Low Scores & An Ace Highlight Round 2 Of The 96th New England Amateur

Harry Dessel moved into the lead in Round 2 of the New England Amateur. (Braedon Fox, Vermont Golf Association)

BRANDON, Vermont (July 16, 2025) – Low numbers continued to flood the scoreboard during Round 2 of the 96th New England Amateur Championship at Neshobe Golf Club, as a barrage of red figures, including the first ace of the tournament, reshaped the leaderboard and set the stage for a tightly packed final day.
Lafayette College’s Harry Dessel (Rhode Island CC) stayed hot with a second consecutive 6-under 66 to reach 12-under and claim the solo lead. Maine’s Jack Quinn (Augusta CC) fired the low round of the day with an 8-under 64 to climb into second, while Round 1 leader Alex Elia (Silver Spring CC-CT) remains firmly in the hunt at one stroke back after following his opening 64 with a 69. Hingham, Massachusetts, native Drew Golden (Black Rock CC) posted a 67 to move into a share of fifth. 
In total, 66 players in the field of 144 made the cut at 3-over-par (147 total) for Thursday’s final round, which promises more intrigue for the final 18 holes. Groups will play in threesomes again, with tee times moved up to 7:30 through 9:30 a.m. off both the 1st and 10th tees.
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For the second straight day, Dessel played a bogey-free back nine, starting with a birdie on the par-3 10th and adding two more on holes 13 and 15. The 2023 Rhode Island Amateur finalist punctuated his round with birdies on 8 and 9 to close strong.
“The past two days, I’ve just played well, kept the ball in front of me,” Dessel said. “I got a new putter recently, and I’m starting to make a lot of putts, which is nice to see. 
"It’s right in front of you," he said of the course. "If you hit the proper shots, you’re going to get good results. The layout fits my game. It’s short, kind of tight, but that’s usually what I’m best at.”
Elia, a rising junior at Holy Cross, once again recorded seven birdies but gave a few shots back en route to a 3-under 69, earning a spot in Thursday’s final group alongside Dessel and Quinn. Quinn, a University of Rhode Island commit for 2026, made eagle on the par-5 8th to turn in 33, then poured in five birdies on the back for a 31. He’s tied for third with 2017 New England Amateur champion Bobby Leopold (Wannamoisett CC-RI).
Golden, currently the top Massachusetts player on the leaderboard, sits four shots off the lead at 8-under total. The Lehigh University incoming freshman carded seven birdies in Round 2 and found himself at 6-under on the day at one point. He’s also a member of Team Massachusetts under the U.S. National Development Program and remains in strong position for a first regional title.
The shot of the day belonged to Cooper Griffin (Woodland Golf Club), who aced the 130-yard par-3 17th to highlight his 6-under 66 and springboard into the top 10. Griffin, who caddied for Mass Amateur finalist Patrick Kilcoyne last week, also recorded eight birdies and sits at 6-under total, tied for seventh with Elliott Spaulding (Brunswick GC-ME) and Anthony Guerrera (Watertown GC-CT).
Defending champion CJ Winchenbaugh (Oyster Harbors Club-MA) worked his way back into the top 10 at 4-under total, matching 2009 champion Matt Parziale (Thorny Lea GC-MA) with a 3-under 69 in Round 2. They’re tied with Weston Golf Club members Max Ash, who eagled holes 11 and 16, and Zach Pelzar, who opened with a 67.
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Leaderboard (Neshobe GC - Par 72-72--144)
1 - Harry Dessel, Rhode Island CC (RI); 66-66--132 (-12)
2 - Alex Elia, Silver Spring CC (CT); 64-69--133 (-11)
T3 - Bobby Leopold, Wannamoisett CC (RI); 69-66--135 (-9)
T3 - Jack Quinn, Augusta CC (ME); 71-64--135 (-9)
T5 - Drew Golden, Black Rock CC (MA); 69-67--136 (-8)
T5 - Lucas Politano, Ralph Myhre GC (VT); 69-67--136 (-8)
T7 - Elliott Spaulding, Brunswick GC (ME); 69-69--138 (-6)
T7 - Anthony Guerrera, Watertown GC (CT); 67-71--138 (-6)
T7 - Cooper Griffin, Woodland GC (MA); 72-66--138 (-6)
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Top Scores From Each State
Connecticut – 2 (-11) Alex Elia, Silver Spring CC
New Hampshire – T18 (-3)  Ryan Scollins, Bald Peak Colony Club
Maine – T3 (-9) Jack Quinn, Augusta CC
Massachusetts – T5 (-8) Drew Golden, Black Rock CC
Rhode Island – 1 (-12) Harry Dessel, Rhode Island CC
Vermont –  T5 (-8) Lucas Politano, Ralph Myhre GC