Notebook: Friends Make Last-Minute Trip To Chicago To Watch Paladino In Final

By David Shefter, USGA

Wheaton, Ill. – Some 30 employees huddled around a small computer screen at the Timberlin Golf Course in Kensington, Conn., on Friday. They all were trying to get the latest updates from the 2007 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. Timberlin employee and regular at the course Cody Paladino was fighting to advance and with a pair of 1-up victories, he kept his friends back home on edge.

Once the 18-year-old had eliminated Derek Fathauer of Jensen Beach, Fla., in the semifinals, he called Kevin Josephson. The two talked about the victory and Paladino mentioned he had one more match left to possibly win the title.

“[Kevin] said, ‘I’m coming. I’m online right now. We have a flight that leaves [Saturday morning] at 6:45 and we’ll be there by eight,’ ” said Paladino. “I thought it would be incredible, but I wasn’t expecting it.”

Cody Paladino tried to give his friends from home a thrill, but came up short in the APL final. (Fred Vuich/USGA)

Sure enough, Josephson, his father, Rob, and another Timberlin buddie Matt Riccio, made last-minute reservations and flew from Hartford to Chicago. They arrived at the course in time to see Paladino play the eighth hole of the morning round. At that point, he was 2 down to Colt Knost.

“We went from usapl.org to southwest.com,” said Rob Josephson.

When asked how much the airline tickets cost, Kevin Josephson replied: “It’s worth it.”

Paladino, who lost 6 and 4 in the final, certainly was grateful to have a rooting section. His older brother, Brent, who competed in this championship, left on Friday morning to go back to Kensington to get some rest and prepare for this week’s New England Amateur, an event Cody is also entered in.

Brent’s caddie and coach, Chuck Lasher, the head pro at Timberlin, remained on-site to root on Cody, who also works with Lasher and is a close friend.

“That’s awesome,” said Paladino of the friends who flew out. “That says a lot about their character and how good of friends they are.

“Chuck doubles as my brother’s caddie and triples as one of our best friends. It was incredibly special [having him here]. We want to bring him to the highest stage that I possibly can.”

Add Paladino

Another unexpected fan came to Cantigny in the form of Carol Stream, Ill., resident Jeff Denman. Paladino had never heard of Denman until Saturday when he arrived on the course wearing a Baylor Golf shirt. At first, Paladino thought Denman was a current player. Then he found out that he was a 1994 graduate of the Waco, Texas, school

“I just got back from vacation, but when I found out there was a Baylor guy playing in the final, I had to get out here and see him,” said Denman, a 3-handicapper who is friends with Baylor men’s golf coach Greg Priest and often plays in the member-guest with him at Ridgewood Country Club, the Bears’ home course.

Said Paladino, an incoming freshman at Baylor: “I’m walking down the sixth fairway [of the morning 18] and I see this Baylor golf shirt,” said Paladino. “I’m wondering is this one of the kids from the team? I didn’t know who he was. It was incredible to see that. That’s one of the last things you expect to see [here in Chicago].”

Shirt Appeal

A rumor circulated that Colt Knost didn’t have enough shirts to finish out the week. That was quickly squashed. Knost did purchase a light blue Cantigny shirt because he thought it went better with his black golf shoes. Knost originally had white shoes, but when those caused blisters on both feet, he switched to a more comfortable pair.

“I didn’t want to look like an idiot in the finals,” said Knost of his choice of clothing and colors.

Well, at least fashion expert Marty Hackel won’t be on his case.

Nevertheless, Knost’s feet were sore after playing 32 holes. He heavily bandaged them in the morning and he was fine during the first 18 holes.

“They started getting sore toward the end,” he said.

Knost probably will stay off his feet for the next week before leaving for the Porter Cup on July 22. He also has the Western Amateur in early August in Benton Harbor, Mich., and then the U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in late August out in San Francisco, Calif.

Add Knost

Following Knost around was Blake Smith, the son of Randy Smith and a player-agent for Rodney Hambric. Knost has been working with Randy Smith, the pro out at Royal Oaks in Dallas, since his senior year in high school. In fact, one of the reasons he chose Southern Methodist was to be close to Smith. Randy could not make it to Cantigny this week as he was headed to Carnoustie on Sunday for the British Open.

As for where Knost might put the James D. Standish Trophy, he said he’ll find a spot at his mom’s house.

“She’ll take care of that,” he said. “She takes care of that stuff for me.

“[But] I am honored to have my name on there.”

Final Add Knost

Knost had never entered the APL prior to this year, but was urged to do so by USA Walker Cup Captain George “Buddy” Marucci. Knost was thinking about playing in the U.S./Japan Matches for college players, but Marucci said winning a USGA championship would help build his case to make the team. So Knost filed an entry, qualified and then won the whole thing.

“He said this would help me out more than that,” said Knost, a third-team All-American this past season at SMU. “So I have to thank him definitely for that.”

David Shefter is a USGA staff writer. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.