Molori Unplugged by John Molori
Legendary “Lynchie” loves the links Since 1982, Mike Lynch has ridden a wave of constant popularity unmatched in Boston sports media. In September, Lynch will turn 60-years-old. For most of that time, the WCVB-TV sportscasting icon has been playing golf. The game was passed down to Lynch from his father, Dick Lynch. Says Mike, “When I was a kid, my dad bought me a Billy Casper three wood at Raymond’s in Lynn. I used to play at Salem Municipal and Happy Valley (now Gannon), and I was a caddy at Tedesco. I used to follow the railroad tracks behind my house which led right to the 15th hole.” Caddying planted the seeds of proper golf in Lynch’s mind. “I learned about golf etiquette and how to handle adversity. The strongest part of my game is still finding lost golf balls. When I was a caddy, they would take 25 cents off my fee for every lost ball, so I got very good at finding them. Caddying taught me how to behave on the course. I think the game teaches you to be a real man.” In 1991, Lynch became a member at Indian Ridge in Andover, MA. It has been a source of enjoyment ever since. “I just love the members there,” says the man known as ‘Lynchie.’ As for favorite courses, Lynch’s list is varied. “I still consider Tedesco my home course because I caddied there, but I love Salem, Kernwood, and Belmont. “I’ve been very lucky to be able to play so many great courses. When I was a kid, I was a part of the Back 9 Club, a group of us who used to sneak into Tedesco to play. Back then, I could only dream about being on the courses that I’ve had the chance to play.” Lynch has not only played on some classic courses, but also with some classic Boston sports names. “I used to play a lot with Bobby Orr, John Havlicek, Roger Clemens, Steve Nelson, and Steve Grogan,” says the multi-time Massachusetts Sportscaster of the Year. “Golf is the great melting pot. It takes away the barriers and mistrust. Prior to playing, you may have certain perceptions of each other. You feel entirely different about a person after playing for four hours.” Lynch quarterbacked Harvard University to the 1975 Ivy League title and officiated Patrick Ewing’s last game at Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School
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in 1981. Golf, however, holds a unique place in his sporting heart. Just how significant is that place? Lynch responds, “I have to have both knees replaced soon, but I plan my schedule around golf. I’m always bugging (WCVB meteorologist) Harvey Leonard for a five-day forecast. I’m a 14 or 15 handicap and my index is 12.5, but I would kill to be a 5. “If I spent as much time thinking about my job or yard work, I’d be a Hall of Famer at both! I’ve never had a hole-in-one, but I’ve broken 80 about a halfdozen times. Every round has a shot that brings you back, like Al Pacino in The Godfather: Part III.”John Molori is the co-author of “The Cracker Jack Collection: Baseball’s Prized Players,” to be released in the fall of 2013. Email John at molorimedia@aol.com.