Shadows of the Past Reach Rhode Island CC
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
BARRINGTON – A gentle breeze made its way across the final four holes along Narragansett Bay at Rhode Island Country Club as Bobby Leopold made a bogey on the 16th hole.
It almost felt like Daniel Fairchild was making his presence known on Day 1 of the 120th Rhode Island State Amateur Championship.
Leopold, a five-time State Amateur champion, is one victory shy of matching Fairchild's all-time record of six championships – 1907, 1909, 1916, 1918, 1919 and 1921. In fact, Leopold has won the last two State Amateur championships, so he could be poised for three straight and six overall.
"It's in the back of my mind every shot, but I'm trying my best to ignore it. (My caddie) Gianni (Fontenault) is doing a good job talking about everything but golf. So far, so good. I'm sure as things progress it'll get tougher and tougher get rid of those thoughts, but I'll try my best."
Leopold has created an impressive resume and is considered by many as one of the best Rhode Island amateurs of his generation. So, he totally understands that the entire field here wants to keep him at bay.
"Every time you win, and every time you're defending, you've got a target on your back because everyone wants to beat you. I'm feeling (the pressure) a little bit more, especially winning two in a row, probably the target is even bigger now. We'll see what happens," he said.
This is the 18th time Rhode Island Country Club has hosted the State Amateur and its membership has gone above and beyond to host this elite championship. Fairchild won his fifth here in 1919 and Leopold is attempting to earn his sixth 106 years later.
"Loads of history here," he said. "I've actually have my yardage book and either Brett Quigley or Paul (Quigley) gave it to me and it's from 2012, but that's what I use. The (golf course) has changed a lot, but it's a CVS Charity players' book, so it's pretty cool to know the CVS Charity Classic was here for a long time. It's a great spot, have done a lot of good work to it and we're all fortunate to be able to come out here and play all week."
Since Leopold is the defending state champion, he earned an exemption to compete in the 63rd Northeast Amateur Invitational last week on his home course – Wannamoisett Country Club. He missed the cut by two strokes, but he was more focused on ramping up his game for this week at Rhode Island CC. He finished 34-36 – 70 after Round 1 and was content with his performance.
"Played steady," he said. "Made a couple of mistakes coming in [bogey on 16], but hit a lot of good shots, played nicely. Lost the speed on the last few holes because surprisingly they slowed up in the heat – they were quicker in the morning then slowed up a little bit. I'm happy with it and anything under par is a good start."
Leopold earned medalist honors the two previous seasons and believes it sets the tone for the remainder of the championship.
"It's hard. This place is hard once the wind gets going, you can miss it in the wrong spots, so I'm just focus on the shot I want to hit, and if that happens, I'll be in a good spot for (Round 2)."
The RIGA continued its tradition of having the reigning Amateur, Junior Amateur and Senior Amateur winners play in the same group during Round 1, so Leopold, Jesse Hellring (2-over) and John Drohen (3-over) made their way around Rhode Island CC Monday.
"It's fun," Leopold said. "The last few years I've played with a bunch of different people and it's really good. It's nice of (the RIGA) to do it because it's a little bit of history, a little bit of tradition."
Fairchild's legacy has more than Leopold to worry about.
Fairchild was described as "the boy wonder" during his era since he won his first State Amateur in 1907 at age 16, making him the youngest person to accomplish the feat, a record that stands to this day. However, Gavin Walsh, 16, has an opportunity to match Fairchild's record this week. Walsh, a rising junior at Bishop Feehan High School, finished as the medalist (even-par 71) during the Foster Country Club qualifier. He finished even-par 71 after Round 1 Monday.
If records are made to be broken, or matched, Daniel Fairchild will be in great company if that comes to fruition.