Ocean State Golf » Breaking Stories

Charlie Blanchard has won another RIGA Mid Amateur Championship

Bob Dick — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:33:52 +0000

To absolutely no one’s surprise, Charlie Blanchard has won another RIGA Mid Amateur Championship, this time at picturesque Newport National. The lefty ace from Wannamoisett Country Club posted a 36 hole total of 145 (73, 72) to win his seventh Mid Am title by four strokes over Metacomet’s Ryan Gumbel (149).

Blanchard actually trailed by one in the final round after he doubled the par-three 13th but quickly made up for that with an eagle on the par 5, 523 yard 14th. Blanchard parred the rest of the way in while Gumbel stumbled with bogeys on 14, 15 and 16.

Agawam’s Tom Acciardo was the low senior at 151.

Read all about Blanchard’s Mid Am success in our late September issue.

Garrett Medeiros ran away with his second 2010 RIGA Amateur Championship

Bob Dick — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:15:41 +0000

Garrett Medeiros ran away with his second 2010 RIGA amateur championship, winning the 27th Stroke Play title by five strokes at Agawam Hunt. Earlier this summer Medeiros was an easy 8 and 6 winner at the State Amateur.

Leading by two after two rounds, Medeiros birdied the first four holes of his final round and seven of his first 10 while on his way to a brilliant 5 under 65 that gave him a 54-hole total of 6 under 204.

Finishing second at 1 under 209 was Barrington’s Jared Adams who will be a freshman at URI this fall. Adams finished with a three under 67.

Defending champ Charlie Blanchard ended up tied for third at 213 with George Pirie and Maine’s John Hayes IV. Pirie won the senior division title by 9 shots.

Rhode Island Open

Bob Dick — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:14:47 +0000

47 year-old John “Jumbo” Elliott, who at one time played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour, won the 79th R.I. Open at Quidnessett C.C. with a birdie putt on the fourth playoff hole against Dustin Cone of Bennington, Vt.

Elliott and Cone ended regulation play in the two-day, 54 hole-event at 10 under 206. Elliott carded a 6 under 66 on his final round that included a brilliant 31 on his back nine. Cone was even better in his final round with a 7 under 65. However, the round of the tournament was turned in by Michael Welch of Granite Lakes. Welch blistered his way to a third round course record 8 under 64 and finished at 9 under 207.

Wannamoisett’s Charlie Blanchard was the low amateur at 214.

Read all about this exciting R.I. Open in our early August issue.

US Amateur Sectional Qualifying

Bob Dick — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:20:42 +0000

New England golfer, Antonio Grillo, a junior at Harvard from Martha’s Vineyard, fired a brilliant 5 under 66 in the second round of the 36-hole U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying at Potowomet G.C. and tied Potowomut’s Bobby Leopold for medalist honors at 4-under 138.

Grillo carded a one over 72 in the morning round while Leopold opened with a 3 under 68. Also qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Tournament to be held at the Chambers Bay G.C. in Tacoma, Washington Aug. 23-29, was 17 year old Sean Kelly of Bradenton, Fla. Kelly posted rounds of 73 and 69.

Read all about the performances of this trio of players in our early August edition.

John Hadges Captures Second Career Massachusetts Amateur Championship

Tom Gorman — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:18:36 +0000

For the second time in three years, John Hadges, can call himself the Massachusetts Amateur Champion. And, for the second time in three years, the prototypical 49-year old Baby Boomer beat a talented 28-year old Generation X up-and-comer, Dan Head, in the final match of the most prestigious amateur event on the golf calendar.

The final match on July 16 at the 102^nd Mass Amateur at steamy Myopia Hunt Club, which has hosted four U.S. Open Championships since its opening back in 1894, once- again pitted age vs. youth, successful veteran vs. rookie and skilled shotmaker vs. raw talent. In the end, experience won out as Hadges (Thorny Lea GC) defeated Head (Wellesley CC), 2 and 1, in 35 holes.

“When we first started the match I thought I had the advantage,” said a tired Hadges after his historic victory. “But I quickly realized after starting off that even though I had never heard of Dan, I had my hands full. He is a great guy and very good player. After witnessing his game, I know that Dan will be back here again.”

Over the course of five days of the most competitive amateur golf in these parts, the two weary warriors logged a total of 282 holes of golf. The nearly nine-hour, 36-hole final match was a perfect end to an exciting week as it was a battle that saw 11 lead changes and no player ever gain more than a two-hole advantage from start to finish. The drama, emotion, excitement and pure joy of watching two talented amateurs tangle on this stage are always cherished memories and storylines. To the victor goes the glory, but the unflappable Dan Head had a storybook week and happy ending.

“I am perfectly happy with second place,” said the classy Head, who had a large following from Wellesley CC routing for every good shot. “This is my first time in Match Play so the whole week has been surreal. Every single match I played was a bonus. To make to the finals and go deep with John Hadges is an added bonus.”

John Hadges becomes only the 19^th player to claim two Massachusetts Cup titles since its debut in 1904. He also became the fifth Thorny Lea GC member to win the prestigious title joining Ed Connell (1965), John Tosca (1959,’70), Bruce Douglas (1975,’76) and Steve Tasho (1981, ‘85).

RIWGA Championship at Crestwood Country Club

Bob Dick — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:12:22 +0000

Veteran Marissa White rallied from a four-hole deficit to defeat Westerly’s Megan Doherty 2-up in the finals of the 2010 RIWGA Championship at Crestwood C.C.

Seemingly out of contention after losing the 10th hole to fall four holes behind, White then proceeded to win the next six holes, two with birdies, to take a two up lead after 16.

Doherty, tourney medallist (76) from Holy Cross, then birdied the par 3 17th with a near ace and got to within one.

White though, clinched her first RIWGA title when she sent a perfect six iron 145 yards to within 18 inches of the cup on the par 5 18th and then rolled in the birdie putt for the victory.

Read all about White’s improbable triumph in our late July issue.

North Kingstown’s Samantha Morrell

Bob Dick — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:16:50 +0000

North Kingstown’s Samantha Morrell chalked up a stunning regional amateur victory, capturing the 54th New England Women’s Golf Association Championship with a 54-hole total of 222 at the Green Mountain National Golf Club in Killington, Vt.

The 19 year-old Morrell, who will be a sophomore at Old Dominion University this fall, carded three rounds of two over 74 and held off veteran Tara Joy Connolly from the Cohasset (Mass.) C.C. by two strokes.

Morrell wasn’t the only Rhode Island golf winner at the New England Tourney. Nancy Chaffee (RICC) won the Legend’s Trophy for golfers 65 and older with rounds of 90, 84 and 90.

Read all about Morrell’s triumph in our July 30th issue.

Fenner Hill’s Jason Hull Captured His First RIGA Major Tournament

Bob Dick — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 11:33:41 +0000

Fenner Hill’s Jason Hull captured his first RIGA major tournament when he won the R.I. Public Links Championship beating Hall of Famer Paul Quigley on their third playoff hole at the Cranston Country Club.

Hull and Quigley were deadlocked after 36 holes at one under 142. After each of them parred the first two extra holes (one and nine) Hull rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on the par 5 first hole for the championship.

Hull trailed first round leader Jamie Lukowicz (West Warwick) by one at Triggs. Lukowicz shot an opening round 2-under 70 while Hull came in at 71 and Quigley at 72. Lukowicz finished at 143 as did Swansea’s John Costa III.

Montaup’s Nancy Diemoz won the women’s division crown with a 36-hole total of 165 (83-82) edging Kay Bullock by two strokes.

Does 152 Make the Cut at RI Amateur at Wannamoisett?

Steve Heath — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:25:33 +0000

Eighteen over was the cut line for match play the last time the Rhode Island Amateur was played at Wannamoisett in East Providence. That is a pair of 78s. We will see what happens on July 6 and 7 when the State Amateur qualifying takes place. A reliable source said RIGA will go easy on the setup. The holes, on Thursday at the Northeast Amateur, were cut close to the edges of the greens. Such a setup at the local Am would reek havoc on much of the field.
With eight par-4s longer than 420 yards Wannamoisett is a beautiful beast. My hunch is golfers tend to over drive the course. They see a 444-yard golf hole and want to put a little something extra on it. That creates a good chance of, “Oh no. Did you see where that ended up?” While it is likely that a youthful long hitter will take the state crown, the setup at Wannamoisett will also lend itself to some crafty veterans who keep the ball in the short grass and chip and putt well.
Who do you think will win the RI Amateur? What do think it will take to qualify for match play? Would you take the over or the under at 152? Two years ago at Agawam, 150 earned a spot in match play.

CVS CAREMARK CHARITY CLASSIC OFFERS AFFORDABLE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Bruce Vittner — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:47:58 +0000

Kids 17 and Under are Free

Family Fun Zone Features Major League Baseball World Series Trophies

Along with Other Interactive Activities

It’s a summertime tradition you don’t want to miss. Kick off summer with a fun and affordable family outing to the June 27-29 CVS Caremark Charity Classic, where kids under 17 get in for free.

In addition to watching world-class golf at the picturesque Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, R.I., fans can participate in a variety of fun activities for all ages in the Charity Classic Fun Zone.

During a special Fun Zone appearance on Tuesday, June 29, fans can get an up-close look at both the 2004 and 2007 Boston Red Sox World Series Trophies and take home a free souvenir photo.

Mascots Wally the Green Monster of the Boston Red Sox, Paws of the Pawtucket Red Sox and Rhody Ram of the University of Rhode Island will be on hand to entertain kids throughout the three day event.

The interactive Charity Classic Fun Zone features a wide array of games and activities including miniature golf as well as face painting. In addition, the Expo Pavilion offers a variety of giveaways from tournament sponsors.

Tickets

Tickets for the CVS Caremark Charity Classic are now on sale. A three-day pass is $60, Sunday-only tickets are $20 each and tickets for either Monday or Tuesday are $25 each. Children 17 and under attend for free with a ticketed adult. The tournament offers two easy ways to purchase tickets: by phone at 866-CVS-9441 or by visiting cvscharityclassic.com and downloading a mail-in application.

Tickets for the CVS Caremark Charity Classic will be available through a special offer at CVS/pharmacy stores in Rhode Island as well as select CVS/pharmacy locations in Southeastern Massachusetts.

About the CVS Caremark Charity Classic

The CVS Caremark Charity Classic, an annual golf tournament hosted by PGA TOUR players Billy Andrade and Brad Faxon, is Rhode Island’s largest charitable sporting event.

During the last 11 years, the CVS Caremark Charity Classic has raised $13 million for charities around the region, providing vital funding for a variety of critical programs in the areas of education, family and children’s issues. For more information, visit cvscharityclassic.com.

About CVS Caremark

CVS Caremark is the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. Through our integrated offerings across the entire spectrum of pharmacy care, we are uniquely positioned to provide greater access, to engage plan participants in behaviors that improve their health, and to lower overall health care costs for plan sponsors and participants.

CVS Caremark is a market leader in mail order pharmacy, retail pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and retail clinics. We are also a leading provider of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. As one of the country’s largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), we provide access to a network of approximately 60,000 pharmacies, including approximately 7,000 CVS/pharmacy stores that provide unparalleled service and capabilities.

Our clinical expertise includes one of the industry’s most comprehensive disease management programs. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Company’s Web site at http://info.cvscaremark.com.

CONTACT:

Patti O’Donnell

773/680-4701

patti.o’donnell@peterjacobsensports.com

Fans can still join the mobile VIP club by texting CVSGOLF to 74700

Have you been to this before? We’d love to hear about your experience, so leave your comments below!