THOMPSON, Connecticut – The Final Round of the New England Senior Amateur Championship was contested on a cloudy, yet pleasant day, at Quinnatisset Country Club.
 
It was anything but a walk in the park, but overnight leader Andy Drohen (The Ranch GC, MA) was able to slam the door shut with an incredible up-and-down for birdie on the final hole to take home the New England Senior Amateur Championship.
 
Craig Steckowych (Portsmouth CC, NH) mounded a furious comeback, playing the final five holes at 3-under-par to claim the Super Senior Championship.
 
ONLINE: RESULTS | PAST CHAMPIONS

Senior Championship Final Leaderboard
1 – Andy Drohen (MA); 66-72 (-6)
T2 – Dean Godek (MA); 71-68 (-5)
T2 – David Marshall (CT); 71-68 (-5)
T4 – Doug Clapp (MA); 71-69 (-4)
T4 – Timothy Murray (CT); 68-72 (-4)
 
Senior Championship
Early in the day, it looked like newly minted senior, Andy Drohen was going to pick up where he left off yesterday, and easily birdie his way to victory. A couple of opening pars followed by back-to-back birdies put Drohen at -8 and out in front.
 
Hometown favorites Timothy Murray (Quinnatisset CC, CT) and David Marshall (Quinnatisset CC, CT) hung around the top of the leaderboard for the entire day. Joining them was former champion Doug Clapp (Old Sandwich GC, MA), Dean Godek (Agawam Municipal GC, MA), as well as a smattering of others.
 
As the clock read 4:45 p.m., there were six players either tied or within one shot of the lead.
 
But what makes golf such a beautiful game is the rhythm of rounds and the ability for late fireworks, especially when a reachable par-5 is awaiting on 18.
 
At first it looked like Clapp was set to etch his name on the trophy once again, as he was four-under on his round through 12 holes. As his round slowed, it was Godek’s that started humming. After a birdie on the par-5 14th, Godek played a crafty, low chip into the face of the hill on the par-3 15th, perfectly deadening the ball. As the ball released off the hill it slowly inched its way towards the hole, before falling for birdie.

After Godek’s birdie bid on the closing hole lipped out, it was Marshall who looked primed to grab victory. But like Godek, his birdie bid was no good, setting the stage for Drohen.
 
The forgotten man, the one that came into the day leading, needed a birdie on the last to win the championship.
 
“I leave the phone in the car, because work gets in the way of that,” joked Drohen in explaining that he was unaware of his standing coming into the final hole. “I was playing with Tim there, and I kind of thought Tim was, I think he was one back, and I figured he was going to make a birdie there. So I was just trying to make the birdie (to) hold him off that, so I had no idea what's going on with the field.”
 
Nevertheless, Drohen found himself greenside in two, but well left of the green. A high, soft pitch landed loudly on the green and bounded past the hole for Drohen. After a full examination, Drohen stepped up and buried the long birdie putt for the win.
 
“It's been good to be the young guy again,” added Drohen. “Been looking forward to being old for a long time, so getting in that range of 50 years old and above, and can't really compete with the young guys anymore. So, it's kind of good to compete with the all the old legends again.”
 
Super Senior Championship Final Leaderboard
1 – Craig Steckowych (NH); 74-69 (-1)
2 – Kevin Carey (MA); 72-74 (+2)
3 – Donald Reycroft (MA); 74-73 (+3)
4 – John Herbert (CT); 74-74 (+4)
5 – Richard Stevens (CT); 74-75 (+5)
 
Super Senior Championship
Craig Steckowych, of Portsmouth Country Club in New Hampshire, doesn’t consider himself a Super Senior, but he played spectacular during the two-day event to finish as the champion in that division. He was the only Super Senior to shoot below par, posting 74-69 – 143 (1-under). Despite a double-bogey on his second hole of Round 2, he settled down and cruised to victory with seven birdies. It’s been nearly a year to the day since Steckowych won the New Hampshire Senior Match Play Championship at the Golf Club of New England Sept. 19, 2023 in Stratham, N.H. He continued his New England success this week at Quinnatisset Country Club.
 
Top Finishers From Each State
Connecticut – David Marshall (T2)
New Hampshire – Craig Steckowych (T9)
Maine – Thomas Caron (T65)
Massachusetts – Andy Drohen (Winner)
Rhode Island – Jeffrey Dantas (T15)
Vermont – Greg Birsky (T44)
 
What’s Next
The New England Senior Amateur Championship was the final event on the New England Golf Association calendar for 2024. Next year, this event will be contested in Maine at site that yet to be determined.

THOMPSON, Connecticut – It took a bit longer for Mother Nature to awaken on Tuesday. Thanks to lingering, heavy fog, the first round of the New England Amateur Championship at Quinnatisset Country Club was delayed by one hour.

The wait was worth it. What unfolded was a picture-perfect day accompanied by a gentle breath of wind. Outside of the occasional tee shot, the only break in silence was that of race cars accelerating their way around Thompson Speedway, located 3 miles through the woods.

With one day of play in the books, Andy Drohen (The Ranch GC, MA) leads the way in the Senior Championship at 6-under-par, and Kevin Carey (Dennis Pines GC, MA) sits atop the Super Senior Championship leaderboard at even par.
 
ONLINE: LEADERBOARD | ROUND 2 STARTING TIMES | EVENT HOMEPAGE
 
With two holes left in his round, former Massachusetts Amateur Champion Andy Drohen sat one back of the lead. On 17, he became just the fourth player to birdie the hole on the day, pulling into a share of the clubhouse lead. Then, on the par-5 finisher, Drohen hit a nifty little downhill chip that came to rest six feet from the hole.

The short, hard-breaking putt tried to sneak past the left edge, but caught just enough of the hole to spin a full 360° before dropping. The birdie vaulted Drohen into the lead heading into Wednesday’s final round.

On a day when the navigating the greens seemed to be of utmost importance, Criag Platt (Mill River CC, CT) was the quickest to get there. After missing his first green of the day (hole 10), he went on to hit the next 17 in a row.

“The key was no three-putts today,” said Platt. “That was my goal coming in, just hitting a lot of greens, and not trying to three-putt.”
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Platt is no stranger to this stage, or position. He was the leader after one round of play back in 2022 at Black Rock CC (MA). That year he held his own in the final round, and finished T3, but was bested by Doug Clapp (Old Sandwich GC, MA) who fired a 65 to claim victory.

“Two years ago, I was in the same position, so hopefully I can finish it off this year and get it done.”

Former Champion (2021) John McNeill (Amateur Golf Tour of NE, MA) is also still in contention after shooting even-par (72) in the opening round. And while the leaderboard shows McNeill at level, his round was anything but.

“I probably won’t make a 47-footer tomorrow, but if I don’t hit it in the water on nine, yeah,” added McNeill. “Golf isn’t always about getting what you deserve. But, you know, overall, I had some bad breaks, some good breaks, even par – I am happy to take it.”

The New England Senior Amateur is a no-cut event, where players are re-paired for the final round, which is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. The leaders will tee off at approximately 1:45 p.m.
 
Super Senior Championship
One of the unique aspects of the New England Senior Amateur Championship is the fact that it is essentially two championships in one. All players in the field play the same tee set and are eligible for the Senior Championship. Those players ages 65 and older are also eligible for the Super Senior Championship.

Leading the way amongst the Super Seniors is Kevin Carey (Dennis Pines GC, MA). His round was highlighted by an eagle on the 17th hole, and birdie on the 18th.

Bob Reni (CC of New Bedford, MA) is just one back of the lead after offsetting four bogies with three birdies in carding a 73 (+1).
A couple of Massachusetts stalwarts Jack Kearney (Westover GC, MA) and Donald Reycroft (Bayberry Hills/Bass River, MA) are lingering close behind, having shot 74 (+2).

Alongside them at 2-over-par is Craig Steckowych (Portsmouth CC, NH), a former New England Amateur Champion, who made five birdies on the day, including two-straight to close out his round.

“I four-putted twice today, so you get kind of sensitive to it,” said Steckowych in describing the birdie on nine, his last hole of the day. “So, I hit the putt. It was a bad putt. Happened to go in. You saw me walk off, I was like ‘got no chance’, and it went in.”

Steckowych also echoed what many others were saying about the test at Quinnatisset. “If you leave the shots in all the right places, you can do okay here. I made some birdies, but I made a couple of doubles too, and it’s easy to do.”

Also at 2-over-par is John Herbert (Rockledge, CT), Richard Stevens (EClub of Connecticut).
 
Ace Alert
Playing the par-3, 7th hole on Tuesday, Thomas Caron (Bangor Municipal GC, ME) took an 8-iron and knocked it in the hole. It was the second ace of his career. His first also came during a competitive round, some years back at Waterville CC during the Maine Amateur Championship. Luckily for Caron’s wallet, Quinnatisset does not sell beverages of the adult type, on site.
 
Senior Championship Leaderboard
1 – Andy Drohen (MA); 66 (-6)
2 – Craig Platt (CT); 67 (-5)
3 – Timothy Murray (CT); 68 (-4)
4 – Jeff Fisher (MA); (-2)
 
Top Scores From Each State
Connecticut – Craig Platt; 67 (-5)
New Hampshire – Craig Steckowych; 74 (+2)
Maine – Thomas Caron; 77 (+5)
Massachusetts – Andy Drohen; 66 (-6)
Rhode Island – Brian O’Leary; 73 (+1)
Vermont – Greg Birsky; 78 (+6)

About Quinnatisset Country Club
Like many golf courses situated alongside state borders in New England, Quinnatisset Country Club (Thompson, CT) is a proud member club of both the Connecticut State Golf Association and the Rhode Island Golf Association.

The golf course was originally constructed as a 9-hole layout in 1901 by over 200 craftsmen and laborers, imported from Italy. The group cleared 100 acres of woodland, built magnificent stone walls, and laid out what was probably the first significant golf facility in Northeastern Connecticut.

In addition to the huge walls surrounding and running through the course, the Italian craftsmen constructed a large stone water tower standing alongside the first tee, and four large stones cairns around the pond.  The water tower and wells not only supplied water for the course but for several area farms and houses.  The massive stone walls, which greatly add to the beauty and uniqueness of the property, were large enough for the owner, Norman B. Ream, to walk his horse on as he supervised the construction of the course.

The 9-hole course opened in 1901 and expanded to 18-holes in 1966. The course was then reconstructed by Roger Rulewich in 2004, which brought a completely new layout to the storied land.

It is now a course which rivals all in the area. Quinnatisset Golf Course has contributed to the cultural significance and played a colorful role in the lifestyle of the community for over a century. Today it provides a means of recreation for over 400 members residing in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, who come to challenge the par 72 layout.
 
*Source - Quinnatisset Country Club