.
Can he still do it? Can he be the solid, all-around performer at 36 that he was at 33? Can he do what some catchers now in the Hall of Fame couldn't do?
If he can't, where do the Red Sox turn? To Kevin Cash? Stay tuned.

By HARRY PLUMER

No-hitters don't come along very often at any level. There have only been 256 in Major League history and just 18 in Boston Red Sox history, making it one of the rarest feats in sports.
This week has seen not just one, but two no-hitters in American Legion play, as Ryan Hortsman of South Hadley-Pettengill Insurance no-hit West Springfield yesterday at South Hadley High School 3-0, three days after East Springfield's Carm Bonavita spun his own no-hit gem against Holyoke.
Hortsman, a lanky left-hander, used a devastating curveball to fool West Springfield (6-8) hitters.

"I really mixed my pitches today," Hortsman said. "The curveball was working really well."
Hortsman struck out 12 and walked four, despite some fatigue issues early.
"My arm was pretty sore from a couple games ago," he said. "I just tried to keep my focus and let my defense help me out."
He was also quick to credit his catcher, an often overlooked factor in any great pitching performance.
"(Catcher Joe) Doody called a great game for me out there," said Hortsman, who will be a junior at South Hadley High School in the fall. "Especially in the third inning, I had back to back walks and he just came out and calmed me down."
South Hadley batters only mustered five hits, with Nick Vautrin providing two RBI and Karl Kapinos adding two runs.
The no-hitter gave South Hadley (2-8-1) something to celebrate in what has thus far been a long season.
"I think it's starting to come around for us," Hortsman said. "We're starting to hit a lot and our pitching and defense were struggling and they've been better."
Aldenville 3, Chicopee-Teddy Bear 0: Ryan Burnette needed only 78 pitches to shut out visiting Chicopee, scattering four hits over seven strong innings, fanning three and walking just one.
Brendan McClelland was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and Christopher Sawa added two hits and an RBI.
Dan Asselin was 2 for 3 in the loss for Chicopee.
Belchertown 8, Ludlow 4: Brandon Obuchowski had two hits including a double, scored two runs, and pitched a complete game fanning eight and walking three to lead Belchertown (4-7).
Andrew Menard and Glenn Stowell each scored two runs and Sean Jarrett had two hits in the victory as well.
Sean Regnier and John Flynn each had two hits for Ludlow (9-5).

10-11 LITTLE LEAGUE

Northampton 1, Westfield South 0: Colby Lander pitched a complete game shutout and threw the possibly tying run out at the plate on a ground ball to end the game as Northampton eliminated host Westfield South.
Lander struck out seven, walked four, and scattered seven hits over six innings of work for the victory.
The Northampton run came when Chris Soderberg scored on a passed ball in the fifth.

By GARRY BROWN
gbrown@repub.com

In a recent discussion here about baseball records that may never be broken, we forgot Charles "Red" Barrett.

Paul Whitlock of Springfield did not forget him. He called to point out that of all the "unbreakable" records, Barrett's is about as safe for all time as any record can get.

What's his record? Fewest pitches in a complete game - 58.

Yes, that's 58. He did it for the Boston Braves on Aug. 10, 1944, beating the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 in an hour and 15 minutes.

It was, in effect, a perfect game. He had a two-hitter with no walks, but faced the minimum 27 batters. The first batter to get a hit was picked off first by Barrett. The other was caught stealing.

Imagine - 58 pitches. It boggles the mind, especially if you happened to be at Fenway Park the day Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 48 pitches to 12 batters before getting the hook from Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona with nobody out in the second inning.

So who was Red Barrett? A journeyman right-hander who pitched for the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Braves over 11 years in the big leagues.

He went 69-69 for his career, which might be considered mediocre except for that wondrous night in Cincinnati.

By the way, the 1:15 game time is a major league record for a night game. Believe it or not, the record for the shortest game time is 51 minutes, set when the New York Giants beat the Philadelphia Phils 6-1 on the afternoon of Sept. 28, 1919.

The "old redhead" did have one big year, going 23-12 for the Cardinals of 1945 and finishing third in the MVP voting.

Whitlock's interest in Barrett is personal, going back to three unforgettable years when he served as the visiting batboy for Triple A International League games at Springfield's Pynchon Park, which served as home for the Springfield Cubs.

"In 1951, Red Barrett pitched for the Baltimore Orioles (then an IL franchise). I have a baseball with his autograph," said Whitlock.

"He used to hit flyballs to the outfielders in the pregame workouts. I'd stand next to him to catch the ball when they'd throw it back in, and he would keep up a running conversation with me.

"He also was an Irish tenor, very good. I saw him in two shows when he came to the Court Square Theater downtown."

In later life, Whitlock became an outstanding coach of track and cross country at Cathedral, serving from 1966 to 1994. He stayed on in the CHS athletic department through 2005 after he stopped coaching.

Some of his most vivid memories, though, come from his time as a batboy.

"It was great being the batboy for the visiting teams, because I got to be in the clubhouse and dugout when the Red Sox and Braves would come to Pynchon Park for exhibition games," he said.

Yes, those were the days. In 1951 and ¤'52, the Red Sox played the Springfield Cubs before crowds of 10,000, then went to Boston for their regular-season opener. The Braves played an in-season exhibition in 1951.

Whitlock gathered all kinds of autographs from those games - yes, even from Teddy Ballgame.

SHAKESPEAREAN SOX: It's not often that you will hear a major league player quoting The Bard of Avon, but it happened last week with Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell.

In an interview with the Boston Globe prior to Boston's visit to Tampa Bay early last week, Lowell said:

"This is a big series for us. We want to play well. But I don't think it's a be-all or end-all."

Lowell's use of the phrase "be-all or end-all" comes very close to what William Shakespeare wrote in Act One of "Macbeth." As he prepares himself to assassinate King Duncan, Macbeth hopes that ".¤.¤. this blow might be the be-all and the end-all .¤.¤."

Lowell is a graduate of Florida International University, where he made all-conference three times. As a senior in 1995, he was chosen for the NCAA's Academic All-America team.

As for that Tampa Bay series, the Red Sox wound up getting swept, but it's still July, so Lowell was right - it wasn't a be-all or end-all in the American League East race.

SWEET LU OF 1962: It was 46 years ago this month that a Red Sox player had one of the hottest hitting binges in franchise history.

Ted Williams? Nope, the hot hitter in this case was Luciean Louis "Lu" Clinton, a first baseman who was basically an unknown until he went on a spree from June 29 to July 13, 1962. Over a 13-game span, he went 30 for 54 (.555) with nine homers and 26 RBI.

The July hitting spree enabled him to finish the 1962 season at .294 - 47 points higher than the .247 he posted for his eight-year major league career.

MINOR ADJUSTMENT: You never know in baseball, which might be the only way to explain a slump so long-lasting that the Atlanta Braves finally had to demote outfielder Jeff Francoeur to Double A.

A No. 1 draft pick who grew up in an Atlanta suburb, Francoeur hit a productive .280 for his first three seasons with the Braves. 

By RUSS HELD
rheld@repub.com




Roberta Bolduc of Longmeadow is more than happy to take a back seat these days.

But that's not to say she didn't enjoy every minute from her front row seat at some of the world's best golf during the last month.

The chairperson of the Women's Committee for the United States Golf Association had quite a month of June.

She started at St. Andrew's in Scotland at the Curtis Cup Matches, came home for a week and then headed to San Diego for the men's U.S. open at Torrey Pines. From there, it was on to the Women's Amateur Public Links Championship in Wisconsin and then to the U.S. Women's Open in Minnesota.

The whirlwind tour started at St. Andrew's, hallowed ground that Bolduc said "was one of the few places that actually exceeds expectations, it was like a pilgrimage .¤.¤. everything you've ever seen in books and on TV - it was all real, it was right there in front of you."

Bolduc was able to play the course, as part of the winning side of a "friendly" international match between the top governing bodies of women's golf from the United States and United Kingdom.

"Just walking up the 18th hole there, it was unimaginable - all the great players and events that have happened there over the years," Bolduc said.

At the U.S. Open, she was a walking rules official assigned during the second round to the group of defending champion Angel Cabrera, Padraig Harrington and Davis Love III.

"I think that was part of my good-bye gift (from the USGA), to be assigned to that group," Bolduc said as she nears the end of her two-year term as Women's Committee chairperson.

She was a forward observer inside the ropes with Tiger Woods' group that Saturday, a third round that saw him eagle two of his last six holes to take a one-stroke lead into the final round.

"He was spraying the ball all over the place, it put me all over the course making sure his ball was OK," Bolduc said. "I was basically radioing back to the group about what problems (potential rulings) he might have when he got to the ball. If all was OK, I'd move up to where the next shots would be hit."

Bolduc said she was standing greenside, right behind the break on Woods' long putt at 18 to finish his round.

"The golf course just erupted on that putt," Bolduc said. "It was probably one of the biggest back nines anyone has (ever) played. He shook hands with me afterward, with such a smile on his face."

She moved on to the Women's Amateur Public Links at Erin Hills, Wis., in an ambassador and officiating role.

Bolduc made a quick flight home, then spent the following 10 days at Interlachen in Edina, Minn.

Bolduc helped USGA officials with hole locations, then was a rules official Saturday for eventual champion In-Bee Park. On Sunday, she walked with the final group of Paula Creamer and Stacy Lewis and later presented the championship trophy to Park on the 18th green.

"I didn't drop it, I had two chances and I held on," Bolduc joked of the second year of the trophy presentation.

Next up for Bolduc is a short trip to the U.S. Girls' Junior at Hartford GC later this month. Another upcoming highlight is a trip to the World Amateur Team Championship in Australia in October.

"It's been magical, I am very lucky with where golf has taken me," Bolduc said.

CLUB HELP: If there is good will out there, Ted Perez Jr. of Westfield hopes it can surface - no questions asked.

The head pro at family-owned East Mountain CC said his father's clubs were stolen last Sunday from his small cart garage at the Westfield course. Of sentimental value was a putter that belonged to Perez Sr.'s late brother Paul.

"My dad has used that putter since 1960, the year Paul was killed," Perez Jr. said. "Paul was the primary motivation behind building the golf course .¤.¤. That putter has played more rounds of golf at East Mountain than any other club.

"The clubs aren't as important, but the putter is. We hope it can be returned, with absolutely no questions asked."

Perez can be reached at the pro shop at 568-1539.

LOCAL NOTES: Steve Alminas of East Longmeadow cashed his first winner's check, with a rousing comeback at a Golfer's Warehouse Tour event at New England CC in Bellingham. Alminas opened with a 69. A closing 67 helped him rally from a four-stoke deficit at the start of the final round. Alminas earned $5,750 with the two-stroke win . . . East Longmeadow's Matt Baran, an assistant at Oyster Harbors, teamed with Wollaston GC's Eric Barlow to share first place at the New England PGA Assistants Stoke Play Championship last week . . . Tony Kelley of Wyckoff CC was co-medalist at the Western Mass. Pro-Am at Twin Hills CC in Longmeadow. He carded a 3-under 68. Wyckoff CC assistant Rick Leal (69) finished third and led the winning team of amateurs Joe Wilson, Tom Beauregard and Scott Taupier. Ted Perez Jr. was low senior pro with a 70.

LOCAL TOURNEYS: The Raimondi City Championship is Saturday and Sunday at Springfield's municipal courses, Veterans and Franconia. Four divisions, including a senior division, highlight the weekend . . . Mill Valley Golf Links (323-4079) in Belchertown will host its annual clambake tournament Saturday . . . CC of Greenfield (773-7530) has its play-either-day Greenfield Open Saturday and Sunday. . . Southampton CC (527-9815) will hold its Southampton Open Two-Ball July 19 and/or 20.

By JOE DEBURRO
jdeburro@repub.com

On her path to induction into the New England Tennis Hall of Fame, Amherst's Judy Dixon has hung out with a tennis icon, Oscar Award-winning lyricists and of course her students, co-workers and neighbors in Western Massachusetts.

Dixon's tennis accomplishments are undeniable, but of all she's done in the sport over the past four decades, those personal relationships have meant the most to her.

"Clearly it would be the friendships I've made along the way," Dixon, 58, said when asked what has stood out in her career as a tennis player, coach and journalist. "It's very hard to feel like, wow, I did this, wow, I did that. . . . I don't think of (the induction) as things I've accomplished so much as the people I've met along the way. Hopefully I've been able to give back in some way to the community and to my friends."

Dixon, who was inducted June 21 along with five others, has indeed accomplished much in the game.

For the past 16 years, she has been best known as coach of the University of Massachusetts women's tennis team, which she built from scratch when the program was restored in 1993 following dormancy due to budget cuts. Dixon has led the Minutewomen to a 189-151 record, Atlantic 10 Conference tournament semifinal appearances in 10 of the last 11 years and the 2001 conference title and UMass' first NCAA appearance. She has been named Atlantic 10 coach of the year three times.

Growing up in New Jersey, Dixon was a top-20 national junior player and won the national junior indoor championship in 1967. About that time, her coach, Doris Hart, introduced her to Billie Jean King.

"I was in New Jersey, and I got a letter from (King). She was going to play the national indoors in Massachusetts, Rosie Casals was injured, and she wanted to know if I'd play doubles with her. I could hardly believe my eyes," Dixon recalled. "It was an amazing two weeks, but not only for playing on the tennis court, because back then you didn't stay in hotels, you stayed in people's homes.

"So for two weeks I had the opportunity to stay in the same home with Billie Jean. The conversations late into the night really had an impact on me - about giving back to the sport, pushing yourself, taking yourself more seriously and don't let a day go by that you take anything for granted. It was typical Billie Jean - she always has her hand out to help people," Dixon said.

Unable to attend Dixon's New England Hall of Fame induction, King and Hart sent letters which UMass Faculty Athletics Representative Glenn Wong read in his introduction of Dixon.

Dixon was surprised to see two other close friends who were able to attend - Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman (their credits include Oscars for "The Windmills of Your Mind" from "The Thomas Crown Affair" and "The Way We Were"). It was the Bergmans' second trip to New England from Beverly Hills in as many months. They received honorary doctorates from UMass in May.

While a student at the University of Southern California, Dixon met Alan Bergman on the tennis courts (through the Bergmans, she also met Barbra Streisand). Dixon played tennis weekly with Alan Bergman while at USC, where she played first singles and doubles.
Dixon was a touring pro in the early '70s. She limits her competition these days to playing on New England teams at USTA tournaments. She will play for New England at the National Senior Women's Intersectional in November at San Antonio, Texas.

Dixon's tennis resume also includes coaching the UMass men's team from 1993 to 2001; coaching the Philadelphia Freedoms of World Team Tennis in 2003; and serving on the U.S. Collegiate Sports Council, as a clinician for the USTA Training Center, on the International Tennis Association operating board and on the USTA New England Collegiate Committee.

Dixon worked as a journalist in the '70s, and in 1975 she became was the first woman nominated for an Emmy Award in sports broadcasting.

The new grandma - grandson Devin was born April 25 - said her greatest enjoyment from the game can be divided into two phases of her life: playing and coaching.

"Prior to age 26, it would definitely be the competing - getting the chance to play Wimbledon and the U.S. Open - I loved competing, I even loved preparing to compete," Dixon said. "At this part of my life, it's the coaching and teaching. I think I am first and foremost someone who enjoys teaching."

NET NOTES: The Tim Mayotte-coached Boston Lobsters of World Team Tennis open their home schedule tomorrow against the Delaware Smash. Other home dates are Thursday, Sunday and July 13, 16, 18 and 19. Venus Williams is scheduled to play Thursday for Philadelphia, and Martina Navratilova is scheduled to play July 16 and 19 for Boston. Matches are played at the Ferncroft Country Club in Middleton. For more information, call (877) 617-5627 or go online to bostonlobsters.net . . . This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Clem Easton Super Senior Championships, scheduled Thursday through Sunday at the Field Club of Longmeadow. The event again serves as the New England championship tournament for men's 65, 70, 75, 80 and 85 singles and women's 70 doubles and 75 singles, and mixed 65 doubles debuts as a sectional title event. Entries close tomorrow at 12:30. For more information, call George Easton at (860) 767-8655 or Joanne Easton Durham at (781) 848-4061.