June 24, 2008
Bubba Watson and Camilo Villegas birdied all three holes of a four-team playoff to win the rain-delayed CVS Caremark Charity Classic today at Rhode Island Country Club.
The event was delayed almost four hours by a heavy and at times violent thunderstorm. At the time, the 10 two-player teams all had completed at least 10 holes and had at least five holes to play.
Because the course became so wet, it was decided to make it a 28, rather than 36-hole, competition. And, after 28 holes, the teams of Villegas-Watson, Paul Goydos-Tim Herron, Billy Andrade-Davis Love and Rocco Mediate-Brandt Snedeker all were at 15-under-par.
Officials opted to have those four teams go out in a three-hole playoff, playing the final three holes on the RICC layout. Villegas birdied both 16 and 17, then Watson clinched it with a five-footer for still another bird on the final hole. The three other teams had only one birdie in the wet conditions, that by Mediate on the 16th hole.
First place was worth $150,000 each for Watson and Villegas.
Posted by Paul Kenyon 
at 5:33 PM | Permalink
The patience of CVS Classic organizers apparently is going to pay off with more golf.
It has just been announced that the four teams tied at 15-under-par through 28 holes will hold a three-hole playoff, beginning at 4:05 p.m., for the title. It will be telecast live by The Golf Channel.
Play has been delayed since 12:10 p.m. because of a major electrical storm. The course is still waterlogged, but what apparently is the last of the rain is now falling, thus the playoff has been set.
It was determined to use 28 holes as the measuring stick for each team's finish since all teams played at least 28 holes. That means the teams of Billy Andrade-Davis Love, Rocco Mediate-Brandt Snedeker, Paul Goydos-TIm Herron and Bubba Watson-Camilo Villegas will be in the playoff.
Two other teams also were at 15-under when play was halted, the duos of Dana and Brett Quigley and Nick Price-Charles Howell. However, those teams had played more than 28 holes to get to 15-under. Howell and Price were 14-under through 28 holes and the Quigleys at 13-under.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 3:22 PM | Permalink
Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
Spectators clear the course as rain arrives at the CVS Caremark Charity Classic today.
Give the organizers of the CVS Caremark Charity Classic an ``A’’ for determination. And the players, too.
As of 2:15 p.m., the tournament remains in delay. A powerful storm has blown through, flooding much of the course as it brought hail, thunder and lightning. Play was halted at 12:10 and the storm arrived about 12:40. It lasted for about an hour.
``It was hailing on the 18th fairway,'' said Darren Lee, who was in the Edwards & Angell suite on the 18th. ``It looked like golf balls were falling from the sky.'' Some of the suites had damage to their roof. The wine pavilion apparently did not survive. It was taken down by the storm.
Many of the fairways were flooded. Weather reports indicate one more storm cell could be on its way soon. Despite all that, hope remains that play will resume.
Peter Jacobsen, whose production company organizes the event, just spoke with reporters and said everything is on hold for the time being.
``Everyone’s been great. They’re all willing to stay,’’ Jacobsen said of the 20 competitors.
Many of the players have flights scheduled today. The only one with a major problem is Justin Rose, who has a commercial flight to Scotland scheduled for 4 p.m.
During the storm, spectators were allowed to go to the clubhouse, Champions Club and suites along the 18th hole, all areas normally reserved for sponsors. At least from what has been seen around the clubhouse, few people got caught in the storm. Buses became a shelter more than a source of transportation. There was one report that lightning had hit a building at St. Andrew’s School, where some of the parking is for the tournament.
Through it all, the players have cooperated fully, Jacobsen said.
``I think one reason they want to stay is because they have this ice cream bar up there (in the players area),’’ Jacobsen related. ``They have vanilla and chocolate and oreo and heath bar. They’re saying they’re doing fine there.’’
``Our first priority is to finish out the tournament and all 20 professional are on-site and available to do so,'' CVS officials said in a statement. ``If a complete finish is not an option our next step would be to initiate a playoff between the four teams tied for the lead through 28 total holes.''
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 2:11 PM | Permalink
We are switching modes here at the CVS Caremark Classic from sports to weather reporting.
At 12:40 p.m., a half hour after play was halted, the rain finally arrived. It is pouring right now.
For the pat half hour, the skies have been very overcast and there have been numerous rumbles of thunder. But fans have had plenty of time to get to safety before anything major happened.
``Safety is our first priority,’’ tournament officials said in a statement issued at 12:45, ``both for our guests and the players, and our well-established weather safety plan in being put into action.
``We are monitoring the weather and, should it be needed, transportation is ready and available for all attendees. We are working closely with our on-site PGA Tour rules official to make a final decision regarding the continuation of play,’’ the statement said.
Several tournament officials were seen in the parking lot adjacent to the clubhouse, all maintaining contact with various departments. The weather cell is fairly large and could be a factor for another hour, one of the officials said.
The delay is a problem since many of the players are scheduled to fly to other tournaments this afternoon. The women’s team of Laura Diaz and Nicole Castrale has a 3:30 p.m. flight scheduled to Minnesota where the women’s U.S. Open begins Thursday.
A number of the men, including Rocco Mediate, are scheduled to leave for the Buick Open that begins play in Grand Blanc, Mi., Thursday.
As it is, six of the 10 teams are tied at 15-under. Teams have from five to eight holes to play.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 12:52 PM | Permalink
The horn has just sounded, shortly after noon, stopping play in the CVS Caremark Charity Classic.
The stoppage comes just as rain is beginning. Fans are now filing back to safety under overcast skies. However, there are cells in the area that are producing electrical storms. Thunder has been heard several times in the last few minutes.
The halt comes with the players between the 11th and 14th holes _ and with six of the 10 teams tied for first at 15-under-par.
Two teams, Billy Andrade-Davis Love III and Paul Goydos-Tim Herron, have gotten to 15-under with the help of eagles on the par-5 eighth.
Also in the deadlock for the top spot are the teams of Camilo Villegas-Bubba Watson, Rocco Mediate-Brandt Snedeker, Nick Price-Charles Howell and Dana and Brett Quigley.
Journal sports writer Mike Szostak was on the 12th hole, following the women's team of Laura Diaz and Nicole Castrale, when the horn sounded.
``We felt a few drops of rain and shortly after the horn sounded we saw a bolt of lightening,'' Szostak said.
Everyone was orderly in getting off the course. All fans reached safety before there was any serious storn.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 12:16 PM | Permalink
Journal photos / Bob Breidenbach
Charles Howell III
Billy Andrade
Davis Love III
Rocco Mediate
Bubba Watson
Posted by Mike McDermott at 11:56 AM | Permalink
Can anyone say playoff?
Three times in the fist nine years of the CVS Caremark Classic a playoff has been needed to determine a champion. If the tournament ended right now, not only would there be a playoff, it would involve almost half the field.
Four teams now stand at 12-under, including Rocco Mediate and Brandt Snedeker. They have birdied 1, 2 and 4 to get to 12-under.
The teams of Nick Price-Charles Howell, Camilo Villegas-Bubba Watson and Paul Goydos-Tim Herron also are at 12. Howell and Price have played six holes, the other two teams five.
The women’s team of Laura Diaz and Nicole Castrale continues to play well. It has birdied 3, 4 and 6 t o get to 11-under, just one off the lead. The Quigleys, Dana and Brett, also are at 11-under.
The sun is shining and it actually is a bit muggy. The possibility of afternoon storms is predicted, but all looks good for now.
A late add: As we we doing this, the Howell-Price and Mediate-Snedeker tams both have birdied to get to 13-under.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 11:04 AM | Permalink
9 a.m.: Nick Faldo and Justin Rose; Brad Faxon and Peter Jacobsen
9:10 a.m.: J.J. Henry and Stewart Cink; Dana Quigley and Brett Quigley
9:20 a.m.: Charles Howell III and Nick Price; Laura Diaz and Nicole Castrale
9:30 a.m.: Billy Andrade and Davis Love III; Rocco Mediate and Brandt Snedeker
9:40 a.m.: Bubba Watson and Camilo Villegas; Paul Goydos and Tim Herron
Posted by Mike McDermott at 8:38 AM | Permalink
June 23, 2008
BARRINGTON _ Bubba Watson birdied each of the first three holes, starting he and his partner, Camilo Villegas, on the way to a 10-under 61 and the first-round lead in the CVS Caremark Charity Classic today.
Watson, who leads the PGA Tour in driving distance, also had an eagle on the par-5 eighth. Villegas had three birdies early on the back nine so that the team was 10-under through 15 before finishing with three straight pars.
That was good enough to lead the $1.5 million tournament by one stroke over four other teams.
Rocco Mediate, making his first appearance since his runner-up finish to Tiger Woods in the U.S. Open, combined with Charles Howell for a 62. Co-host Billy Andrade and Davis Love III, Paul Goydos and Tim Herron and the duo of Nick Price and Charles Howell also had 62.
The LPGA team of Laura Diaz and Nicole Castrale received some of the biggest cheers of the day. Only the second women’s team to compete in the 10-year-old event, they were at 9-under through 17 but bogeyed the final hole for a 63.
Here at the hole-by-hole scores for each team:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 total
Par 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 5 4 36 3 5 4 4 4 5 4 3 4 35 71
Quigley/Quigley 3 4 4 3 3 3 4 4 4 32 3 3 4 4 3 4 3 3 4 31 63
Goydos/Herron 4 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 4 33 2 4 3 4 4 4 3 2 3 29 62
Watson/Villegas 3 3 3 3 4 3 4 3 4 30 3 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 4 31 61
Faldo/Rose 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 4 3 33 3 4 4 4 4 3 4 3 4 33 66
Andrade/Love 3 4 4 3 2 4 3 4 4 31 3 3 4 3 4 4 4 3 3 31 62
Diaz/Castrale 4 4 3 4 2 3 4 4 4 32 3 5 3 3 3 3 4 2 5 31 63
Faxon/Jacobsen 5 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 36 3 5 3 4 5 4 4 3 3 34 70
Howell/Price 4 4 4 3 2 4 4 4 3 32 2 4 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 30 62
Henry/Cink 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 34 2 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 3 31 65
Mediate/Snedeker 4 3 3 3 3 3 5 3 4 31 3 4 3 3 4 3 4 3 4 31 62
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 6:29 PM | Permalink
Bubba Watson and Camilio Villegas made only two pars on their first nine holes in the CVS Caremark Charity Classic today, which is good news in the team format of the $1.5 million tournament at Rhode Island Country Club.
The two young sluggers had five birdies and an eagle, so that not even a rare bogey prevented them from taking the lead at 6-under 30 through nine. The team started with birdies on each of the first four holes, all par 4s, before bogeying the par-3 fifth. They birided six and eagled the eighth, the only par-5 on the front side.
Co-host Billy Andrade and Davis Love III are at 5-under, along with Rocco Mediate and Brandt Snedeker.
Check this scoreboardfor the CVS Caremark Charity Classic Web site for updates.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 1:57 PM | Permalink
Nick Faldo feels right at home today in Barrington. And Justin Rose, too. Most others, though, are a bit uncomfortable as the 10th annual CVS Charity Classic gets started.
The good news is that the tournament is on schedule. While the skies at Rhode Island Country Club are overcast and threatening, play is underway. Perhaps because of the weather, the crowd appears smaller than usual.
The clinic that usually begins the event was altered a bit. It turned more into a talk show, with Peter Jacobsen as the prime host. He and Billy Andrade welcomed everyone, most notably the two British players who are first-time participants, Faldo and Rose.
``It feels like England, doens't it?'' Jacobsen asked Faldo and Justin Rose.
Rocco Mediate, the late replacement who was such a big star in the U.S. Open, was a major part of the banter. Johnny Miller, the NBC commentator, has drawn criticism for saying Mediate looks like a guy who should be cleaning Tiger Woods' pool.
``I understand the state legislature in Rhode Island passed a law that's going to ban Johnny Miller from the state,'' Andrade said. ``I think there are 17 Roccos in the crowd right here.''
``Johnny's fine. I don't care,'' Mediate responded.
``They care in Rhode Island,'' Andrade shot back.
Dana and Brett Quigley, in the first group, just birdied the first hole for the first bird of the tournament.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 11:06 AM | Permalink
June 22, 2008
Point Judith’s Jeffrey Martin has earned a berth in the PGA Championship in August.
Martin, who is back playing the New England circuit after competing on the Nationwide Tour, fired rounds of 72-68-70-74 and tied for 10th in the PGA Professional National Championship at Reynolds Plantation in Georgia.
Rain interrupted the final round today with Martin on the 15th hole and tied for fifth. Martin bogeyed the 15th and double-bogeyed the 16th after play resumed. However, he responded with a birdie on the 17th and still qualified, with two strokes to spare, for the 90th PGA Championship to be held Aug. 7-10 at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Township, Mi.
The top 20 finishers will join the PGA Tour regulars in that $7 million event.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 9:23 PM | Permalink
June 18, 2008
What looked to be bad news for the CVS Caremark Charity Classic has turned out to be not so bad, after all.
The $1.5 million tournament, which will be held June 22-24 at Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, has lost one of its top attractions. Quirky Boo Weekley, who has won on tour each of the last two years, has withdrawn, citing personal reasons.
Tournament officials, having watched the excitement of the U.S. Open, called an old friend, Rocco Mediate. Mediate combined with Jeff Sluman to win the 2003 CVS Classic.
Mediate accepted an invitation to replace Weekley. Mediate was so tired after the Open -- losing to Tiger Woods after 19 holes in a fifth day of play -- that he withdrew from this week’s Travelers Championship in Connecticut. But with the CVS starting four days later, and being an exhibition event for only two days, Mediate accepted the chance to return to RICC. He will take Weekley’s spot and partner with Brandt Snedeker.
"We congratulate Rocco for his outstanding performance at the U.S. Open and are pleased to welcome him back to the CVS Caremark Charity Classic," said Eileen Howard Dunn, Tournament Chairman.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 1:11 PM | Permalink
The biggest week of the area golf season has gotten even bigger. Anna Grzebien and Patrick Horgan are the latest to join the fun.
Those two have earned spots in this week’s tour events in qualifiers. Point Judith’s Grzebien fired a 71 to win medalist honors and earn one of only two available spots for this week’s Wegmans LPGA in Pittsford, N.Y.
Horgan took part in the qualifier for the PGA Tour Travelers’ Championship at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Ct., and captured one of the four available spots by shooting a 68 at Lyman Orchards.
Newport’s Horgan makes it a hard-to-believe six Rhode Islanders in the field at the Traveler’s. Brad Faxon will return from knee injury to make his seasonal debut. Billy Andrade, Brett Quigley, Patrick Sheehan and Brad Adamonis also will take part.
It all comes in a week that also includes having the best amateurs in the nation at Wannamoisett for the Northeat Amateur, that begins today, and having the Champions Tour, including still another Rhode Islander, Dana Quigley, in nearby Concord, Mass., for the Bank of America Championship.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 10:23 AM | Permalink
June 12, 2008
Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade have decided to split up again for this CVS Caremark Charity Classic.
As they have number a number of times in the previous nine years of the event, the two tournament co-hosts will partner with other players June 23-24 at Rhode Island Country Club.
Here are the teams and starting times for the first round:
10:30 a.m. _ Dana Quigley-Brett Quigley; Paul Goydos-Tim Herron; 10:40 _ Bubba Watson-Camilo Villegas; Nick Faldo-Justin Rose; 10:50 _ Billy Andrade-Davis Love III; Laura Diaz-Nicole Castrale; 11_ Brad Faxon-Peter Jacobsen; Charles Howell-Nick Price; 11:10 _ J.J. Henry-Stewart Cink; Boo Weekley-Brandt Snedeker.
Free tickets are available with the purchase of qualifying products at all Rhode Island CVS/pharmacy stores and participating locations in neighboring Southeastern Massachusetts. Spectator parking will be at Seekonk Speedway for $5 per car. Free shuttle buses will bring spectators to and from Rhode Island Country Club.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 6:35 PM | Permalink
June 10, 2008
The Rhode Island area will be well represented in both U.S. Open championships this month.
The men’s Open will begin Thursday at Torrey Pines with three area players in the field. And now Point Judith's Anna Grzebien has given the area a representative in the Women’s Open, as well.
The Duke grad and former NCAA champion shot 144 for 36 holes in qualifying at Woodmont and Manor CC in Rockville, Md., to earn a spot in the women’s Open at Interlachen in Edina, Minn., June 26-29. LPGA veteran Kelli Kuehne led the qualifying there with 136 and Michelle Wie was second at 137. Grzebien, a part-time player on the LPGA Tour this year, made it with one stroke to spare.
In San Diego, Warwick’s Patrick Sheehan, Barrington’s Brett Quigley and New Bedford’s Kevin Silva, all have spots. Sheehan will be in the first group off the tee in the opening round and Quigley three groups behind him. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott will be three groups behind Quigley. They will all be done the first round before Silva begins. He will be in the next-to-last threesome to begin, at 2:31 Pacific time.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 5:08 PM | Permalink
June 9, 2008
Qualifying for the State Amateur today turned into a showcase for current and former Barrington High players.
Barrington grads were medalists at both North Kingstown and Swansea, the two sites used. Matt Broome, who graduated last year, put together an outstanding 5-under 67 for the best score of the day. Broome, who just finished his freshman year at Furman, did that at Swansea. Kirkbrae’s Matt Fattore was second there with a 71.
Other qualifiers at Swansea included Jared Adams, Jeff Ray, Eddie Hjerpe, all Barrington High stars. It took a score of eight-over to advance to next month’s Amateur at Agawam Hunt.
It took the same eight-over total to move on at North Kingstown. There, Barrington players from a previous generation excelled. Cioe, who was an Eagle four decades ago, led the way with his 72. Ed Kennedy and Tim Smith of Potowomut and Jay Barrow of Exter, tied for second at 73. Those who advanced included Cioe’s former Barrington teammate, Pat Monti, who had a 74.
In all, 45 players advanced at North Kingstown and 41 at Swansea. They will join the 45 exempt players at Agwam.
A full list of scores is available at rigalinks.org.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 6:39 PM | Permalink
May 7, 2008
Anyone who follows golf in New England knows the names Parajeckas, Dantas and Kirby. All have been frequent contenders in regional events and they were again yesterday.
There was one difference this time. While the names are familiar, not all the faces are.
The Parajeckas who won medalist honors in U.S. Open qualifying at The Shelter Harbor Club in Charlestown, R.I., was Jason Parajeckas. He is a December graduate the University of Connecticut who recently turned pro. He is the son of Paul Parajeckas, the head pro at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, Mass., and a player who not only has won numerous New England events but also has competed on the Champions Tour.
Jason Parajeckas recorded a 2-under 69 that included a 31 on the back nine. He began his run by chipping in for birdie on the 10th hole.
Jeff Dantas, a Seekonk, Mass., resident who owns his own golf teaching center, took second with a 70 and Eddie Kirby, the head pro at Alpine Country Club and a former PGA Tour player, was third among the 43 players with 71.
All scores are available at rigalinks.org
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 6:36 PM | Permalink
May 6, 2008
Charlie Blanchard began his day today with a lost ball and ended it with a new trophy for winning still another golf championship.
Blanchard, the reigning Rhode Island Golf Association player of the year, took the RIGA’s season-opening event, the Burke Memorial. He posted a 75 at Newport which, added to his opening 69 at Wanumetonomy, gave him a 36-hole total of 144.
That was three shots better than Swansea’s Jon Costa, who also had a closing 75 for 147, work that included a birdie on the final hole. Valley’s Shane Rice had the best score of the second day, a 70, to take third at 148.
Blanchard began the second round with a three-shot lead but saw it disappear quickly. The lefty pushed his tee shot into an overgrown area on the opening hole. He never found the ball, had to go back and re-tee and was happy to get away with a bogey on the par-5 hole. He three-putted the par-3 fourth for a double bogey.
``I had a 12-footer and got a little too aggressive on the first putt,’’ he said.
As the players made the turn, Blanchard, Fenner Hill’s Jason Hull and Wanumetonomy’s Luke Hyder were within one shot of each other for the lead. Hyder, playing at Wanumetonomy, struggled coming home. Hull birdied the par-5 10th to tie Blanchard.
The pivotal swing came on the other par-5 on the back side, the 12th. Hull hit his tee shot into the trees and bogeyed. Blanchard hit a good drive, then a rescue within eight feet.
``I thought I made the eagle,’’ he said.
As it was, he settled for birdie. Now he was ahead by two and never gave away control the rest of the way.
The hole-by-hole breakdown for all players in the tournament is available online at rigalinks.org. The RIGA has a new scoring system that will be available through the season.
The plan here is to work arm-in-arm with the RIGA website. It will provide the numbers and we hope to fill in the details on this blog.
Let's hope for a good season for all of us!
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 5:15 PM | Permalink
April 16, 2008
With the weather turning for the better, it finally feels like golf season in New England. Hopefully, this blog will provide us an avenue to keep up with happenings on the course, both local and national. Here are a few to start the season:
BRAD FAXON _ The Barrington resident has targeted the Memorial Tournament the last week in May for his return to the PGA Tour.
Faxon, recovering from another surgery on his right knee, said this week at a press conference for the CVS Caremark Charity Classic that all is going well on his recovery. He has begun putting and swinging a wedge, but has not yet been given approval to make full swings with anything more than a wedge.
His goal is to play the Jack Nicklaus’ event in Ohio.
The four other Rhode Islanders on the PGA Tour all will be in Hilton Head this week for the Verizon Heritage.
Billy Andrade was given a sponsor’s exemption. Brad Adamonis began the week as an alternate, but got it after others withdrew. Brett Quigley and Patrick Sheehan also are set to play.
ANNA GRZEBIEN _ The Point Judith product and former NCAA champion cashed her first LPGA Tour check, earning $3,883 in last week’s Corona Championship in Mexico. Her work included a hole-in-one. She had rounds of 75-71-79-78 and tied for 54th.
NEPGA _ Locally, the New England PGA held an event at Potowomut and Rhode Island players dominated.
North Kingstown’s Brian Owens won with a 1-under-par 70. Jeffrey Martin of Point Judith was second with a 72, followed by Al Vallante, Atlantic Golf Learning Center and Ed Kirby of Alpine with 73s, Rob Baxter of Crestwood 74, David Marcotte of Point Judith,Shawn Campbell of Potowomut, John Rainone of North Kingstown and David Baluik of Glocester, all 75.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 3:58 PM | Permalink
April 14, 2008
Hall of Famers Nick Price and Nick Faldo will be among the headliners for the 10th annual CVS Caremark Charity Classic.
The field for the event June 22-24 at Rhode Island Country Club was announced today, in a press conference at the Button Hole Short Course and Teaching Center, and it is one that has something for everyone. As has been the case in the past, veteran will be showcased with Price and Faldo.
For the second year in a row, women will take part. In this case two members of the winning U.S. Solheim Cup team, Laura Diaz and Nicole Castrale, will play even though it will mean missing practice rounds for the U.S. Women’s Open, which will be held later that same week.
The rising young talent on the PGA Tour will be represented, too, headed by Brandt Snedeker, who finished in a tie for third at The Masters yesterday, Charles Howell III, Camilo Villegas, who was a big hit last year, and Floridians Boo Weekley and Bubba Watson.
Tournament veterans slated to return, in addition to co-hosts Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, are RICC products Dana and Brett Quigley, Davis Love III, Tim Herron and Peter Jacobsen, whose company runs the event.
Stewart Cink and J.J. Henry, who combined to win the team event last year, will return to defend their title.
``I think it’s the most diverse field we’ve ever had,’’ Faxon said in summing up the field.
The final two spots in the $1.55 million event will be filled at a later date.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 3:25 PM | Permalink
April 3, 2008
Brad Faxon is back with the PGA Tour, although not in his usual capacity.
The Barrington resident, who remains unable to play after surgery on his right knee, has joined the announcing team for The Golf Channel for this week’s Shell Houston Open.
As might be expected, Faxon seems more than comfortable in the job. He just told a story about how he spent part of his morning in a putting contest with Phil Mickelson, at Mickelson’s request. Faxon spoke about how Mickelson, who is preparing for next week’s Masters, set up a game that involved not only trying to make putts, but also getting the ball past the hole.
Faxon had to dig into his pocket when the contest was finished.
This week’s event marks the first time all season all five Rhode Islanders on tour are at the tournament site. The other four are playing. Brett Quigley is in excellent shape after a morning 4-under 68 and Billy Andrade also had a nice day with a 71.
Patrick Sheehan and Brad Adamonis are both out in the afternoon group, both off to slow starts. Adamonis is playing for the first time in more than a month. He is battling major health issues himself including a disk problem in his neck and a rare disease called nystagmus that involves an inner ear problem.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 3:40 PM | Permalink
March 6, 2008
Barrington’s David McAndrew and Jon Curran of Hopkinton, Mass., both have won their first collegiate championship.
McAndrew tied for individual honors in the Bethune-Cookman Invitational at Indigo Lakes Country Club in Daytona Beach, Fla. He had rounds of 67-72 to match Kyle Hammond of Florida Gulf Coast for the title. His Stetson team finished second to FGCU.
Curran, a junior at Vanderbilt, won the Seminole Invitational sponsored by Florida State. A former player-of-the-year for the Rhode Island-based U.S. Challenge Cup, Curran had rounds of 70-68-68 for a 10-under 206 total. He beat Auburn’s Jay Moseley by three shots as his team tied for fifth among the 12 teams. Florida State won.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 7:10 PM | Permalink
March 4, 2008
The new year got off to an extremely slow start for area players on the PGA Tour, but it has picked up considerably in the last couple weeks.
Attleboro’s Jim Renner is the latest to join the fun.
He has earned a spot in this week’s PODS Championship at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Tampa Bay, Fla. The Johnson & Wales grad, who played the New England Pro Tour last summer, fired a 66 in Monday qualifying to earn a spot in the tournament that begins Thursday.
Renner gives the area a fivesome in the event.
Brett Quigley, who is recovering from knee surgery, squared away his position on tour for this year with a tie for 12th in last week’s Honda Classic at PGA National. Quigley had seven events in which to earn about $63,000 to secure full playing privileges for this year. He earned $115,000, so now can determine his schedule for the remainder of the year.
He is entered as are Patrick Sheehan, who had a top 10 in Cancun, two weeks ago; tour rookie Brad Adamonis, who has made the cut in all but one event; and Billy Andrade.
Renner has drawn an interesting pairing. As the new guy, he is last off the tee in the first round. His threesome includes rookie Matt Jones, who tied for fourth last week, and Nicholas Thompson.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 3:23 PM | Permalink
January 24, 2008
The three Rhode Islanders scheduled to play in this week's PGA Tour event, the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines in San Diego, had very different days today.
Tour rookie Brad Adamonis continued his strong start, firing a 6-under 66 on the North Course to tie for second place, one behind leader Troy Matteson. Tiger Woods, playing the South Course, the layout that will be used for this year's U.S. Open, is among those in a tie for third at 67.
Warwick's Patrick Sheehan also played the South Course and shot a 73, which left him in a tie for 74th.
Barrington's Brett Quigley, who was scheduled to make his seasonal debut, had to withdraw. He had a cyst on his spine lanced and was unable to play.
As it is, Quigley has been out since September after surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. He will play the early part of the year on a medical exemption. He won more than $700,000 but finished about $63,000 out of the top 125. If Quigley earns $63,000 in his first six events, he will regain full playing privileges.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 6:13 PM | Permalink
January 11, 2008
Brad Adamonis has gotten his career as a member PGA Tour player off to a great start.
The Cumberland native, playing late in the day Hawaii time, which meant late in the evening eastern time, recorded a 4-under-par 66 at Waialae Country Club yesterday. That left him in a tie for fifth in the $5.3 million Sony Open.
Adamonis, who will celebrate his 35th birthday next week, played the Nationwide Tour last year, won an event in Texas and finished 32nd overall. He earned a spot on the PGA Tour by finishing in the top 10 in Qualifying School.
Those tied with him at 66 include James Driscoll of Massachusetts.
Warwick’s Patrick Sheehan posted a 1-over 71 and is in a tie for 102nd place.
K.J. Choi leads at 64.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 10:41 AM | Permalink
January 2, 2008
Billy Andrade is in Hawaii to take part in this week’s Mercedes Tournament of Champions that will launch the 2008 PGA Tour season. For this one, the Bristol native will be carrying a microphone rather than his golf clubs.
Andrade, now in his 21st year on the tour, has agreed to work for The Golf Channel for the event.
``I’ll be on the course, following one of the groups for the first three days,’’ Andrade said.
Because he had his toughest year ever, finishing 150th on the money list in 2007, Andrade will not qualify for some events this year. He had planned to go to Hawaii on vacation with his family.
``They called me and said they had heard I was going to be in Hawaii,’’ Andrade related. ``I told them I was only going to be there the first three days but they said that was all right.’’
Andrade has done television work before. He said he feels comfortable doing it and would consider doing it on a regular basis. But not right now.
``I feel like I still have a lot left in the tank,’’ he said.
As it is, Andrade said he will play in the Bob Hope, at Pebble Beach and the tournament in Mexico.
``I normally play four on the west coast and there are three other tournaments that are possibilities. If I can get in one or two of those I’ll be set,’’ he said. Once the tour swings east, he expects to play in the Honda, at Tampa Bay, Bay Hill and in Puerto Rico. By the end of the year, he hopes to be able to play in about the same number of events in which he usually competes.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 11:29 AM | Permalink
December 23, 2007
Brad Faxon went to Mass General Hospital Friday for what he was hoping would be relatively minor arthroscopic knee surgery.
It turned out to be much worse.
``When I woke up they told me they had to totally repair the ACL,’’ Faxon related this afternoon from his home in Barrington. ``They had to do two bone graphs, part of the tibia was exposed, cartilage was floating around.
``It was bad news, to say the least,’’ Faxon related.
It means that the 26-year PGA Tour veteran, who had planned to be in Hawaii to start the new season next month, will not be playing golf for several months.
``It’s probably four to five months unless I get lucky,’’ Faxon said.
The setback is the continuation of a difficult period for the 46-year-old Rhode Island Country Club product. An eight-time tour champion who has earned more than $17 million on tour, Faxon had his least successful season ever in 2007, in part because of health issues. He missed part of the season because of foot surgery.
He returned to competition for the first time two weeks ago when he competed in the Merrill Lynch Shootout in Florida, partnering with Justin Leonard in the team event. The good news was that his foot felt fine. The bad news was that he continued to have problems with his right knee.
That knee had been surgically repaired two years ago. Even before the foot surgery, he had begun feeling pain again in the knee.
``I had problems bending down reading putts,’’ he said. ``The pain was getting excruciating. I knew someone was wrong.’’
He consulted with doctors in both Providence and Boston. Thomas Gill, the noted orthopedic surgeon who had performed the surgery on his knee two years ago, told him that an MRI confirmed something was wrong.
``He told me he couldn’t make a call on exactly what it was until he got in there,’’ Faxon related. With the new golf season rapidly approaching, it was decided to go in for the scope surgery as soon as possible.
The knee now is encased in a CPM machine which moves the knee automatically. He will begin rehab as soon as he is given permission, but is not likely to even begin thinking about playing again until the tour heads back to the east coast in the spring.
Faxon finished 219th in earnings in 2007, with $84,645. Normally, only the top 125 players maintain full playing privileges. However, because he is 24th on the all-time earnings list with $17,656,554, Faxon is entitled to take a year’s exemption for full playing privileges. Actually, there are two such exemption, one for those in the top 25, another for the top 50, meaning Faxon still would have two full seasons without worrying about his position on the money list.
He took one of those exemptions and was planning to play 22 to 24 events in 2008.
Obviously, that is now out of the question. His plan is to simply return when he is healthy again and proceed from there.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 3:23 PM | Permalink
December 12, 2007
Ben Conway has decided to become a Ram next year.
The Tiverton High product, who is the reigning R.I. Interscholastic League golf champion as well as the state Public Links champion, is one of three players who has signed a national letter of intent to play golf for the University of Rhode Island, beginning in September of next year.
Taylor Fontaine, of Shrewsbury, Mass., and Kevin Josephson of Berlin, Ct., also have signed national letters, Tom Drennan, the URI golf coach announced today.
"We are delighted to have these three outstanding young men join the URI golf program," said Drennan. "All three are outstanding students and exceptional golfers. I'm excited to have them join our family."
Conway has rapidly developed into one of the top young players in the state. He has excelled both at the interscholastic level as well as in R.I. Golf Association competition. He helped his Tiverton team win the state title in his junior year and he also won the U.S. Challenge Cup championship.
Fontaine comes to URI after a fine prep career at St. John's H.S. The runner-up for the 2006 Massachusetts Junior Player of the Year award, he captured individual honors at the 2007 New England Junior Amateur Championship. He also was top medalist at the Junior World Qualifier and made the match play round at the United States Junior Amateur. He posted three consecutive second-place finishes (2004-06) at the Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship, while finishing third in 2007.
Josephson is a two-time Hartford Courant All-State honoree, in 2005 and 2006. This past summer, he captured the Computer Merchants Cup tournament at Wintonbury Hills in Bloomfield, Conn., finishing with a two-day total of 148 (70-72). As a junior at Berlin H.S., Josephson finished second overall in the CIAC Division II State Championship, leading his squad to a second-place finish. He was an 18-time medalist in his prep career.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 5:28 PM | Permalink
December 3, 2007
Brad Adamonis completed a dramatic career turnaround over the last two months when he earned himself a PGA Tour playing card today.
The Cumberland native, who grew up playing at Kirkbrae and Pawtucket, fired a final round 69 at Orange Country National in Winter Park, Fla., to easily earn a 2008 card. Adamonis tied for ninth place at 18-under 414 in the six-round event.
He moved up every round after an opening 72 by shooting scores of 68, 70, 68, 67 and 69 in the last five days. The top 25 players earned cards. It took a score of 14-under to be in that group.
Others who advanced, from the original field of 1,300 applicants, included Northeast Amateur champion Dustin Johnson, who closed with a 74 to finish in a tie for 14th at 16-under. Frank Lickliter, the leader throughout, finished at 29-under to earn medalist honors.
The performance for the 34-year-old Adamonis, who has played numerous pro tours over the past decade, capped two huge months. He had taken some time out from his career over the past two years to help his brother, Dave, coach at Johnson & Wales University in Florida. They took over when their father, Dave Sr., the founder and coach of the Johnson & Wales program, became seriously ill with cancer. Their father is still fighting illness, but has recovered enough to return to his job, allowing Brad Adamonis to go back to playing full time.
For most of this year, Brad Adamonis was fighting for position on the Nationwide Tour. He was floating around the 100th spot on the money list heading into the fall. But he had three strong weeks at the end, capped by winning in Midland, Tex., in mid-October.
That was a big step since it clinched him a full-time spot on the Nationwide Tour for 2008. He entered qualifying school _ with an exemption to the finals because of his win in Texas _ knowing he had to finish in the top 25 to earn a promotion to the big tour, and he did exactly that.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 4:04 PM | Permalink
December 2, 2007
Anna Grzebien has earned an LPGA card for her first full year as a pro, but not in the category she would have preferred.
The Point Judith star and Duke grad shot a closing 73 today in the fifth and final round of LPGA Tour School finals at Daytona Beach, Fla. That gave her a 90-hole total of even par 358 and a tie for 25th place.
The top 17 finishers earned full LPGA Tour cards for 2008. The next 35, including Grzebien, become non-exempt players, meaning they have cards and will be able to play in some events. Their opportunity to get in some events will depend on how they perform and how open the fields are.
Jane Park, the leader throughout, won medalist honors at 17-under. Connecticut’s Liz Janangelo, Grzebien’s former Duke teammate, recorded a closing 72 to finish at 4-under and tie for 14th. That will allow Janangelo, a winner on the Futures Tour this year, to have full LPGA membership next year.
At PGA Tour finals at Orange County National in Winter Garden, Fla., Cumberland’s Brad Adamonis continued his climb up the standings and put himself in excellent position to earn a promotion from the Nationwide to the PGA Tour.
Adamonis recorded a 5-under 67 to advance from a tie for 25th into 16th place at 15-under 345. The top 25 finishers after tomorrow's final round earn PGA Tour cards for next year. Frank Lickliter continues to lead at 28-under.
Among those also inside the cutline for PGA Tour cards is Geoff Sisk of Marshfield, Mass., who shot 68 to get to 14-under and a tie for 17th. Northeast Amateur champion Dustin Johnson made a huge move, tying for low round of the day with a 64 and vaulting into a tie for ninth place at 18-under.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 5:30 PM | Permalink
December 1, 2007
Brad Adamonis continued his climb up the standings in PGA Tour Qualifying School yesterday, while Anna Grzebien had a bit of a disappointing day in LPGA Tour school finals.
Still, both Rhode Islanders remain in solid position to earn their big-league tour cards for next year.
Cumberland's Adamonis shot a 68, including going 5-under in his last 11 holes, to jump from a tie for 46th to a tie for 25th in PGA Tour finals at Orange County National outside Orlando. He is 11-under through four rounds of the six-round competition. The top 25 finishers and ties earn PGA Tour cards for next year.
Frank Lickliter continues to lead at 24-under.
Narragansett's Grzebien had a 75 in the LPGA event in Daytona Beach, falling from a tie for eighth into a tie for 22nd through four rounds of that five-round round. The top 17 finishers and ties will earn full LPGA cards. Grzebien is two shots outside that cut line. The next 35 players will become non-exempt players on the LPGA Tour. Grzebien is three shots inside that cut line.
Jane Park, the leader throughout, opened her lead to six strokes, at 14-under. Grzebien's former Duke teammate, Connecticut's Liz Janagelo, is a 4-under, in a tie for 11th, after a fourth-round 73.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 5:29 PM | Permalink
November 30, 2007
The two Rhode Islanders competing in qualifying school for the PGA and LPGA Tours both continued moving forward today.
Point Judith’s Anna Grzebien, the former NCAA champion at Duke, jumped from a tie for 14th into a tie for 8th in the LPGA finals at Daytona Beach, Fla. She had a 2-under 70 to stand at 4-under 212 through three rounds of the five-round event. The top 17 finishers earn full LPGA cards and the next 17 earn non-exempt status.
Jane Park, the leader throughout, had 71 to maintain her lead at 10-under. Those ahead of Grzebien include her former Duke teammate, Connecticut’s Liz Janagelo, who had 70 for 211
At the PGA Tour finals at Orange County National outside Orlando, Cumberland’s Brad Adamonis kept moving up the leaderboard. He had four birdies and two bogeys for a 2-under 70 to stand at 6-under 210. He began the day in a tie for 59th and finished in a tie for 46th.
Adamonis now is within two shots of the cutline in the 108-hole event. The top 25 players, and ties, will earn PGA Tour cards. Adamonis already is assured of fully exempt status on the Nationwide Tour.
Tour veteran Frank Lickliter continued on the lead although he settled for a 71 after two straight 62s. Among those making big jumps today were Northeast Amateur champion Dustin Johnson who had a 67 to vault into a tie for 10th at 10-under.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 7:44 PM | Permalink
November 29, 2007
Rhode Islanders Anna Grzebien and Brad Adamonis both helped themselves today at their respective tour qualifying schools.
Grzebien, competing in the second round of the five-round LPGA finals in Daytona Beach, Fla., recorded a 72 for a total of 2-under 142. That leaves her in a tie for 14th place. The top 17 finishers earn full LPGA Tour cards and the next 35 earn non-exempt status.
Jane Park leads at 9-under and veteran Kelli Kuehne is second at 6-under.
At PGA Tour finals at Orange County National outside Orlando, Adamonis put together a 4-under 68 that included an eagle on his 17th hole. That jumped him from a tie for 92nd into a tie for 59th two days into the six-day event.
Frank Lickliter is the runaway leader after back-to-back 62s for a 124 total. The top 25 finishers earn PGA Tour cards for next year. Adamonis, by virtue of his victory on the Nationwide Tour this year, already is fully exempt on that tour. He would jump to the big tour with a top 25 finish this week.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 9:01 PM | Permalink
November 28, 2007
Anna Grzebien is off to an excellent start in her bid to earn an LPGA Tour card.
The Point Judith star and Duke grad fired a 2-under 70 today in the first round of LPGA Qualifying School finals in Daytona Beach, Fla. That left her in a tie for 10th place. Jane Park leads at 65. Those tied with Grezebien include her former Duke teammate, Liz Janangelo of Connecticut.
The top 17 finishers in the five-round event earn full LPGA Tour cards and the next 35 are non-exempt status.
In PGA Tour Qualifying, which also began today in Florida, Cumberland’s Brad Adamonis recorded an even-par 72 to tie for 92nd. Adamonis got off to a good start and was 3-under through 11 holes. He struggled at the end, including a double-bogey six on his final hole.
Scores at Orange Country National were very low. Tour veterans Frank Lickliter and Brendon de Jonge tied for first at 62.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 5:42 PM | Permalink
November 18, 2007
Jim Renner’s first trip to PGA Tour Qualifying School turned out to be exciting, but ultimately frustrating.
The Johnson & Wales grad and Attleboro resident staged a sensational finish in second-stage competition at Lake Jovita in Dade City, Fla., but still cme up one shot short of moving into the finals.
Renner had a 6-under 30 on his last nine holes, including birdies in each of the last two holes, to shoot 67 and finish at 5-under 283. That left him in a tie for 21st place and only the top 20 and ties move on.
Two other Massachusetts players, Geoff Sisk, the dominant player on the New England Pro Tour, and veteran Kevin Johnson, did move on.
Players had to be in the top 20 at all sites to move on. Here is how area players finished:
At Hombre Golf Club in Panama City, Fla.
Geoff Sisk, 70-74-73-71_288, tied for 13th
Rodney Butcher 71-76-70-74_291, tied for 31st (with an eight on the first hole in the final round)
Greg Sampson 68-74-77-74_293, tied for 37th
Patrick Horgan 73-75-76-72_296, tied for 46th
At Lake Jovita in Dade City, Fla.
Kevin Johnson 67-72-65-70_274, fifth
Jim Renner 74-72-70-67_283, tied for 21st
Michael Sims 69-72-73-72_286, tied for 31st
Fran Quinn 65-76-75-70_286, tied for 31st
Jason Caron 72-68-78-74_292 tied for 63rd
Dustin Johnson, the Northeast Amateur champion this year, 69-66-70-68_273, tied for third
At TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Tex.
Jeff Curl 73-70-70-73_286, tied for 27th
At The Woodlands in Kingwood, Tex.
Kevin Silva 73-70-71076_290, tied for 36th
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 11:14 AM | Permalink
November 17, 2007
Golf pros tell stories about how PGA Tour Qualifying School is the most pressure packed event they play in all year.
Warren’s Greg Sampson and Attleboro’s Jim Renner were living examples on how wild the swings can be at the school. The two had totally different finishes in the third round of the second-stage Friday.
Sampson, who lives in Warren and plays out of Crestwood, had played well all week in competition in Panama City, Fla. However, he closed with a bogey on 17 and a triple on 18. That gave him a 77 and dropped him outside the cutline, into a tie for 31st place.
Renner, who graduated from Johnson & Wales two years ago, appeared dead after opening with rounds of 74-72 and going 2-over through 10 in the third round at Lake Jovita in Florida. But he closed with four birdies and four pars in his last eight holes to get to even for the tournament. He is four strokes above the cut line, but very much alive.
At that same site, veteran Kevin Johnson, a former Massachusetts champion and Nationwide Tour regular, closed even better with a 6-under 30 on his final nine for a 65. He is third and all but ready to make arrangement to play in the finals in two weeks.
Here are the results for area players entering today’s final round:
At Hombre Golf Club in Panama City, Fla.
Rodney Butcher 71-76-70_217, tied for 20th
Geoff Sisk, 70-74-73_217, tied for 20th
Greg Sampson 68-74-77_219, tied for 31st
Patrick Horgan 73-75-76_224, tied for 49th
At Lake Jovita in Dade City, Fla.
Kevin Johnson 67-72-65_204, 3rd
Michael Sims 69-72-73_214, tied for 33rd
Fran Quinn 65-76-75_216, tied for 46th
Jim Renner 74-72-70_216, tied for 46th
Jason Caron 72-68-78_218, tied for 53rd
Jamie Vargas 70-81-67_218, tied for 53rd
Dustin Johnson, the Northeast Amateur champion this year, is in great shape at 205, in a tie for fourth on rounds of 69-66-70
At TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Tex.
Jeff Curl 73-70-70_213, tied for 16th
At The Woodlands in Kingwood, Tex.
Kevin Silva 73-70-71_214, tied for 14th, despite double-bogeying his final hole
Rob Bradley leads at 70-67_137
Champions Tour finals at TPC Eagle Trace, Coral Springs, Fla.
Rick Karbowski 71-70-71-71_283, tied for third, earned $15,000
Kirk Hanefeld 70-74-71-77_ 292, tied for 29th
Hanefeld shot 41 over his final nine but got in on the number
Rick Rhoden and Gene Jones tied for medalist honors at 279
The low 30 players and ties earn spots into qualifiers for Champions Tour events next year
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 10:35 AM | Permalink
November 16, 2007
Greg Sampson and Kevin Silva, two of the youngest area players competing for spots on the PGA Tour, have put themselves in a good spot in their bids to get through Qualifying School.
Both have had two good days in their competitions, Crestwood's Sampson in Panama City Beach, Fla., and New Bedford's Silva in Kingwood, Tex. The third round of the four-dy competition is being held today.
Here are how area players stand:
At Lake Jovita in Dade City, Fla.
Kevin Johnson 67-72, tied for 18th
Jason Caron 72-68, tied for 26th
Michael Sims, 69-72, tied for 35th
Jim Renner 74-72, tied for 65th
Jamie Vargas 71-76, 69th
Mike Sposa leads at 63-69_132
Dustin Johnson, who won the Northeast Amateur this year, is tied for sixth with rounds of 69-66_135
At Hombre Golf Club in Panama City Beach, Fla.
Greg Sampson 68-72, tied for 13th
Geoff Sisk 70-74, tied for 21st
Rodney Butcher 71-76, tied for 42nd
Patrick Horgan 73-75, tied for 48th
Jeff Martin 85-76, tied for 76th
Mike Welch, 77-WD
Richard Johnson leads at 62-69_131
At TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Tex.
Jeff Curl 73-70, tied for 24th
Dave Schultz, Cameron Percy and David Lutterus lead at 136
At The Woodlands in Kingwood, Tex.
Kevin Silva 73-70, tied for 14th
Rob Bradley leads at 70-67_137
Champions Tour finals at TPC Eagle Trace, Coral Springs, Fla.
Rick Karbowski 71-70-71_212, tied for sixth
Kirk Hanefeld 70-74-71_ 215, tied for 21st
Jack Ferenz, Rick Rhoden and Scott Masingill lead at 210
The low 30 players and ties after today's final round earn spots into qualifiers for Champions Tour events next year.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 10:00 AM | Permalink
November 15, 2007
Patrick Horgan has returned to competitive golf. And the Newport native and former PGA Tour player has picked one of the most demanding events of all to do so.
Horgan is competing this week in the second stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School at the Hombre Golf Club in Panama City Beach, Fla. He fired a 2-over 73 in yesterday’s opening round to tie for 53rd. Horgan played on the tour for nearly a decade, but has missed most of the last five years with various health issues, most recently eye surgery. He was exempt through the first stage because of his previous performances.
Also at Hombre, Crestwood’s Greg Sampson birdied his last three holes to shoot 68 and tie for 11th. Geoff Sisk of Marshfield, Mass., had 70 and Potowomut’s Rodney Butcher a 71. Point Judith’s Jeff Martin shot himself out of it with an 85 that included a nine on a par-4 hole.
Hombre is one of six sites for second-stage qualifying this week. Among other results:
At Lake Jovita in Dade City, Fla., Worcester’s Fran Quinn opened with a sparkling 65 and is tied for fifth; fellow Bay Stater Kevin Johnson had 67 to tie for 10th, URI grad Michael Sims a 69 to tie for 19th, Cape Cod’s Jason Caron a 72 to tie for 52nd and Attleboro’s Jim Renner a 74 to tie for 67th.
At TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Tex., Connecticut’s Jeff Curl, who won the New England Pro Tour event at Cranston Country Club three years ago, had 73 to tie for 45th.
At The Woodlands in Kingwood, Tex., New Bedford’s Kevin Silva had 73 and is tied for 35th.
The Champions Tour is holding its finals this week at TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, Fla., and the leader there is former Major League pitcher Rick Rhoden. He is at 6-under 138 through two rounds. Worcester’s Rick Karbowski is in excellent shape at 141, in a tie for fourth, and former Rhode Island Open champion Kirk Hanefeld of Bolton, Mass., tied for 19th at 144.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 10:40 AM | Permalink
November 9, 2007
We have more qualifying school reports for pro golfers today, this time among the women and Champions Tour players.
Anna Grzebien, in her first year as a pro, is happy there is a big difference in the way the PGA and LPGA Tours handle their qualifying school process. She is very much alive in LPGA qualifying because of the difference.
The Point Judith product and former NCAA champion at Duke got off to a bad start in LPGA qualifying in Palm Springs, Cal., and never recovered. She did not advance. However, the women, unlike the men, may sign up for a second qualifying school if they wish.
Grzebien took advantage of that. Competing at Plantation CC in Venice, Fla., she put together rounds of 71-69-71-72 to tie for second and easily move to the finals. The finals will be held Nov.28-Dec. 2 at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach.
Among Champions Tour hopefuls, former R.I. Open Kirk Hanefeld of Bolton, Mass., a part-time Champions Tour player the past two years, tied for ninth at the MetroWest CC in Florida and advance to that tour’s Q-School finals. Hanefeld had rounds of 73-69-70-73 for 285.
Wannamoisett’s Wecal finished at 307 and Cape Cod’s Brian Hebb, the founder of the New England Pro Tour, was at 311 at that site. It took 296 to advance.
Worcester’s Rick Karboski, another New England Tour regular, had 77-70-72-73 for 292 to tie for 10th in sectionals at the Redstone Club in Texas and move on.
The Champions Tour finals will be contested next week at TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, Fla.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 10:22 AM | Permalink
November 8, 2007
Chapter one at PGA Tour Qualifying School is finished, with mixed results for area players.
Rodney Butcher, Jeff Martin and Greg Sampson are among those who have advanced, while Mike Capone, Michael Carbone and Joey Iaciofano are among those who did not make it through.
Here, in no particular order, is a list of area players who took part in the first of the three-step process to earn a tour card:
Johnson & Wales grad Jim Renner of Plainville moved through easily at the Grasslands Club in Lakeland, Fla., firing rounds of 72-68-70-67 to tie for ninth at 277. Butcher tied for 19th two strokes inside the cut line, at the same site with rounds of 69-70-68-73 for 280.
Quidnessett’s Capone, who spent this year on the Nationwide Tour, was among those eliminated. He had rounds of 72-76-70-70 for 288, tying for 57th, seven strokes more than needed.
Renner’s former Johnson & Wales temmate, Mike Welch of Quincy, Mass., not only moved on, he was medalist in play at Florence, S.C., Country Club with rounds of 65-66-67-67. Another Bay Stater, Geoff Sisk, the dominant player on the New England circuit, tied for second at 266, one behind Welch, on rounds of 66-64-67-69.
Crestwood’s Sampson also played well in Florence with rounds of 66-70-69-68 to tie for 14th at 273, four shots inside the line. New Bedford’s Kevin Silva made it on the number at 277 with rounds of 70-70-67-70 for 277.
Metacomet’s Joey Iaciofano got off to a tough start in play at Lantana, Tex., where scores were high throughout and never recovered. He finished 65th with rounds of 79-77-79-72 for 207. All those who shot 5-over 293 advanced.
Also in Texas, at Cypresswood in Spring, Tex., URI grad Michael Sims, who had another injury-plagued season on the Nationwide Tour, moved on. He had rounds of 74-68-74-66, closing with birdies on four of his last five holes on the final day to tie for sixth.
Point Judith’s Martin was sent to McKinney, Tex., where he shot 72-69-72-68 for 281 at Stonebridge Ranch to tie for 12th, advancing with four shots to spare.
At Auburn University, two of the guys who were battling for the Northeast Amateur title in June, Dustin Johnson and Colt Knost, both advanced easily, Johnson winning the medal by eight shots and Knost tying for sixth. The victims there included former teen phenom Ty Tyron who finished 22 shots behind Johnson.
URI grad Carbone tied for 31st, at 282, two above the cut line, in play at Martin Downs CC in Palm City, Fla.
The second stage will be held at six sites next week. We will report on what happens as the events move along.
Posted by Paul Kenyon at 10:19 AM | Permalink
