89th New England Amateur Championship Set For July 17-19 at Portland Country Club (ME)
For Immediate Release: July 16, 2018
FALMOUTH, Maine – Beginning on Tuesday, July 17, the 89th New England Amateur Championship, featuring a field of some of New England’s top amateur golfers, will begin play at Portland Country Club in Falmouth, Maine.
All competitors in the field will compete in two 18-hole rounds over the first two days of competition, while the low 40 scorers and ties after 36 holes will return on Thursday for the final two rounds of this World Amateur Golf Ranking 72-hole event.
ONLINE: Round 1 & Round 2 Starting Times | New England Amateur Home
SPECTATOR AMENITIES
Admission for all New England Amateur Golf Association events – including the New Amateur Championship – is free of charge for the general public. Spectators are welcome to attend and enjoy a special “inside the ropes” experience.
This year marks the 89th playing of the New Amateur Championship. The first New England Amateur was contested in 1926 at Rhode Island Country Club and has been held every year except for 1942-45 due to WWII. In 1971, the event changed from match play to stroke play.
Eligibility: Entries are open to amateur golfers who hold membership in a club belonging to one of the six New England State Golf Associations and have an up-to-date USGA/GHIN Handicap Index not exceeding 6.4 (as determined by the May 15, 2018 Handicap Revision).
Prizes: The winner will be awarded the Harry B. McCracken, Jr. Trophy. He will also receive a crystal trophy to keep from our supporting sponsor Prized Possessions. Top 10 finishers will receive merchandise certificates. Merchandise certificates are only redeemable at the host club.
Sectional Qualifying: Sectional qualifying, played over 18 holes, was conducted at four sites across New England between June 18 to June 26. CLICK HERE for highlights from each qualifying site.
Championship Field: The starting field will be cut after 36 holes to the low 40 scorers and ties who will continue play on July 19.
Schedule of Play: The complete Championship Proper schedule is as follows:
Round 1 - July 17 (18 Holes)
Round 2 - July 18 (18 Holes)
***The low 40 scorers and ties after 36-holes will continue play on July 19
Round 3 - July 19 (18 Holes)
Round 4 - July 19 (18 Holes)
The lowest scorer for 72 holes will be Champion.
If a tie for first place occurs, play will immediately continue hole-by-hole until a winner is determined. If ties for other positions occur, duplicate merchandise certificates will be awarded.
A Look Back at 2018: Bobby Leopold (Wannamoisett CC - RI) finished with a final score of 3-under-par 277 at Metacomet Country Club (RI) to become the first RIGA member to win the New England Amateur Championship title since Matt Broome in 2008. The then 32-year-old Leopold also became the first mid amateur to win the event since Connecticut’s Jeff Hedden won in 2011 at age 47. Read More
Past Champions in the Field: The following competitors have been victorious at this event in the past and are a part of the 2018 Championship Proper field.
Par and Yardage: Portland Country Club will be set up at approximately 6,400 yards and will play to a par of 35-35—70.
Most Victories: 3 (John O. Levinson (ME) – 1936, 1937, 1947; Robert Kosten (RI) – 1952, 1953, 1957).
Competitors who have won the title two times include: Bill Hadden - CT (1988, 1993); Bill Mallon - MA (1972; 1993); Bob Caprera – MA (1973, 1974); Brad Faxon, Jr. – RI (1980, 1981); Harold Mandly, Jr. – CT (1935, 1939); Jim Salinetti – MA (1997, 2000); Mark Plummer – ME (1979, 1994); Mike Welch – MA (2003, 2004); Ted Bishop – MA (1941, 1946); and Warren Tibbetts – NH (1960, 1963).
Most Times as a Host Club: 7 (Portland CC - ME)
Last Competitor to Defend: Mike Welch – MA (2003-04)
Average Age of the 2018 Field: 28.2
Most Common Name in the 2018 Field: John (6)
Youngest Players In the 2018 Field: Colin Huang (16)
Oldest Player In the 2018 Field: Mark Plummer (66)
New England State Representation: Connecticut (24); Massachusetts (54); Maine (40); New Hampshire (14); Rhode Island (12); and Vermont (11).
NEW ENGLAND AMATEUR RESOURCES
An event that has been contested since 1926 is rich in history and memorable moments. Here are helpful resources about the current and past events.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For complete coverage of the New England Amateur, visit www.negagolf.org or follow New England Golf on Twitter @NEGA_Golf and Instagram @nega_golf and by using the hashtag, #NEAmateur.
FALMOUTH, Maine – Beginning on Tuesday, July 17, the 89th New England Amateur Championship, featuring a field of some of New England’s top amateur golfers, will begin play at Portland Country Club in Falmouth, Maine.
All competitors in the field will compete in two 18-hole rounds over the first two days of competition, while the low 40 scorers and ties after 36 holes will return on Thursday for the final two rounds of this World Amateur Golf Ranking 72-hole event.
ONLINE: Round 1 & Round 2 Starting Times | New England Amateur Home
SPECTATOR AMENITIES
Admission for all New England Amateur Golf Association events – including the New Amateur Championship – is free of charge for the general public. Spectators are welcome to attend and enjoy a special “inside the ropes” experience.
- Complimentary parking at Portland Country Club will be available but carpooling is encouraged.
- To help spectators plan ahead, starting times for stroke play on Tuesday and Wednesday are now available. Click here to view Round 1 starting times. Round 2 starting times are available by using the drop-down menu at the top left.
- A scoreboard area will be set up outside of the clubhouse so that all spectators and players can follow all of the action. There will also be an electronic scoreboard set up inside the clubhouse.
- Here is a summary of the ways you can keep track of all the action throughout the three-day event.
- negagolf.org
- Full-field results, including 9-hole splits
- Daily summaries and event news and notes
- A photo gallery – courtesy of David Colt– will be posted on Thursday.
- Social Media
- To keep up to speed on the action during the event, please follow us via the New England Golf Association web site (negagolf.org) and follow New England Golf on Twitter and Instagram at @NEGA_Golf and by using the hashtag, #NEAmateur.
- negagolf.org
This year marks the 89th playing of the New Amateur Championship. The first New England Amateur was contested in 1926 at Rhode Island Country Club and has been held every year except for 1942-45 due to WWII. In 1971, the event changed from match play to stroke play.
Eligibility: Entries are open to amateur golfers who hold membership in a club belonging to one of the six New England State Golf Associations and have an up-to-date USGA/GHIN Handicap Index not exceeding 6.4 (as determined by the May 15, 2018 Handicap Revision).
Prizes: The winner will be awarded the Harry B. McCracken, Jr. Trophy. He will also receive a crystal trophy to keep from our supporting sponsor Prized Possessions. Top 10 finishers will receive merchandise certificates. Merchandise certificates are only redeemable at the host club.
Sectional Qualifying: Sectional qualifying, played over 18 holes, was conducted at four sites across New England between June 18 to June 26. CLICK HERE for highlights from each qualifying site.
Championship Field: The starting field will be cut after 36 holes to the low 40 scorers and ties who will continue play on July 19.
Schedule of Play: The complete Championship Proper schedule is as follows:
Round 1 - July 17 (18 Holes)
Round 2 - July 18 (18 Holes)
***The low 40 scorers and ties after 36-holes will continue play on July 19
Round 3 - July 19 (18 Holes)
Round 4 - July 19 (18 Holes)
The lowest scorer for 72 holes will be Champion.
If a tie for first place occurs, play will immediately continue hole-by-hole until a winner is determined. If ties for other positions occur, duplicate merchandise certificates will be awarded.
A Look Back at 2018: Bobby Leopold (Wannamoisett CC - RI) finished with a final score of 3-under-par 277 at Metacomet Country Club (RI) to become the first RIGA member to win the New England Amateur Championship title since Matt Broome in 2008. The then 32-year-old Leopold also became the first mid amateur to win the event since Connecticut’s Jeff Hedden won in 2011 at age 47. Read More
Past Champions in the Field: The following competitors have been victorious at this event in the past and are a part of the 2018 Championship Proper field.
- 2017 – Bobby Leopold (Wannamoisett CC (RI)
- 2001 - Craig Steckowych Portsmouth CC (NH)
- 1994 - Mark Plummer Augusta CC (ME)
Par and Yardage: Portland Country Club will be set up at approximately 6,400 yards and will play to a par of 35-35—70.
Most Victories: 3 (John O. Levinson (ME) – 1936, 1937, 1947; Robert Kosten (RI) – 1952, 1953, 1957).
Competitors who have won the title two times include: Bill Hadden - CT (1988, 1993); Bill Mallon - MA (1972; 1993); Bob Caprera – MA (1973, 1974); Brad Faxon, Jr. – RI (1980, 1981); Harold Mandly, Jr. – CT (1935, 1939); Jim Salinetti – MA (1997, 2000); Mark Plummer – ME (1979, 1994); Mike Welch – MA (2003, 2004); Ted Bishop – MA (1941, 1946); and Warren Tibbetts – NH (1960, 1963).
Most Times as a Host Club: 7 (Portland CC - ME)
Last Competitor to Defend: Mike Welch – MA (2003-04)
Average Age of the 2018 Field: 28.2
Most Common Name in the 2018 Field: John (6)
Youngest Players In the 2018 Field: Colin Huang (16)
Oldest Player In the 2018 Field: Mark Plummer (66)
New England State Representation: Connecticut (24); Massachusetts (54); Maine (40); New Hampshire (14); Rhode Island (12); and Vermont (11).
NEW ENGLAND AMATEUR RESOURCES
An event that has been contested since 1926 is rich in history and memorable moments. Here are helpful resources about the current and past events.
- Past Champions
- Past Results
- 2018 Exempt Player Categories & List
- 2018 Qualifying Highlights
- 2018 Alternate List
- Conditions & Regulations
- Policies & Procedures
SOCIAL MEDIA
For complete coverage of the New England Amateur, visit www.negagolf.org or follow New England Golf on Twitter @NEGA_Golf and Instagram @nega_golf and by using the hashtag, #NEAmateur.