Aces brighten lives of Cuthbertson family
![Huntington Town Councilman Mark Cuthbertson talks in his Huntington office...](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.newsday.com%2Fimage-service%2Fversion%2Fc%3ANmQ4MzA0YjYtNGM2Mi00%3AYjYtNGM2Mi00ZGM5OWU5%2Finpropjcw-cropped.jpg%3Ff%3DLandscape%2B16%253A9%26w%3D770%26q%3D1&w=1920&q=80)
Huntington Town Councilman Mark Cuthbertson talks in his Huntington office Aug. 27, 2014. Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.
The Cuthbertson family of Huntington has had its share of rough weeks this year, what with 18-year-old Hunter being diagnosed with aplastic anemia and requiring a bone marrow transplant in March. So it was especially rewarding to have a stretch like a recent one in which Hunter made a hole-in-one and his father made one five days later.
Hunter is a freshman at Villanova who had to leave school in February because of the rare and serious condition that results in the body not creating enough red blood cells. He had the transplant on March 22 and must avoid germs. “As long as he does what he’s supposed to do in the 100 days post-transplant, he has a very good prognosis,” said his father, Mark, an attorney and Huntington Town councilman.
Mark said that Huntington Crescent Club, where the family has a membership, has been exceptionally thoughtful in reserving and sanitizing a cart for Hunter. He was playing with a buddy a week ago Thursday when he hit a solid 7-iron on the uphill 147-yard third hole. He thought the shot had flown the green until he looked in the cup. He immediately texted his parents, saying, “You’re not going to believe this.”
This past Tuesday, Mark was playing in the Telecare golf outing at Piping Rock and hit a solid 3-hybrid on the 170-yard third hole. He, too, brought his wedges because he thought he had missed the green. Then someone in his group looked in the cup. “I said, ‘No one is going to believe this,’” the elder Cuthbertson said.
“John Schob put it best,” he added, referring to the Crescent Club’s head pro. “He said, ‘After all you’ve been through over the last couple months, it’s great that someone is looking out for you.’”
Lowe appreciates mom’s support
Eight years ago yesterday, Carol Ann Lowe of Farmingdale was so nervous she was almost sick to her stomach yet so proud she almost was in tears. Her 13-year-old son Matt became a national sensation as the youngest player in the country to try out for the U.S. Open. He didn’t get past local qualifying at Cherry Valley in Garden City, but he played impressively (with Carol Ann’s husband as caddie).
Her son has kept improving ever since, and is especially grateful this Mother’s Day for her encouragement and sacrifices. “You will not find a more supportive person. She’s always positive,” he said on his cell phone the other day, while doing an errand for his mom. “She’s always giving compliments, even when there isn’t much to compliment. I got a B-plus in a course and she was telling everyone about it.”
There is much to compliment in Lowe’s game. He recently helped the University of Richmond to its first Atlantic 10 golf title and will play in the NCAA Tournament this week. This past Monday, he did make it through a local U.S. Open qualifier in Connecticut, advancing to the sectionals in Summit, N.J. next month. He was one of only two players to break par at Rockrimmon Country Club in Stamford.
Matt Dobyns, head pro at Fresh Meadow, shot par and also advanced. Another local qualifier will be held Tuesday at North Shore Country Club in Glen Head. The public is invited, admission is free and tee times can be found at mgagolf.org.
Chip shots
Peter Stern, the Sachem graduate who worked at the Dave Pelz and Nicklaus/Flick golf schools before opening his own golf academy on Long Island, will be a featured instructor on Golf Channel Wednesday and Thursday. He will appear on “Morning Drive” between 7 and 9 a.m., talking about how to improve ball striking . . . Do you have a question for a Long Island club pro? Submit it to the email address listed with this column.