Field Set for 120th State Amateur Championship
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
BARRINGTON – Rhode Island Country Club, an historic venue on Narragansett Bay, has hosted several elite golf events and that tradition will continue with the 120thState Amateur Championship.
After three qualifying rounds – Cranston CC, Foster CC and Fenner Hill GC – along with an already impressive exempt list, the field is complete as the state's best golfers will tackle the seaside Donald Ross course June 23-27.
Rhode Island Country Club and its members have been preparing for this event with enthusiasm since it agreed to host the championship five years ago. In fact, this is the 18th time RICC has hosted the State Amateur Championship. Brad Valois last won it in 2006 at Rhode Island CC.
"We're very happy and we look forward to it," said club president Dan Cregan. "We were founded in 1911 and have hosted (the State Amateur) 18 times and we're happy to have the tournament again this year. We have had a very impressive roster of winners."
Defending State Amateur champion, Bobby Leopold, became only the fourth player to win this championship five times when he outlasted Michael Hamilton after 39 holes last July at Warwick CC. Leopold, of Wannamoisett CC, will attempt to tie Daniel Fairchild's record of six state championships, which he earned between 1907 and 1921. Fairchild won the 1919 State Amateur at Rhode Island CC. In 1983, Billy Andrade defeated Paul Quigley, 6&4, during an epic competition here.
"The Amateur is always the best event of the year and the one everyone wants to win," Leopold said. "I haven't given much thought to the record, yet, but that could definitely be in the back of my mind down the stretch. Defending the title is a hard task, but knowing I've done it before gives me confidence I can do it again. Rhode Island CC is a great track with some quirks and tricky greens that will make for an exciting week. Wind will definitely play a factor, especially given the (June dates) of the tournament this year."
In preparation for the State Amateur, renovations were made at Rhode Island CC. During the last two seasons, the club expanded the run-off area on a few greens and widened a few fairways. Nancy Chaffee, 81, is a lifelong member here and is considered the "iron woman" of golf in the state.
"We have one of the best golf courses in the state, so having (State Amateur) here and seeing all the young kids will be great. I love it," Chaffee said.
During the final qualifier on Tuesday at Fenner Hill GC, weather was a factor, but after a 1:37 early-afternoon delay play resumed and Matthew Costello, of Segregansett CC, took advantage. He shot 2-under 70 and finished as the medalist to punch his ticket to the Amateur.
"It was pretty calm out there, a lot of pars, just played some boring golf," he said of his round. "I kept the ball in front of me, made some putts on the back nine when I needed to."
Costello remembers playing Rhode Island CC when he was a kid, but now there's more at stake.
"I'm excited," said the rising sophomore at the University of Connecticut. "I think my best golf is coming, so I'll take every opportunity as it comes and I'm excited to play and compete. I played (RICC) once when I was a little kid, so I'm excited to get back out there."
It will be a challenging competition and conditions will be a key factor for the entire field. Thanks to superintendent Andrew Hannah and his staff, conditions are already phenomenal at Rhode Island CC. Cregan understands putting will be the key to winning.
"Anyone who is playing will know we're a Donald Ross course, so it will come down to the greens," he said. "The greens will be firm and fast during the Amateur, so it will be where you put the ball on the green. For example: On 18, if you land the ball on the front (of the green), it will spin back down the hill 40 yards.
There are several signature holes, including the picturesque par-3 17th on the water with the lighthouse in the background. However, the par-4 14th is sneaky impressive, too, with elevation changes and a blind shot to the green.
The 120th edition of this championship proper has all the makings of an historic week and everyone is looking forward to it.
"Rhode Island Country club and its membership is very excited to host the State Amateur this year," Cregan said. "We look forward to showing off our Donald Ross golf course, especially the last four holes on the Bay."