State Amateur Qualifier at Cranston CC
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
CRANSTON – Players competed in the first of three 120th State Amateur qualifiers Wednesday at Cranston Country Club.
Despite challenging weather conditions, two players – Johnathon Sayles (Warwick CC) and Parker Kroll (Quidnessett CC) – finished as co-medalists after shooting 1-under 70. The top 21 players also advanced to the championship proper June 23-27 at Rhode Island Country Club.
"It was a great round," Sayles said. "I hit the ball pretty solid all day, made some putts, didn't make too many mistakes and the greens were rolling great. It was a good day."
Sayles qualified for the State Amateur last season on his home course, but did not make the cut, so he's looking forward to another opportunity next month at RICC.
"Every year it's my favorite tournament," he said. "I haven't had any points for Player of the Year, but just making it and being part of it is great . . . (2024 at Warwick CC) was a great tournament. The course was playing very hard and there was lots of wind. I missed it by a couple of shots, so that was tough. Warwick was a great host and I'm looking forward to Rhode Island."
Similar to Warwick CC, Rhode Island CC sits on Narragansett Bay and will be a challenging course for this season's State Amateur.
"Since being at Warwick my whole life, I have good ball flight in the wind, so that's probably going to play a big key at Rhode Island as well," Sayles said. "Just keep hitting it in play, hitting some good irons and making some putts."
Despite the cold and windy conditions Wednesday at Cranston CC, the entire field was impressed with the course.
"It was great," Sayles said. "Our threesome was actually talking about it and how great the greens were the last two years. Even in the rough, the ball sat up pretty good. It was great."
Foster Country Club and Fenner Hill Golf Club will host the next two State Amateur qualifiers on June 4 and June 10, respectively.