Talented field promises big test
NORTHEAST AMATEUR
It might be the weekend after a major, but it will be a great one for New England golf fans. While the PGA Tour is in Connecticut for the Travelers Championship, the top 92 amateurs are at Wannamoisett Country Club in East Providence for the 57th Northeast Amateur today through Saturday.
The list of players to win at the Donald Ross gem includes Ben Crenshaw, Luke Donald (twice) and Dustin Johnson. Those who have competed include Tiger Woods, Keegan Bradley and two-time U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka. More than 50 players who have played in the Northeast Amateur have been in the Ryder Cup.
Fresh off a tie for 48th at the U.S. Open and sharing low amateur honors, Matt Parziale of Brockton will be in the field for the fifth straight year and sixth time overall. Luis Gagne and Will Grimmer, the other two amateurs to make the cut at Shinnecock Hills, also are playing. Five other amateurs at the U.S. Open will be in the field including U.S. junior champion Noah Goodwin.
“This is one of my favorite places in New England. The conditions are always terrific, great holes. You can’t beat it,” Parziale said. “It’s fun to compete here, it’s hard to compete here because there are so many good players. It’s hard to get yourself into contention.”
Parziale’s top finish at the Northeast was a tie for 18th in 2015.
In addition to Parziale, there will be a strong lo- cal contingent including Wellesley 16-year-old Mike Thorbjornsen, 19-year-old Davis Chatfield from Attleboro and Notre Dame, reigning New England Amateur champion Bobby Leopold and four-time Rhode Island amateur champ Brad Valois.
Some of the top names in college golf will be in attendance including defending champion Collin Morikawa of California and individual runner-up Brandon Mancheno of Auburn.
Brookline native James Driscoll, who made seven appearances in this event from 1994-2001, finished in a tie for fifth in 2000.
“That was always one of my favorite events,” said Driscoll, who has had a lengthy pro career that includes winning twice on the Nationwide/Web.com Tour. “They were so nice. They gave me a spot there when I was like 16. I always looked forward to it because it was like 45 minutes away from home and the best amateurs in the world would come play.”
Wannamoisett is considered among the best courses designed by Ross. The Donald Ross Society uses a picture of the third green as its logo. It measures just 6,732 yards, a rare par 69 with just one par 5.
“The third hole is probably one of the best holes I’ve ever played,” Parziale said. “It’s a 130-yard par 3, just the coolest place. Greens are tricky, they’re awesome. The rough is usually up. You’ve got to drive it straight. You don’t have to drive it long, but if you drive it long and straight you’re going to have some wedges in and be able to score.”
Current PGA Tour player and Mattapoisett native Peter Uihlein holds the tournament record with a 15-under 261 set in 2011.