The 1st Cradle Knockout – Rising to the moment as the sun goes down
A new game at Pinehurst ramps up the fun – and the pressure.
By Alex Podlogar
They started coming at about 4 p.m., a good 30 minutes before registration even opened.
First shots weren’t planned until 5:30.
Groups of four wandered over with a few clubs in their hands, still mulling their choices. A single followed here and there. It was regular enough that these early birds formed the semblance of a line tracing the edge of Thistle Dhu as they ambled toward the Cradle Crossing. One by one, or by twosomes or by threes. Many of them were buddies.
Soon? Adversaries.
Some were clad as typical golfers. Standard khakis and tucked golf shirts. Others in a hoodie or a t-shirt untucked. One dreamer was barefoot. Two were young kids. Hats backwards, visors on occasion and definitely sunglasses. Beyond them and the 4th tee, 140-odd yards away, was the 1st green of The Cradle, the setting sun still enveloping that seemingly innocuous target as it angled steeply toward the tall pines whose eventual shadows would accelerate dusk.
They had come for the first Cradle Knockout.
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The game is a simple one. Bring 10 bucks for the entry fee – half of which will go to the winner on this night with the other half to be donated to charity. Be one of the first 100 people to show up and get your name in, and you’re guaranteed a spot.
You’re also guaranteed an audience.
In the first round, you get one shot. One swing. Hold the green, and you advance to the second round.
Miss, and you’re gone.
From the game, at least. The bar, friend, is still open. And it is Golden Hour. Stay a while and watch. Because so much happens.
The guy with the hybrid held the green. So did both kids. The pro did not.
And the game goes on.
In the second round, to advance you must keep your ball within a 20-foot circle of the pin. Watch closely and you might notice that, on this day, the hole location brings the left bank of the green into play. That might give your overcooked draw one fading chance at bouncing back toward the pin. Too hard, though, and the ball will slowly drift outside the chalkline. And everything slopes away to the right and front.
Yes, you can get Rossed in the Cradle Knockout.
Even that player who is too good can miss, forced to watch painfully as his well-struck wedge lands hard and inside the line – only to spin back and trickle…trickle…trickle…to the groans of a less-than-adoring gallery, many of them competing, and thusly, rooting against you.
Those who keep their ball within 20 feet advance to the third and final round, a triumph five players made on this first dustup in the fading light on Thursday. At this point, the game reaches its fever pitch as dusk fully descends. Now it is a closest-to-the-pin contest that races against the light.
Tension was palpable. Players waggled a little longer. Gripped and regripped. Took one last, longing look at the disappearing green down below before drawing back a tidy, but nervy, backswing.
Jackson Smith held the green at 25 feet, 9 inches to start. Charlie Haritos missed the green entirely. Sup Rujironan banged it to 16 feet, 5 inches. Bryce Jones also missed.
Sean O’Donnell was the last.
One player left. One swing left. One ball left. Sup stood right of the tee box, not necessarily out of view.
As the clubface struck the ball, O’Donnell held his pose. Those who could still trace the ball’s flight against the charcoal sky started to “ooooooooohhhhhh.” When it landed, O’Donnell raised his arms. Suspense was no longer needed. He knew.
Everyone knew.
And everyone waited for the number.
6 feet, 6 inches.
A dart.
A clear knockout if there ever was one.
Sean O’Donnell, the new, undisputed heavyweight champion of Pinehurst.
Until next month, when we do this again.
And until November, where the ultimate Cradle Knockout reuniting all of the finalists this year will gather again to see who takes home the one and only Cradle Knockout belt.
More to come.
