Locals Qualify for 2024 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
NARRAGANSETT – Mother Nature has wreaked havoc on the 2023 golf season in the Northeast, but it was a near-perfect day for the 9th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball qualifier Tuesday at Point Judith Country Club.
The eclectic field took advantage of the conditions as the event featured just about everything that could possibly occur on a golf course. The day concluded in exciting fashion as the Kirkbrae team of Tommy McCormick and Michael Hamilton joined the brother duo of Ben and David Spitz as the two teams to advance to the 2024 USGA Four-Ball Championship May 25-29 at Philadelphia Cricket Club in Philadelphia, Pa. Both teams finished 7-under 64 to qualify.
McCormick and Hamilton finally felt the rush of advancing after missing out several times in the past. In fact, afterwards Hamilton said their accomplishment hadn’t sunk in yet.
“It’s sweet, sweet, sweet victory,” added McCormick. “We walked off this tournament at Ledgemont, Newport National (twice), Connecticut National, Kirkbrae, Point Judith and we missed by one every single time. At some point, we thought it had to happen, but each year others chirped us, and it put more pressure on us. I was way more focused this year than in years past because I was sick of it.”
They credit their success Tuesday on pinpoint putting.
“We didn’t miss any putts that we should have made and those are the ones that keep your momentum going,” Hamilton said. “This is the first year we went bogey-free, so that was key.”
Normally, after an individual, or team qualifies, it’s only a few weeks later when they play the tournament. This time it’s difference since they have to wait until next spring to compete on a national level.
“I can’t eat a bunch of cheeseburgers over the winter because I need to stay in shape,” McCormick said with a laugh.
Hamilton had one better: “I had to tell (my wife) Daphne that we can’t go to Italy on our one-year wedding anniversary until after the tournament, but she’s excited for us because she loves us both. We’ll make a nice little trip out of it.”
Since McCormick and Hamilton had an earlier tee time, they were in the clubhouse first and had to wait until the brothers Spitz finished as the last group of the day. They finished with a birdie on No. 18 to clinch the tie at 7-under.
“It’s sweet. It’s awesome,” Ben said.
Unlike McCormick and Hamilton, the Spitz brother have played in the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship when they competed at Winged Foot in 2016. They’ve also had a few near misses in the past, but Tuesday felt good.
“It’ll be great,” David said. “It’ll be such a great experience.”
The Massachusetts natives both played golf at the University of Rhode Island, so they’re familiar with Point Judith, which is the Rams’ home course. Ben said it felt like a homecoming.
“It was so cool to be back at Point Judith,” David said. “This place is sweet. We have good vibes here form college and a lot of nostalgia, too. Yeah, it’s pretty awesome.”
ACE IN THE HOLE
Kirkbrae’s Larry Lafauci didn’t see his ball bounce in, but plenty of others watched as he recorded an ace on No. 9. He hit his pitching wedge from 130 yards as the ball landed less than a foot from the hole and bounced in.
“Everything’s luck,” he said. “I felt really good this morning and just made a good swing. I just wanted to hit a good shot and try to make birdie, but I got lucky and it went in.”
It’s his third career hole-in-one, including one at Triggs Memorial and the other at Doral in Miami. Lafauci and fellow Kirkbrae member Derek Audette finished T11 after shooting 3-under 68.
“Any competition is good, so any time I can do this it’s really fun,” Lafauci said. “I get up for it and I don’t sleep that much at night. I get excited about it."
BACK IN ACTION
Michael Carbone hasn’t played competitive golf in four years, but admitted he was nervous leading into the qualifier. After playing on the pro circuit for a few years, he had to wait to regain his amateur status. The transition back to the amateur side has been a lot less stressful than what he’s experienced in the past.
“Being older now, married for awhile, I don’t quite get as upset, or bothered,” he said. “As an amateur, worst case you don’t make it, so it’s no big deal. It’s not like a paycheck, so that’s the biggest difference.”
Carbone, a two-time winner of the Rhode Island Open (2009, 2017) partnered with former NHLer, Ryan Whitney, at Point Judith Tuesday and the team finished T8 at 4-under 67. The two became friends while playing together at Old Sandwich on Cape Cod.
“We get along so well and he’s a great guy,” Carbone said.
It was the first time Whitney has played Point Judith and he was obviously impressed with the Donald Ross design.
“It was great to get out here today. This course is beautiful,” he said. “It’s an unreal spot and it’s in perfect condition. It was a great day, first nice day in awhile. It was fun.”
Playing in his first RIGA event in nearly six years, Carbone recalled his two winning seasons as Rhode Island Open champion.
“I’ll never forget winning at Newport National and then winning at Ledgemont, which still feels like yesterday,” he said.
It was also interesting to see Massachusetts golf legend, Jim Renner, caddying for the group.
“Having Renner here was a home run,” Carbone said. “I didn’t have to help Whit once. It was great to have Jimmy because he’s a huge part of it.”
Carbone was one of a several URI alums to compete Tuesday and it was the first time he’s played Point Judith since his senior year in 2003.
“It brings back a lot of great memories,” he said. “It’s been 20 years. This has always been a special place to me.”