Field Day Social - Persimmon 2 Man

I first heard about the event a little over a year ago. Just a couple of weeks before they held Classic Number Six actually.

A day of golf and festivities at Morris Country Club, celebrating the tools of golf that predate the 460cc behemoths common in today’s golf bags around the country - specifically the persimmon wood. Inspired by equipment, but developed and perfected by Patrick and the team over at Field Day Sporting Co., a day of persimmon drivers and woods and enjoying golf the way it used to be.

Unable to attend, I threw it on the bucket list and started checking eBay for a set of persimmon woods.

Jump forward twelve months and Matt Painter and I were ready to take on the world.

The festivities kicked off with an event at the shop, bringing together competitors and local buddies alike. It was a great opportunity to reconnect and spend some time with my buddies Beau and Matt and meet a bunch of new friends. It’s always fun to meet new folks over good beer and golf conversation. Stories flowed like the beer from the taps - recollections of courses we’ve all played, golf trip memories retold from different perspectives and highlights of previous Persimmon 2 Man events.

Being inside the Field Day Social, their brick and mortar store there in Morris, we were able to peruse the shop, do some shopping and wander with an adult beverage. I do love Patrick’s shop, and it rekindles memories of days running around Eaton’s Junior Gentlemen, a shop run by my Grandparents and then Uncle, back when I was a kid.

We drank and enjoyed each other’s company until closing time, and went our own ways to prepare for a day of golf and merriment.

That eBay habit paid off, and I landed a beautiful set of Titleist woods earlier this summer, original grips and all. I managed to sneak in a few range sessions and had been hitting them fairly well off the grass. I was feeling excited and confident with the possibilities.

With an afternoon tee time, we opted to sneak in a morning round at Nettle Creek, to help work on getting familiar with the Persimmons. Matt’s always got solid game, and we both played decent, leaving us excited for the afternoon round.

Matt played well all day and set us up for success. I on the other hand, didn’t play up to my handicap, but I truly had a blast. The low point of my day was an 18” putt, pushed and left short. I did hit some good shots, and we went down fighting. When the wheels come off, they definitely come off, and Matt did all he could to keep us in it. We finished 5th in our minds, but not really sure how was fared against the field. But I can honestly say, I think Matt and I took home the title for most laughs and best day had. We both went home with some prizes, hit some phenomenal shots and added some great memories.

To say I’m looking forward to the Persimmon 2 Man 8.0, is an understatement. Patrick, consider this my registration for 2023!








Field Day Social Visit

Whenever I hear someone locally is serving Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, it brings about a nervous excitement. It can normally only mean one thing - it’s Masters week.

I’ve always wanted to Augusta, Georgia, so when I can get a hint of Augusta without having to leave home, I’m more than willing to go out of my way. One such place happens to be down in Morris, IL, a quant town not too far from Chicago, that also happens to be the host for ChitShow 5, for those Lambers out there.

Patrick Keegan took his years of experience, with some of the top fashion and golf fashion brands in the world, and has brought to life a brand that combines style and comfort you can take to the course, the office, or a nice dinner. From Tux fittings to an in house barber by appointment, Patrick has quickly developed a place the community can not only come to look good, but with a tap and bar, also created a fun place the community can come together.

For the Masters this year, the team at Field Day Social, went all out. They worked with local catering company Nan’s Catering, to bring box lunches based on the concession stands in Augusta - Pimento Cheese sandwiches, Egg salad sandwiches, fruit cup, chips and a cookie. At the bar, local tappers of different brews, and the Azalea, the legendary Augusta National Clubhouse beverage.

The store looked amazing and was abuzz with people putting on Big Moss practice putting greens, rolling local putter company Bettinardi putters, and enjoying a great kick off to the weekend. With TV’s everywhere you turned, to the famous gnomes, sold only at the Masters, on different display tables, it was hard to mistake what was going on.

If you’re local and looking for a place to hang to watch the final round today, I’d definitely recommend dropping by. If you’re outside of the area, take a look at their webstore and buy yourself a t-shirt. You won’t be disappointed. Shopping local is always more fun, and places like Field Day Social, are perfect examples of what makes shopping within the community, so much fun.

Find Field Day Social online here: fielddaysportingco.com

I snapped a few pics while I was there, but can tell you, they don’t do the store justice. The place was jumping, and I didn’t want to get in the way, but hope you can get a feel for why the shop is so special.

Refilling the tank

It’s been on the calendar but weather and/or life got in the way.

Ya’ll talked about it, and almost confirmed it, but it’s just turned in to meeting for beers instead.

Flies have been tied, boxes filled, gear cleaned - and you end up watching fifteen year old fly fishing movies in standard definition.

I feel like this story plays out for the weekend fisherman, on the regular. We want to make it out, but priorities get in the way, or reality sets in that fishing in 6* weather just may not be THAT much fun.

When things break and we might have the chance to find a window and make the most of it, it’s hard not to ask the Mrs. for a day pass. I’m blessed she understands the need to get away and tickle our passions.

Here, Rob and I enjoyed an overly sunny day, up on a common spot up in the Driftless. We each hooked a few fish and enjoyed some time basking in the sun. Capped the day with a beer, Old Dutch potato chips, and some good conversation.

Overall, just an amazing time refilling the tank. It’s always great to see the valleys and vistas that make up the Driftless, taste the cheese curds and dried meats, and nab a box of donut from the Kwik Trip for the kiddos.

Hope ya’ll find the time to refill your tanks and get out and enjoy the outdoors.