Aug/Sept issue of Ocean State Golf

Transcription

PI C
C V
TO S
R
IA
L
COMPETITION ISSUE
“Where it all began”
VOL. 17 NO. 4
PRESORT
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PROVIDENCE, RI
PERMIT NO. 2430
AUG/SEPT 2010
TEE TO GREEN
The Premier Golf Publication of Rhode Island, S.E. Mass. & N.E. Conn.
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4
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Cover Story
Editorial
RIGA State Am
Golf Instruction
9 Public Links Champs
10 Cordischi
12 Junior Golf
15 CVS Caremark
7
8
Pros vs. Ams
Classic Pictorial
RIWGA State Am 16 Golf in Michigan
18
19
21
24
U.S. Amateur
PGA Memories
Northeast News
S.E. Mass. Tee Talk
25 Golf Locator Map
And much more!
Samantha Morrell wins
N.E. Women’s Am
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OCEAN STATE GOLF • Aug/Sept 2010 • 401-464-8445 • www.oceanstategolfinc.com
COVER STORY
By BOB DICK
Elliott Takes R.I. Open Title in Playoff
I
t was a shootout worthy of any wild, wild
west movie anyone has ever seen. Shots
were being fired all over the pristine layout
of the Quidnessett C.C. during the third and
final round of the 79th Rhode Island Open.
When the shooting finally stopped 10
players had recorded rounds of 69 or better
including a course record 8-under 64. The lead
kept changing so fast no one knew who would
be left standing at the end. At one point during
that final 18, seven players were tied for the
lead. The real sick observers were hoping that
the magnificent seven would continue until
the end just to see how RIGA director Bob
Ward was going to sort out that mess.
Alas, it came down to two and then finally
after four playoff holes 47-year-old John
Elliott, who lives in Westerly and is a veteran
of the Nationwide and PGA Tours, emerged
the winner as he rolled in a 5-foot birdie putt
on the par 4 18th to finally eliminate Vermont’s
Dustin Cone. The two had ended regulation
at 10-under 206. A day that featured 36 holes
and began around 7 a.m ended shortly after 6
p.m. Whew!
His friends call him Jumbo (after one time
New York Jets lineman Jumbo Elliott). John
Elliott is nowhere near the size of the football
guy, but he can hit a golf ball. And he has
always been able to do that. His problem has
been staying consistent enough and harnessing
his frustrations when shots go bad. But when
he’s playing well, Jumbo is tough to beat. And
he was magnificent in his final round that
produced a 6-under 66 including a stunning
31 on his back nine.
“I have never really choked when I’m in
contention,” Elliott told reporters afterward.
“When I’m playing well I have a lot of
confidence, but it has been tough getting to
the top. When I get there I’m pretty good.”
Still, he has been second so many times in
his career (8 on the Nationwide Tour and
several times in New England state opens) that
he figured he might be second again at
Quidnessett.
Even after finishing his delightful round,
Elliott, who now caddies at Shelter Harbor,
figured he wouldn’t win. Something would
go wrong. Cone had yet to finish and he had
taken a one-stroke lead at 11 under after
draining four straight birdie putts from the 13th
to 16th holes.
“I even put my clubs away and put my
sneakers on and thought I was going to finish
second again,” joked Elliott, who picked up
the $4,000 first place check.
But Cone three putted the 17th and Elliott
had to drag his clubs out of his car and put his
golf shoes on again. He didn’t mind one bit.
Both birdied the tough par 5, 14th, the first
playoff hole. Each parred the 18th and 14th
again although Elliott missed a couple of 5footers that would have won it for him. But
there was no missing his third chance at victory
on the 18th.
Cone parred the hole leaving Elliott just
the 5-footer to win. He didn’t miss and it was
over.
“I was thinking along the way that wouldn’t
it be nice if someone could miss one for me.
Then I said, ‘Don’t think like that because
you won’t win that way. Just make your own
putt.’ Dustin made his for par and then I hit
perfect putt in the middle,” Elliott said.
Left almost as an afterthought because of
the Elliott-Cone playoff, was the performance
of Michael Welch of Quincy, Mass. and winner
of this year’s Cape Cod and Vermont Opens
and also a Hooters Tour winner this summer.
“I’ve been playing well,” Welch said.
Indeed. He blistered the Quidnessett layout
with a third round 8-under 64 that included
birdies at 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 14 and 15 plus an
eagle on 9. Wow!
“The birdie on 5 got me going, that was a
pretty good stretch,” said Welch, who
graduated from Johnson & Wales’ golf
program in Miami.
Still, despite the stunning 64, Welch didn’t
win a thing. He finished at 9-under 207. “It
was my own fault for being in that position. I
just didn’t play well in the first two rounds so
I have no one to blame but myself,” he said.
Wannamoisett’s Troy Pare, who finished
with four birdies on his final five holes, finished
with a 68 and ended at 209, also. Barrington’s
David McAndrew made his home pro debut
and ended tied for 7th at 210. Defending
champ Michael Carbone also ended up at 210.
Charlie Blanchard shot a final round 69
and edged Jonathan Pannone by one stroke
for low amateur honors.
Open Notes: Only 127 golfers entered the
Open this year. That was down by 30, said
Ward, the lowest number in many years. The
first place prize money of $4,000 also was
down from past years because the Open has
no sponsor despite efforts to secure one...
There was also the problem in getting players
because the New Hampshire and Connecticut
Opens were contested at the same time and
they have significant more first place prize
money. . .Some top local amateurs failed to
make the cut for the second day. They included
the likes of Paul Quigley, Dr. George Pirie,
Bobby Leopold, Ben Tuthill and Brad Valois.
. . .Andrew Guiliani, son of former New York
City Mayor Rudy Guiliani, entered, but he
failed to make the cut after a first round 79.
The younger Guiliani, now a pro, was booted
off the Duke golf team in 2008 for poor
behavior. He graduated from Duke in 2009.
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From the Editor
T
his issue is called the Competition
Issue and it certainly applies. It seems
as if we were covering a different event
most every day.
We started to feel more like a daily paper
with deadlines as the R.I. Open and the
Women’s State Amateur were held a day before
we had to go to press. Bob Dick, with his 31years of experience at the Providence Journal
was up to the task getting the Open story in
the same night. Congratulations to John
“Jumbo” Elliott for his fine overtime win at
the Open at Quidnessett C.C. I thought it was
quite poignant that Elliott planned to carry
two bags the next day as a caddie at Shelter
Harbor. Life isn’t that easy as a professional
golfer.
I had a great time following Samantha
Morrell and Juliet Vongphoumy around
Cranston C.C. at the OSWGA’s State
Women’s Amateur. Both are having a great
summer on the links and both are personable
young ladies. All four semifinalists were
teenagers. Is that a sign of the times?
Bobby Leopold continues to grace our
pages. He and Anthony Grillo, a Challenge
Cup veteran who is now a junior at Harvard
University, along with Sean Kelly earned
tickets to the U.S. Amateur in Tacoma, Wash.
later this month.
Garrett Medeiros squeaked by Leopold in
the semifinals and then defeated former champ
Ben Tuthill in the finals of the R.I. State
Amateur. Medeiros is having a great summer
traveling the amateur circuit as he debates
turning professional after an excellent career
at Wofford College.
RIGA executive director Bob Ward is
licking his chops as he is taking Leopold,
Medeiros and Charlie Blanchard, who finished
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low-amateur at the R.I. Open, out to
California for the USGA’s State Team event
later this summer.
An event that used to be a fixture in Rhode
Island each summer was reprised this year
when Steve Napoli and Ed Kirby brought back
the Pro vs. Am event. It was held earlier this
summer at the new Meadow Brook facility and
it was only rain that prevented the day from
being a complete success. We’ll have to wait
until next summer to see who gets bragging
rights.
My wife and I had a chance to visit
northern Michigan for a week. What a golf
vacation! If you get a chance to visit, it will be
a highlight of your golfing trips. Enjoy the
stories on pages 16 and 17.
With the closing of the Golfology Golf
Shop (formerly Edwin Watts) in So. Attleboro,
we see that the economy is still suffering in
our neck of the woods. Excellent weather this
summer has kept the golf courses busy, but it
would sure help if more people could find jobs
again. Let’s hope for the best. See you on
September 15 for our Fall issue.
Editor/Publisher
BRUCE VITTNER
Managing Editor
TODD VASEY
Design/Production
DEB BASILE
Contributing Writers
DAVE ADAMONIS JR.
SCOTT CORDISCHI
BOB DICK
KATHARINE DYSON
T.F. GEARY
TIM GERRISH
JOE GORDON
TOM GORMAN
DEREK HOOPER
KEN JEREMIAH
RODNEY MCKENZIE
DOUG PERRON
CAROLYN VITTNER
Staff Photographers
JIM CALORIO
BOB LAVALLEE
Sales Director
DAN CLAWSON
Account Executives
ANTHONY DEFUSCO
BOB FELDMAN
JIM GRAY
ROY WAGNER
Web Design
SUSAN VITTNER
[email protected]
BLACK DOOR CREATIVE
blackdoorcreative.com
Trivia
Deutsche Bank
Championship
1. Who was the first winner?
2. Which winner has the least career
earnings?
3. Who was the original designer of
the TPC Boston?
4. Who redesigned it?
5. What is the major charity of the
event?
6. What town is the event located?
7. Which hole has the most lost balls?
8. What Tour player is a member?
9. Which event is this in the FedEx
playoffs?
10. How many players qualify for the
event?
Answers
1. Adam Scott
2. Olin Browne
3. Arnold Palmer Design Co.
4. Gil Hense and Brad Faxon
5. Tiger Woods Foundation
6. Norton, Mass.
7. Number 16 over the pond
8. Brad Faxon
9. Second of four
10. 100
4
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RIGA
By T.F. GEARY
Medeiros Captures 105th RIGA Amateur Title
S
tep one came last year, when Garrett
Medeiros ran away with the medal
portion of qualifying at the Rhode
Island State Amateur, held at Crestwood
Country Club. Medeiros blew away the
previous record for the lowest score ever
posted at a R.I. Am, but it became a footnote
in history when he was promptly dispatched
once match play began.
This year Medeiros played very well during
the medal portion of the tournament, at
Wannamoisett Country Club, about two
drivers away from his home in Rumford. He
finished tied for second (with defending
champion Bobby Leopold), two strokes
behind medalist Charlie Blanchard.
That also became a footnote three days
later when the 22-year-old Wofford College
graduate ran roughshod over the demanding
Wannamoisett track and in the process
dismantled the 2000 amateur champ, Ben
Tuthill, 8-6, in the finals. In all Medeiros
totaled 14 birdies (almost 50 percent) in the
30 holes played and while a few of those were
conceded, the majority were legit.
“Naturally I’m disappointed, but I’m glad
for Garrett and I have to hand it to him
because he was a machine,” said the 29-yearold Tuthill, who was one of seven
Wannamoisett members to qualify for match
play and who, like Medeiros (Metacomet
C.C.), grew up in the shadow of
Wannamoisett. “I know some of those birdies
were conceded but most of them he rolled in.
There wasn’t much I could do. I just kept
battling and grinding. I never gave up. I just
had fun.”
Tuthill, perhaps more than anyone else,
could appreciate the show that Medeiros put
on during the week because he had a similar
week 10 years ago, as a 19-year-old, when he
defeated George Pirie for the title, calling it
the best putting week of his life.
After besting Daniel Petrocelli, Bill Forcier,
Mike Caprio and Leopold, Medeiros came out
of the box like a house afire against Tuthill
with birdies on the first four holes for a 4-up
lead. Three holes later it was 5-up.
The dogged Tuthill, who pretty much had
to abandon his driver for the week because it
had turned into a cobra (the snake, not the
company) in his hands, managed to cut the
deficit down to three after 14 holes but then
Medeiros birdied the next three and went into
the lunch break with a 6-up advantage, that
just continued to balloon in the afternoon as
he built the lead as high as nine after 23 holes.
“I’ve never been very successful playing
match play and as happy as I am to have won
this tournament, I still regard stroke play as
the truest test of golf,” said Medeiros as he
walked in with reporters after closing it out
on the par 3 12th hole. “I think what really
helped me was the ability to relax and stay in
the moment. I knew I had 36 holes. In the
past I got too wrapped up in what the other
person was doing.”
Tuthill tried to stay calm after the early
barrage, on four of the toughest holes that
Wannamoisett has to offer, but it wasn’t too
be. “First of all Garrett played fantastic today
and secondly I couldn’t get much to fall. I hit
a lot of good puts but they weren’t going in. I
burned the hole several times, but that’s golf,”
said Tuthill.
The duo had a nice following for the finals,
including several past champions such as Paul
Quigley, Leopold and Blanchard. Another
interested spectator was Keith Allcock, the pro
at Firefly Golf Club in nearby Seekonk, who
gave Medeiros his first lessons.
“I didn’t have to do much,” said Allcock.
“We went out to the range, he hit four 7-irons
right at the 150 marker with a one-yard draw
and I said ‘Let’s go work on chipping and
putting’. He was born with that swing.”
Quigley’s play was the story of the
tournament until the final day. The 65-yearold played superbly throughout and while he
fell to Tuthill in the semis he made history
nonetheless, becoming the oldest player to
ever reach the final four of the state amateur.
While he plays out of crosstown
Metacomet and took his first lessons at Firefly,
Medeiros’ first introduction to the game came
at Wannamoisett when, as a kid, he would
sneak onto the course and hit shots.
According to some of the veteran
members he was caught one day and Steve
Napoli, then the head professional, put him
to work filling in divots. “I’m glad for him, I
really am,” said Tuthill after the awards
ceremony was over. “This was his last chance
and I’ll have many more.”
Last chance because Medeiros plans to turn
pro this fall, following the Tri-State matches.
He, along with Leopold (who will likely team
with Medeiros and Blanchard to represent
Rhody) will be going to the qualifying school,
hoping to land a spot on either the PGA or
Nationwide Tours.
But for the rest of the summer Medeiros
plans on playing the remainder of the amateur
schedule, playing golf for fun for perhaps the
last time, and continuing to grow. “This (was)
a stepping stone for my maturity level in the
mental aspect for the game,” he said.
That’s all he really needs because as Allcock
pointed out, he was born with that swing.
Tournament results on page 22.
5
By DEREK HOOPER
GOLF INSTRUCTION
Make a Good Start – Backswing Fundamentals
W
hen players think of the backswing
they will usually focus on two
things. The first, that if the club
does not reach at least a horizontal position
then the player has made less than a full swing,
and second that the longer the backswing the
further they will be able to hit the ball. If this
was true, why then do we see so many PGA
Tour players with backswings where their club
does not reach horizontal yet they hit the ball
such long distances?
When we are assessing a player’s swing in
our Golf Schools we are looking at a couple of
key areas when we are making decisions about
the efficiency of a backswing:
Body rotation – In an athletic backswing we
are looking for the upper body to have turned
about 90 degrees to the target line and the hips
about 40 to 45 degrees. In this position the
back is facing target and the lead shoulder is
turned under the chin.
Weight transfer – The role of the backswing
is to load the body so that you can unload
into the downswing, thus producing high club
head speed and distance. In turning into the
backswing a good thought is to feel as though
you pivot around your trail hip as this will
allow the weight to load into the inside of your
trail foot. In this position you are balanced
and loaded behind the ball so as you can make
a dynamic and explosive move into the
downswing.
Arm position – The arms and upper body need
to work together to provide consistency in
both backswing and through impact. At
address the hands and arms are in front of the
chest. At impact they are in a similar position.
If the arms are in front of the chest at address
and impact it makes sense to keep them in
front for the entire swing rather than getting
them out of position in the backswing and
then trying to recapture that position in the
downswing.
There are a couple of very good yet simple
drills that you can do to learn the movements
of an athletic backswing:
Basketball Drill – Take your normal address
posture and hold a basketball in both hands
in front of you. Keeping your elbows close to
the body, turn to the right, for a right hand
player, pretending to hand the ball to someone.
Once there, lift the arms up in front of the
body, being sure to maintain good posture.
This is a great example of how the backswing
works. The upper body rotation takes the arms
and basketball away and then the arms lift in
front of the body to get the ball above shoulder
height.
Shoulder Arms Drill – From your normal
address position keep your body angles and
cock the wrists to bring the club up in front
of you. Then lift your arms in front of the
body to set the club over your trail shoulder
before finally turning the upper body as you
would in your backswing. This is where you
should be at the top of your backswing and
this drill is a very simple way of learning that
position.
Derek Hooper is the Director of Instruction at the Hank Haney Golf Academy at Lake of Isles.
Derek has a college degree in teaching and over 15 years experience conducting lesson programs in
Australia, Japan and Taiwan. Before moving to the United Sates Derek was the Director of Instruction
at the David Duval Golf Academy in Miyazaki, Japan. Derek can be contacted at 1.888.475.3746
or [email protected].
Rising Star
Jeff Overton
Age: 27
Birthplace: Evansville, Indiana
Family: Single
College: Indiana University
Turned Pro: 2005
Jeff Overton, son of parents who are both school
teachers, was a second team All-American in 2005 at
Indiana University where he had the low scoring
average in the Big 10. He played on the winning
Porter and Walker Cups in 2005 and then turned professional. He finished tied for 13 at
the 2005 Q School to earn his card. In 2006 he finished 123 to keep his card. He made
over one million in 2007 and finished 99th. In 2008 his earnings were just under a
million but he still was 99th. That figure rose to 1.2 million in 2009 when he finished
67th.
2010 has been his best year as he has already finished second twice (Zurich and
Byron Nelson) and has eight top 25 finishes in 19 events. He currently stands at 11th in
this year’s money earnings with $2,411,781.
Visit
oceanstategolfinc.com
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find courses and resorts, and much more!
6
COMPETITION GOLF
By BOB DICK
Top Local Pros and Amateurs Square Off
E
ver wonder who’s better – the top
amateurs of the Rhode Island Golf
Association or the top pros of the
Rhode Island Professional Golfers Association?
Well, there used to be head-to-head
matches involving these players back in the
80s and early 90s. But, for whatever reason,
this annual event died off around 1994. Some
say the pros, mostly all of who are teaching
and working pros at the local private clubs,
had taken their share of losses and interest
faded away.
Not any more. Thanks to a threesome of
Steve Napoli, pro at Carnegie Abbey, Ed Kirby
from Alpine and tournament director for the
RIPGA, and Bob Ward, executive director of
the RIGA, this competition has been revived
and everyone seems to be excited that it’s back.
In mid July the top 12 RIGA amateurs
from last year’s point list teed it up against the
top 12 RIPGA players from their 2009 point
list at newly completed Meadow Brook G.C.
The only disappointment was the weather,
because heavy showers moved through the area
and forced the afternoon singles matches to
be cancelled. The morning round of RIGA vs.
RIPGA Four-Ball matches were completed and
the amateurs won four, halved one and lost
one. Of the afternoon singles matches only one
reached the ninth hole. That was between a
pair of Wannamoisett men – amateur Charlie
Blanchard and head pro Troy Pare – and they
were even after nine.
But on this particular day it was more about
having a good time, enjoying the competition
and getting to know one another. Although
everyone wanted to win, that was kind of
secondary this time out. One thing everyone
agreed on afterward was they couldn’t wait to
do it again next year at a course yet to be
determined. There is also the hope that a
sponsor can be found so that prizes might be
awarded to the winning amateurs and money
to the winning pros. This year each player did
receive a golf shirt donated by golf clothier
Cutter and Buck.
So how was this event resurrected? “Steve
Napoli was the guy behind it,” declared Kirby.
“He got in contact with me at the end of last
year when I got appointed tournament
chairman of the RIPGA. I loved the idea
because we have a good group of pros and
amateurs here so I said let’s do it. Bob Ward
was very receptive to the idea. He knew the
amateurs would be interested and I didn’t think
it would be hard to get the pros to do it
provided we gave them a good venue. We
originally thought about Pawtucket C.C. but
they couldn’t give us the date we wanted. In
April I came here to play a few holes and loved
it. I called Bob and told him this might be the
place to do it.”
Ward loved the idea right away. “I knew
getting our players involved would be no
problem. The great thing about this event is
that we did it all together. I’m pretty sure we’ll
find a course for next year before winter,” Ward
said.
Noted R.I. amateur and RIGA Hall-ofFamer, Dr. George Pirie, believes the idea is
the best thing to happen to local golf. “Look,”
he said, “The pros are important people and
it’s important to mix in with them. I think
very highly of the pros in Rhode Island. The
only problem is that we don’t get to know one
another and this kind of event helps improve
that. I hope this thing continues.”
Pirie along with his partner, another Hallof-Famer, Paul Quigley, were the only
amateurs to lose in the Four-Ball, being beaten
by the pro twosome of Carnegie Abbey’s Scott
Spence and North Kingstown’s Brian Owens,
3 and 2. Spence put the match away when he
birdied 6 of the final 9 holes.
Point Judith Pro Jeff
Martin noted that the
pro/amateur
competition was about
getting together and
having fun.
Point Judith Pro Jeff Martin noted that the
pro/amateur competition was about getting
together and having fun. “Everyone wants to
win, but there was a lot of chit chat going on.
It wasn’t real serious. You don’t want to lose
but, really, it didn’t matter and I think it’s great
for the state,” Martin said.
“This year it was all about pride,” said
Kirby. “I think the guys are excited about it.
It’s good for our guys to get out of the shop
and play some golf and these amateurs are real
good players who can kick our butts if we don’t
pay attention. Hopefully, this will take off and
we can get a sponsor for next year. Lets hope
that happens.”
As for the competition, the Four-Ball
match that created the most attention involved
Blanchard teaming up with Potowomut’s
improving amateur Bobby Leopold to defeat
Martin and Pare 1-up. Leopold more than held
his own shooting a 3-under 69 on his own
ball.
Other amateur winners in the matches
included the teams of Brad Valois and Billy
Forcier, George Donnell and Tom Goryl, and
Garrett Medeiros and Jeff Ray. Each winning
team received a point. The twosome of Jamie
Luckowicz and Eugene DiSarro halved their
match against North Kingstown pro John
Rainone and his partner Bob Tramonti from
Triggs.
Dave Tiedemann head
professional at Shelter Harbor
Golf Club since its opening in
2004 is this month’s RIPGA
Spotlight pro. Tiedemann who
grew up in Wallingford, Ct.
and graduated from the
University of Connecticut in
1989 where he was captain of
the golf team his junior and
senior seasons, turned
professional in 1990. He
worked at New Haven C.C.,
then Bonita Bay Club in
Florida as a head professional.
In 1998 he became the head professional at the famous Scioto C.C.
in Columbus, Ohio where Jack Nicklaus learned the game.
“Shelter Harbor is certainly a unique place with 500 acres, a
beautiful practice facility, a nine-hole short course, and an exquisite
golf course. It is truly a private paradise. We have wonderful members
who are so friendly and family-oriented,” said Tiedemann who lives
in Westerly with his wife, Gail, and his three children Erin, 15, Kerry,
13 and David, 10.
His Tip: The golf swing is really a circle. If you can keep your swing
in a circle around your body, you’ll get rid of those terrible slices and
hit the ball much straighter and farther. Remember, the flatter the
circle the better.
7
By BOB DICK
RIWGA
White Wins RIWGA Championship
T
here was little doubt that veteran
Marisa White was the sentimental
favorite going into the RIWGA
Championship final match against Westerly
youngster Meghan Doherty, captain of the
Holy Cross women’s golf team on July 16.
But, in the early going, there was little for
White’s posse to cheer about. Their pal was
down a whopping 4 holes to Doherty after
10 holes had been contested at the Crestwood
C.C. in Rehoboth.
Then things began to change. The 46year-old White began to awaken from her
golfing slumber and showed some life. “Come
on ol’ timer,” one of her friends joked at her
after White won the par 4, 11th hole, sinking
a tough slightly sidehill 8-foot putt for par.
“That hole had been a beast for me all week
and to make that putt then was huge. After
that I felt a little confidence and I kept
thinking that so far in the match Meghan
hadn’t seen me play any golf yet,” replied
White, who had been given a day off from
her new job as assistant state court
administrator of the R.I. State Supreme Court.
And boy oh boy did Doherty see White at
the top of her game from that point on. White
began hitting shots and making putts that
propelled her to wins on the next five holes to
suddenly take a two-up lead with two holes
to go.
8
“You have to apply some pressure and I
did,” said White, who lost the 17th when
Doherty rallied to nearly record an ace, before
clinching the championship with a birdie on
18 after a brilliant 145-yard six iron third shot
onto the green to within 17 inches of the cup.
“That shot was more about the swing,”
claimed White. “I knew the club would get
me there. There was a little wind but I wasn’t
nervous and that helped me with the swing,”
There were cheers all around from White’s
supporters after she sank the birdie putt to win
2-up and there were a few tears of happiness
after a hug from her dad. There also would be
some partying that night. It was the birthday
of her oldest brother, Gary Petrarca, and her
mom, Jeanne, would turned 79 a few days after
that.
“Marisa played great on that back nine,”
said Doherty, who lost in the OSWGA
amateur finals last year to Katherine Murphy.
“I feel like I played well all week, but I just
couldn’t get my momentum going again on
that back nine.”
When asked how it felt to be champion,
White had a reply that dealt not only with her
personal feelings about being a winner but also
what it meant for women’s golf in Rhode
Island. There was a time not long ago when
White would have been nothing but a
spectator at this event because she didn’t belong
to a private club.
A few years ago, though,
the RIWGA board of directors,
not the membership, opened
things up to players from
public courses to compete
provided they had the proper
qualifying numbers. Prior to
that, White, a member at
Triggs and West Warwick,
played her competitive golf
with OSWGA, Rhode Island’s
other
women’s
golf
organization.
Her first attempt in the
RIWGA championship came
three years ago. Things didn’t
go well. “You know I think I
put too much pressure on
myself those first few years as
a member of a public course.
This time I decided to just
come out and play golf and whatever
happened, happened,” White said. “So this
win, I feel, is for all those public club members
who, for whatever reason, choose not to play
or cannot afford a private club membership.
I’m happy to be here on their behalf. But I do
have to thank the RIWGA board for deciding
to open up five of their events that allowed
me to play three years ago. I hope coming here
and playing well will show that opening things
up will do more for women’s golf in Rhode
Island. I now belong to Metacomet. I joined
there this year only because it was the right
time for me, but I’m the same person I was at
Triggs and West Warwick.”
White would love nothing more than to
see the two women’s golf groups in Rhode
Island (RIWGA and OSWGA) come together
as one. “It’s the right thing to do. It would be
better for everyone,” she said.
See page 22 for other results.
CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF
Hull and Diemoz Win
Public Links
I
t has been a long victory drought for
Fenner Hill’s Jason Hull but finally, Hull
was able to celebrate a conquest after
winning the RIGA 2010 Rhode Island Public
Links Championship played over two days at
Triggs Memorial and Cranston C.C.
And, to make his first major RIGA victory
even sweeter, Hull, who moved to Rhode
Island from Kansas City a number of years ago,
defeated an RIGA icon, Hall-of-Famer Paul
Quigley, by sinking a 12-foot birdie putt on
their third playoff hole at Cranston.
“This feels great,” said Hull. “It’s my first
win since high school in Kansas City. I didn’t
play too much in my 20s when I moved here,
then about five or six years ago I got back into
playing and have gotten progressively closer,
so it does feel good to get one under my belt.”
The women’s division was won by
Montaup’s Nancy Diemoz with a two round
total of 165, two strokes better than Kay
Bullock of Acushnet River.
“It was a scrap for me in that final round. I
started off with a double and then fought back
and kind of hung in there the rest of the way.
I did make some crucial putts to hang in,”
Diemoz said.
But Hull and his white-hot putter was the
story of this tournament. Hull’s putter sizzled
during the final nine holes of regulation when
he strung together four consecutive birdies at
10, 11, 12 and 13 and then on into the extra
holes.
Hull and Quigley, who carded a one under
70 on his second round, ended 36 holes tied
at 142. That was one shot better than first
round leader Jamie Lukowicz (70, 72) and
John Costa III (72, 71). Next came Jon Fasick
(New England C.C.) and Hemen Dacones
(Laurel Lane) at 148. Swansea’s Ryan Porter
had the lowest round of the tournament when
he carded a two-under 69 at Cranston.
However, that came after a disappointing 81
at Triggs.
Both Hull and Quigley parred the first two
playoff holes (1 and 9) with Hull needing to
sink a tough 6-footer on nine to keep the
match going. Then came the par 5, 533-yard
first hole again. Hull was in the bunker to the
right of the green in two while Quigley laid
up in two and was on the green in three, facing
a 25-foot putt for birdie. He just missed after
Hull flew out of the bunker past the hole and
wound up on the edge, 12-feet away.
Hull then finished off Quigley when he
drained his fifth birdie putt of the day. “I did
fly out of the trap a little long, but the ball
spun back to the edge of the green and I had a
pretty straight forward putt and I knocked it
in,” he said.
Hull admitted it had been quite a day with
his putter. “I didn’t strike the ball that well
but I made quite a few putts that I probably
shouldn’t have.” One of those came during his
frantic four-hole birdie surge from 10 through
13. It was a stunning 60-footer on the par 3
12th.
“It was a short par three (136 yards). I hit
the green but the ball spun back to the front
fringe. It was an uphill, right to left putt and I
made a bomb. It just trickled in. I was feeling
pretty good at that point,” he noted. “But then
I stumbled in and bogeyed 15 and 17.”
Quigley, bothered a little by a cut finger,
made a run of his own on the final nine when
he birdied 11, 14 and 16 to close with a nifty
3-under 33.
“My game was solid after I bogeyed the
first two holes. Then I played three under the
rest of the way but Jason putted very well. My
finger bothered me during the first six holes
at Triggs but after that I was fine.”
Lukowicz had problems adjusting to the
Cranston greens. “The greens at Triggs were a
little faster, they check up nice. Greens at
Cranston sometimes would check, and
sometimes didn’t. It was very difficult for me,”
he said. “I had a chance to tie Jason after he
bogeyed 17 but I missed birdies on 17 and
18. It happens.”
Costa felt he lost his chance at a win when
he bogeyed 13 after his driver slipped out of
his hand and his drive wound up in another
fairway. Costa then went for the green but sent
a three wood into the water and wound up
with a 6. “I had opened a bottle of water and
my glove got wet and the driver just flew out
of my hands,” Costa lamented.
The net winners in the men’s division were
John Fallon (Cranston) and Richard DiOrio
(Montaup), each with a 136. The women’s net
division winners at 144 were Sue Falcon
(Triggs) and Paula Kleniewski (North
Kingstown).
ATTENTION GOLF FANS!
All new members who sign up for Ocean State Golf ’s
eNewsletter between Aug. 2-23
will be entered into a drawing for two free tickets to the
Deutsche Bank Championship.
Winners will be announced at the website.
Visit www.oceanstategolfinc.com
Register today!
By BOB DICK
Deutsche Bank
Championship
There are still some tickets available for the Deutsche Bank Championship,
second leg of the FedEx playoff system, and the only PGA event in New England.
The event is the only Monday finish on Tour and will be contested August 31Septembre 6 at TPC Boston in Norton, Mass. This year’s purse is $7.5 million
with $1.35 million to the winner.
This event, begun in 2003 with the partnership between Deutsche Bank, Tiger
Woods Foundation and IMG, has the top Tour players every year and is always
one of the largest donations for charity on Tour. The past winners include Tiger
Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Adam Scott and last year’s champ, Steve
Stricker.
Several new features are planned for this year. The Kids Zone, an area set aside
for kids games and activities, has been expanded and there are new expanded
family admission options. Many new bleachers have been added and there is a
new spectator venue at the 17th tee where patrons can mingle and have libations.
Military Appreciation Week allows all active duty personnel and U.S. military
retirees free admission to the grounds each day with a valid ID. You can find out
more about the event and purchase tickets by visiting www.dbchampionship.com
or by calling 1-877-TIX-4DBC.
Growing the Game
Through Design
By TIM GERRISH
A
recent article in The Wall Street
Journal got me thinking. The
article titled, “Golf ’s Big Problem:
No Kids”, focuses on the drop in
participation of golfers ages 6-17. 900,000
less young folk over the last three years
now play. As a father of two young
daughters with many activities,
distractions and events, this statistic really
is no surprise. But what can “we” in the
local golf industry do to correct this trend?
What can we do to make golf more
accessible and affordable?
In years past, young people had more
unstructured play time. Many friends and
acquaintances in the golf industry often
reflect on spending the day at a local public
or private course. I remember having one
of my parents drop me off or even stay
and play a round with two other friends.
Today, children’s play is more structured.
Various sport leagues compete for time
with golf. Often those other sports are less
expensive too. However, programs like
The First Tee and our local version, Button
Hole, have excellent youth programs that
include starter sets of clubs. They also
teach etiquette, which it seems many adult
players today have forgotten.
As a golf industry, we need to focus on
making the game easier to learn and play
and more importantly, easier to stick with.
Having designed the Portland, Maine First
Tee Program facility, my focus was on
building receptive and supportive green
complexes. There are a few interesting
breaks within the putting surface, but
nothing tricky. We also cleared areas from
tee to green and green surrounds to make
it easier to find mishit shots. While it is
very fulfilling to give back to the game
creating new practice courses, it also is
disheartening to see so many nine hole,
executive, par 3 and even pitch and putt
courses close. These are the facilities that
in years past the majority of golfers
learned to play.
Out on the course, facilities should
consider designating family tees. These
are markers placed in fairways or even
roughs at varying yardages from each
green. Some holes could play 75 yards,
others 150 and maybe even a par 5 at 200
yards. Another option includes short
courses within practice ranges. During a
club’s slow period the range could easily
be closed and used for a few hours in this
capacity. Many resort and private facilities
have short game practice areas and even
a short loop of holes that allow younger
and even senior players to enjoy the game.
So, no matter what type of facility you
are, what are you doing to grow the game?
It is only good for business!
Tim Gerrish, RLA is a golf course architect
and landscape architect. He will be writing
an occasional article about golf course design
in Ocean State Golf and can be reached at
[email protected]
9
GOLF COMMENTARY
Cordischi
on Golf
By Scott Cordischi
R
icky Barnes was thrilled! Thrilled to
win the 2010 CVS Caremark Charity
Classic, of course. But he was also
thrilled to be back in New England. That
seems strange for a kid who was born and
raised in California and still lives on the west
coast, but Ricky Barnes has a couple of reasons
for liking it here.
Barnes wasn’t even supposed to be in the
20-person field for this year’s event. But he
was sure to thank LPGA star Paula Creamer
in his acceptance speech after he and partner
J.B. Holmes received the crystal trophy from
CVS Caremark CEO Tom Ryan.
Creamer’s late withdrawal from the event
due to a wrist injury left an opening in the
field. Tournament co-hosts Brad Faxon and
Billy Andrade then reached out to Barnes who
gladly accepted.
Barnes’s New England roots go back to the
early 70s before he was even born. His father
Bruce Barnes was a standout punter in college
CVS Classic Winner Has
New England Ties
at UCLA and a three-time Pac-8 punting
leader and all-star from 1970-1972. In 1973
he was drafted in the 12th round of the NFL
draft by the New England Patriots. His pro
career wasn’t quite as accomplished as his
college career was, but Barnes punted for the
Patriots for two seasons from 1973-1974.
They were his only two years in the NFL.
“My parents lived in North Attleboro when
my dad played for the Patriots,” Ricky Barnes
said. “Me and my brother weren’t born there
but my dad is still a Pats fan.” Did Ricky
Barnes ever consider following in his father’s
footsteps by playing football instead of golf?
“I was a pretty good football player in high
school,” he said. “I played as a freshman,
sophomore and junior but I played soccer as a
senior to stay healthy because I knew then that
golf was my sport.”
At the University of Arizona, Barnes was
the Pac-10 freshman of the year in 2000 and a
first team All-American in 2003. He won the
2002 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills.
He also played in the prestigious Northeast
Amateur at Wannamoisett three times
finishing second twice. “I really loved that
tournament,” he said. “That’s a great golf
course and it was always a
great field. I enjoyed playing
there.”
Ricky Barnes is still in
search of his first official PGA
Tour win, but it is clear that
it is only a matter of time
before it comes. Barnes and
Holmes finished the two-day
tournament at Rhode Island
Country Club at 21-under
par, which was good enough
for a 1-shot win over the team
of Brett Quigley and Angela
Stanford.
The win was worth
$150,000 each for Barnes and
Holmes who also split
$25,000 by capturing the
only skin of the final round
with a birdie on the par-3
fifth. Not a bad payday for
Ricky Barnes who, at age 29,
is in just his second full season
on Tour. In fact, the
$162,500 earned by Barnes in
just two days at the CVS Caremark Charity
Classic was more than his father had earned
in two years here in New England.
“I can’t thank Brad, Billy and Tom Ryan
enough for having me here,” he said.
“Obviously, I’d like to come back as defending
champion next year and I’d love to come back
for many years to come.”
It’s just another reason for Ricky Barnes to
like New England.
Obviously, I’d like to come back
as defending champion next year
and I’d love to come back for
many years to come.
— Ricky Barnes
Scott Cordischi hosts a sports talk show on
Newstalk 630 WPRO and 99.7FM. He is a
featured columnist in Ocean State Golf.
Samantha and Juliet were playing a match. Samantha hit her second shot into a
pond front and left of the green. The pond was marked with red stakes. Samantha
thinks that she must play the ball within two club lengths of the hazard. Juliet
thinks that there are other options.
Ruling: Red stakes indicate a lateral water hazard. These differ from yellow stakes
that indicate a water hazard that requires going to the side of the water from where
the previous stroke was played. With red stakes (or red line), the player has different
options. They can play within two club lengths from where the ball entered, but
they can also go back anywhere along the same line that the ball entered the water
to take a drop. One stroke penalty for either option.
10
CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF
By BOB DICK
Masnyk Captures RIWGA’s Stroke
Play Championship
L
incoln’s Jenna Masnyk put together the
second lowest round of her young career
and came away the surprise winner of
the 2010 RIWGA’s Stroke Play Championship
at the Potowomut C.C.
The two-time first team All-Stater from
Lincoln High School, who will enter her
sophomore year at Hofstra University in the
fall, carded a solid three over par 76 and edged
out veteran Deb Cyronak by one stroke.
Masynk’s round included three birdies on
the front nine at 1, 3 and 9 before parring
eight of her final nine holes.
“This is very exciting for me to win this,”
she said. “Actually, it’s kind of shocking but it
sure feels good.”
Cyronak found herself at one under after
10 holes but then doubled the par 4 13th,
which did her in. “I had a couple of bad holes
down the stretch but I thought I hit the ball
well. I belong to Potowomut now and I have
been playing better lately. I had a good swing.
I got on in regulation and I made some putts,
especially early on,” Cyronak said.
Actually, the player who had the best
chance at overtaking Masynk was Metacomet’s
Marisa White. She owned a two-stroke lead
over Masynk after nine but then struggled on
the final nine where she bogeyed 14, doubled
15, parred 16, doubled 17 and bogeyed 18.
“The wheels kind of came off on those final
five holes,” lamented White, who finished with
a 79.
Next came Kibbe Reilly with an 80
followed by defending champion Kay Bullock,
Nancy Diemoz and Betti DiDonato with 82s
and Melissa Hem (83).
Masnyk, in winning her first major Rhode
Island women’s amateur title, admitted the
back nine was more stressful for her as she
began to believe she could win the title.
After the fifth hole in which she said she
“blew up” for a double bogey, Masynk settled
her game down and played much steadier.
“After the front nine (39), I parred 10, 11 and
12 but I was getting nervous,” she admitted.
However, her steady game continued on
13, 14, 15 and 16. It was on 16 where Masnyk
feels she might just have clinched the win. “I
was short of the par 3 green, chipped to within
10 feet and then made the putt. That was huge
for me because I had my only bogey of the
back nine on 17 and then parred 18,” Masynk
said. “I think my approaches saved me because
I was putting for birdies, made
three of them, but then when I
missed I had just tap-ins for
par.”
Meanwhile, Cyronak was
plugging along a couple of
groups behind Masnyk and had
no idea how close she was to the
lead or how the eventual champ
was playing.
“I had no clue how she was
doing. All I was concerned
about was how I was playing,”
Cyronak said. “I was driving the
ball well. In fact, I was hitting
it longer than I had been all
year. Really, I just wanted to
break 80. As long as I was going
to break 80 then I was going to
be happy and that’s what I did.”
Still, in Cyronak’s mind she
had to be thinking at the end
of what might have been — the
double on 13 and bogeys on 16
and 17 left her that one stroke
away from the championship.
Patrick Gertner, the superintendent at Potowomut Golf
Club in Warwick, is this month’s Mulligan’s Island/RIGCSA
Superintendent of the Month. A native of Rochester, N.Y.
and a graduate of the Penn State Turf Management program
in 1983, Gertner has been at Potowomut for six years.
He worked at Oak Hill C.C., the site of many national
championships and a Ryder Cup, in his hometown while in
high school. During his time at Penn State he had an
internship at the famed Pine Valley Country Club. He
returned to Pine Valley after graduation and at age 26 became
their head superintendent. He stayed there for only two years when he was lured back
to Rochester to become the superintendent at Monroe G.C. where he served for 16
years. “We have a great membership at Potowomut and the members are so supportive
of the work that we do here,” said Gertner who lives in East Greenwich. He has four
children, two who live in Los Angeles and two in Rochester. His youngest daughter
will be attending Bryant University as a freshman this fall.
His Tip: After this very warm summer you probably have some spots in your lawn
that need reseeding. Middle to late August is when you can first start putting down
new seed. It is paramount that the seed is in contact with soil or it will not germinate.
Don’t just throw it on the ground. It is wise to put some topsoil down with the seed.
You can stamp on it with your feet or roll it if is a larger area. The local seed companies
have the correct seed for our area, and provide great knowledge as well.
11
JUNIOR GOLF
JUNIOR GOLF
By Dave Adamonis, Jr.
Nation Domination in July
It has become an annual July tradition that
Challenge Cup Nation (past and present) raises
quite a bit of hardware. Here are the Top 9
moments in July or the “Fine Nine” in no
particular order.
1. Former Challenge Cup star Brian Higgins
out-dueled a host of Challenge Cup players
(past and present), in capturing the New
England Amateur Championship by 1-stroke.
Higgins fired rounds of 67-70-67 to post a 6under par total at the Course at Yale. A
triumvirate of Challenge Cup alumni, Mike
Ballo, Josh Briere and Colin Brennan finished
in a tie for second one stroke better than yet
another former Cupper, Garrett Medeiros.
Brian Higgins
Higgins’ victory marked the seventh
consecutive year a former Challenge Cup
Player has hoisted the hardware at the New
England Am. Challenge Cuppers occupied 20
of the top 24 spots at this year’s championship.
2. Jamison Randall continued his impressive
season on the Challenge Cup circuit, winning
the Challenge Cup’s most prestigious event,
the World Series of Junior Golf at Triggs
Memorial G.C. Randall posted rounds of 7068 in posting a 6-under par 138 total. Randall
finished two strokes ahead of Nicholas
Pandelena and Andrew Gai in earning his
third Challenge Cup title of the season. By
12
virtue of his victory, Randall has a
commanding lead in the Spinal Technology
Challenge Cup Player of the Year race. The
Boys Player of the Year earns an invitation (the
following season) to the prestigious Northeast
Amateur at Wannamoisett C.C. Not to be
outdone Kuriko Tsukiyama (Girls Division),
Patrick Oleksak (Boys 14-15), and Steven
Dilisio (Boys 13 & Under) captured their
respective divisions.
3. Garrett Medeiros, who set a tournament
record in the qualifying rounds of the RIGA
Amateur in 2009 (64-65), but was eliminated
in the second round of match play, captured
the 2010 RIGA Amateur Championship. After
earning the third seed in the medal play
qualifying portion of the championship,
Medeiros was never extended beyond the 17th
hole in match play. Medeiros and 2009
champion Bobby Leopold staged a brilliant
battle in the semi-finals (with Medeiros
winning 2 & 1), before Medeiros put on a
dominating performance in the finals. In the
finals, Medeiros birdied the opening four holes
en route to an 8 & 6 romp over two-time
RIGA Amateur champion Ben Tuthill (yet
Challenge Cup alum). 16 of the 32 qualifiers
for match play were members of the Nation.
4. Reigning Challenge Cup Players of the Year
Cameron Wilson and Megan Khang led a
contingent of Challenge Cup players who fared
well at the recent USGA Junior
Championships.
At the Boys Championship, Wilson, Dan
Slavin and Chelso Barrett advanced to match
play. In the opening round of match play
Wilson hammered Kevin Lee 6 & 5, while
Slavin and Barrett were kicked to the curb.
Slavin lost a see-saw battle with 2010 AJGA
Thunderbird champion Anthony Paolucci 3
& 1, while Barrett was blitzed by defending
champion Jordan Speith 7 & 6. Barrett had
gained entrance to the match play portion of
the tournament by earning one of four spots
in a 13 man play-off. Wilson, who advanced
to the quarter-finals in 2009, was ousted in
the next round (the Round of 32) by Jorge
Fernandez Valdes 2 & 1. Valdes eagled the par
5 17th hole to close out the match.
Meanwhile at the Girls Championship,
Megan Khang earned the third qualifying spot
for match play by posting rounds of 70-73 for
a l-over par total. In the opening round of
match play Khang won a close battle with
Emily Wright (2 up) to advance to the Round
of 32. In the Round of 32 Khang was
considerably off form, in falling 4 down with
five holes to play to Idaho’s Cali Hipp. Khang
played the final fives holes of regulation at 2under par, making clutch birdies at the 17th
and 18th holes to force extra holes. Her
comeback was for naught though, as Hipp
birdied the 21st hole to end the 12-year old’s
dream of hoisting junior golf ’s most coveted
hardware.
Ken Nilson 7 & 5 to win the New Hampshire
Amateur Championship. Current Challenge
Cup players Nicholas Pandelena and Chris
Houston advanced to the round of 16 and
quarter-finals respectively.
7. Nicole Scola (Girls Division), Paul Lei
(Boys 13 & Under), Jeff Lang (Boys 14-15)
and Jack Whelan (Boys 16-19 Divison) played
brilliantly in earning top honors at the Francis
Ouimet Junior Stroke Play Championship.
The Ouimet event was contested over four golf
courses (Stow Acres G.C., New England C.C.,
Blissful Meadows G.C. and Maplegate C.C.).
8. Andy Mai won a thrilling three way playoff with Dan Slavin and Jack Whelan to
capture the 92nd MGA Junior Amateur
Championship at Foxboro C.C. Mai drained
a 5-foot birdie putt on the second play-off hole
to earn the title. Just four days earlier Mai was
on the flip side of a tough loss. Despite firing
rounds of 68-66 Mai lost a thrilling battle to
John Jackopsic (67-66) in the Computer
Merchant Cup at Wintonbury Hills G.C.
Two of Massachusetts brightest stars, John
Beadle and Steven Dilisio also hoisted
hardware at the MGA Junior. Beadle coasted
to the Pre Junior (14-15) title by posting
rounds of 74-76-75 for a 4-stroke victory over
Nick Rodriguez. In the Boys Division (13 &
Under) Dilisio captured back to back titles
with relative ease, posting a 5-stroke victory
over Andrew Flynn. In 2011, Dilisio will
attempt to become only the second player to
win three Boys Division titles. The only other
player to accomplish that feat was Peter
Uihlein, who captured the title in 2001, 2002
and 2003.
9. Monte Mullen topped Kevin Jud 3 & 2 in
an all Challenge Cup final at the Connecticut
State Junior. All eight quarter-finalists were
Challenge Cuppers. Similarly, Bernie
D’Amato defeated Nick Taylor 8 & 6 at the
Connecticut State Amateur Championship.
D’Amato and Taylor were amongst five of the
eight quarter-finalists who have Challenge Cup
connections.
Nine-time MGA Player of the Year Frank
Vana Jr. canned a 40-foot birdie putt on the
second to last hole of regulation to overtake
opening round leader Brian Higgins en route
to his record third Amateur Invitational title
at New England Country Club. Vana, who
became the first three- time winner of the
event, posted rounds of 71-70 for a 1-under
par 141 total and a two stroke victory over
Higgins. Only two other players have won
multiple Amateur Invitational titles. Higgins
and Jim Renner have hoisted the hardware on
two occasions each.
Not to be outdone, Carter Fasick (Legends
Division) and Nick Maccario ( Junior
Division) earned top honors in their respective
divisions by posting 7-over par 149 totals.
Results:
1. Frank Vana Jr.
Marlborough C.C.
71, 70, 141
2. Brian Higgins
Franklin C.C.
67, 76, 143
3. Mike Gunderson Marshfield C.C.
72, 73, 145
3. Brad Cadigan
The Harmon Club
73, 72, 145
3. Guy Antonacci
Elmcrest C.C.
74, 71, 145
3. David Pierce
C.C. of Halifax
75, 70, 145
7. Jordan Burke
Needham G.C.
72, 74, 146
7. Anthony Dilisio Salem C.C.
73, 73, 146
9. Scott Congdon Foxboro C.C.
73, 74, 147
10. Ryan Riley
Foxboro C.C.
72, 76, 148
10. Tony Grillo
Farm Neck G.C.
71, 77, 148
10. Bob Hamilton Thorny Lea G.C.
76, 72, 148
13. Carter Fasick (L) Indian Meadows G.C.
74, 75, 149
13. Nick Maccario (J) Atkinson C.C.
74, 75, 149
Gately Cup Headlines Schedule
The Gately Cup, a tournament created to
honor the tireless contributions of the late
Barry Gately, headlines the junior golf docket
in the month of August.
Date:
Site:
8/2
Maplegate Junior Open
Maplegate C.C.
8/2 – 8/4
Maine Jr Championship
Val Halla C.C.
8/2 – 8/5
AJGA Killington Junior
Green Mountain Natl G.C.
8/3 – 8/4
The Gately Cup
Blissful Meadows G.C.
Crystal Lake G.C.
8/9 – 8/10
S. Trojanowski Northern Jr.
Timberlin G.C.
8/10 – 8/12
RIGA Jr. Championship
Alpine C.C.
8/16 – 8/18
New England Jr. Amateur
Abenaqui G.C.
8/17 – 8/18
Providence Open
Triggs G.C.
8/23
FCWT New England
Open Qualifier
Crystal Lake GC
5. Former Challenge Cup great and University
of New Mexico star Ryan Gay captured the
Maine Amateur Championship for the second
time in three years. Gay carded rounds of 7268-72 to post a 2-over par 212 total and a 1stroke margin of victory over Jason Gall and
Ricky Jones.
6. Former Challenge Cup ace and University
of Hartford star Nick MacDonald defeated
Vana Jr., Outduels Higgins for
Amateur Invitational Crown
Ryan Gay
JUNIOR GOLF
By DAVE ADAMONIS, JR
New Champion to be Crowned
at RIGA Junior Championship
J
2010 World Series of Junior Golf Champions
(l to r)
Kuriko Tsukiyama, Jamison Randall, Patrick
Oleksak, Steven Dilisio
Nicola Scola, (l)
Ouimet
Champion, with
Isabel Southard,
Computer
Merchant
Cup Champion
Andy Mai, (l) MGA
Jr. Champ, with
John Jackopsic,
Computer Merchant
Cup Champ
amison Randall, 2009 runner-up, leads a
strong field of junior golfers attempting to
hoist Rhode Island junior golf ’s most coveted
hardware in this year’s RIGA Junior
Championship at Alpine C.C. At last year’s
championship Randall was bounced by
Misquamicut’s Brendan Lemp 5 & 4 in a
lopsided final. Lemp is too old to play in this
year’s event, thus a new champion will be
crowned.
A quick glance at past RIGA Junior
champions reveals the RIGA Junior
Championship has produced four PGA Tour
players (Adamonis, Faxon, Quigley and
Sheehan) and three, three-time winners of the
89-year-old event (Cunningham, Faxon and
Valois).
As has been the case for the past eight years
I will do my best to project the “Elite 8” in
the championship division and the eventual
winner. For those of you interested in the
effectiveness of my crystal ball, I have picked
the winner four of the past eight years. Here
are my “Elite 8” selections for this year’s
championship.
Brad Auclair—Kirkbrae CC
Outstanding pedigree. His father John has
been one of Rhode Island’s premiere amateurs
for many years. A junior (to be) at Mount Saint
Charles, Auclair finished 9th (fourth amongst
R.I. players) at the Challenge Cup
Championship this spring at Alpine C.C. He
has tailed off a bit of late, but he often spars
with tourney favorite Jamison Randall (an
obvious plus). Quarter-finals.
Tyler Cooke—Potowomut GC
It is only a matter of time before Cooke breaks
through. Over the past two years he has been
knocking on the door. In 2009, he was in
prime position to win the RIIL Individual
Championship, falling just short on the final
hole. Last month he closed with a final round
of 1-under par 70 to earn one of two qualifying
spots at the R.I. Trusted Choice “Big I”
Qualifier. His daily playing partners are the
likes of RIGA phenom Bobby Leopold and
his dad Scott (who has helped Leopold
immensely) makes him an even greater threat.
Semi-finals.
Will Dickson—Ledgemont CC
His chances of winning are almost nil, but he
is my dark horse to make some noise. Dickson
may only be 11 years of age, but he is the real
deal. In the Middle School Division at the
Challenge Cup Championship (no, he is not
in middle school yet) Dickson bested good
buddy Steven Dilisio to capture top honors.
Quarter-finals.
Seamus Fennelly—Foster CC
While Fennelly has yet to hoist any hardware
this season, he has consistently been climbing
the ladder. He finished tied for 9th at the RIIL
Championship to earn 2nd Team All State
honors. More recently he finished tied for 8th
at the R.I. Trusted Choice “Big I” Classic.
Quarters.
Alex Grimes—Green Valley CC
My dark horse pick in 2008. Grimes is a
legitimate threat in 2010. Grimes earned First
Team All State honors as the top player at
Portsmouth H.S. He is fresh off making the
cut at the R.I. Open. The only minus is his
competitive playing schedule has been a bit
light. With that said, he is a tenacious
competitor, especially in match play. He may
be the toughest out in the draw. Finals.
David Kraunelis —Swansea CC
Kraunelis was one of the primary reasons
Barrington H.S. captured their fourth
consecutive RIIL Team Championship. He
earned First Team All State honors by virtue
of a 5th place finish at the RIIL Championship.
More recently he finished tied for eighth at
the prestigious World Series of Junior Golf.
Kraunelis also fared well early in the season at
the Challenge Cup Championship (at Alpine
C.C.), finishing tied for 11th. Semis.
Jamison Randall—Kirkbrae CC
No one, and I repeat no one, will outwork
this young man. His work ethic is superb.
Randall has spent the last year and a half
honing his game at Elite Golf under the
watchful eye of Jeff Dantas. This season the
First Team All State selection has been Valoislike in Challenge Cup competition. To date
he has captured five titles, including a
demolition of the field at the Challenge Cup
Championship at Alpine C.C. (which plays
host to this year’s RIGA Junior). My pick to
hoist the hardware.
Ryan Southworth—North Kingstown GC
Numero uno on the North Kingstown HS golf
team, Southworth earned First Team Ocean
State Golf honors amongst Rhode Island high
school players. Southworth finished tied for
fifth at the Challenge Cup Championship
(second amongst RI players). Quarters.
A host of other players warrant
consideration for a fine showing at the RIGA
Junior. They include: Tim Carroll (Montaup),
Matt Corio (Wannamoisett), Owen Heath
(Jamestown), Brad Lockhart (Potowomut),
Anthony Lovechio (Point Judith), Zach Regine
(Lincoln), McKinley Slade (Wannamoisett),
Adam Southworth (North Kingstown) and 10year-old phenom Patrick Welch (Swansea).
Best of luck to everyone at this year’s
championship. I know all but one of you will
be aiming to shatter my crystal ball.
Macedo Wins at Fall River C.C.
Portsmouth H.S.
ace, Alex Grimes
Brandon Macedo shot a 79 to win the 13-15 year old division of the 20th
Annual Tommy Keyes Memorial Golf Tournament held on July 19th at the
Fall River Country Club. Macedo, who was a freshman this past season at
Cranston West, helped lead the school team to the state playoffs. His teammate
on the Cranston West team, Luke Stabile, finished 3rd in the 16-18 year old
division, shooting an 82.
13
OCEAN STATE GOLF
Button Hole Kids Visit
Northeast Amateur
O
ne of the great features of Button Hole is the mentoring program between the kids
and the Rhode Island State Seniors Golf Association (RISSGA). The program offers
many of the Button Hole Kids see what life is like outside of the inner city and it is
treasured both by the kids and the mentors.
In June Jamelle LaFrance and Chantel DeLos Santos from Community Prep, Rodney
Theodore and Soheil Mahmoudi from San Miguel and Naathaniel Sarfo from Martin Luther
King had a chance to visit Wannamoisett C.C. during the first round of the Northeast Amateur.
They were hosted by RISSGA mentors Ted Coogan and Jack Walsh who are very active with
the mentoring program.
They watched and followed the players, including Taylor Fontaine, a member of the
University of Rhode Island golf team who had visited Button Hole earlier in the spring with
the team. The kids were thrilled to see Fontaine and he even came over to talk to them and
thanked them for their support.
“Watching the competitors brought a new level of understanding to the kids about the
dedication and work required to play competitive golf. It was fun for us to watch the reaction
of the kids who had a great day,” said Ted Coogan.
Doug Perron and Brad Faxon lead the children in exercises
Brad Faxon Day a Hit at Button Hole
A
Intern Drew Doyle,
Deanne Prior, Ted
Coogan and Jack
Walsh with
Button Hole kids
14
s Button Hole celebrates its tenth anniversary, one of the highlights of each of the
summers is Brad Faxon Day at Button Hole. This year 108 boys and girls attended and
they were treated to another fine day.
Brad Faxon, along with many of the area golf professionals, donate their time to give the
children instruction and show the fun things associated with golf. A new feature this year was
the introduction to the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) model for the children. This
program attempts to make golfers more fit and provide specific exercises to strengthen muscles
needed for golf and work on balance.
Doug Perron, a TPI certified trainer, and his staff from Barrington Fitness Studio were on
hand to help with the exercise and training program. Faxon, who embraces the TPI program
and works out at the Barrington Fitness Studio, and Perron led the children in group exercises
and then they were broken down into various stations where they threw Frisbees with their
opposite hand to explain releasing the club, had a rope pull to show strength in legs and back,
did frog jumps to increase leg strength and did football-like step drills to increase balance and
footwork.
Each student had a chance to hit balls on the driving range under tutelage from the pros
and also play a few holes with pros. Michael Petracca, one of the attendees, had a hole-in-one
on the third hole.
David Moynihan from Titleist was on hand and gave shirts and hats to all participants.
Stop and Shop provided lunch for all the attendees who agreed that they couldn’t wait for next
year’s Brad Faxon Day.
OCEAN STATE GOLF
CVS/Caremark CEO Tom Ryan
talks with Rickie Fowler at
conclusion
J.B. Holmes and Ricky
Barnes raise victory cup
Morgan Pressel poses with sign carriers on #15
Results:
R. Barnes/J.B. Holmes
A. Stanford/B. Quigley
J. Inkster/B. Weekley
S. Pettersen/H. Mahan
B. Faxon/R. Fowler
C. Villegas/B. Watson
N. Price/D. Toms
B. Andrade/B. Haas
M. Kuchar/P. Jacobsen
M. Pressel/D. Love III
-21
-20
-19
-19
-18
-17
-15
-13
-12
-10
$300,000
200,000
160,000
160,000
130,000
120,000
115,000
110,000
105,000
100,000
Boo Weekley offers Suzann Pettersen some
chewing tobacco. Her comment,
“When do you get lip cancer?”
15
By BRUCE VITTNER
GOLF TRAVEL
Great Golfing in Michigan
Y
ou’ve got to come to northern Michigan
to experience some great golf, a friend
from the Golf Travel Writers of America kept
telling me. I’d put him off for a few years,
since it seemed that Michigan was a long way
away, but in June my wife and I decided to
spend a week traveling through northern
Michigan and checking out some of the
courses.
He was right. There are indeed many great
golf courses. In fact Michigan ranks number
one in the U.S. in public golf courses with
over 830. We sampled ten of the courses, two
in the “top 20 courses you can play in the
United States,” and many others that would
make must play in your lifetime.
Gaylord is considered one of the Meccas
of northern Michigan golf. There are 22
courses in the city including Threetops, the
nation’s number one par 3 course in the
United States and site of the “made for evening
television” golf events. Playing the course takes
less than an hour for the 9 holes, but each of
the nine holes is beautiful. There are four other
courses at the Treetops Resort; one by Robert
Trent Jones Sr. that he called his
“Masterpiece,” two designed by Rick Smith,
who also designed Threetops and has a golf
academy on site, and Tom Fazio’s only design
in Michigan.
Our accommodations in Gaylord were at
Otsego Club Golf & Resort. A ski resort
originally built by Ford Motor Company in
1939, the resort has 118 rooms and two golf
courses. The Classic, designed by William
Dibble, a disciple of Willie Park, was opened
in the late 50’s. Gary Koch, the former PGA
player and current golf announcer, built the
Tribute in 2001, named for the long-time
owner, Alan Gornick who died in 1998. The
course winds through the ski slopes offering
great vistas and downhill golf holes. Number
3 is an excellent downhill par 4, and then you
trek back of the hill and play another downhill
par 5. There is plenty of trouble to the right
of the hole, so keep your drive down the left
side.
“We have hills, not mountains around
here,” but the skiing and golf are fun,” said
Kevin Klay, general manager at Otsego. Koch
made excellent use of those hills as the course
meanders through 1,100 acres including the
Sturgeon River headwater. You will see active
rigs for the natural gas wellheads on the
property that is very unusual but doesn’t affect
play. Otsego Golf Resort has great packages
and juniors always play free.
Our next stop was at Boyne Highlands
near Harbor Springs. The Highlands is one
of three properties (Inn at Bay Harbor—a Golf
Magazine Gold Resort—and Boyne
Mountain are the others) owned by the
corporation, and they have ten courses
available. We played two of the courses but
also toured two others. Our first course was
the Heather Course at Boyne Highlands. Built
by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., it opened in 1966
and is a typical Jones with large bunkering,
many doglegs and greens that tilt back-tofront with subtle breaks. It is a classic. Our
room overlooked the 18th hole, a long
downhill par 4 that features a large pond in
front of the green. For 15 hours we pondered
the distance across the pond and the best way
to play it. Alas, this player bailed out left rather
than try the 180-yard shot from a downhill
lie. Can you say double-bogey? Another
course on the property is Donald Ross
Memorial, a composite of classic golf holes
designed by Donald Ross. It received Golf
16
Aerial view of the 6th-8th holes at Cedar River
(Photo Credit: Brian Walters, Links Imaging)
4th at Links Course at Bay Harbor G.C.
Digest’s best new resort course in the United
States in 1990.
The gem of the Boyne properties is Bay
Harbor G.C. that sits above Little Traverse Bay
on Lake Michigan. They have three 9’s, so
there are different options for the golfers to
try. We played the Links and the Quarry (The
Preserve is the third). The course was designed
by Arthur Hills, and he did a spectacular job
made easier by the great location. The Links
sits on a bluff high above the lake and the vistas
are wonderful. Bring your camera. Holes 3 and
4 bring the lake into play. Three offers two
fairways. Go left over the cliff successfully and
you are left with a short iron, but the safe route
is to go right. The large bunker in front of the
green could have its own zip code. My favorite
hole was number 4, a downhill par 3 with the
lake left and long. Pick the right club. The
most difficult is the par 5 seventh high on the
bluff. Hitting to the green with the lake in the
distance is demanding.
The Quarry is intimidating and very
difficult. It might be wise to move up one set
of tees from what you usually play. The Quarry
is played on the site of a former limestone
quarry, and you go up, down and over the
quarry as you wind through the nine holes.
Number 3 is a very difficult par 5 with the
quarry right and the shot to the green must
carry as chasm to a very slanting green.
Number 8, a downhill par 3 with a pond in
front and the lake just behind the green, is
very memorable.
We played with three men from Minnesota
who have been going to Boyne for the last 13
years. “Their ‘Gr8 Escape package’ is amazing
and offers us unlimited golf, great meals and
fine accommodations for a very reasonable
price,” said one of the men as they were
planning their nine-hour drive home.
Our last stay in northern Michigan was at
Shanty Creek Resort, also a ski and golf resort
that has 4,500 acres of property. There are four
golf courses on the property, and we managed
to play two. The Legend is an Arnold Palmer
design built in 1986. “It has 17 excellent holes
and number 2,” Palmer told Joe Swartz and
his wife (our playing partners and owners of a
home on the 14th hole) when they spoke to
him in Hawaii. The course winds through
heavy woodlands with views of Lake Bellaire.
The Shanty Creek comes into play on the
seventh hole that was our favorite. Seven is a
pretty par 5 with a small pond to the right off
the tee, a small creek that you must carry on
your second shot, and Shanty Creek, a fastflowing stream that protects the elevated
narrow green, to carry on your third. Like
many of the courses in northern Michigan,
the uphill and downhill shots offer a different
dimension in shot selection.
The other course that we played at Shanty
Creek Resort was Cedar River G.C. Designed
by Tom Weiskopf and the newest of the four;
it winds through hardwoods and pines and is
very fair. Thirteen is a short par 4 with a double
fairway, with a large tree and bunker in the
middle of the fairway and deep bunkers in
front of the green. Be careful. Fourteen is the
signature hole, a 140-foot drop to the green
par 3. Choose your club carefully because long
and left are both very penal if not impossible
to find your ball. Eighteen is an excellent par
5 with a quarter-moon pond that winds
around the green to the left.
Shanty Creek has three hotels and a
conference center, 600 rooms and four
restaurants. Shuttles are available to all courses
and buildings on the huge property, and there
are many family activities available. They also
have excellent golf stay-and-play packages.
While we were in northern Michigan we
kept hearing folks say, “You need to see
Belvedere.” The course sits in Charlevoix, a
pretty town between Petoskey and Shanty
Creek. We ventured there while staying at
Shanty Creek (a 45-minute drive), and it was
worth the ride.
Building started in 1925 using horses and
rudimentary equipment. The course was
designed by William Watson, a St. Andrews,
Scotland native, who came to America in 1898
and who also designed Olympia Fields,
Olympic and Harding Park in San Francisco,
and many others. The magnificent course has
tees right next to the previous green and is not
tricked-up at all. It is a calming course with
bumpy fairways that make you think you are
in the British Isles. “Most of our members are
from out of state and many fly in to the airport
a mile from the course, said Marty Joy, director
of golf. Belvedere has hosted 39 Michigan
Amateur Championships and has been played
by legends, Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Walter
Hagen, Tommy Armour and Sam Snead. Tom
Watson is an honorary member and plays there
often.
Two other courses that we played were
Tullymore and Forest Dunes. They are located
in mid-Michigan, but are worth the trip. We
had flown into Detroit (think Rapid Reward
Points on Southwest Airlines), so we played
the courses on the way up to northern
Michigan, but you could play them on the way
back.
Tullymore is a Jim Engh design that was
rated the number one resort course in the
country when it opened in 2001. The
conditioning and flow of the course makes for
a delightful experience. With five sets of tees
and pristine fairways and greens (A-4
Providence bentgrass) Tullymore meanders
through a pine forest and over 800 acres. Each
hole is unique and you hardly see other players.
There are five par 5’s and five par 3’s and you
will use all your clubs. My favorite holes were
the 10th, 16th and 18th. Water comes into play
on each of those holes and make sure you avoid
that tree on 18. Golf Digest has ranked it
Number 15 Public & Resort Course in
America for both 2009 and 2010.
The Resorts of Tullymore & St. Ives has a
second course on the property called St. Ives
Golf Club that also earned top honors. I toured
the course with a member and was impressed
with the elevation changes and unique holes.
Golf World rates the resort Michigan’s #1 Golf
Resort in 2010. The Inn at St. Ives overlooks
the course and there are also luxury
condominiums or custom built homes that are
available for golf groups.
Forest Dunes Golf Club is another midMichigan award-winning course that was great
to play. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, who often
refers to it as his best ever, Forest Dunes was
voted Best New Upscale Course in the U.S.
by Golf Digest in 2003. The name of the course
describes it perfectly and makes it unique. You
literally start out through a forest (the 400,000
acres of Huron National Forest abut the
property on three sides), and then finish
through dunes that remind you of Scottish
links. The property has earned Audubon
International’s Certified Golf Signature
distinction and is managed by Troon Golf. Golf
Digest currently ranks it 18th best public
course. There are two manmade lakes on the
course, but water comes into play mostly on
numbers 9 and 18. Nine is a pretty par 3 with
carry over the water and that same water
protects the left side of the par 5 18th.
Golf Digest ranked Northern Michigan the
12th best golf destination in the world. I now
know why. You need to visit. You will have a
wonderful time on great golf courses. We’ll go
back, that’s for sure.
Useful websites:
www.michigan.org, www.stivesgolf.com
www.tullymoregolf.com
www.otsegoclub.com, www.boyne.com
www.belvederegolfclub.com
www.shantycreek.com
Bruce Vittner is a member of the Golf Writers
Assn. of America and the Golf Travel Writers of
America..
OCEAN STATE GOLF
Why Michigan?
By CAROLYN VITTNER
W
hat’s so great about Michigan?
That was my reaction when my
husband told me our next trip would be
there. Another golf course or two; they
are all alike, right? Was I wrong! Northern
Michigan is not to be overlooked when
deciding on your next vacation.
Riding shotgun in those cute little
golf carts on about 20 courses was an
awesome experience. We found out that
a lot of golf is interrupted by nature. We
witnessed lots of wildlife—deer, foxes,
turkeys, geese, ducks and a lot of beautiful
birds. The natural terrain of the courses
was spectacular to admire and, I’m told,
hazardous to the average golfer. Many
golf balls have been lost forever, I’m sure;
but that is another story.
Lucky for me, there is life after golf.
The Otsego Club is a wonderful resort
located in Gaylord, Michigan. We stayed
in a lodge, an executive retreat with 8
separate rooms and a common area that
has a 30-foot fieldstone fireplace. This
would be the perfect retreat for several
families to enjoy. There is skiing in winter
and golf in summer (free golf for kids) as
well as hiking, biking, tennis, swimming
and fishing. A two-minute drive brings
you into downtown Gaylord, the most
charming town which is sister city to
Pontresina, Switzerland (a little bit of
trivia there). You can meander into a
variety of shops on Main Street; my
meandering led me into Alpine Chocolat
Haus, naturally. Ever hear of chocolate
covered potato chips? Yum!
There is a two-hour drive to our next
destination and I love the journey
through the old towns en route. Since it
is time for lunch, we decided to look for
something different than what we would
have at home. An old-time saloon owned
by one of the locals is just about right,
don’t you think?
The Boyne Highlands Resort is located
in Harbor Springs in northern Michigan.
It has a variety of accommodations: the
main hotel, where we stayed, as well as
town houses and cottages. Our room
overlooked the golf course and ski slopes.
A man-made pond nearby is home to the
loveliest pair of swans. I grabbed my
camera and was about to capture this
sight when I realized that these were no
ordinary swans. They were not real! They
were there for the purpose of scaring away
the Canadian geese.
On Thursday evenings in summer there
is wine tasting on the patio in back of the
resort overlooking the beautiful property.
We took advantage of this fun event (and,
no, this was not when I took a picture of
the fake swans). A group of young children
were taking golf lessons, one of the many
activities available for the families of the
guests.
The Shanty Creek, in Bellaire, is also a
full-service resort. There were two
weddings happening on the evening we
arrived. Since we were not invited to either
of them, we were on our own for dinner.
A shuttle bus took us to a grill nearby that
is owned by the resort. Both golf and skiing
are attractions here as well. When we had
time, we enjoyed a lovely breakfast buffet
in their restaurant overlooking the ski
slopes. When time was limited we could
grab a quick bite before golf at the course.
Michigan can boast of having the most
lighthouses in the country (more trivia).
Take a look at a map and you can see why
they are needed. During our stay we
decided to sacrifice one round of golf to
hop a ferry so that we could spend an
afternoon in Mackinac Island. We had to
leave our car behind. No motor vehicles
are allowed on this most beautiful island,
twenty minutes from the mainland and
next to the five-mile bridge that connects
lower and upper Michigan and bisects Lake
Michigan and Lake Huron. There are three
ways to get around here: by walking,
bicycling, and by horse and buggy. We
took a walking tour of Fort Mackinac that
included reenactments with people in
period dress. One afternoon here was not
enough time to enjoy this very charming
getaway. My spouse also noticed three
courses on this two-mile by three-mile
island, but alas, no time, thank goodness.
We met a lot of genuinely nice people
while on our trip. One gentleman even
invited us to his home to have cocktails
with him and his wife on their deck
overlooking Lake Charlevoix; it doesn’t get
better than that. The main street of
“Charlevoix the Beautiful” is lined on both
sides for five miles with petunias, which
are planted by volunteers every year.
So many reasons to vacation in northern
Michigan-so little time!! We’ll go back.
R.I. Senior Open Set for Sept. 22-23
The sixth annual R.I. Senior Open will be held at Valley C.C. in Warwick
on September 22 and 23. This full-field event has a no cut policy and is a
36-hole tournament. Once again amateurs will be allowed in the event
provided they have a handicap of 12 and under.
Cost for the event is $225 for professionals and $175 for amateurs.
Contact tournament chairman Rick Holcomb at 401-862-4119 for more
information.
Jim Tanner Caddy Classic
by ROD MACKENZIE
T
he fourth annual Jim Tanner Caddy
Classic was played on Tuesday July 6,
2010 with temperatures reaching 102.
Tanner, the long-time caddy master at
Pawtucket C.C. who has worked at the course
for 6o years, was inducted into the Professional
Caddy Hall of Fame at the PGA Merchandise
Show in Orlando this past January. Other
members of the PCA Hall include Gene
Sarazen, Francis Ouimet, Eddie Lowery,
Harvey Pennick, and Mike “Fluff ” Cowan
(www.pcaworldwide.com).
Each year many former caddies and friends
return to Pawtucket to play in the event
conceived by Rod MacKenzie and Kevin
Fortin. Norm Lutz made the trip from West
Palm Beach and played with Jim Tanner, Stan
Abrams and Stan Baluik. The four gentleman
combined have collected many State
Championships including several RI Opens,
RI Amateurs, and RI Four-Ball
Championships. Jim Tanner was a member of
the 1956 RI State Caddy Championship team
from Pawtucket Country Club and still holds
a six handicap.
One hundred and sixty players played in
the event. The foursome of Peter O’Neill, Les
Kennedy, Jr., Steve O’Brien, and Bob
Pommenville scored a gross 61. Peter O’Neill
shot an individual low gross of 66. Bob Kando
scored a personal best with a 73. Jim Quinn
played his first JT Classic recording a 78,
another personal record. A dozen players
traveled great lengths to attend the reunion of
old friends from the caddy yard. Jim Quinn
drove from New Jersey to play with his brother
Jack, and paired with brothers Ray and Chick
Gorman.
The Jim Tanner Classic is used as a fundraiser for the Burke Scholarship. This year
$9,000 was raised and a total of $21,000 has
been raised in the four years. The Burke
Scholarship Fund has raised over $2 million
since 1946 and has assisted hundreds of
caddies and golf club workers across the state
of Rhode Island and southeastern
Massachusetts. Terrence O’Neill was
introduced as the first Jim Tanner Scholar.
Terry will be attending URI in the fall. Also
receiving Burke Fund Scholarships were
Michael S. Capineri, who just finished his
freshman year at Boston College and Julia G.
Spencer. Julia will begin college at UMass
Amherst in September. All three work parttime at Pawtucket Country Club.
Many participants in the Jim Tanner Caddy
Classic are former caddies from Pawtucket
Country Club and several received the Burke
Scholarship. Jim Noonan was the first Burke
Scholar from Pawtucket and attended Brown
University graduating in 1958. Jim and his
partner Marty Payton drove up from Philly to
compete in the Classic. Retired Judge Joe
Keough received the Burke and graduated
from PC in 1962.
Jack Nixon, grew up playing and caddying
Pawtucket C.C., and received the Burke
Scholarship and graduated from Brown in
1964. Another Burke Scholar, Ed Hunt,
caddied and worked in the pro shop at
Pawtucket and graduated from Brown in 1971.
Ed’s son also received the Burke Scholarship
from Wannamoisett and graduated from
Brown this year.
Others that played and were Burke Scholars
included: Joe Bradshaw, URI 1975, Rodney
MacKenzie, Boston University 1977, Chris
O’Neil, URI 1981, and Mark Melikian, URI
1988. You can find more about the event at
www.jimtannercaddyclassic.com.
Special thanks to all our contributors that
helped us raise $9,000 for the Jim Tanner
Scholarship this year.
Expo Dates Set
The third annual Southern New England Golf Expo will be held on February
19-20, 2011 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Last year the event raised
more than $30,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence and helped with
after-school programs at all of the clubs.
Amica Insurance has agreed to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs for the
third consecutive year. “Traditional sources of revenue have declined for
nonprofits across the country, and the Golf Expo has been a huge help for us.
The outpouring of corporate and community support has been amazing, and
we are extremely grateful to Amica Insurance and all of our supporters who will
help make this event a success,” said Nicole Dufresne, executive director of the
Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence.
Tickets for the event will remain at $9 for adults and free for children under
12. For more information or to have a booth at the show (prices start at $985 for
a 10X8 booth) contact David Bodah at 401-444-0750 X105 or email him at
[email protected].
17
By BOB DICK
OCEAN STATE GOLF
Morrell Edges
Vongphoumy for
State Am Title
Leopold Qualifies
for U.S. Amateur
By BRUCE VITTNER
I
Anthony Grillo, Bobby Leopold, and Sean Kelly
A
t the beginning of the summer amateur
golf season, Potowomut’s Bobby
Leopold, the 2009 RIGA Player of the
Year, declared that he wanted to test himself
against the best amateur golfers in the country.
And one of his main goals was to qualify for
the U.S. Amateur, which will be held later this
month (Aug. 23-29) at Chambers Bay G.C.
in Tacoma, Washington.
Leopold, you see, is trying to figure out
whether or not he has it in him to pursue a
career in golf at the professional level. Doing
well against the top amateurs, he says, will tell
him what to do.
That’s why he was so excited when he
qualified for this year’s U.S. Amateur, tying
for medalist honors with Harvard’s Tony
Grillo, each with a 4-under 138, at the
sectional qualifying event at Potowomut on
July 26. The third qualifying spot went to 17year-old Sean Kelly of Bradenton, Fla, who
posted a 36-hole total of 142.
“This is so huge for me, I wanted to make
this so bad,” said Leopold, who experienced a
bitter playoff loss for the final qualifying spot
a year ago to Brad Valois. “This feels a lot
better.”
And, best of all, says Leopold, he can now
talk about going to the U.S. Am with wife
Taylor. They, by the way, will be celebrating
their one-year anniversary Aug. 30.
“She has been talking about making plans
to go out there and possibly celebrate our
anniversary there,” said Leopold. “But I told
her, ‘I’ve got to make it first. Don’t put too
much pressure on me.’ Sometimes, the more
you expect the harder it is to do it.”
But now, all that worry has gone away as
Leopold prepares for his first major national
event.
Leopold was calm as he began his bid for
national acclaim. But that calmness occurred
after a night of very fitful sleep. “I don’t think
I fell asleep until 3:30 in the morning. I kept
thinking of the shots I had to make,” Leopold
said.
Still, he went out and carded a three-under
68 in the morning round and that came
without any birdies on the par 5s. “To shoot
68 without birdies on any of the par 5s just
18
doesn’t happen,” he said.
“My caddie Scott (father-in-law Scott
Cooke) pointed out that from the 8th hole to
the 18th, I had eight one-putt greens. It was
like a short game clinic. But that back nine
wasn’t good. I had to roll in a 30-footer for
par on 12, and on 11, I got up and down for a
par after skulling a shot out of a bunker 40
yards past the green. I just had to remain
patient and accept bad shots and Scott helped
me with that.”
Leopold’s second round (he started on the
10th) was a solid one under 70 in which he
birdied all three par 5s. “I did what I was
supposed to do,” he said. “But I did give away
three shots when I bogeyed 3, 4 and 5 but
steadied things with birdies on 7 and 9.”
Grillo, who will be a junior at Harvard
this fall and captain of the Crimson golf team,
said he finally put together the round he has
been looking for all summer – a nifty 5 under
66 – that went with his opening round 72.
“It’s been something I’ve been waiting to
happen. I’ve been working hard on my game,
and I recently made a quick change in my
swing. And I made a lot of putts including
one bomb on 12 (45 footer). To shoot 66, it’s
all about putting,” said Grillo, who lives on
Martha’s Vineyard and is a two-time Mass.
Junior Champion.
If Rhode Island’s Jonathan Pannone had
not been penalized two strokes for hitting a
wrong ball during his morning round, he
might have been involved in a playoff with
Kelly for the final qualifying spot.
As it was Kelly finished his afternoon round
in sensational fashion when he chipped in for
birdie on 17 and par on 18 for a score of twounder 69 to go with his opening round 73.
His second round also included 12-foot birdie
putts on 5, 8 and 9.
What made Kelly’s score even more
remarkable is that he has been battling a nasty
eye infection in his right eye since Memorial
Day. Kelly, who failed to qualify a year ago at
Cranston C.C., has been forced to wear glasses
instead of his more comfortable contacts and
his depth perception, he says, has been thrown
off. Barrington’s Matt Broome (143) and
Pannone (144) earned first alternate status.
t was only fitting that the two
hottest women players in the
state where facing each other
in the finals of the R.I. Women’s
Amateur sponsored by the Ocean
State Women’s Golf Assn. at
Cranston C.C. Samantha Morrell,
fresh off her win at the New
England Women’s Amateur title,
and Juliet Vongphoumy who
recently won an AJGA event on
Cape Cod by 15 strokes, had tied
for medallist honors with 3-under
par 69’s in the qualifying round.
Since they tied, they were put
on opposite sides of the 8-player
championship division draw, and
fittingly, both made it to the
finals. It wasn’t easy, however as
both players struggled in the
semifinals. Morrell defeated
Nicole Scola 1-up and
Vongphoumy defeated Jenna
Masnyk on the 21st hole.
Vongphoumy edged in front
when she birdied hole 13 (they
started on the back side). She gave it right
back on 14 when she made bogey. “I had
a bad lie and then made a bad chip,” said
Vongphoumy. Morrell grabbed her first
lead with an eagle on the par 5 17th. “I
got home in two and made a 15-footer,”
related Morrell. She needed it because her
opponent had blasted out of a greenside
bunker on her third shot and made the putt
for birdie.
The match stayed the same as each
made pars on the next two holes, but when
Vongphoumy couldn’t get up-and-down
from a bunker on 2, she went two-down.
One of Morrell’s worst shots led to a bogey
on 5 to bring it back to one-down. “I
chunked an iron and it rolled into the
water,” said Morrell who said she was in a
divot but that wasn’t an excuse for the poor
shot.
Morrell made a great first putt on six
and Vongphoumy made an excellent chip
on seven to keep the match at 1-up. On
the short island-green eighth Morrell had
a scare as her wedge shot spun back towards
the water. It stopped on the fringe and
neither player could make the birdie putt.
Both hit great drives on the last hole.
In fact, both were almost the same length
and in the middle of the fairways off the
tee all day. Vongphoumy’s approach looked
like it was going to stop at the hole, but it
released and rolled 15 past. Morrell then
hit her shot within 13 feet of the pin.
Vongphoumy’s putt stopped just short
and left of the hole. “I was short on my
putts all week,” said Vongphoumy who
Juliet Vongphoumy (r) congratulates
Samantha Morrell
wasn’t used to the slower greens at Cranston.
When Morrell hit her putt a foot from the
hole, the two friends from their days at
Button Hole shook hands as Morrell won
the match one-up.
Speaking afterwards, Vongphoumy said
that the match was fun and that Samantha
played very steady. She had spent the
previous year at a golf academy in South
Carolina, but she said she was happy to be
home and will be attending LaSalle for her
senior year.
“This has been a great year for me. I
played number one on my golf team at Old
Dominion as a freshman, won the New
England Amateur and now this event,” said
Morrell who learned the game at
Fiddlesticks under the tutelage of Tony
DeQuattro and then became a Button Hole
Kid. Ocean State Golf had highlighted her
when she made three holes-in-one in two
days at Button Hole as a 13-year-old.
All four semifinals were teenagers. That
bodes well for women’s golf in Rhode Island.
In the other divisions Robyn English made
a 15-footer on the last hole to defeat Ali
Prazak one-up to take the First Division.
Kate Rockwell who defeated Angela
Moscatelli on the 20th hole won second
Division. They are teammates at Bay View
Academy. Barbara Sutter defeated Lisa Clark
to win the Third Division 5 and 3.
See page 22 for scores.
GOLF COMMENTARY
By JOE GORDON
PGA Championship Memories
I
kept pestering 1995 U.S. Ryder Cup
captain Lanny Wadkins for a hint as to
whether he would make Brad Faxon one
of his two wild-card picks in case Faxon didn’t
make the team on points. It was early in the
week of the 1995 PGA Championship at
Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Cal.
Faxon was on the bubble for one of 10
automatic spots on the team. Depending on
what other contenders would do in that PGA
Championship. Faxon appeared to need a tie
for fifth at the worst to earn his way on.
Wadkins finally got tired of me asking him
about a captain’s pick, so he flat out told me
he would be happy if Faxon made it but he
wasn’t going to offer him a wild card spot.
“Oak Hill (site of the Ryder Cup that year) is
going to be set up like a U.S. Open course
with heavy rough and I’m not sure Fax will
hit enough fairways, so I won’t pick him,” said
Wadkins.
In a tournament that produced the second
most sub-par rounds in PGA Championship
history (194), Faxon was 70-67-71 for a fiveunder-par total after three rounds and needed
a miracle in the final round to make the Ryder
Cup team in the final event in which to earn
points. Faxon turned Aug. 13, 1995 into that
miracle. Faxon was nearly flawless as he shot
28-35-63 to finish solo fifth, earning a spot
on the team and tying the record for the lowest
round ever shot in any of golf ’s four major
championships. When Rory McIlroy shot 63
in the recent British Open at St. Andrews, he
became just the 22nd player to ever go that
low in a major.
Faxon’s round was 8-under the Riviera par
of 71. He picked up seven of those shots on
the front side when the 7-under-par 28 he shot
became the lowest nine holes ever posted in
the PGA Championship. Faxon came to the
18th unsure of the precise details of the points
race. He was faced with a 15-foot par putt for
the 63 and he rolled it into the cup.
“I remember a couple of things from
Riviera in ’95 on that final day — having so
much feel and awareness of what was going
on,” Faxon recalled some time ago. “When I
would hit a shot, I could tell right away
whether it was exactly the right distance or
whether I needed it to go one more yard.”
He finished just four shots behind Steve
Elkington and Colin Montgomerie with
Elkington winning a sudden-death playoff that
lasted one hole when he rolled in a 25-footer
for birdie and Montgomerie missed his 20footer.
The PGA Championship, once considered
by some the least attractive of the four majors,
has, nevertheless, provided some of the most
memorable moments in golf history.
How the PGA of America ever decided that
conducting its 1987 PGA Championship in
South Florida in August would be a good idea
shall forever remain a mystery. Moreover, the
PGA decided to convert the greens on the
Champion Course at the PGA National
complex in Palm Beach Gardens to bent grass,
which doesn’t thrive in such heat and humidity.
It was no wonder that the greens turned to a
mud-like substance and needed to be spraypainted green so they would show up on
television. Unfortunately, the weather was even
worse than the greens. The average daily heat
index was 102 degrees. Many amongst the
small crowds passed out from the heat.
The most memorable moment of that
tournament, appropriately, was not a golf shot,
but a verbal shot by Larry Nelson, who had
defeated Lanny Wadkins in a sudden-death
playoff after the pair finished with identical
1-under-par scores of 287, the highest winning
total in the history of the PGA Championship.
After Nelson won with a par on the first extra
hole, he strolled into the interview room, raised
his head and said, “I was in the jungles of
Vietnam, and this was worse.”
If ever a course had been designed for one
man, it was Crooked Stick in Carmel, Ind.,
site of the 1991 PGA Championship. It was
the stage from which sprang the legend of John
Daly, the grip-it-and-rip-it bomber who
became an instant fan favorite that week.
Daly was the 9th alternate and got into the
event after Nick Price withdrew to be present
at the impending birth of his child the night
before the tournament was to start. Three
alternates ahead of Daly declined the offer.
Using Jeff Medlen, Price’s caddie, Daly, who
drove all night from his home in Dardanelle,
Ark. to get there, had no practice round.
But Daly, who had been known for his
long-driving escapades on the Ben Hogan Tour
(now the Nationwide Tour), needed to know
just one thing – that designer Pete Dye had
built a course on which the longer the player
hit his tee ball, the wider the fairways got. The
landing areas for normal players were stacked
with obstacles and much narrower than usual,
which meant Daly could hit the ball as hard
as he chose and not worry about too many
missed fairways. His length took all the driving
problems out of play.
When Daly posted an opening round 3under-par 69 to share eighth place, there were
many who figured he would be a one-round
wonder. But what people failed to realize was
that the blond bomber had a magnificent game
from 100 yards in to supplement the long
driving exploits. He followed with rounds of
67-69-71 for a 276 and a three-shot win over
Bruce Lietzke. I remember asking Daly about
his weird-looking driver. It was called a Cobra
Ultra-Mid and had a wide head that looked
like it was made of some bulletproof substance.
His answer revealed his eccentricity. “They told
me it WAS bullet-proof,” said Daly. “But when
I was home in Arkansas for a week and playing
with my buddies one of the guys had a .357
Magnum. I told him to go ahead and shoot it,
it was bulletproof. “He smashed it to
smithereens. It took me a while to get another
one of those drivers.”
Paul Azinger came to Pleasant Valley to play
the PGA Tour’s New England Classic in late
July of 1993, three weeks before he would tee
it up in the PGA Championship at The
Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. “I’ve got this
pain near my shoulder blade that won’t quit,”
said Azinger while talking to me and Jim
Hallett, who had suffered a wrist injury and
was taking ten Advil a day. “I’m taking 12,”
admitted Azinger who still won the event at
Pleasant Valley while in constant pain.
Fast-forward to Inverness, where Azinger
played brilliantly, making birdies on four of
the final seven holes for a 30 on the back nine
to finish at 12-under-par 272 and get into a
playoff with Greg Norman. Azinger won with
a par on the second playoff hole. He played
his way to the end of that season before finally
seeing a doctor about the pain in his back,
which turned out to be non-Hodgkins
John Daly looking for that
return to stardom
lymphoma, which cost him most of the 1994
season. But it didn’t cost him his life. He
battled through the disease to become the
winning captain of the victorious 2008 U.S.
Ryder Cup team.
This year the PGA takes its show back to
Whistling Straits in Haven, Wis. Pete Dye
designed the course along two miles of Lake
Michigan shoreline. Vijay Singh beat Chris
DiMarco and Justin Leonard in a three-hole
playoff after the trio tied at 8-under-par 280
in the 2004 PGA Championship.
The stories there revolved around the
spectacular vistas and tall, steep dunes amid
speculation nobody could break par if the wind
blew on what then was the longest course in
major championship history at 7,536 yards.
Conditions were toughest for the final round,
but there were still 14 sub-par rounds on a
day the field averaged 73.77.
Let’s see if there are any unforgettable
memories for this year’s event.
Joe Gordon, a long-time member of the Golf
Writers Assn. of America, is the retired golf writer
from the Boston Herald. He covered dozens of
majors and will reminisce about Ryder Cup
memories in the September 15 issue.
19
GOLF NOTEBOOK
Golf
Notebook
By BOB DICK
Bob Dick is a retired sports writer for the
Providence Journal and a member of the Golf
Writers Assn. of America.
Morrell Captures New England
Amateur
There was always the hope that once North
Kingstown’s Samantha Morrell became a more
mature player on the golf course, she had a
chance to make a name for herself throughout
New England amateur circles.
Well, she is now a 19-year-old sophomoreto-be at Old Dominion University and she has
displayed some terrific poise this summer. In
fact, she was good enough, and calm enough,
to come away with a surprising victory at the
54th New England Women’s Golf Association
Championship at Green Mountain National
G.C. in Killington, Vt.
Yes, the onetime admitted “hothead” on
the links now reigns as the queen of women’s
amateur golf in New England. Her two-stroke
victory with rounds of 74, 74 and 74 over
veteran Massachusetts standout Tara Joy
Connolly did not come easy. In fact, there were
times when her mental outlook was severely
tested.
20
Like on the first day when she doubled 6
and then came up with a real ugly triple on
the par 4 16th. Through it all, though, she
remained focused and didn’t blow up.
“When I was younger, I was a hothead on
the course. When things would go bad I would
get down on myself and felt I wouldn’t do well
the rest of the round,” said Morrell, who won
three schoolgirl state championships while at
North Kingstown H.S.. “Now I have been
shown by my coach at college, Pat Kotten,
that every shot has a purpose. And I have read
some books on this matter and it all has helped
me, so I didn’t let those bad holes in the
opening round bother me. I just had this
feeling throughout that I could win this thing
if I played the way I’m capable.”
On the second day, there were more trouble
spots – a double on 9 and a four-putt green
on 10. “But I knew I had a lot of golf to play
and I simply had to trust my putter,” she said.
Still, Morrell was three over for the day after
14 but then came the hole of the tournament
for her – the par 5 15th, which she eagled.
Morrell was on the green in two and then
rolled in a nifty 25-foot eagle putt that sent
her to one over. A bogey on 16 followed by
pars on the final two holes left her two over.
Heading into the final day, Morrell was four
off the lead but then proceeded to birdie 4, 5
and 8. All of a sudden she was two under on
the front and three ahead of Connolly. She
held strong the rest of the way and finished
with a 74 to Connolly’s 75 and Morrell owned
her first major championship.
“It felt very satisfying. I had a good feeling
about it, I felt I could be successful. I can’t
explain that,” said Morrell who finished with
10 birdies and an eagle for the tournament. “I
think I could have had a lower score if I hit
the ball better. But I made a lot of par saves
and I had those birdies. I know now it is up to
me in the end, that my attitude will determine
how I will play.”
Morrell tuned up for the New England
event when she qualified for match play at the
Women’s Amateur Public Links Tournament
run by the USGA in South Bend, Indiana.
Morrell had qualifying rounds of 72 and 74
before losing a tough one-up decision in the
opening round of match play.
…Troy Pare, the head pro at Wannamoisett,
is headed for the PGA Championship later this
month at Whistling Straits in Kohler,
Wisconsin. Pare qualified for that event when
he finished 5th at the PGA National tourney
in Indiana in July.
Pare tuned up for his PGA Championship
by playing well at the R.I. Open, finishing
three strokes off the pace with rounds of 73,
68 and 68.
“I’ve been driving the ball very well. I got
a new 9/10 driver that Titleist has out and it’s
unbelievable,” said Pare. “You have to drive
the ball well out there and that’s what I have
been doing. I’m just looking forward to playing
out there.”
…Kudos to RIGA Hall of Famer Nancy
Chaffee who won this year’s RIWGA rain
shortened Senior Championship at Kirkbrae.
The win was significant because Chaffee, a
long time member at RICC, has now won at
least one championship in each of the last six
decades. “What I find remarkable is that I have
been playing golf at the same club for 60 years.
That’s amazing to me,” she said.
Chaffee also picked up a win at the New
Englands when she captured the Legends
Trophy for low senior.
…Barrington’s David McAndrew has turned
pro since graduating from Stetson University
with a finance degree. McAndrew says that
always was his intention “So why waste time.”
McAndrew, who has experienced some ups and
downs in tourneys he has competed in this
summer, says he will head to the PGA Q
School in Florida in September in hopes of
eventually obtaining a Tour card. McAndrew
tied for 7th at the R.I. Open at 6-under 210
that included a third round 5-under 67.
…It is unclear whether Narragansett’s Anna
Grzebien will be returning to the LPGA Tour
this summer. A lower back injury has sidelined
her and forced her to take a leave of absence.
She is now undergoing physical therapy in
hopes of returning. Grzebien withdrew from
the ShopRite Classic in New Jersey and played
only one round in the LPGA Championship
in Pittsford, N.Y. She has earned only $7,920
this year.
…The euphoria of winning his first RIGA
major championship since moving here from
Kansas City a few years ago wore off quickly
for Fenner Hill’s Jason Hull. After winning
the Public Links title at Cranston C.C. with a
playoff win over veteran Paul Quigley, Hull
then failed to make the cut a few days later at
the State Amateur Championship at
Wannamoisett.
…Quigley and Mike Soucy combined their
talents to win the 17th Ed Perry Senior 4-Ball
championship at Point Judith. Quigley and
Soucy carded a winning score of 6 under 136
that included a nifty 5 under 66 on the second
round. Defending champs, George Donnell
and Jon Fasick were second at 139.
…Montaup’s Nancy Diemoz captured
OSWGA”s R.I. Women’s State Senior title
with a 72. Kibbe Reilly was second with a 74.
OSWGA’s annual Stroke Play event, slated for
Fenner Hill, was canceled due to heavy rain
showers.
...The 12 th annual URI Baseball Golf
Tournament will be held Aug. 16 at Valley
C.C. Anyone interested in tee sponsorships
should contact Ram baseball coach Jim Foster
at 874-4888. The event is a huge fundraiser
for the Rhody baseball program.
AMATEUR GOLF
Host Families at
Northeast Amateur
Northeast Amateur Notebook
Joseph Bramlett with Denny Glass
T
hrough 63 holes of this year’s Northeast
Amateur Invitational, there was hope that
Potowomut’s Bobby Leopold would join
some select company and become only the third
Rhode Island entry to win this prestigious
amateur event.
The home fans got their hopes up that
Leopold might join Brett Quigley (1988) and
Ronnie Quinn (1964-65) as a Rhode Island
champ when he began his final round with a
thunderous 32 on his front nine at
Wannamoisett. That kept him in contention and
closed him to within three shots of the lead.
Alas, it wasn’t to be as recent Stanford grad
Joseph Bramlett put together a steady round of
two under 67 to go along with three other rounds
in the 60s (69,68,66) and won the 49th annual
event with a 6-under 270. That was two strokes
better than Brad Benjamin from Rockford,
Illinois, this year’s U.S. Public Links champ.
As for Leopold, well, he scrambled through
holes 10, 11 and 12 but then his chances faded
away with bogeys on three of his last four holes.
He ended up as the low Rhode Island entry at
279.
The 25-year-old native of England knew
exactly what went wrong. He suddenly realized
what he was trying to do and whom he was trying
to do it against. That made him extremely
nervous and, he said, he couldn’t control the
nerves. But, he quickly added that it was a great
learning experience for him.
“I think actually it was good for me to get
nervous because the next time I’ll know how to
handle it. I knew I had to make three birdies
coming in to have a chance but I made some
bad swings.”
Leopold admitted that playing in this kind
of competition against some of the top amateurs
in the world is a whole lot different than
competing in just a local event.
“I just have to learn how to handle my
nerves,” said Leopold, who is trying to eliminate
that problem by playing in a number of top
amateur events this summer.
As for the champ, Bramlett was the only
player in the field to score in the 60s in all four
rounds. It was Bramlett’s second trip to
Wannamoisett. He came here three years ago as
a freshman after helping Standford to the NCAA
team title. But his play that year here was a short
one. He played six holes but had to withdraw
because of a back problem.
Bramlett, who qualified for this year’s U.S.
Open but failed to make the cut, did have a
unique experience at the Open. He played a pair
of practice rounds with Tiger Woods, himself a
Stanford standout. “My coach arranged that. It
was awesome,” said Bramlett, now totally healed
from serious back and wrist issues that kept him
out until last January.
Wannamoisett’s Charlie Blanchard also was
in contention entering the final round. He was
in fifth place but started the final round poorly
with an early double bogey. He never recovered
and shot a disappointing 76.
“I thought if I could shoot two or three under
I’d have a chance but I never really hit any good
shots. On the greens I had some birdie chances
but they didn’t go in,” he said.
Other Rhode Islanders didn’t fare that well.
Garrett Medeiros, after an even par 69 in the
second round, skied to a 77 in the third round
and a 73 the fourth day for a 291 total.
Johnathan Pannone ended up at 292 and Matt
Broome struggled throughout the tourney and
finished at 315.
The low round of the tournament was turned
in by North Carolina’s John Griffin who carded
a sensational five under 64 on the final day.
Trouble was that was his only round in the 60s.
He ended up at 283, thirteen off the lead.
Young Curtis Thompson of Coral Springs,
Florida won the longest drive contest with a
bomb of 340 yards. Thompson, who will be a
senior in high school this fall before heading to
LSU next year, generally averages 290 off the tee.
“It’s not all muscle,” declared the 6-foot, 175
pound Thompson. “It’s a lot of flexibility. You’ve
got to be able to turn and generate a lot of spin
and I was driving down wind, so that helped.
That drive was the longest that I have measured.
In a contest like this, I’m swinging from the
heels.”
Thompson’s family is all about golf. His older
brother Nick, plays on the PGA Tour while his
15 year old sister, Alexis, has exemptions to play
on the LPGA Tour.
What happens when they all get together for
a round? “It gets pretty heated out there. No one
is giving away any shots,” he says.
Veteran amateur, and one-time pro, Todd
White, made his 13 th appearance at the
Northeast. The South Carolina native, who won
this event in 1990, loves coming back to
Wannamoisett. “What has made this tournament
so special to me is the friendships that have been
cultivated over 20 years.” declared White, now a
history teacher, assistant football coach and JV
golf coach at Spartanburg High School.
White turned pro in 1991 after he wasn’t
selected to the Walker Cup Team that year.
Things didn’t work out as a pro and he stopped
playing in 1997 and reapplied for his amateur
status in 1999. He got it back in 2000 and
immediately got on the phone.
“The first person I called was Denny Glass
(Northeast Chairman) and told him I wanted to
come back to the Northeast because I love it so
much. Luckily, I’ve been invited back ever since.”
White played fairly well this year and ended
up at 277. His winning score in 1990 was even
par 276. He finished tied for fourth in 2008 with
a one under 275.
By BOB DICK
By BRUCE VITTNER
Kelly and Phil Zexter, Jason Scrivener and Justin Thomas
O
ne of the very nice features of the
Northeast Amateur Tournament
held in late June every year at
Wannamoisett Country Club in East
Providence is the hosting of players by club
members.
It is not inexpensive for these great
amateur players to travel to these
prestigious events, and the Northeast Am
attracts golfers from around the world.
Amateur means that players are competing
for a trophy not cash. How do they pay
for lodging and meals while they spend a
week in Rhode Island? Who transports
them around?
Enter the members. “We are so
fortunate to have members who open their
homes to visiting golfers. We definitely
wouldn’t be able to get the great fields we
have each year without their support,” said
tournament director Denny Glass who
suggested that I talk to Phil Zexter who
co-chairs the housing committee and has
been hosting at least two players for the
last six years.
Phil and Kelly Zexter live a threeminute drive from Wannamoisett and have
been members for 11 years. They have two
children, Ethan, 15 and Lilly, 12. “It has
been a wonderful experience for my
children,” said Kelly about housing players
in their home. “Family-wise it is like a
vacation with everyone in a great mood. I
know our children look forward to it every
year,” she added.
“We always try to host at least one
foreign player,” said Phil who hosted
Michael Sim from Australia who is now
on the PGA Tour. “There is a level of
excitement in our home during the
Northeast week that is great to see,” said
the smiling Zexter at the conclusion of the
tournament.
This year the Zexters hosted Jason
Scrivener from Perth, Australia, a top-rated
world amateur who is spending three
months in the United States this summer
playing in amateur events before turning
professional. “It’s great to meet new people
and hosting support makes it possible to
have been able to do this for the last three
summers,” said Scrivener. He added that
the great meals and company make it easier
to be away from home for so long.
The other player who stayed with the
Zexters this year is Justin Thomas, a 17year-old high school student from
Louisville, Ky. who came along with his
mother to play in the Northeast. Thomas
is rated as one of the top young players in
the country and made it to the finals of the
U.S. Junior Amateur in July.
“I’m having a great time with the
Zexters,” he said. Thomas’ uncle, Bill
Britton is a big Red Sox fan and has taken
him to a couple of games at Fenway Park,
so he was excited to come to New England.
“The Zexters are such fun and do
everything for us. We are very fortunate to
have such a nice family to stay with,” added
Thomas who had Ethan Zexter as his
caddie for the week.
Ethan, who will be a sophomore at
Moses Brown in the fall and plays on the
golf team has been caddying in the
Northeast for the past five years. “It’s always
someone who is staying at our house, so
it’s fun to hang out and talk golf and explain
things about the course,” said Ethan. “He
did a great job caddying,” said Thomas who
was near the lead after shooting 68 and 67
the first two days but faltered with rounds
of 73 and 76.
A side benefit for the Zexters is the
friendships they make over the years with
the players. “Cheeson Hadley from North
Carolina, a star at Georgia Tech who has
now turned professional, stayed with us
three years ago and we’re planning to go
down for his wedding this fall,” said Ethan.
The Northeast Amateur brings top
players from around the world to Rhode
Island and it is great for local families to
welcome them into their homes. It is truly
a win-win situation for all concerned. Just
ask the Zexters.
Alpine Country Club wishes to congratulate
Samantha for her great win at the
New England Women’s Amateur.
21
WOMEN’S GOLF
The
Women’s
Side
Katharine Dyson
S
he’s in rarified territory, right up there
with Patty Berg, Babe Didrikson
Zaharias, Louise Suggs, Annika
Sorenstam and other women golfing greats.
And Paula Creamer has something that has
totally eluded Lorena Ochoa — a U.S.
Women’s Open title.
Creamer finally broke into the major
winners circle at Oakmont Country Club in
July and did it playing with a very sore thumb;
so bad at times you could see her grimace
occasionally when she hit the ground.
Now she has finally won a major, she won’t
have to answer those silly questions about
Way to Go, Paula!
Creamer’s win at U.S. Open great for golf, great for women
when it’s going to happen. It has happened.
She held it together for 72 holes and she
worked hard to get here, to prove to herself
and others she was much more than a gorgeous
girl in a cute short pink skirt.
It’s easy for those of us who play the game
to forget that for the pros, it is their paycheck
on the line when they miss that putt or hit
that drive. Golf for them is serious business.
Still there are players who just seem to have a
better time playing the game and we find them
fun to watch. Remember watching Lorena
Ochoa and her caddy David Brooker as they
walked easily along the fairways, conferring,
chatting, laughing, and Lorena’s black hair
pulled back into a pony-tail bouncing under
her golf cap?
SCOREBOARD (Partial Results)
R.I. Open, Quidnesset C.C.
*John Elliott, Seaview
Dustin Cone, Mount Anthony, Vt
Jesse Larson, Mendon, Vt.
Michael Welch, Granite Links
Jason Parajeckas, Pleasant Valley
Troy Pare, Wannamoisett
Jeff Dantas, Elite Golf Center
David McAndrew, RICC
Michael Carbone, Dennis Pines
John Hickson II, Topsham, Me.
Joe Cioe, Southern Woods
Casey Calmi, Bethpage
Ron Philo, Stowe Mountain, Vt.
a. Charlie Blanchard, Wannamoisett
Matt Parziale, Thorny Lea
a. Jonathan Pannone, Warwick
*won in playoff
70-70-66-206
68-73-65-206
68-72-66-207
71-72-64-207
70-72-67-209
73-68-68-209
69-70-71-210
72-71-67-210
71-70-69-210
70-72-71-213
69-74-70-213
74-70-69-213
73-71-70-214
74-70-70-214
73-70-72-215
70-69-76-215
OSWGA’s State Women’s Amateur, Cranston C.C.
Championship Division
Quarterfinals
Morrell def. Bullock, Scola def. Doherty,
Masnyk def. Hayward, Vongphoumy def. Corio
Semifinals
Morrell def. Scola 1-up
Vongphoumy def. Masnyk 21 holes
Finals
Morrell def. Vongphoumy 1-up
Northeast Amateur, Wannamoisett C.C.
Joseph Bramlett, Saratoga. Cal.
69-68-66-67-270
Brad Benjamin, Rockford, Il.
65-68-73-66-272
Mike Ballo, Stamford, Conn.
66-69-68-71-274
Andrew Yun, Chandler, Ariz.
69-69-71-66-275
Sihwan Kim, Buena Park, Cal.
68-67-70-70-275
Hudson Swafford, Tallahassee, Fla. 69-68-68-70-275
Richard Lee, Bellevue, Wash.
67-70-70-69-276
Steve Ziegler, Broomfield, Colo.
66-70-70-70-276
Todd White, Moore, S.C.
70-66-70-71-277
Cheng-Tsung Pan, Bradenton, Fla. 66-73-67-71-277
Dodge Kemmer, Wichita, Kan.
69-68-72-69-278
Bo Hoag, Columbus, Ohio
68-67-72-71-278
Drew Kittleson, Scottsdale, Ariz.
71-70-68-70-279
Bobby Leopold, Cranston, R.I.
68-72-69-70-279
Senior Four-Ball, Point Judith C.C.
Gross Division
P. Quigley-M. Soucy
70-66-136
G. Donnell-J. Fasick
70-69-139
J. Dias-BmcSparren
66-73-139
N. Levesque-P. McBride
70-70-140
T. Acciardo-G. Pirie
69-71-140
M. Forbes-T. Goryl
70-71-141
J. Mahoney-F. Schick
69-72-141
J. Barber-H. Stevens
68-73-141
R. Browning-G. McLane
72-70-142
J. Fogarty-Y. Mouradian
72-71-143
L. Devoe-L. Devoe
72-71-143
F. Doheny-D. Hanna
71-73-144
W. Campbell-C. Hayes
71-73-144
22
R.I. Public Links, Triggs/Cranston
Men’s Division
*Jason Hull
71-71-142
Paul Quigley
72-70-142
John Costa III
72-71-143
Jamie Lukowicz
70-73-143
Jon Fasick
72-76-148
Herren Dacones
72-76-148
Ryan Porter
81-69-150
Rob Grossguth
78-72-150
Dave Nuttall, Jr.
76-74-150
Dave McNally
74-76-150
Steve Forleo
74-76-150
John Pellegrino
74-77-151
Ben Conway
77-75-152
Don Wright
72-80-152
Andrew Coughlin
80-73-153
David Storm
75-78-153
* won in playoff
Women’ Division
Nancy Diemoz
Kay Bullock
Barbara Davis
Paula Kleniewski
Judy Graview
Linda Darosa
Sue Falcone
Linda Albamonti
Patricia Labossiere
83-82-165
80-87-167
95-87-182
92-90-182
91-91-182
92-92-184
90-94-184
100-92-192
94-104-198
RIWGA Championship (Open), Crestwood
Qualifying
Meghan Doherty
76
Deb Cyronak
79
Marisa White
80
Lauren Collins
80
Melissa Hem
80
Kay Bullock
81
Jenna Masnyk
81
Judy Davis
81
Nancy Diemoz
83
Annie Corio
84
Robyn English
84
Kibbe Reilly
85
Laura Nesteriak
86
Betti DiDonato
87
Janet Field
88
Marge Foss
90
Championship Division
Doherty def. Foss 6 & 4, Davis def Diemoz 1 up
Nesteriak def Hem 20 hole, Reilly def Collins 5 & 4
Field def Cyronak 5 & 4, Masnyk def English 2 & 1
White def DiDonato 9 & 7, Bullock def Corio 1 up
Quarterfinals
Doherty def Davis 2 & 1, Reilly def Nesteriak 1 up
Masnyk def Field 5 & 4, White def Bullock 1 up
Semifinals
White def. Masnyk 3 & 1, Doherty def Reilly 1 up
Finals
White def Dougherty 2 up
Anyone could see there was great respect
and affection between them. We watched her
press her lips tightly together, concentrating
hard on her shot, then relaxing, catching up
with Booker, often sharing a private laugh with
him as they walked. The old adage about golf
being 10% concentration and 90% relaxation
was alive and well with this pair. All this
passion for the game, translated into more than
wins. Lorena was one of the most popular,
marketable players on the golf scene. Who will
be next?
During the LPGA Championship in Locust
Hill in June, ultimately won by Cristie Kerr
by a record margin of 12 strokes, Kerr was on
a tear, threatened just a tad by Ai Miyazato,
the world’s number one women’s player for the
moment.
Those with the largest galleries were colorful
players like Cristina Kim, who strode up the
fairway confident in her black-brimmed straw
hat, hot electric blue pants and chartreuse shirt
splashed with blue ribbons.
Karrie Webb, Lorie Kane, a popular
Canadian player, Sarah Jane Smith, and Kristy
McPherson also had easy, warm smiles for fans
and their caddies.
And when Jiyai Shin flashed her shy smile
and threw both hands into the air after sinking
a long putt, you had to smile with her.
Got to wonder, if other players wouldn’t
benefit from a little more relaxation, a few
more smiles. I’ll bet Suzann Pettersen, a
striking girl and a highly talented player, has a
beautiful smile. I’d just like to see it.
On the 14th hole Nancy Lopez lost her ball
under a bridge. No one could find it. She didn’t
slam her club into the ground or hang her head
in despair. Instead she undramatically walked
back to the top of a hill, took her drop and hit
her next shot just off the green. Then she went
ahead and sunk a long tricky putt. That’s class
under fire. Her fans loved it.
Paula Creamer, a pretty vision in pink down
to her pink-ribbon-tied Adidas golf shoes, held
the lead going into the final day of the U.S.
Women’s Open at Oakmont Country Club.
As she played obviously under huge pressure,
she continued to acknowledge the gallery, talk
to her caddy — and smile. Paula badly wanted
to win her first Open and a lot of people were
pulling for her. Me included.
As she hit the home stretch, she hit a great
pitch on the 15th. It landed about a foot from
the hole. She smiled broadly, joyfully punched
the shoulder of her long-time caddie, Colin
Cann, as she walked to the green and sank the
putt. The gallery cheered. We were with her.
Paula may be drop-dead gorgeous — that has
to help increase endorsement opportunities —
but finally, what she wanted was to excel at a
game she’s worked so hard at. As the new U.S.
Women’s Open Champion, she has proved to
the world, and most important to herself, she
is more than a pretty face, a fabulous body in
a sexy short white skirt, pink shirt, hot pink
hat and Sundog glasses.
Paula now has both hands on the trophy.
She is a winner. She is all smiles. I’ve gotta
bet, this is just the beginning.
What a great day for women’s golf. What a
great day for the U.S.
Katharine Dyson is a member of the Golf Writers
Assn. of America and a regular columnist with
Ocean State Golf.
Tom Benoit was the
grand prize winner
at the Southern New
England Golf Show
and won a golf
vacation for four at
the Legends Resort
plus round-trip
airfare with Direct
Air. He is shown here
with his itinerary for
the trip in
September with his
son and two friends.
“Not bad for a $9
ticket to the golf
show,” said a smiling
Benoit.
OCEAN STATE GOLF
By KEN JEREMIAH
Zen Timing
O
ne of the most common errors that
amateurs make is rushing to finish
their swings. If you spend enough
time at a driving range watching players hit
balls, you will notice a “hit” in many of their
swings. It occurs in different places, but is
nearly always there. By “hit,” I mean a place
in the swing where the golfers’ intention
becomes clear. They are saying to themselves,
“Hit the ball.” Some do this subconsciously.
Others know they are doing it. It is a place in
their swings where they actually stop swinging
and begin hitting.
This “hit” causes many problems for players.
The hands get out in front of the lower body
and the ball goes anywhere but straight. In
order to become more consistent, golfers must
strive to eliminate the “hit” in their swings.
There are some techniques utilized by Zen
practitioners that can help golfers to easily get
rid of this “hit” and to play better golf. The
first is controlling the tempo through
breathing.
In all activities, human beings must
breathe. This holds true in all sports as well.
Tennis players exhale when they hit the ball,
basketball players breathe out when they take
a shot, and boxers exhale when they throw a
punch. In martial disciplines, the breath is
thought to be a source of power and control,
and movements of attack and defense become
more fluid and natural as a result of breath
control. In golf too, it is important to make
techniques as natural as possible. Only in this
way will they become easily repeatable.
Therefore, incorporating the breath into the
golf swing has two benefits. It will help to
make the swing more natural, and it will
eradicate any tempo problems that you may
have. Using the breath to direct the tempo of
the golf swing is simple: Before beginning the
swing, breathe out. As you take the club back,
breathe in. The inhale should end when the
club reaches the top of the backswing. Then,
in the downswing, exhale. Strive to make the
inhaling and the exhaling breath the same
length. Breathe naturally throughout the
swing, and you will be less likely to rush at
the ball in the downswing.
One other practice that should be used
along with this is a technique of relaxation.
In Zen meditation, practitioners strive to be
completely relaxed, yet alert and ready for
action. This form of relaxation can be easily
duplicated in golf by concentrating on the
hands. Grip the club loosely, and as you swing
make sure that your grip does not tighten.
Ensure that your grip pressure remains
constant throughout the entire golf swing.
When players attempt to “hit” the ball, their
grip pressure inevitably tightens. Making sure
that the pressure remains constant, in
conjunction with breathing during the swing,
will help players to eliminate the hit in their
golf swings and to play better golf.
Ken Jeremiah, PGA, is the head professional at
Narragansett Driving Range, in Narragansett,
RI. He has been studying Zen and Japanese
martial arts for more than thirteen years, and he
has written extensively about Japanese spiritual
practices. His most recent book is entitled Living
Buddhas: The Self-Mummified Monks of
Yamagata, Japan (McFarland, 2010). He can
be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
Triggs Finds a Home for the Range
Mike Ryan and Bob Tramonti
T
he biggest excuse that most golfers rely
on – no place to warm up — is about
to be rendered obsolete, at least for
those who tee it up at Triggs Memorial. A
brand-spanking new range and practice
facility, just to the right of the par-5 10th hole,
opened this month at the Donald Rossdesigned municipal course, located in the Mt.
Pleasant section of Providence.
For the first time members and those
visiting Triggs will be able to purchase a bucket
of balls, walk onto the 20,000 square foot
teeing area and warm up or practice to their
heart’s content.
Unlike many other ranges which feature
synthetic mats, the facility at Triggs is all grass
(a combination of bent and bluegrass) “It’s
something we’ve wanted to do ever since we
took over operations in 1990,” said Karl
Augenstein, whose company leases and
maintains the course from the City of
Providence. “It’s something I’ve been trying
to get done for the last 16 years, but I could
never quite figure out how to squeeze it in.
Now, thanks to a lot of people, I think we’ve
done it right and it’s really going to enhance
the experience of playing here.”
Architect Will Gates was the original
designer and then contractor Jim Colucci and
Augenstein tweeked it almost every day. “Jim’s
company has done a fantastic job here,” noted
Augenstein. “I thought it was important to
have somebody who played golf be involved
with the construction.” Colucci, a former
member at Triggs and currently at
Wannamoisett, is a well-regarded amateur
player in Rhode Island.
The entire project was done by local
companies and financed locally by Washington
Trust. The netting that protects the parking
area and the end of the range was installed by
Vin Monteforti’s “Fore Net” company and the
sod was laid by West Kingston-based “New
England Turf,” formerly “Tee & Sod.”
I was really happy and amazed that we
could get everything done locally by companies
that work all over the country,” said
Augenstein.
The poles that support the nets are 60 feet
high along the right side and 38 feet at the
end of the range, some 250 yards from the
middle of the teeing ground. “Although very
few people, myself included, could not hit
(driver) over those nets at the end, we’re going
to restrict it to irons and utility clubs,” said
Augenstein, pointing out that “some of these
kids today could bomb (a driver) over (and
either onto Chalkstone Ave. or off the houses
at the end of the range).”
The facility will include targets and yardage
distance markers and the teeing ground is large
enough for a 30-day rotation, which will allow
each area plenty of time to heal before it is
used again. “Eventually all the turf will be
replaced as we fill in the divots,” said
Augenstein, who added that the planning for
this area first began seven or eight years ago
and was part of his lease agreement with the
city.
In addition to being a practice area, the
range will also be home to the “Triggs
Memorial Golf & Learning Center,” where
PGA professional Bob Tramonti, and fellow
pro Mike Ryan, will give lessons and conduct
youth clinics. When clinics are held other
players will still have plenty of room to hit
balls.
Golfers will be able to purchase a token
($5.00 according to Augenstein) at the pro
shop and then deposit it in a machine by the
range which will dispense the balls
(approximately 50 per bucket). Players will
NOT be allowed to bring their own old balls
and “donate” them while they warm up or
practice.
“We’re really happy with the way this has
turned out,” said Augenstein. “We’ve invested
almost three quarters of a million dollars into
this range and new 6,000 square foot
maintenance shed which is state of the art.
We’re constantly trying to improve the quality
By T.F. GEARY
of the golf course, but not at the expense of
changing the Donald Ross design.”
Augenstein said that he “doesn’t mess with
Donald Ross.” It’s a safe bet that the ‘Olde
Scot’ would have given his approval to the new
range.
23
SOUTHEAST MASS GOLF NEWS
John Hadges Captures Second
Mass. Amateur Championship
F
or the second time in three years, John
Hadges, can call himself the
Massachusetts Amateur Champion.
And, for the second time in three years, the
prototypical 49-year-old Baby Boomer beat a
talented 28-year-old Generation X up-andcomer, Dan Head, in the final match of the
most prestigious amateur event on the golf
calendar.
The final match on July 16 at the 102nd
Mass. Amateur at steamy Myopia Hunt Club,
which has hosted four U.S. Open
Championships since its opening back in
1894, once again pitted age vs. youth,
successful veteran vs. rookie and skilled
shotmaker vs. raw talent. In the end,
experience won out as Hadges (Thorny Lea
G.C.) defeated Head (Wellesley C.C.), 2 and
1, in 35 holes.
Shoulder Work Ahead
A common problem for novice golfers is that they tend to rely on their upper
body too much to create power in their swing and they don’t access their core or
lower body properly. This upper body dominating swing style, which promotes less
than optimal timing of the swing sequence can lead to inconsistent ball striking and
may ultimately lead to muscle and tendon injuries around the elbows and shoulders.
An “arm dominant swing” is often related to range of motion limitations in the
shoulders and mid back (thoracic spine) area. In this issue we will focus on a quick
screen to help determine if you have a limitation in your shoulder region and give
you some guidance to fix the problem.
Use the picture and description below for a simple self-test to help determine if
you have shoulder limitations.
The 90˚/90˚ Self Test
Stand up tall with a mirror to your side. Hold your elbows and shoulders at 90˚ and
proceed to rotate your shoulders as far back as you can comfortably (without extending
your back). Look to see if your forearm breaks 90˚. Now try the same movement
while in golf posture, again making sure not to extend your back and to move your
shoulders only within a pain-free range.
Ideally, a golfer should be able to rotate their shoulders pain free equal to or greater
than 90˚ while standing up tall and also be able to maintain their lower arm in
alignment with their torso while in golf posture. If you recognize that you are limited
or if you experience pain with this motion, you should contact a trainer or physical
therapist to be evaluated. You will find that with a little shoulder work you can easily
add 10-20 yards as well as eliminate your shoulder pain.
Do your shoulders mover less than ideal? Visit our website at www.iGolffit.com to
find exercises to improve your shoulder mobility and find more information about
golf fitness and physical therapy.
24
S.E. MASS.
TEE TALK
By TOM GORMAN
“When we first started the match I thought
I had the advantage,” said a tired Hadges after
his historic victory. “But I quickly realized after
starting off that even though I had never heard
of Dan, I had my hands full. He is a great guy
and very good player. After witnessing his
game, I know that Dan will be back here
again.”
Over the five days of the most competitive
amateur golf in these parts, the two weary
warriors logged a total of 282 holes of golf.
The nearly nine-hour, 36-hole final match was
a perfect end to an exciting week as it was a
battle that saw 11 lead changes and no player
ever gaining more than a two-hole advantage
from start to finish. The drama, emotion,
excitement and pure joy of watching two
talented amateurs tangle on this stage are
always cherished memories and storylines. To
the victor goes the glory, but the unflappable
Dan Head had a storybook week and happy
ending.
“I am perfectly happy with second place,”
said the classy Head, who had a large following
from Wellesley C.C. rooting for every good
shot. “This is my first time in Match Play so
the whole week has been surreal. Every single
match I played was a bonus. To make it to the
finals and go deep with John Hadges is an
added bonus.”
Hadges becomes only the 19th player to
claim two Massachusetts Cup titles since its
debut in 1904. He also became the fifth
Thorny Lea G.C. member to win the
prestigious title joining Ed Connell (1965),
John Tosca (1959,’70), Bruce Douglas
(1975,’76) and Steve Tasho (1981, ’85).
Bay State Golf Pioneer Richard Haskell
Passes at 84
For 30 years Richard “Dick” Haskell,
served the Massachusetts Golf Association (est.
1903) as the dean of golf administration in
the Bay State, earning respect and admiration
from his peers and media at local, regional and
national associations. Haskell’s love affair with
golf began as a caddie at age 10, and evolved
to executive director of the MGA, until his
retirement in 1997. Dick Haskell was always
accessible, positive, cordial and insightful
about people, places and things that were
important to the history of the game.
Haskell left in indelible impression with
those he dealt with on a professional and
personal level. Among his many
accomplishments, he introduced six new
amateur championships statewide. Haskell was
the undisputed authority and driving force of
amateur golf in the Bay State and grew the
MGA from 172 to 318 member clubs. Today,
the MGA represents nearly 400 members.
Haskell passed at age 84 on July 11 and will
be remembered as the lead figure in
development of the MGA’s nationallyacclaimed Centennial book entitled “A
Commonwealth of Golfers.”
Haskell will always be remembered as a
happy man – always smiling — and always
full of relevant golf facts and information, that
he was willing to share with this golf writer
since1992, when I got into the golf writing
business. This little ditty about Massachusetts
golfers is taken from Haskell’s retirement
memoir in 1997: “They don’t smile as much
as they should.” Wow, words to live by the
next time we tee it up! Let’s enjoy and be
grateful for this golf pioneer’s contribution to
the game.
Ouimet Marathon Raises Scholarship Bucks
The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund’s
18th Golf Marathon will be held Wednesday,
August 11 at Stow Acres Country Club. To
date 45 clubs, organizations or individuals will
participate. According to Executive Director
Robert Donovan this event has been the
leading fundraising golf marathon in the U.S.
for the past 17 years. Ouimet Fund President
Richard Barrett said, “We are looking to make
this our best Marathon ever and are still
looking for teams who can play and raise a
minimum of $3,000. Over 17 previous
Marathons, 720 players have played 90,381
holes – and average of 126 holes per year, and
they have raised a total of $3.6 million in
scholarship funds.” You can get more
information at 774-430-9094.
Golf & Gamble Coming Soon?
Diane Wojtowicz, owner of Wyckoff
Country Club in Holyoke, located just north
of Springfield, is teaming with developers on
a proposal to put a casino on the 18-hole, par
69, 100-acre site. Should legalized gambling
be approved by the Massachusetts legislature,
she envisions turning the property into a hotel
resort and entertainment destination. Holyoke
voters have twice approved ballot questions
supporting a casino in town. The state
legislature is working to pass a compromise
bill that would include either two or three
casinos in Massachusetts. Mohegan Sun Tribal
Gaming Authority, of Uncasville, Conn.,
wants to build a $500 million casino resort in
Palmer, off Exit 8 of the Mass Turnpike.
Restricted Status
The USGA Handicap System enables
golfers of all skill levels to compete on an
equitable basis. Definitions of score types are:
A=Away. AI=Away Internet. C=Combined
Nines. I=Internet. P=Penalty. T= Tournament.
“TI” = Tournament Internet. The dreaded “R”
means that your handicap is automatically
reduced for exceptional tournament
performance. This means you have posted two
or more tournament scores at least three scores
better than the current Handicap Index, and
that you are officially a “sandbagger.”
Tom Gorman, a Boston-based freelance golf writer, is a
member of Golf Writers Association of America, Golf Travel
Writers Association and International Network of Golf. He
can be reached at [email protected]
GOLF COURSE LOCATOR MAP
1. BEAVER RIVER G.C. (18) P
343 Kingstown Rd. Richmond, RI, 401-539-2100
www.beaverrivergolf.com, PS, CR, CH, SB, O
2. BLACKSTONE NATIONAL G.C. (18) SP
227 Putnam Hill Rd. Sutton, MA, 508-865-2111
www.bngc.net, CR,CL,CH,PS,O,DR
3. BLISSFUL MEADOWS G.C. (18) SP
801 Chocalog Rd., Uxbridge, MA, 508-278-6110
www.blissfulmeadows.com, CR,CL,DR,PS,O,DR,CH
4. BUNGAY BROOK G.C. (9) P
30 Locust St., Bellingham, MA, 508-883-1600
www.bungaybrook.com, CR,CL,DR,PS,CH,O
5. BUTTON HOLE SHORT COURSE (9) P, X
1 Button Hole Dr. Providence, RI, 401-421-1664
www.buttonhole.org, CL,CH,DR,PS, Lessons
6. CAPTAINS COURSE (36) P
1000 Freemans Way, Brewster, MA, 508-896-1716,
www.captainsgolfcourse.com, CR,CH,O,CL,PS
7. CHEMAWA GOLF COURSE (18) P
350 Cushman Rd. No. Attleboro, MA, 508-399-7330,
http://chemawagolf.com, CR,CH,O,CL,Tee times
8. CONNECTICUT NATIONAL (18) P
136 Chase Rd. Putnam, CT, 860-928-7748
www.putnamcountryclub.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,SB,O
9. COUNTRY VIEW G.C. (18) P
49 Club Lane Burrillville, RI, 401-568-7157
www.countryviewgolf.net, CR,CL,PS,CH,O
10. COVENTRY PINES G.C. (9) P
Harkney Hill Rd. Coventry, RI, 401-397-9482
CR,CL,CH,SB, Senior Rates
11. CRYSTAL LAKE G.C. (18) SP
100 Broncos Hwy., Mapleville, RI, 401-567-4500
www.crystallakegolfclub.com, CL,CR,PS,CH,O,SB
12. ELMRIDGE GOLF CLUB (27) P
229 Elmridge Rd., Pawcatuck, CT, 860-599-2248
www.elmridgegolf.com, CR,CL,DR,PS,CH,O
13. EXETER COUNTRY CLUB (18) SP
320 Victory Hwy, (Rte. 102) Exeter, RI, 401-295-8212
www.exetercc.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,O
14. FAIRLAWN GOLF COURSE (9) P,X
Sherman Ave. Lincoln, RI, 401-334-3937
www.fairlawngolfcourse.com, CR,CL,CH,SB,O
15. FENNER HILL G.C. (18) P
33 Wheeler Ln., Hope Valley, RI, 401-539-8000
www.fennerhill.com, CR,CL,DR,PS,CH,O
16. FOSTER COUNTRY CLUB (18) P
67 Johnson Rd., Foster, RI, 401-397-7750
www.fostercountryclub.com, CR,CL,DR,PS,CH,O
17. GREEN VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB (18) SP
371 Union St., Portsmouth, RI, 401-847-9543, 401-8420126 (T-times), www.greenvalleyccofri.com,
DR,PS,CH,CR,O
18. HILLSIDE C.C. (9) P
82 Hillside Ave., Rehoboth, MA, 508-252-9761
www.hillsidecountryclub.com, CR,CL,PS,O,Banquets
19. JAMESTOWN G.C. (9) P
245 Conanicus Ave., Jamestown, RI, 401-423-9930
www.jamestowngolf.com, CR,CL,CH
20. JUNIPER HILL G.C. (36) P
202 Brigham St., Northboro, MA, 508-393-2444
www.juniperhillgc.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,SB,O
21. LAKE OF ISLES C.C. (18) P
Next to Foxwoods Casino, Mashantucket, CT,
860-312-3636,www.lakeofisles.com,CR,CL,PS,CH,SB,O
22. LAUREL LANE COUNTRY CLUB (18) P
Laurel Lane, off Rte.138, W. Kingston, RI,
401-783-3844, www.laurellanecountryclub.com,
CR,PS,CH,O, Proper attire
23. LOCUST VALLEY G.C. (9) P
106 Locust St., Attleboro, MA, 508-222-1500,
CR,CH,SB,O, new low rates
24. MAPLEGATE COUNTRY CLUB (18) SP
160 Maple St. Bellingham, MA, 508-966-4040
www.maplegate.com, CR,CL,PS,CH
25. MEADOWBROOK G.C (18) P
163 Kingtown Rd. (Rt. 138), Richmond, RI,
401-539-8491, www.meadowbrookgolfri.com,
CR,CL,PS,CH,O,PGA Pro
26. MELODY HILL COUNTRY CLUB (18) P
55 Melody Hill Ln., Harmony, RI, 401-949-9851
CR,PS,CH
27. MGA LINKS AT MAMANTAPETT (18) P,X
300 W. Main Rd., (Rte. 123), Norton, MA, 508-2220555, www.mamantapett.com, CL,PS,CH,SB,O
28. MIDDLEBROOK C.C. (9) P
149 Pleasant St., Rehoboth, MA, 508-252-9395
CR,PS,CH,SB
29. MIDVILLE COUNTRY CLUB (9) P
100 Lombardi Ln., W. Warwick, RI, 401-828-9215
www.midvillegolfclub.com, CR,CL,PS,CH
30. NEW ENGLAND COUNTRY CLUB (18) SP
180 Paine St., Bellingham, MA, 508-883-2300
www.newenglandcountryclub.com,CR,CL,DR,PS,CH,O
31. NEWPORT NATIONAL GOLF CLUB (18) SP
324 Mitchell’s Lane, Middletown, RI, 401-848-9690,
www.newportnational.com, CR,CL,PS,SB,O
32. NO. KINGSTOWN GOLF COURSE (18) P
615 Callahan Rd., No. Kingstown, RI, 401-294-0684
www.nkgc.com, DR,PS,CR,CL,CH,O
33. NORTON COUNTRY CLUB (18) SP
188 Oak St., Norton, MA, 508-285-2400
www.nortoncountryclub.com, CR,CL,CH,SB,O
34. OLDE SCOTLAND LINKS (18) P
695 Pine St., Bridgewater, MA, 508-279-3344,
www.oldescotlandlinks.com, DR,CR,CL,SB,O,Less.,Leag.
35. PINE VALLEY C.C. (9) P
136 Providence St., Rehoboth, MA, 508-336-5064
CR,PS,CH,SB
36. PINECREST GOLF CLUB (9) P
25 Pinehurst Dr., Richmond, RI, 401-364-8600
www.pinecrestri.com, CR,CL,CH,SB, Leagues
37. RACEWAY GOLF COURSE (18) SP
205 E. Thompson Rd., Thompson, CT, 860-923-9591
www.racewaygolf.com, CR,CL,PS,DR,CH,REST.,O
38. REHOBOTH COUNTRY CLUB (18) P
155 Perryville Rd. Rehoboth, MA, 508-252-6259
www.rehobothcountryclub.com, CR,PS,CH,O, Tee times
39. RICHMOND COUNTRY CLUB (18) P
Sandy Pond Rd. Richmond, RI, 401-364-9200
www.richmondcountryclub.net,CR,CL,PS,CH,O,Restaurant
40. RIVER RIDGE GOLF CLUB (18) P
259 Preston Rd., Griswold, CT, 860-376-3268
www.riverridgegolf.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,O
41. ROSE HILL GOLF CLUB (9) P, X
222 Rose Hill Rd., So. Kingstown, RI, 401-788-1088
www.rosehillri.com, CR,CL,CH,SB, Leagues
42. SEAVIEW COUNTRY CLUB (9) P
150 Gray St., Warwick, RI, 401-681-4133,
CR,DR,PS,CH,O,Banquets
43. SHENNECOSSETT GOLF COURSE (18) P
93 Plant St., Groton, CT, 860-445-0262 (PS-448-1867)
www.shennygolf.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,Rest.,O
44. SWANSEA COUNTRY CLUB (18) (9) P,X
299 Market St., (Rte. 136), Swansea, MA, 508-379-9886,
www.swanseacountryclub.com, CR,CL,DR,CH,O
45. THE BACK NINE CLUB (18) P,X
17 Heritage Hill Dr., Lakeville, MA,
www.thebacknineclub.com, CR,CL,DR,CH,O
46. TIN CUP GOLF & DRIVING RANGE (6) P
2 Fairway Dr., Coventry, RI, 401-823-4653,
www.tincupgc.com, CR,CL,DR,CH,O
47. TRIGGS MEMORIAL GOLF COURSE (18) P
Chalkstone Ave., Providence, RI, 401-521-8460
www.triggs.us, CR,CL,PS,CH,O
48. TOUISSET COUNTRY CLUB (9) P
221 Pearse Rd., Swansea, MA, 508-679-9577
www.touissetcc.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,SB,O
Key
= Golf Course
49. WAMPANOAG GOLF COURSE (9) P
168 Old Providence Rd., Swansea, MA, 508-379-9832
www.wampanoaggolf.com, CR,CL,PS,CH
50. WENTWORTH HILLS G.C. (18) SP
27 Bow St., Plainville, MA, 508-699-9406
www.wentworthhillsgolf.com, CR,CL,DR,PS,CH,O
51. WINDMILL HILL G.C. (9) X
35 Schoolhouse Rd., (off Rte. 136), Warren, RI, 401-2451463, www.windmillhillgolfri.com,
CR,CL,CH,O,Restaurant
52. WOOD RIVER GOLF (18) P
78 Woodville Alton Rd., Hope Valley, RI, 401-364-0700,
www.woodrivergolf.com, CR,CH,SB,O
53. WOODLAND GREENS GOLF COURSE (9) P
655 Old Baptist Rd., N. Kingstown, RI, 401-294-2872,
www.woodlandgc.com, CR,PS,CH,O
DRIVING RANGES
A. ATLANTIC DRIVING RANGES LTD. (9) X
754 Newport Ave,. So. Attleboro, MA, 508-761-5484
www.atlanticgolfcenter.com, Shadow Brook, Heated tees,
retail shop, mini golf, chip and putt
B. BUTTON HOLE LEARNING CENTER(9)PAR3
1 Button Hole Dr., Providence, RI, 401-421-1664,
www.buttonhole.org, Target greens, two putting greens,
lessons
C. EAGLE QUEST GOLF DOME
1 Keyes Way, (Off Rte. 2,) W. Warwick, RI,
401-828-DOME, www.eqgolfdome.com, 55 tee boxes,
sand trap, two putting greens, indoor year-round lessons,
clinics, golf school
( ) = Holes
P = Pulbic
SP = Semi Private
X = Executive
CR = Car Rental
CL - Club Rental
= Driving Range
DR = Driving Range
PS = Pro Shop
CH = Clubhouse
SB = Snack Bar
O = Outings
D. GOLF CENTRAL DRIVING RANGE
60 Kingstown Rd., (Rte. 138,) Richmond, RI,
401-539-2200, mini golf, grass tees, lighted, PGA pro
lessons
E. GOLF LEARNING CENTER OF NEW ENGLAND
19 Leonard St., Norton, MA, (Exit 10/Rte.495), 508285-4500, www.golflearningcenter.com, Open year
round, lessons, 1,000ft. grass teeline, heated bays, putting,
chipping, bunkers, PGA Pro
F. IRON WOODS GOLF PRACTICE CENTER
1081 Iron Mine Hill Rd., (off Rte.146), N. Smithfield,
RI, 401-766-1151, www.iwgolf.com, lessons, putting
greens, grass tees, covered area, bunker
G. MULLIGAN’S ISLAND GOLF &
ENTERTAINMENT (9) X
1000 New London Ave., (Rte 2), Cranston, RI, 401-4648855, www.mulligansisland.com, Spargo Golf, clubfitting
and repairs, 60 stall driving range, covered area, batting
cages, mini golf, par 3 course, 18-hole pitch & putt, PGA
Golf Academy, snack bar
H. SEEKONK DRIVING RANGE
1977 Fall River Ave., (Rte. 6), Seekonk, MA, 508-3368074, www.seekonkdrivingrange.com, Covered heated
tees, batting cages, mini golf, lessons available, grass
hitting area
25
Hole-in-One
DON’T MISS THE ACTION!
6/14/10 Patrick McShane
6/21/10 Arthur Fiorenzano
6/29/10 Rose Amaral
on our website: www.oceanstategolfinc.com under hole in one.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
To subscribe, please fill in the information below and
send with your check to:
Ocean State Golf, 747 Pontiac Ave., Suite 214,
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If you score an ace, send the following information to get it
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Mass. & NE Conn.
Ocean State Golf is published five times per year
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11th@ Wampanoag
11th@ Carnegie Abbey
8th @ Swansea Exec.
Charity Golf Events
8/2/10
Tomorrow Fund
Cranton C.C.
$125
Mary Riley 401-751-5153 or www.londonriley.org
8/9/10
R.I. State Nurses Assn.
Richmond
Donna 401-331-5644 www.risna.org
8/11/10
Ben Ricci, Sr. Memor.
Foster C.C.
Jim 401-568-4709 [email protected]
8/21/10
RWU Law Alumni Assn.
Cranston C.C.
Office 401-254-4659 or [email protected]
8/21/10
Coventry Girls Softball
Exeter C.C.
Rick 401-255-3316
8/23/10
Tomorrow Fund
Warwick C.C.
Kathy 401-444-8811 or [email protected]
8/24/10
Trudeau Center
Potowomut G.C.
Ed Egan 401-739-2700 Ext.278 [email protected]
9/19/10
Leonard Walker, Sr. Mem.
Laurel Lane
$125
Butch Cabral 401-286-2644
$125
$125
$125
$110
$250
$175
Please make checks payable to Ocean State Golf
OCEAN STATE GOLF CROSSWORD CHALLENGE
Reach a
targeted,
upscale
audience
with your
ad in
Ocean
State Golf.
Call
(401)
464-8445
today!
26
27

Aug/Sept issue of Ocean State Golf

Transcription

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