One for the Ages
BARRINGTON – The match between Bobby Leopold and Harry Dessel will be considered as one of the best in modern history.
When people recall the 120th State Amateur Championship at Rhode Island Country Club, they'll certainly remember this match.
It was epic. It lasted 23 holes and finished with Leopold making a birdie putt on the par 3 fifth hole to end it. Both players were exhausted after playing in the Round of 32 before meeting in the Round of 16. This match had all the makings of a championship match. In fact, this is the third time these competitors have played against each other in as many years during the State Amateur.
Leopold defeated Dessel in finals at Montaup Country Club in 2023, and again in the quarterfinals in 2024 at Warwick Country Club. This is only the beginning of this rivalry.
"Substantially," Leopold said when asked how Dessel's game has improved. "Every match I play against him gets tougher and tougher. This match could have gone either way. He has a lot of qualities I have in my game, and I see that with him. He's so steady. He doesn't make mistakes. Sometimes you can rely on your opponents beating themselves and he doesn't do that. We'll probably battle until I'm 60 at this rate."
Leopold is chasing history. The 5-time State Amateur champion is attempting to tie Daniel Fairchild's record of six championships. Interestingly, Dessel is Fairchild's great grandnephew.
While Dessel, 22, continues to hone his skills, Leopold, 40, continues to showcase his lethal combination of talent and experience. Because of his success, every player in Rhode Island would like to dethrone him.
Dessel had his opportunity Wednesday on his home course but came up a bit shy of his goal. Leopold led the match until Dessel tied it on the ninth hole. Leopold regained the lead with a birdie putt on No. 12 until Dessel tied it again on No. 16. The match remained as the two walked up the 18th fairway. Dessel's second shot landed just above the hole, while Leopold came up short and his ball rolled back down the front of the green.
After the match, Leopold admitted he thought he was buried, but he made a brilliant 80-foot uphill putt and nestled his ball right next to the hole, putting all the pressure on Dessel to make the birdie putt. Unfortunately for Dessel, his attempt lipped out and the match went to extra holes.
"Forcing extra holes was like an extra life for me, because I didn't see that coming," Leopold said. "He burned the edge on 18 and it probably should've, could've gone in type of thing," Leopold said.
He said he didn't think he played well on the first couple playoff holes, but they battled.
"I stuck with it and made some really good putts coming down the stretch," Leopold said.
On the par 4 fourth hole, Leopold was well above the hole with what most would consider an impossible putt. The gallery around the green, mostly Rhode Island Country Club members rooting for the hometown guy, felt this was Dessel's opportunity. However, Leopold drained the 10-footer and a loud gasp from the gallery followed. On the final hole of the match, Leopold made birdie to close out.
"Being able to dig deep and find a way to make those putts when you need to kind of keeps you going," explained Leopold. "The putt I made on (No. 4/22ndhole) I had no business making that putt. It was such a hard putt. You putt that during stroke play, and I miss that nine out of 10 times because you're just trying to die it in the hole, but I knew I had to make it. The last putt on the par 3, I don't know how it went in. My wife and kids were home like, 'When is he coming home, can we finish this already.' So, it was really nice to see it go in."
Whoever wins the 120th State Amateur Championship will deserve it. The accolades will follow and name etched on the State Amateur trophy. Still, this match between Leopold and Dessel was one for the ages.
