AMATEUR DREAM HITS THE MASTERS
Brockton firefighter Parziale joins hunt for green jacket
It should not be a surprise that the Masters continues to celebrate the world’s best amateur golfers interspersed with the biggest names in the sport each year when the tournament tees off at Augusta National.
After all, Bobby Jones, the most accomplished amateur golfer the game has known, was the founder and co-designer of Augusta and co-founder of the Masters.
Many of the amateurs who have participated in the Masters have gone on to become tour professionals, but with the 82nd edition about to get underway tomorrow, a different type of amateur is garnering attention.
Brockton firefighter Matt Parziale is at Augusta competing for the green jacket, having earned his invitation by winning the United States Mid-Amateur in October, and he’s making the most of his newfound fame.
“For some reason, everyone loves firefighters, so they want to hear the story,” Parziale, who works on Ladder 1 in a city more known for boxing than golf, said shortly after arriving at Augusta. “I’ve had fun with it. I’ve done a lot of things I hadn’t before, so it’s been great.”
In an attempt to keep his competitive game sharp during the winter, Parziale took a leave of absence from work. He competed in the southeastern U.S. and Bermuda, and in January, he picked up a top-10 finish at the South American Amateur in Buenos Aires.
His win at the Mid-Am also gave him a spot in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in June, the U.S Amateur at Pebble Beach in August and the Mid-Am in
October.
Parziale said support inside the fire department has been strong.
“The chief (Michael Williams) has been awesome, the mayor (Bill Carpenter) has been so supportive,” he said. “The fire department and city have been great about taking a leave, and whatever I’ve needed, they’ve helped out.”
Before Masters week began Monday, Parziale was been to play Augusta nearly 10 times.
“It’s getting better each time I play it. I don’t think TV does it justice,” he said. “It’s definitely getting firmer and faster each day.
“I’m just trying to take it all in. I’ve had a great local caddie — I’ve had him every day. He’s been here for a long time, and he’s caddied a few Masters himself, so it was great to spend a few days with him. I’m just trying to see as much as possible, hit as many shots as possible, and it’s been fun. You’ve got to be creative out there, and I’ve always loved that part of the game. It tests you the whole way around.”
Parziale, 30, intended to stay on the Augusta grounds Monday night following the annual amateur dinner and planned to spend the rest of tournament week with fiancé Ali Hubbard and father Vic, who retired as a captain from the fire department after 32 years in November. During the tournament, Vic will carry the bag for Matt, who also will be cheered by a group of members from their home club (Thorny Lea in Brockton) that rents the same house every year. Could Parziale pull off a stunner and win? He said he does not have any expectations for the week, but Bovada lists him with 2,000-1 odds, the same as former champions Jose Maria Olazabal and Mike Weir.
Parizale will be paired with Weir and Brendan Steele when the trio tees off at 8:52 tomorrow morning.
In the past 60 years, the two best opening rounds for an amateur have been posted by golfers with Massachusetts ties. Jim Hallet of South Yarmouth opened with a 4-under-par 68 in 1983 and had a share of the lead midway through the second round before finishing tied for 40th overall and being awarded the Silver Cup as the low amateur. James Driscoll of Brookline, whom Parziale played with during the winter in Florida, matched the 68 in 2001.
Looking ahead, Parziale said he will compete in a couple events in Florida before heading north for next month’s Mass. Golf Four-Ball, which he has teamed with Herbie Aikens to win the past two years.
He will not be able to participate in the Mass. Open because it is during the practice days for the U.S. Open, but he will defend his titles in both the Mass. Amateur and Ouimet Tournament.