Teams Rhode Island and Massachusetts Lead Day 1 of New England Junior Amateur Team Championship8/8/2023
![]() BRETTON WOODS, New Hampshire - After getting off to a misty start at the New England Junior Amateur Championship on Tuesday, Team Massachusetts and Team Rhode Island never looked back as they took leads in the Boys and Girls Divisions. Massachusetts finished Rounds 1 and 2 in the Boys Division at 30-under, fueled by a 16-under team score during the first round, and a 14-under performance in the second. In the Girls Division, Rhode Island logged an even team score, 7 strokes ahead of second place Team Connecticut. Connecticut boasts the individual leader in the Boys Division: Luke Stennett, who finished with 11-under 133. Leading the Girls Division is Team Rhode Island's Kylie Eaton, shooting 5-under 139 to finish the day. Team New Hampshire's Carys Fennessy trails Eaton by 2 strokes, as she finished the day with a final score of 2-under 142. Massachusetts' early lead was thanks to strong morning performances from CJ Winchenbaugh and Tom Murdough, who shot a 9-under 63 and 3-under 69, respectively, during Round 1. Winchenbaugh's 63 set a new competitive course record. It's a tight race for the Boys Division after the first day. There is a four-way tie for second place at 9-under 135 between Team Maine's Eli Spaulding, Team New Hampshire's Josiah Hekala, and Team Massachusetts' CJ Winchenbaugh and Tom Murdough. The rest of the teams will have a lot of catching up to do in the Boys Division, as second place is currently 17 strokes behind. In the Girls Division, in second place is Team Connecticut, trailing by 7 strokes. FALMOUTH, Maine – Joey Lenane felt his time was coming soon. So many times in recent weeks, he had gotten off to great starts only to be overtaken later in the tournament.
This week was different. The North Carolina State standout established himself as the guy to beat from the get-go. He took a four-shot lead into Thursday's final round of the 94th New England Amateur Championship at The Woodlands Club in Maine. And when the rest of the field turned up the heat Thursday, he answered. Despite some nervy moments down the stretch, including a tee shot on the 18th that nearly hooked into a water hazard, Lenane prevailed, finishing 7-under-par total for a two-stroke margin over his friend and 2020 winner John Broderick (Dedham Country & Polo Club). After tapping in for par, he shared a hug with his father and caddie Tim as the growing gallery applauded the biggest victory of his life. "I feel like my game has been in a good place ever since I got back home from school, and it's nice to see it pay off," said Lenane, a 19-year-old from Dedham, Massachusetts, who plays out of Boston's George Wright Golf Course. "It's really nice to be able to get it done this week." With the victory Lenane also becomes the first person since Jim Salinetti in 2000 to win the New England Amateur on Maine soil. Online: Results | Photo Gallery | Event Homepage | Past Champions Walking up the 18th may have felt like an eternity for Lenane. Taking driver off the tee for just the third time of the day on the challenging, tree-lined course, Lenane's ball moved left toward the water hazard guarding the entire left side of the hole. Though he was leading by two strokes, a drive through the red stakes may have brought a double-bogey finish into play and made a playoff a possibility. However, Lenane lucked out as his ball ended safe from danger. "First thing I'm thinking is I'm going to be dropping like 400 yards back," Lenane said smiling. "I said 'let's just try to get a shot on the green regardless if it's in play or not and try to get in with bogey at worse.' The volunteer said they heard it come down but didn't see it. [My playing partner] Caleb Manuel told me you should go up and look up a little further, and we get up there and my dad saw it was plugged in the rough." From there Lenane hit a wedge above the hole and two-putted his way to victory. Though the nerves showed up late, Lenane started the round in a good spot. He made birdie on the second hole, followed by another on the difficult uphill par-4 4th, which is guarded with four "coffin" bunkers stacked all the way up to the green. After a birdie on 10, he increased his lead to five strokes, but then some of the oil started leaking. He made bogey on the par-5 11th after striking his tee ball into the water and added another bogey on the par-5 16th. Despite that, Lenane didn't lose focus, trusting in his training for these moments. "I just stuck to my routine. I felt like I did a good job making good decisions and narrowing down on a small target," Lenane said. "I kept telling myself just keep doing that. It's worked the last two days." It's not surprising that John Broderick was the one who made things the most interesting Thursday. Despite going even-par over the past two days, the Vanderbilt redshirt freshman said he's been playing the best golf of his life. With consecutive birdies on holes 9, 10, 11 and 12, he clawed his way to three back, and then two once Lenane made a bogey on the 11th. "Being seven back, I knew I had to play well today," said Broderick, who shot a course record 62 at Essex County Club in last week's Massachusetts Amateur Championship. "I still hit the same shots off the tee on every hole. I was hitting it well, so I pretty much had a look at the pin every time. It's hard to win. I've learned that the hard way the past month, as I've played so well, and I've just come short a few tournaments. It just wasn't fully my week." Despite that, he was still happy for one of his closest friends in golf. "I've spent so many nights at Joey's house ever since I was like 12," Broderick said of Lenane. "It's great to see us both play great golf. When you're 13, this is the kind of stuff you dream of being: 1-2 in a tournament. I'm sure I'll get him next time." Ryan Scollins, Lenane's high school teammate at Xaverian Brothers, didn't know he was in the field until Monday. Scollins, who plays out of both Bald Peak Country Club (NH) and Franklin Country Club (MA), didn't get a practice round, and with an opening 41 on the front nine Tuesday it showed. However, the Holy Cross commit shot 32 in his final nine and shot under-par rounds of 70 and 71 on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, to finish T3. “I was striking it great. Down the stretch, I was just trying to hang in there,” Scollins said. “These are all the best college players from New England. To be able to compete against them, to be hanging with them, is massive.” Connor Goode (Glastonbury Hills CC-CT), who played in the final group, started with a bogey after sailing his approach over the green, but he responded well, finishing with a 1-under 71 on Thursday to match Scollins at T3. Ricky Stimets (Worcester Country Club) finished inside the top 10 for the second straight year thanks in part to the tournament's lone ace. Playing the 190-yard downhill 17th, which was also playing down wind, Stimets had the perfect strike as it trickled into the cup for what he said is the "lucky 13th" hole-in-one of his life. The low 20 and ties from this year's championship are exempt into the 2024 New England Amateur Championship which will take place at Laconia Country Club in the Lake Winnipesaukee region of New Hampshire. Leaderboard 1 - Joey Lenane; George Wright GC (MA); 70-67-72--209 (-7) 2 - John Broderick; Dedham C&PC (MA); 72-72-67--211 (-5) T3 - Ryan Scollins; (Bald Peak CC-NH); 73-70-71--214 (-2) T3 - Connor Goode; Glastonbury Hills CC (CT); 72-71-71--214 (-2) 5 - Caleb Manuel; Brunswick GC (ME); 70-71-74--215 (-1) T6 - Mac Bredahl; Sandy Burr CC (MA); 75-73-68--216 (E) T6 - Ricky Stimets Worcester CC (MA); 75-71-70--216 (E) T6 - Ethan Whitney; Oak Hill CC (MA); 72-73-71--216 (E) _ Top Scores From Each State Connecticut – T3 (-2) Connor Goode; Glastonbury Hills CC New Hampshire – T3 (-2) Ryan Scollins; Bald Peak CC Maine – 5 (-1) Caleb Manuel; Brunswick GC Massachusetts – 1 (-7) Joey Lenane; George Wright GC Rhode Island – T19 (+5) Bobby Leopold; Wannamoisett CC (RI) Vermont – T6 (E) Garren Poirier; Rutland CC FALMOUTH, Maine – Despite an hour-long afternoon rain delay, all players were able to finish the second round of play at the 94th New England Amateur Championship, taking place at The Woodlands Club (6,722 yards, par-72).
On Wednesday, Joey Lenane (Dedham Country & Polo Club-MA), a rising sophomore at North Carolina State, shot a nearly flawless 5-under-par 67 to leapfrog himself to 7-under total, giving him a sizable four-stroke lead entering the final round. If Lenane holds on, he'll be the first Bay State native to win the title in the Pine Tree State since Jim Salinetti triumphed in 2000 at Waterville Country Club. Maine amateur champion Caleb Manuel (Brunswick GC-ME) shot 1-under 71 on Wednesday and sits in solo second place at 3-under total. He's two strokes clear of Connor Goode (Glastonbury Hills CC-CT) and Ryan Scollins (Bald Peak CC-NH), who also shot under-par Wednesday (71 and 70, respectively). A total of 61 players made the cut at 9-over, with 29 representing Mass Golf Member Clubs. Online: Leaderboard | Event Homepage | Past Champions Lenane returned from an afternoon rain delay and knocked down a 6-footer on the sixth hole to keep his momentum going the rest of the way. He didn't slow down, making birdie on holes 11, 15 and 18 coming home. “I knew I was hitting it well, but I just kind of thought ‘All right, let’s just go hit another fairway, give ourselves another birdie look,'” Lenane told The Portland Press Herald after his round. “I really was just trying to give myself chances with the putter, because it’s felt good all week.” Lenane continued to find greens in regulation Wednesday, something he'll hope to continue on Thursday. “Treat it the same,” he said. “What I’ve been doing has been clearly working the last couple of days. … I’ve just got to treat it like it’s a regular round, there’s nothing to it.” Manuel, a University of Georgia standout, is also seeking his first New England Amateur title after finished T2 back in 2021. He got off to a hot start with four birdies on the back nine, including a 210-yard approach on his third shot on the par-5 6th to set up a birdie. However, he gave three strokes back coming down the final stretch, giving Lenane more cushion heading into the final round. “I putted better but I hit it worse, so a little bit of a reverse [of Tuesday],” Manuel said said. “Just off the tee, I need to be in a little bit better position, I think. I’m still happy with the round and the result." Scollins started the week as an alternate for this event, but now he has an opportunity to win it. Despite a 41 in his opening nine Tuesday, he shot 32 on the back and has played the last 27 holes at 6-under-par. "I've been kind of going from there,” he said. “Today I was just thinking ‘Hit greens, make pars.'” Maine native and Round 1 leader Mike Arsenault Jr., (Val Halla GC-ME) finished Round 1 tied for fifth at even par, along with Massachusetts' Thomas Harrison (Old Sandwich GC) and John Broderick (Dedham Country & Polo Club). The final round begins at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. All groups will tee off from hole 1, with the lead group set to begin at 11:21 a.m. Leaderboard 1 - Joey Lenane; George Wright GC (MA); -7 2 - Caleb Manuel; Brunswick GC (ME); -3 T3 - Connor Goode; Glastonbury Hills CC (CT); -1 T3 - Ryan Scollins; (Bald Peak CC-NH); -1 T5 - Mike Arsenault, Jr, Val Halla GC (ME); E T5 - Thomas Harrison; Old Sandwich GC (MA); E T5 - John Broderick; Dedham C&PC (MA); E T8 - Garren Poirier; Rutland CC (VT); +1 T8 - Henry Krieble; Hartford GC (CT); +1 T8 - Ethan Whitney; Oak Hill CC (MA); +1 _ Top Scores From Each State Connecticut – T3 (-1) Connor Goode; Glastonbury Hills CC New Hampshire – T3 (-1) Ryan Scollins; Bald Peak CC Maine – 2 (-3) Caleb Manuel; Brunswick GC Massachusetts – 1 (-7) Joey Lenane; George Wright GC Rhode Island – T11 (+2) Kevin Silva; Montaup CC Vermont – T8 (+1) Garren Poirier; Rutland CC _ About The Woodlands Club Located just minutes outside of Portland, The Woodlands features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Jim and George Fazio that has hosted everything from state amateur events to Korn Ferry Tour events (formerly the Hogan Tour & Nike Tour). The course debuted in 1988, with the project involving breaking and moving more than 35,000 cubic yards of rock. This is the second time the New England Amateur is being held at Woodlands, the first being 2006 when Rhode Island's Brad Valois won by two strokes, shooting 1-under 287 over the 72-hole tournament. The championship is now contested over 54 holes. Stay Informed The New England Golf Association will continue to provide content and updates from the New England Amateur Championship on Instagram and Twitter. FALMOUTH, Maine – The last time the New England Amateur Championship was held in Maine, one the state's own Reese McFarlane took home the title.
Five years later, Mike Arsenault Jr. is hoping he can follow suit. Arsenault (Val Halla GC), of Scarborough, shot a 4-under 68 on Tuesday at The Woodlands Club, giving him a one-stroke lead over tightly-contested leaderboard. Thomas Harrison (Old Sandwich GC-MA) is the closest at the moment after shooting a 3-under 68, while Maine Amateur champion Caleb Manuel (Brunswick GC) and Joey Lenane (George Wright Golf Course-MA) finished 2-under in the opening round. Round 2 will begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday. At the conclusion of the second round, the field of 144 will be reduced to the 60 low players and ties for the final round Thursday. Online: Leaderboard | Event Homepage | Past Champions Arsenault made birdie on five of his first seven-holes on the tree-lined course to settle into the rhythm Tuesday. After finishing in the top 10 in the past two Maine Amateurs, he is hoping that this is finally the week for a breakthrough. Despite finishing his opening nine with a pair of bogeys, Arsenault shot 1-under on the front nine to keep the lead for the day. "I putted really well, and that’s how golf goes. You putt well, you play well," said Arsenault, who knocked down seven birdies total. Lenane, playing on softened greens from rains from the previous days, made birdie on four of his first 11 holes. He got up-and-down for birdie early in the round (par-5 11th), but his best came on the sixth (his 15th of the day) when he made a 30-footer. On the tree-lined course, Lenane was focused on being in the fairway, and his putter got going at the right time. "There are not many holes I hit driver, it’s pretty tight,” Lenane said. “I took the aggressive route and hit driver, which is one of the rare times to get aggressive on this course. It paid off.” Thomas Harrison (Old Sandwich GC-MA) got himself in the conversation again with a 3-under 69, featuring a bogey-free start on the back nine to start the day and finishing even-par on the front. Manuel managed three birdies and one bogey, but he had the chance to be even higher, as many of his 15 to 20 footers burned the edge. Still, the University of Georgia standout who won the Maine title with a dominating 11-stroke victory, should be a factor over the next couple days. Woodlands member Michael Madden, 15, is among a large pack of eight golfers who finished even-par and are well within contention through the first third of the competition. With five birdies and five bogeys Tuesday, Madden is hoping for more of the former going forward “I aimed for the big part of the fairway," Madden said. "You just have to avoid those really big numbers that ruin your entire round.” Leaderboard 1 - Mike Arsenault, Jr, Val Halla GC (ME); -4; 68 2 - Thomas Harrison; Old Sandwich GC (MA); -3; 69 T3 - Joey Lenane; George Wright GC (MA); -2; 70 T3 - Caleb Manuel; Brunswick GC (ME); -2; 70 5 - Nick McLaughlin; Far Corner GC (MA); -1; 71 T6 - Matt Williams; Boston GC (MA); E; 72 T6 - Michael Madden, Woodlands Club (ME); E; 72 T6 - Michael Walsh, Burlington CC (VT); E; 72 T6 - John Broderick; Dedham C&P Club (MA); E; 72 T6 - Connor Goode,; Glastonbury Hills CC (CT); E; 72 T6 - Garren Poirier; Rutland CC (VT); E; 72 T6 - Taylor Bellemare; Ekwanok CC (VT); E; 72 T6 - Mathew Smith; Manchester CC (VT); E; 72 _ Top Scores From Each State Connecticut – T6 (E) Connor Goode; Glastonbury Hills CC New Hampshire – T14 (+1) Ryan Scollins; Bald Peak CC & Jack Pepin (Atkinson Resort & CC Maine – 1 (-4) Michael Arsenault; Val Halla GC Massachusetts – 2 (-2) Thomas Harrison; Old Sandwich GC Rhode Island – T26 (+2) Kevin Silva; Montaup CC Vermont – T6 (E) Michael Walsh; Burlington CC; Garren Poirier; Rutland CC; Taylor Bellemare; Ekwanok CC; Mathew Smith, Manchester CC _ About The Woodlands Club Located just minutes outside of Portland, The Woodlands features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Jim and George Fazio that has hosted everything from state amateur events to Korn Ferry Tour events (formerly the Hogan Tour & Nike Tour). The course debuted in 1988, with the project involving breaking and moving more than 35,000 cubic yards of rock. This is the second time the New England Amateur is being held at Woodlands, the first being 2006 when Rhode Island's Brad Valois won by two strokes, shooting 1-under 287 over the 72-hole tournament. The championship is now contested over 54 holes. Stay Informed The New England Golf Association will continue to provide content and updates from the New England Amateur Championship on Instagram and Twitter. MANCHESTER, Connecticut – The game of competitive golf is an amazing sport. On the course, competition fuels players and pushes them to win, regardless of who’s in their way. Off the course these same players can be seen having a post round meal with chatter and laughter filling the table. This paradigm could not be more present than at Manchester Country Club for the 2023 New England Women’s Amateur Championship. Online: Results | New England Women’s Amateur Homepage | Photos Friends, family members, and staff huddled around the 18th green as dark clouds began to roll in. They weren’t going anywhere, not if the Smith sisters were still on the golf course battling each other for the title. The two stood on the tee tied for the lead at 3-under par. Morgan Smith (Vesper CC), with the honor, confidently hit her approach on the green while sister Molly Smith (Mount Pleasant) missed long and left. After Molly sank a must-needed eight foot bogey putt, Morgan stood over her three foot par with a chance to become a two time New England Women’s Amateur Champion. This scenario seemed unlikely earlier in the day as Morgan saw herself five shots back after the sixth hole. But she was determined and continued to hang in and play steady golf. __ A pivotal point in the round occurred on the challenging uphill par-4 13th. Down by three on the tee, Morgan birdied while Molly bogeyed and walked off the green just one shot back with five holes remaining. The two matched pars on the next three holes as Morgan started to run out of holes to make a charge. On the par-4 17th both players bombed their drives to within wedge range. Molly hit an incredible shot that bounced off the pin and rolled eight feet away. Following an improbable shot by her sister, Morgan proceeded to respond by throwing her wedge to 10 feet and converted the birdie putt to tie as they approached the last hole. __ After stalking her putt from every angle, Morgan continued to go through her routine as she lined up the putt to win. She stood over the ball, glanced at the hole, took her long putter back, and stroked the ball into the center of the cup to successfully defend her title. The crowd applauded and cheered as Morgan took a step back to take in what she accomplished. The two sisters shook hands with playing partner Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill CC), who finished solo third in the championship with a three day total of 218, and walked off the green towards the scoring tent. Molly had a great week of her own as she captured the Junior Championship by a comfortable four shot margin over Guleserian. She’ll look to continue her good play this summer as she’ll break history by becoming the first female golfer to tee it up with the men at the 115th Mass Am at Essex Country Club on July 11. ___ SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Tara Joy-Connelly (Bay Club at Mattapoisett) began the day with a two shot lead over playing partner and friend Susan Curtin (Boston GC). Joy-Connelly made the turn with a four shot lead, but that got cut in half as she made consecutive bogeys on holes 10 and 11 while Curtin played steady and made pars. The two battled it out coming down the stretch and Joy-Connelly stood on the 16th tee with a three shot lead with three holes remaining. After crushing her drive down the fairway, she knocked her approach shot underneath the hole 30 ft away. With the flagstick in, Joy-Connelly gripped her putter and rolled her putt up the hill. The ball began curving to the left as it reached it’s apex and gently kissed the flagstick as it dropped into the hole for a birdie. Curtin was the first person to acknowledge the fantastic shot. Joy-Connelly proceeded to knock in another mid-range putt on the 17th hole for back-to-back birdies which put her up comfortably with one hole remaining. Joy-Connelly, Curtin, and fellow playing partner Tracy Welch (Winchester CC), who finished solo fourth with a three day total of 232, all hit their tee shots on the dance floor at the par-3 18th. As she lined up her putt, fellow competitors and friends also lined up adjacent to the 18th green to watch. Eyeing a birdie-birdie-birdie finish, she left her birdie putt just short, and walked up to tap in for par and a seven shot victory. ___ LEGEND CHAMPIONSHIP Mary Gale (Bedrock GC) took a six shot lead after the first day and never looked back. She opened with a 79, the only sub 80 round recorded in the Legend Championship, and proceeded to go wire-to-wire to claim the 2023 New England Women’s Amateur Legend Championship. Gale finished the tournament with a three day total of 246 and an eight shot victory over Nancy Walker (Connecticut). ____ A WEEK TO REMEMBER Great golf was played this week at Manchester but it was overshadowed by the friendship and support demonstrated by the competitors, volunteers and staff. After each day, players were seen eating together and laughing as they caught up and enjoyed each other’s company. This week served a friendly reminder that although winning tournaments is fun and exciting, so is getting to compete and forming lifelong memories with lifelong friends. Round 3 Leaderboard (By State):
Connecticut T5. Yvette O'Brien, (Greenwich CC); 225 (+9) T12. Cindy Cao, (USGA/CSGA GC); 234 (+18) T12. Kate Hong, (Greenwich CC); 234 (+18) T19. Caroline Petchark, (Great Neck CC); 238 (+22) T19. Zorah Williams, (Stonington CC); 159 (+22) Massachusetts 1. Morgan Smith (Vesper CC); 213 (-3) 2. Molly Smith (Mount Pleasant GC); 214 (-2) 3. Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill CC); 218 (+2) T5. Shannon Johnson, (Thorny Lea GC); 225 (+5) T5. Annie Dai, (Student Member/MIAA); 225 (+5) New Hampshire 4. Carys Fennessy, (Cochecho CC); 219 (+3) T26. Delaney Nadeau, (Cochecho CC); 243 (+27) Rhode Island T9. Morgan Macleod, (Wannamoisett CC); 230 (+14) 34. Anna Gardner, (Sakonnet GC); 259 (+43) __ MANCHESTER, Connecticut – Smiles, laugher and high fives were present throughout the day at Manchester Country Club during round two of the New England Women’s Amateur Championship. Overnight rain bled into the early hours of Tuesday, making the course longer and more challenging. But that didn’t damper the mood for players, especially those paired with close friends and old rivals. Online: Starting Times & Scores | New England Women’s Amateur Homepage The star studded Senior Championship field did not disappoint on Tuesday as only two shots separate leader Tara Joy-Connelly (Bay Club at Mattapoisett), and defending champion Susan Curtin (Boston GC) with one round to go. Joy-Connelly, who held the overnight lead, shot a 3-over round of 75 while Curtin fired 17 pars against one bogey to post 1-over 73. “Had an awesome pairing today, an awesome day and we’re looking forward to tomorrow,” said Curtin. “The New England Senior Women’s Championship is our biggest regional event that we can play in locally so it’s a really important event for us to compete against each other.” she added. Rounding out the group was Tracy Welch (Winchester CC) who has significant game of her own as she’s competed in numerous USGA Championships, including making it to the round of 16 in the 2007 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. Welch backed up her 76 yesterday with another 76 today. She sits five shots back but is well aquatinted to the fierce competition. “We competed as juniors so we’ve been doing this for like 40 years,” Welch noted as she laughed with Joy-Connelly. Friendship and camaraderie were on full display on Tuesday. “That’s always the thing I love. Seeing my friends and competing against each other,” Curtin commented. “And I think there’s something really special about the senior division, (in) this stage in life we’re doing this for fun. There’s a lot more friendship and camaraderie that comes along with it, which I always enjoy,” the defending champion summarized. The three friends will battle it out again tomorrow as the they sit atop of the Senior Championship leaderboard. But right on their heels is Mass Golf’s defending Senior Amateur Champion Pamela Kuong (Charles River CC). Kuong’s group consisted of fellow Massachusetts natives Christine Gagner (The Tour), and current Legends Championship leader Mary Gale (Bedrock GC). Their group was full of cheering and laughter as the three friends enjoyed their Tuesday morning playing together. “We’ve been playing this for as long as I can remember and it’s something we look forward to every year. It’s nice to see the other state people as well. It’s great event,” Gale commented. Gale played solid yesterday and she was thrilled to post 79, where she feels like her game is at. “Today ball striking was really good, my putting, I don’t know what happened,” she mentioned. “I had a lot of 30 and 40 footers and started three-putting…once you start doing that you start getting tentative out there.” After her round Gale was back on the practice green putting in work. She plopped a couple of balls and began hitting a few eight footers with her good friend Gagner watching. Although they compete on the course, their camaraderie was exhibited as Gagner gave some pointers and cheered her friend on as she honed in her stroke. Gale will look to use these pointers as she tries to go a wire-to-wire for the Legends Championship tomorrow. This small act of companionship best summarizes the feelings of the New England Women’s Amateur Championship. “Since we’ve played with lot of the same people from different states we’ve become friends with a lot of the players. When we go to national tournaments it’s a little collective group of people cheering for each other from New England,” Kuong commented. ___ In the Women’s Championship, the Smith sisters continued to do their thing as the pair fired matching 2-under 70s. Molly Smith (Mount Pleasant) carded a bogey free round en route to her 70, while sister Morgan Smith (Vesper CC) notched four birdies in her last 11 holes, including a bogey free 3-under 33 to close her round strong. Molly sits atop the leaderboard with a two shot lead over Morgan, and a five shot lead over Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill CC) who posted a 1-under 71 in the second round. Shannon Johnson (Thorny Lea GC) also posted a 1-under 71 to climb up the leaderboard into solo fourth with a two day total of 146. Rounding out the top five is New Hampshire native Carys Fennessy (Cochecho CC) with a two day total 148. DEFENDING CHAMPS ON THE PROWL Last years defending champions Susan Curtin and Morgan Smith are vying for a repeat performance. Both players sit two back of the leaders in their respective championships. Curtin, the 2022 Senior Champion, looks to continue her momentum from today and challenge good friend Joy-Connelly tomorrow to reclaim her title. Morgan looks to become a two time New England Women’s Amateur champion but will have to go through her sister and best friend Molly in order to do so. With back to back par-5s on holes 14 and 15, and a tough closing par-3 18th, the finish at Manchester Country Club should provide an exciting finish. A cut was made after the conclusion of day 2.
Round 2 Leaderboard (By State): Connecticut 8. Yvette O'Brien, (Greenwich CC); 152 (+8) T13. Cindy Cao, (USGA/CSGA GC); 157 (+13) T16. Kate Hong, (Greenwich CC); 159 (+15) T16. Zorah Williams, (Stonington CC); 159 (+15) 23. Caroline Petchark, (Great Neck CC); 161 (+17) Massachusetts 1. Molly Smith (Mount Pleasant GC); 139 (-5) 2. Morgan Smith (Vesper CC); 141 (-3) 3. Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill CC); 144 (E) 4. Shannon Johnson, (Thorny Lea GC); 146 (+2) 6. Annie Dai, (Student Member/MIAA); 150 (+6) New Hampshire 5. Carys Fennessy, (Cochecho CC); 148 (+4) 15. Delaney Nadeau, (Cochecho CC); 158 (+14) Rhode Island T13. Morgan Macleod, (Wannamoisett CC); 157 (+13) T33. Anna Gardner, (Sakonnet GC); 168 (+24) __ MANCHESTER, Connecticut – It was a beautiful day in central Connecticut as Manchester Country Club (par 72, 6,130 yards) hosted the first round of the New England’s Women’s Amateur Championship. First played in 1957, the New England Women’s Amateur Championship is a 54-hole stroke play competition that is contested annually in one of the six New England states, with hosting duties rotating among the states every six years. Online: Starting Times & Scores | New England Women’s Amateur Homepage Last year’s championship winner, Morgan Smith (Vesper CC), opened her title defense with a strong 1-under 71. “(I was) pretty steady today. Ball striking was good, putter wasn’t as good but I’ll work on it,” Smith said. After making a three-putt bogey on the par-5 fourth, Smith closed her round with two birdies on the back nine en route to a bogey free 34. She sits in second place behind her best friend and sister Molly Smith (Mount Pleasant GC). Molly, who recently qualified for the 2023 Mass Am, opened the championship with an impressive 3-under 69, with three of her five birdies coming in the final five holes. “If you asked me who my biggest competition is, I’d definitely say Molly, ” Morgan commented. “Her game is really solid and she’s playing some really good golf right now.” 2022 Anne Marie Tobin Women’s Player and the 2020 New England Women’s Amateur Champion Megan Buck (Thorny Lea GC) had a solid round of 1-over 73 to put herself in contention headed into the final two rounds. She sits at T3 with Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill GC), who also posted 1-over 73 thanks to an eagle on the par-5 14th. Rounding out the top five was Grace Farland (Malbourough CC) who had five birdies on the day. After the first round she sits at 2-over, five shots back of leader Molly Smith. In the Senior Championship, Massachusetts golfers took the leaderboard by storm. Tara Connelly (Bay Club at Mattapoisett), a Mass Golf Hall of Famer, fired a round of even-par 72, highlighted by a bogey free 1-under front nine 35. Connelly holds a four shot lead over fellow Bay State natives Tracy Welch (Winchester CC) and Susan Curtin (Boston Golf Club), who both shot 4-over 76s. 2023 Mixed Four-Ball Winner Pamela Kuong (Charles River CC) sits five back at 5-over 77. Mary Gale (Bedrock GC) holds a six shot lead in the Legends Championship as she was the lone player to post a sub 80 score. Nancy Walker (Ellington Ridge CC) closed her round out strong with a rare birdie at the par-3 18th to post a score of +13 (85). Hollis Barry (Fox Hopyard GC) and Doreen DiPilato (Green Hill Muni GC) sit in third and fourth respectively, with scores of 105 and 108. ___ A DEMANDING FINISH Manchester Country Club proved to be a challenging test as the Smith sisters were the lone two players in the field to post under-par rounds. As winds gusted in the afternoon, scoring became difficult coming down the stretch. The daunting par-3 18th, which hugs the Glob Hollow Reservoir only yielded two birdies the entire day and should provide some excitement on Wednesday afternoon. Round 1 Leaderboard (By State):
Connecticut T9. Kenna Roman, (Shuttle Meadow CC); 77 (+5) T9. Zorah Williams, (Stonington CC); 77 (+5) T12. Yvette O'Brien, (Greenwich CC); 78 (+6) T15. Cindy Cao, (USGA/CSGA GC); 79 (+7) T20. Kate Hong, (Greenwich CC); 80 (+8) Massachusetts 1. Molly Smith (Mount Pleasant GC); 69 (-3 ) 2. Morgan Smith (Vesper CC); 71 (-1) T3. Megan Buck (Thorny Lea GC); 73 (+1) T3. Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill CC); 73 (+1) 5. Grace Farland (Marlborough CC); 74 (+2) New Hampshire T6. Carys Fennessy, (Cochecho CC); 75 (+3) T15. Delaney Nadeau, (Cochecho CC); 79 )+7) T44. Alexis St Laurent, (Ridgewood CC); 90 (+18) T48. Nicole Butkus, (Abenaqui CC); 91 (+19) Rhode Island T21. Morgan Macleod, (Wannamoisett CC); 81 (+9) T39. Anna Gardner, (Sakonnet GC); 88 (+16) Vermont T39. Jazz Bruce, (Links at Lang Farm); 88 (+16) HINGHAM, Massachusetts - Two days ago, Doug Clapp (Old Sandwich Golf Club-MA) grappled with flying back from Wisconsin. He made the difficult yet calculated decision to withdraw from the second round of the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Erin Hills and head home for another tournament. "I said I want to come back here and play in something I can win," Clapp said. "What I've said all year is stay in your own lane, and it's fun to be 55 and competing against people in the ballpark of my own age." Sure enough, his decision paid off as Clapp, 55, captured the title at the 25th New England Senior Amateur Championship on a picture-perfect afternoon at Black Rock Country Club. After playing the final 7 holes of his first round Wednesday morning, Clapp stood at 1-over and then proceeded to shoot a bogey-free 6-under-par 65 to finish to finish four strokes clear of the entire field. Clapp's victory is in second individual win on the senior ranks, having won the Senior Hornblower Championship last month at Plymouth Country Club. In addition to appearing in nearly 20 USGA Championships, Clapp has also won the 2020 Mass Mixed Four-Ball Championship with Pam Kuong. Richard Stevens, a municipal golfer from Connecticut, finished runner-up at 1-under total, but the 72-year-old shot a 3-under 68 in the final round to lock up the Super Senior Division title. ONLINE: RESULTS | PHOTO GALLERY | PAST CHAMPIONS | EVENT HOMEPAGE Safe to say, Black Rock Country Club's layout at 6,275 yards fit Doug Clapp's eye much better than Erin Hills, which played to 7,309 yards on Saturday. A solid ball-striker off the tee, Clapp frequently found the fairway in his second round, and had wedges into the greens at Black Rock. He birdied holes 1, 3, 4 and 7, making each one with relative ease to make the turn at 3-under overall. Clapp especially put an exclamation point on his rally when he hit a gap wedge into the 17th green, with the ball taking one bounce and almost hoping into the hole, leaving an easy putt. "All six were all inside of 10 feet," Clapp said of each birdie putt he made. "Coming here the greens are tricky, but if you have a wedge in your hand, especially with the recent rain, you can be pretty aggressive with your approach shots, and I hit a lot of solid wedges. "The more I can hit driver and be aggressive off the tee, the better I'm going to score." Clapp said playing alongside Chris O'Neill (Pawtucket CC-RI), and Brian Coakley (Charles River CC-MA), helped him stay in a good rhythm. O'Neill even chipped in for birdie on his final hole. "It's the first time in a long time that Brian and I have played together," Clapp said. "Chris has such great tempo, and it's fun playing with guys who you fit with. They were rooting me on and that was nice." Growing up about 30 minutes south of Bangor, Maine, Clapp said he's truly honored to take home a regional title such as the New England Senior Amateur. "I have a couple of home states in the New England section, so this win is nice," he said. Richard Stevens also had some clean-up work to do in the morning, but the senior stalwart was tremendous the entire day and was rewarded with the Super Senior Division title. "Any time you can play in a tournament with guys like Dave Szewczul, Frank Vana, and Bill Hermanson, and you beat them, you played well," said Stevens, who won the Connecticut Senior Amateur in 2007 and 2020. "I'm 72, but the great thing for me is I'm still improving, and barring some injury or something that's unexpected, I think I can keep improving for another 2-3 years." That isn't just bluster as Stevens made six birdies, including three consecutive birdies on holes 2-4 in the afternoon round. However, he said his best shot actually came in the morning on hole 17. "I hit a good drive, but I'm in a divot and I have 131 yards to the pin," Stevens said. "My seven-iron replacement is a hybrid, and my longest iron is an 8, and normally 130 is a 9-iron for me. So I cut a hybrid out of there, held it up against the wind and knocked it to 6 feet and made the putt." Final Leaderboard
1 - Doug Clapp; Old Sandwich GC (MA); -5; 73-68--137 2 - Richard Stevens; EClub of Connecticut (CT); -1; 73-68--141 T3 - John McNeill; Amateur Golf Tour of New England (MA); -E; 73-69--142 T3 - Craig Platt; Mill River CC (CT); E; 73-69--142 T5 - Frank Vana; Marlborough (MA); +1; 74-69--143 T5 - Dean Godek; Agawam Municipal GC (MA); +1; 74-69--143 T5 - Brian Secia; Plymouth CC (MA); +1; 71-72--143 T5 - Jack Kearney; Westover GC (CT); +1; 71-72--143 T9 - Phil Pleat; Nashua CC (NH); +2; 71-73--144 T10 - John Hadges; Thorny Lea GC (MA); +3; 72-73--145 T10 - Don Reycroft; Bayberry Hills/Bass River (MA); +3; 71-74--145 Top Scores From Each State Connecticut – 2 (-1) Richard Stevens; EClub of Connecticut Massachusetts - 1 (-5) Doug Clapp; Old Sandwich GC New Hampshire – 9 (+2) Phil Pleat; Nashua CC Maine – T21 (+6) Scott Dewitt; Biddeford-Saco CC Rhode Island – T12 (+4) Chris O'Neill; Pawtucket CC Vermont – 53 (+14) Jeffrey S Dolin; Orleans CC HINGHAM, Massachusetts - For the second consecutive year, the New England Senior Amateur Championship was effected by rain. But despite a two-hour delay for unplayable conditions due to rain, everybody was able to at least start their opening round Tuesday at Black Rock Country Club.
Leading the way at 3-under is Connecticut's Craig Platt (Mill River CC), who won the Connecticut State Golf Association's Senior Match Play championship last year. Jeff Page (Wellesley Country Club), the head coach for the Babson College men's golf team, is two strokes off the lead and is closest among players who finished their rounds Tuesday. In his New England Senior Amateur debut Red Sox Hall of Fame pitcher and two-time World Series champion Tim Wakefield finished 2-over 74. Wakefield won the senior club championship at Black Rock and started his round with an up-and-down par on the opening hole followed by a birdie on the par-3 second. He's tied with club member Bud Shultz, a former professional tennis player. Round 1 was suspended at 6:45 p.m. due to darkness and will resume at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. At the completion of that round, the low 50 and ties will advance to the final 18-hole round of stroke play. The 10 low scorers in the Super Senior Division (age 65-plus) will also play in the second round. -- Craig Platt has kept a relatively low profile in amateur golf circles. Last year he won Connecticut's Senior Match Play Championship, but after today, he has certainly turned some heads. The Stamford, Connecticut, resident played hockey and golf at New England College, and after coaching hockey and raising a family has begun to improve on his game. Last year he finished T72 in this championship, but now finds himself atop the leaderboard. "I've been working hard this summer, playing more competitive golf," said Platt, who made Connecticut's Tri-State team last year. "Late in life, I'm just a person who's driven to see what I can do now." Playing in the first group Tuesday, Platt rode a hot putter to six birdies including three consecutive on holes 7-9, though that stretch was interrupted by the weather delay. Thanks to hitting good irons into greens, he had no 3-putts. "That was the best part of my game," Platt said. "I had good numbers into the greens... I thought they were fair." While entering the final round with the lead puts him in a new spot, "I feel comfortable going into tomorrow," he said. "My goal is to get to the back nine knowing you're right there." Chasing him down will be Jeff Page, who also shot 3-under 33, and like Pratt also made three consecutive birdies on holes 7-9, plus up-and-down for par on the 10th. Page cited course experience with his success. His brother Chris is a member, and he caddied for Tim Wakefield on Tuesday, but fortunately, Page and Wakefield were paired together allowing them all to be together. "He was helping Tim, but he said a couple of things to me, and it was fun having him out there," Page said. "I knew where I was going the whole time," he added. "It's a hard course, but I was hitting the wedges close and I'm just a longer hitter and can take advantage of that." Page said he was able to stay limber during the rain delay and upon resumption sank a 10-footer for birdie on the 7th; chipped to 5 feet and made the putt on the 8th; and then carded a 2 on the par-3 9th, which was playing from the forward tee. That stretch leaves him in contention, and as the head coach of a college team, it's something that gets him excited. "I love seeing my guys being in the hunt, and it's a nice feeling," he said. New Hampshire's Phil Pleat (Nashua Country Club), who won the title in 2016 and 2017, is also chasing down the leaders at even-par. Pleat isn't a long hitter, but hit enough fairways to allow him to make four birdies, including on the 17th. He almost made a long putt on the final hole but it just missed the mark. In the afternoon wave, Dean Godek (Agawam Municipal Golf Course-MA) and Patrick McGuiness (Keney Golf Course-CT) both made the turn at 1-under. McGuiness got to 2-under but a pair a bogeys down the stretch put him back to par. Godek got through 16 holes, but some late bogeys took him out of the red figures. In the Super Senior Division, 2019 champion Jack Kearney (Westover GC) is in the leader in the clubhouse at even-par 71. Kearney, the champion in 2018, hit a nice greenside chip on the 18th to secure his even-par score. Bob Reni (CC of New Bedford) turned at 1-under and made birdie on the 1st hole (his 10th) to get to 2-under, but he will have to finish his round Wednesday morning. Partial results from Tuesday's weather-delayed first round of the 2022 New England Senior Amateur Championship. Play was delayed due to unplayable weather conditions for 1 hour and 56 minutes during the first round and suspended due to darkness at 6:45 p.m. The first round will resume at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Leaderboard 1 - Craig Platt; Mill River CC (CT); -3; 68 2 - Bob Reni; CC of New Bedford (MA); -2 (Thru 11) T3 - Jeff Page; Wellesley CC (MA); -1; 70 T3 - John Hadges Thorny Lea GC (MA); -1 (Thru 13) T5 - Jack Kearney; Westover GC (MA); E; 71 T5 - Don Reycroft; Bayberry Hills/Bass River (MA); E; 71 T5 - Phil Pleat; Nashua CC (NH); E; 71 T5 - Patrick McGuiness; Keney GC (CT); E; 71 T5 - Richard Stevens; EClub of Connecticut (CT); E (Thru 13) T5 - Dave Szewczul; TPC River Highlands (CT); E (Thru 13) T5 - Doug Clapp; Old Sandwich GC (MA); E (Thru 11) Top Scores From Each State Connecticut – 1 (-3) Craig Pleat; Mill River CC New Hampshire – T5 (E) Phil Pleat; Nashua CC Maine – T17 (+2; Thru 14) Scott Dewitt; Biddeford-Saco CC Rhode Island – T17 (+2) Chris O'Neill; Pawtucket CC & Darren Corrente; Wannamoisett CC Vermont – T55 (+6; Thru 12) Jeffrey S Dolin; Orleans CC ![]() MANCHESTER, Vermont - Team Connecticut captured the boys' and girls' division titles at the New England Junior Amateur on Wednesday, with the boys' team riding a Day 1 lead to an overall win and the girls' team fending off a final-round challenge. Connecticut also swept the divisional titles, won by Will Lodge and Arabella Lopez. The team finished with a 27-stroke advantage in the Boys Division and a 10-stroke advantage in the Girls Division to secure Connecticut's 19th and 20th divisional titles at the New England Junior Amateur. Coming into the final round with an advantage of more than 30 strokes, Connecticut cruised to a Boys Division win with a 1-over Round 3 score. The team was able to count two below-par scores on Wednesday: a 6-under 66 from Elias Kennon, which included a hole-in-one, and a 1-under 71 from eventual champion Lodge. Bradley Sawka and Alex Elia both contributed 2-over 74s. The Connecticut girls' team entered the day with an 11-stroke advantage, but found themselves in a battle to hold their lead after Team Massachusetts challenged them on the front nine. With at or below-par scores from Massachusetts' Morgan Smith and Annie Dai on the front nine, the two teams made the turn with just a five-stroke difference between them in favor of Connecticut. However, Connecticut took control on the back nine to rebuild their lead and come away with the win. Yvette O'Brien led the Connecticut girls with an even-par 72, while Lopez shot a 2-over 74. In the individual competition, both Lodge and Lopez battled through a multiple-hole playoff to come out on top. Smith and Lopez both went to a playoff in the girls' competition after an eagle by Lopez on 17 tied them heading into hole 18, which they also tied to finish at 1-under for the championship. Lopez defeated Smith on their second playoff hole. Lodge defeated Maine's Elliot Spaulding in multiple holes to take home the boys' title. Team Massachusetts finished in second place in both divisions, with both the girls' and boys' teams from the Bay State shooting the lowest Round 3 scores in their respective divisions. Team Maine took third in the Boys Division, while Team Rhode Island rounded out the top three in the Girls Division. Connecticut's Lodge, Kennon and Sawka, as well as Maine's Spaulding and Rhode Island's Max Jackson rounded out the top five finishers in the Boys Division. In the Girls Division, the top five consisted of Lopez, Smith, O'Brien, Rhode Island's Olivia Williams and Rhode Island's Kylie Eaton. |
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