QUECHEE, VT – Twenty-three-year-old Braden Shattuck joined an exclusive and distinguished group of players when he made the 43rd New England Open his first major victory as a professional, and it is memorable for two reasons.
First, it took a birdie on the first sudden-death playoff hole against 20-year old amateur Drake Hull, a senior on the UCONN golf team, to complete the task and enjoy the walk down victory lane, after posting rounds of 70-66-136, 8-under par, on the rolling hills of The Highland Course at The Quechee Club.
Second, the $5,000 first place check was Shattuck’s biggest payday yet after a two-year pro career not noted for making hefty deposits into his bank account by playing golf.
“I played good, solid golf for two days,” said Shattuck, from Ashton, PA in a post-round interview, whose 66 was low round of the tournament. “You don’t need to hit a ton of drivers here but I was getting the ball on the green and putted well. I played Quechee three years ago and feel comfortable out here. I’m very happy to have a bogey-free final round.”
For Drake Hull, who lives in nearby Rutland, Vermont, the experience was both thrilling and bittersweet. He fired an opening round 67 and shared the first day lead with five other players and he followed that up with a 3-under 69 for his 8-under two-day total.
“This was my first experience playing in the final group of a pro tournament so it’s a big deal for me,” said Hull, a bit disappointed after the playoff. “I drove it nicely and had a lot of looks for birdie both days. And I played it one shot at a time today. It’s nice to finish low amateur but I would have liked to brought home the victory!”
Since Braden Shattuck posted his score well before the final groups, and with a six-hour ride back home to Ashton, PA he considered packing up and starting the long journey before the leaders finished. He decided to stay, and two hours later he no longer was alone at the top of the leaderboard, but rather, preparing for a playoff.
On the first playoff hole, Shattuck buried a 15-foot birdie putt to put the pressure on Hull who had a chance to match and extend the playoff. Hull burned the edge and just like that the New England Open had a new winner. Shattuck couldn’t help but smile and pump his fist knowing he just won the prestigious 2018 New England Open.
The 2018 New England Open, offering a total purse of $30,000, proved what we all knew – that the young guns are dominating local, regional and national leaderboards. Going into the final round, six competitors were tied at 5-under par (67). The Championship was clearly up for grabs with 20 players within three shots of the lead. And, with improved weather conditions on day two, competitors enjoyed sunshine and barely any wind.
Rounding out the top 10 and shooting 7-under par included: Griffin Brown (Hollis, NH), Chris Wiatr (Woodbury, CT), Bart George (Arnold, MD), Matt Hutchins(a) (Naples, FL), and Jack Wyman (a) (Freeport, ME) who all tied for third place each pocketing a $2,975 check, except for the amateurs. Shawn Warren (Cape Elizabeth, ME), was low New England PGA Professional carding a 5-under 139.
Sponsored by the New England PGA, the success of the New England Open is made possible by its hosts – Quechee Club Head PGA Professional TJ Anthoine, Superintendent Brett Bailey and the entire Quechee Club membership. Partners included Turkish Airlines, Mohegan Sun, The Lincoln Motor Company, and PGA of America.
For more information: www.nepga.com
June 6, 2018
2018 New England Open Championship
Quechee Club
Quechee, VT
Par 72-72–144
Final Results
1 Braden Shattuck, Aston, PA: 70-66–136 -8 $5000.00
2 Drake Hull (a), West Rutland, VT: 67-69–136 -8
T3 Griffin Brown, Hollis, NH: 70-67–137 -7 $2975.00
T3 Chris Wiatr, Woodbury, CT: 69-68–137 -7 $2975.00
T3 Bart George, Arnold, MD: 68-69–137 -7 $2975.00
T3 Matt Hutchins (a), Naples, FL: 67-70–137 -7
T3 Jack Wyman (a), South Freeport, ME: 67-70–137 -7
T8 Thomas Stirling, Sarasota, FL: 68-70–138 -6 $1587.50
T8 Evan Harmeling, Burlington, VT: 67-71–138 -6 $1587.50
T10 Alex Rainville, Waterford, VT: 70-69–139 -5 $1362.50
T10 Shawn Warren, Cape Elizabeth, ME: 68-71–139 -5 $1362.50
12 Jonathan Pannone, East Greenwich, RI: 69-71–140 -4 $1225.00
T13 Thomas Henderson, Palm Beach Gardens, FL: 72-69–141 -3 $1022.00
T13 Christopher Gentle, Lowell, MA: 72-69–141 -3 $1022.00
T13 Jesse Larson, Mendon, VT: 71-70–141 -3 $1022.00
T13 Sam Brackett, Homosassa, FL: 71-70–141 -3 $1022.00
T13 Matt Arvanitis, Hooksett, NH: 69-72–141 -3 $1022.00
T18 Mackenzie Nelson (a), Lexington, MA: 72-70–142 -2
T18 Evan Russell, Stowe, VT: 70-72–142 -2 $830.00
T18 Eddy Black (a), Shrewsbury, MA: 70-72–142 -2
T18 Ryan Tombs (a), Bedford, NH: 69-73–142 -2
T18 Andrew Roy, Seekonk, MA: 67-75–142 -2 $830.00
T23 Sam Grindle, Deer Isle, ME: 75-68–143 -1 $675.83
T23 Rico Riciputi, Portsmouth, NH: 73-70–143 -1 $675.83
T23 Peter French, Franklin, MA: 71-72–143 -1 $675.83
T23 Blake Morris, Hobe Sound, FL: 70-73–143 -1 $675.83
T23 Mickey Werenski, South Hadley, MA: 70-73–143 -1 $675.83
T23 Rich Berberian, Hooksett, NH: 69-74–143 -1 $675.83
T29 Michael Martel, New Ipswich, NH: 72-72–144 E $143.75
T29 Ben Bershad, Orlando, FL: 72-72–144 E $143.75
T29 Patrick Kowker, Falmouth, ME: 71-73–144 E $143.75
T29 Nick Antonelli, Atkinson, NH: 70-74–144 E $143.75
*Won on first hole of sudden death playoff
(a) Denotes amateur player
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