Bad Luck Chuck

Chuck Monestero was a man of slight build, to put it mildly. Standing 5' 8" and about 110 lbs he was devoid of any physical attributes. Wearing clothes  that always seemed two sizes too large, a five o'clock shadow at seven in the morning and a ubiquitous scowl on his face, Chuck's nickname was fittingly earned. This was a man that was dogged by his own little black cloud. This story is only one example.

Back in 1980 Chuck began the year working for Donna White. It was Donna's second season on tour and an up and coming player. She started the year with 3 top tens.

It was early in the year at the first major of the season the Colgate Dinah Shore. Apparently Chuck was getting some bad advice from his friends. They told him he wasn't being paid enough and he should confront Donna with this grievance. Well unfortunately he brought it to her attention during a tournament round and an argument ensued. 

The next tour event was the Florida Lady Citrus Open in Orlando. Donna had made her decision. She gave Chuck the option of working the tournament or the week off with pay, either way this was their swan song. Chuck opted for the week off.

Donna wound up taking a local caddy. As luck would have it, she went on to win! Chuck was in tears. He begged Marlene Hagge to ask Donna to take him back but it was futile. Her decision was final.

Two weeks later I was working for Donna at the Coca-Cola Classic at the Upper Montclair C.C. in Clifton NJ. I had been paired with her in Orlando and asked for an open week. The Coca-Cola was it.

We were having a decent tournament but was 7 shots off the lead going into the final round. Pat Bradley was in front but this was the year Pat was having trouble finishing. She had blown leads all year and we knew if we closed the gap early we had a chance. When we made the turn the lead was only 2! Donna told me we were going to catch her.

We finished at 2 under par and the leader in the clubhouse. The final group was Pat Bradley and Debbie Massey. Going into the final hole Pat was one behind and Debbie was tied with us. Pat left her birdie putt dead in short. Debbie just missed hers to send us into a playoff. 

The first extra hole was all we needed. Donna made par to take the win. As for "Bad Luck" Chuck, I heard he couldn't take watching Donna win another one. He left before the playoff began.

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