HALIFAX, Mass. – The Inaugural New England PGA Kick-Off Blind Draw Scramble was all about birdies, as two teams shot 12-under par 60 to tie for the title at the Country Club of Halifax on April 18.
Nathan Myers, Darren Falk, O’Conner and Scott Allen made six birdies on each side while Chip Johnson, Kirk Hanefeld, Christopher Kasheta and Jack Neville made 10 birdies and an eagle on the par-5 ninth to match with a 60 of their own. The eagle on the ninth gave the foursome a front-nine 29, which also included five birdies.
The Blind Draw Scramble delivered its intended purpose of bringing together NEPGA Professionals who wouldn’t play together in other events.
“It was nice to get out there playing with a bunch of different people you don’t normally see,” said James Antonelli, PGA (Marshfield CC). “The event is perfect for a mix of guys. I was able to play with a legend, Charlie Volpone. When would I be able to play with him in the same tournament? It’s nice to be with guys like that.”
Volpone, who rolled in some crucial putts on Thursday and tied for third place playing along with Antonelli, Andrew Abbott and Matt Cunningham, enjoyed competing again for the first time in a long time.
“Chip Johnson asked me to (play), and I was more than happy to because I know a lot of these guys. It’s nice to catch up and see them,” Volpone said. “Guys like me, we get out-driven by 100 yards or so and when you go to hit the second shot, you got to hit a wood shot into the green and they’re hitting wedges. But that’s the evolution of a golfer’s life.”
2019 New England PGA Blind-Draw Pro-Pro Scramble
Country Club of Halifax
Halifax, MA
Par 36-36—72
4-Man Scramble
T1 Nathan Myers: Ipswich CC, Darren Falk: Holly Ridge, Joseph O’Connor: Holly Ridge, Scott Allen: George Wright 30-30–60 -12
T1 Chip Johnson: Hatherly, Kirk Hanefeld: Salem CC, Christopher Kasheta: Red Tail Golf Club, Jack Neville Brookline GC 29-31–60 -12
T3 James Antonelli: Marshfield CC, Andrew Abbott: Granite Links, Matt Cunningham: Blue Hill, Charlie Volpone: TGC at Sacconnesset 30-31–61 -11
T3 Scott Hickey: Cyprian Keyes GC, Scott Trethewey: Bay Pointe CC, Richie Hasenfus: Needham GC 29-32–61 -11
T5 John Rainone: North Kingstown GC, David Donnellan: Hyannis, Jennifer O’Connor: Holly Ridge, Glenn Kelly: Woods Hole GC 30-32–62 -10
T5 Rusty Gunnarson: Rochester GC, Peter Walsh: Kings Crossing GC, Jim Falco: Black Swan CC 31-31–62 -10
7 Stephen Clancy: Granite Links GC, Tom Cavicchi: Harmon, David Brasington: Granite Links GC, John Dalrymple: Rockland Golf Course 32-31–63 -9
8 Dan Gillis: Nabnasset Lake CC, Nicholas Tedeschi: Granite Links GC, Bob Gunnarson: Hatherly, James Pavlik: Red Tail Golf Club 34-31–65 -7
9 Stephen Colt: CC of Halifax, Matt Zdon: Belmont CC, Skip Guss: GolfRite Performance, John O’Connor: Far Corner Golf Course 34-32–66 -6
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