Hermanson adds to his already impressive amateur golf resume
B ill Hermanson has won his share of golf tournaments during his highly-successful amateur career.
No one has captured more Black Hall Club men's championships than Hermanson, who's from East Lyme. He also has state amateur, state mid-amateur and state senior amateur titles on his resume. Add one more victory to his total. Competing in the 13th Tournament of Champions on Tuesday at Bull's Bridge Golf Club in South Kent, Hermanson fought off a stiff challenge from his fellow competitors and closed out the senior division win on the third playoff hole. with a par on the 393-yard, par 4, third hole.
His round featured an eagle on the first hole, 14 pars and a birdie on No. 18. He played solid golf, hitting 17 greens in regulation.
"I hit the ball really well," Hermanson said in a release from the Connecticut State Golf Association. "I hit a lot of greens, even missing a few birdie putts. But I'm pleased."
Tony Siragusa of Great Neck Country Club in Waterford tied for 10th at 4-over 76.
It also was a good day for another local golfer.
Josh Cameron, a member at Norwich Golf Course, placed second in the open division, shooting a 72 to trail winner Patrick Griffin of Blue Fox Run by just one stroke. Cameron had three birdies, 12 pars and three bogeys. He tied for third in last year's event.
Justin Beal of Fox Hopyard tied for ninth with a 76.
• Two Elmridge Golf Course veterans battled for the club's senior championship on Saturday, with Pete Stefanski using a birdie on the first extra hole to nip Anthony Kargul. Stefanski also won the club championship this summer. Ken Textor defeated Bruce Lowe to win the senior first flight title.
Short putts
• First-time club champions grabbed the headlines at Monday's Championship Day at Great Neck Country Club in Waterford.
Andrew Cavasino scored a satisfying break-through victory after falling short in his previous two trips to the men's club final. A runnerup last year, he clinched the crown by beating first-time finalist Tony Siragusa in the 36-hole event. Cavasino knocked off Tim Ververis
"When I was in the minor leagues with the guys, they really showed me why I still play this game," he said. "... Just keep on having fun. You never know what might happen. Your career could be over."
After becoming the first player in Red Sox history to wear No. 0, in one swing the guy with the zero became a gameday hero. Andrew Benintendi singled with one out off Minter (4-3) and Steve Pearce struck out, bringing up Phillips, who homered on the first pitch.
Braves left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who hit another leadoff homer in the first, didn't move as Phillips' shot sailed over his head. Phillips scored three runs, drew two walks and made the most of his first hit with Boston.
In a game packed with momentum shifts, Freeman hit his tiebreaking homer off Brandon Workman (4-0). Freeman was given his first break from the starting lineup this season before coming off the bench in a defensive switch.
Atlanta led 7-1 before Boston scored six times in the eighth to tie the game. Atlanta reliever Dan Winkler gave up four hits and four runs without retiring a batter.
Christian Vazquez got two hits in the inning, Blake Swihart hit a two-run double and pinch-hitter Ian Kinsler tied the game with a two-run single.
The Red Sox sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning, using five pinch-hitters and batting about 40 minutes against four relievers.
Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 38th save.
Ozzie Albies hit a two-run triple in Atlanta's five-run fifth inning that made it 7-1.
With the sweep, Boston has won 25 of its last 29 games against National League teams. Boston began the day leading the second-place Yankees by 8 ½ games in the AL East. NL East-leading Atlanta was three games ahead of Philadelphia.
The Braves scored five runs in the fifth off reliever Drew Pomeranz, who recorded only one out.
Not Folty's fault
The collapse by the Braves' bullpen wasted a strong start by right-hander Mike Foltynewicz, who gave up only two hits and one run in six innings. He provided stability, with two walks and five strikeouts.
Up next
Red Sox: LHP David Price, who suffered a bruised left wrist when hit by a line drive in his last start against Miami on Aug. 29, will start when Boston opens a home series against Houston on Friday in another matchup of first-place teams. The Red Sox are off on today.