Golf Club of Cape Cod to Host Inaugural Foon Cup
The inaugural Foon Cup will be contested on August 19th at the highly acclaimed Golf Club of Cape Cod. The competition, named in honor of the “Godfather of Junior Golf”, Steve Feinstein, will pit 20 of the Challenge Cup's top players (captained by Feinstein) against 20 Challenge Cup alums (captained by yours truly).
Feinstein’s contributions to the game of golf are extensive, as he has served as a past President and Golf Chairman at Ledgemont Country Club, he is a current member of the board of directors for two of the most prestigious national junior tournaments in the country; the Optimist International and the Orange Bowl International championships, he is the current President of the United States Challenge Cup and a tournament director for the Future Collegians World Tour. In 2012, Steve served as the president of the RIGA. His commitment extends beyond the golf course as well, as he is a soundboard to countless parents and players.
The tournament, which will be one of the major highlights on the Challenge Cup calendar, is a fitting tribute to annually recognize Steve’s contributions to the game, most notably “Challenge Cup Nation”.
Gately Still Making an Impact
In recognition of Barry Gately’s tireless contributions to junior golf, in 2011 the Challenge Cup deemed the month of April, “Barry Gately Month”. It had been an annual tribute in the month of April to recognize the late Challenge Cup president’s birthday on April 28th (a ribbing he thoroughly enjoyed).
After a successful career in the printing business, Barry dedicated the final 30 years of his life to the betterment of our youth. Despite suffering a stroke in 2005, Barry still was a fixture at virtually all of the Challenge Cup’s competitions (unless of course it was football season at GDA).
In addition to this recognition, the Challenge Cup established a tournament in Barry’s name (the Gately Cup) in 2003. The 36-hole stroke play competition brings together junior golfers and collegiate players. Two scholarships in Barry’s name are distributed annually. This year’s event will be contested at Connecticut National GC on August 21-22.
Curran & Uihlein Sizzle
Former Challenge Cup standouts Jon Curran and Peter Uihlein are off to good starts in 2013.
Curran, a two-time Challenge Cup Player of the Year, has earned two wins on the NGA Tour this season. His first victory was a special one, as it came on the one year anniversary of his father Peter’s passing. The following week, Curran Monday Qualified for the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open by posting an 8-under par 63. In the tournament proper Curran was in the hunt through two rounds and finished tied for 24th. Most recently, the Massachusetts native fired a final round 8-under par 63 to earn his second NGA title. Curran currently leads the NGA Tour’s “Race to Tahoe”, a series of events which awards a sponsor’s exemption into the PGA Tour’s Reno Tahoe Open in August.
Uihlein, who is primarily playing overseas, has had a few chances to win tournaments on both the European and PGA Tours this season. The 2010 US Amateur Champion held the lead through 36-holes at the Puerto Rico Open (where he settled for a tie for 6th) and the Open de Espana (where he tied for 8th). Uihlein currently ranks 69th on the European Tour Money List. Victory…….Barrett Leads Team Bradley to Ryder Cup Title
2011 Challenge Cup Player of the Year Chelso Barrett fired a 2-under par 69 to lead Team Bradley to the team title at the 23rd annual Northeast Junior Ryder Cup at Ledgemont CC. Barrett, who finished regulation tied with Team Fowler’s John VanDerlaan, birdied the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to earn medalist honors.
VanDerlaan had staked himself to a 3-stroke lead over the outward nine by posting a tournament record 5-under par 31. The Florida Southern commit couldn’t maintain that brilliance over the closing nine. Meanwhile, Barrett, who is TCU bound this fall, played consistent golf carding nines of 34-35 to force a play-off.
The team competition was one of the most exciting in the event’s history as a mere 7 shots separated the four teams. West Barnstable’s Matt Hills (37 over the closing nine) and Barrett helped Team Bradley close the deal.
“I missed this event last year because it conflicted with Sage Valley. This is one of my favorite Challenge Cup competitions. I was happy I could play this year and help the team to victory,” stated Barrett.
“This is an awesome event for the kids,” chimed in former captain Chris Simmons. “From the course to the amenities, it is first rate. The annual assemblage of talent at this competition is impressive. Wake Forest commit Ben Balter made the trip here from Naples, Florida. I think that says it a lot about Ben and this event.”
For the 23rd consecutive year, participants were outfitted with team golf shirts and Pro V1 golf balls courtesy of Footjoy and Titleist. Once again, the traditional team lunch was provided by Challenge Cup Tour sponsor Spinal Technology Inc. The scoreboard created by Ledgemont head professional Todd Campbell is like no other. It is no wonder with the aforementioned amenities and the chance to play one of New England’s finest courses that the New England Junior Ryder Cup is the best one day junior competition in all of golf.
Team Results Captain
Team Bradley Dave Adamonis Jr. - Steve DeSantis 215-228-443
Team Fowler Garrett Medeiros 222-223-445
Team Palmer Steve Feinstein 224-222-446
Team McDowell Alex Jestings 228-222-450
Individual Results City/State Team
1.Chelso Barrett 2013 Keene, NH Bradley 34-35-69 won play-off
2.John VanDerlaan 2014 Southbury, CT Fowler 31-38-69
3.Connor Greenleaf 2014 Windham, NH Palmer 34-37-71
4.Billy Walthouse 2013 Longmeadow, MA Palmer 38-35-73
4.Ben Balter 2013 Wellesley, MA Fowler 38-36-74
4.Brett Thomas 2014 Medfield, MA Fowler 38-36-74
4.Michael VanDerlaan 2015 Southbury, CT McDowell 37-37-74
8.Ethan Zexter 2013 Rumford, RI Palmer 40-35-75
8.Patrick Welch 2018 Providence, RI McDowell 37-38-75
8.Kevin Gately 2013 Pembroke, MA Fowler 38-37-75
8.Matthew Naumec 2015 Wilbraham, MA McDowell 40-35-75
Grenus, Higgins, Hickman Tops at Adamonis Players’ Championship
After nine holes of the opening round at the 25th annual Dave Adamonis Sr. Players’ Championship most prognosticators would have all but handed reigning RIGA Amateur Champion Charlie Blanchard the hardware. After all, Blanchard had fired a 5-under par 30 over the opening nine at Point Judith CC (which was playing 1-stroke lower in relation to par as the 8th hole was shortened to a par-3 due to a drainage project). The fact that Blanchard maintained his solid play over the closing nine, en route to a 4-under par 66 only added to the belief that the tournament was over. But as the adage goes…. “This is why we play the game.”
After a docile day for Point Judith standards, Blanchard held a 4-stroke advantage over 2010 MGA Player of the Year Brian Higgins. The trio of John Sawka, Brian Carlson and Peter Richards were 5-strokes back. 16-year old Evan Grenus led another group of players 6-strokes in the rear of Blanchard.
The final round at Warwick CC proved to be extremely challenging as fierce winds and a constant rain pelted players in the final groups over the inward nine. Blanchard maintained his lead at the turn, but Rhode Island’s most celebrated amateur over the past decade came unglued over the final nine. A ten at the par-5 15th hole all but sealed Blanchard’s fate, leaving Evan Grenus and Brian Higgins in a see-saw battle over the final holes.
“I was fighting it all day,” stated Blanchard. “Even though I was hitting it crooked, I still had a chance to win if I had played the 15th less aggressively.”
While Blanchard began to struggle on the back nine, Grenus and Higgins continued to play solid golf despite brutal conditions. Grenus was unaware of his status until he reached the 18th hole.
“I was just trying to put together a good round,” said Grenus. “I thought I had a good chance to win the Junior Division, but I didn’t know what was going on two groups back.”
Grenus posted an unbelievable 1-over par round of 70. Higgins countered with a 3-over par 72, setting up the 3rd play-off in the event’s history with both players posting 3-over par 142 totals.
Grenus ended the play-off quickly by making a routine par on the demanding 451-yard 1st hole. Higgins drove into the trees on the left side and couldn’t recover to make a par.
“I felt like I played well enough to win. Evan played just a little better. Today’s round (by Grenus) was impressive. All you can do is tip your cap,” reflected Higgins.
“To beat the likes of Brian, Charlie and Doug (Clapp) is a big deal. They are three of the best players in New England golf, three of the best mid-amateurs in the country,” stated the new champion.
While Higgins came up short for the overall title he did take home top honors in the Mid-Amateur Division besting Ellington, Connecticut’s John Sawka by 2-strokes.
For the second consecutive year New Bedford’s Bob Hickman rolled to victory in the Legends Division by carding rounds of 74-78 for a 152 total.
The Dave Adamonis Sr. Players’ Championship originally recognized as the Tournament Players’ Championship was permanently renamed in Dave’s memory following his passing in 2009. Adamonis Sr.’s commitment to the game of golf, most specifically junior golf is unrivaled. In creating the Challenge Cup program it was his intention to provide junior golfers with the opportunity to use competitive golf as a vehicle to college. Currently, 231 Challenge Cup alumni are playing college golf. Twenty-two are members of an Ivy League team. Many of these young men and women have received scholarships to attend college.
Speaking of women 15-year old Megan Khang became the first female participant in the event’s 25-year history… and she proved she belonged finishing tied for 15th (playing from the same tees).
“My father and Dave Adamonis thought it would be good preparation to play this event in before the upcoming US Women’s Open Qualifier. The yardages in this event are close to the ones I will be playing from for the US Women’s Open and US Women’s Amateur (two tournaments that Khang qualified for last year). It was a great experience. I plan on doing it again.”
Dave Adamonis Players’ Championship
Final Results
Round 1 @ Point Judith CC – Par 70
Round 2 @ Warwick CC – Par 69
J - Junior, MA - Mid Amateur, L - Legend
1 Evan Grenus (J) Glastonbury, CT 72 70 142
2 Brian Higgins (MA) Bellingham, MA 70 72 142
3 Lasse Gerhardsen Aventura, FL 72 72 144
4 John Sawka (MA) Ellington, CT 74 71 145
5 Peter Richards (J) Westport, CT 71 75 146
6 Charlie Blanchard (MA) North Providence, RI 66 81 147
6 Doug Clapp (MA) Walpole, MA 75 72 147
6 Matt Morin Barton, VT 72 75 147
9 Brian Bardier (MA) Putnam, CT 73 75 148
9 David Jones (MA) Norwich, CT 73 75 148
9 Billy McDonald (MA) West Hartford, CT 74 74 148
12 Chris Roloff (MA) Providence, RI 73 76 149
12 Mark Metcalf (MA) Wrentham, MA 74 75 149
12 Chris Powkowka Sunderland, MA 77 72 149
15 Brian Carlson (J) Madison, CT 71 79 150
15 Jake Bauer (J) Portsmouth, RI 74 76 150
15 Ryan Riley (MA) Easton, MA 75 75 150
15 Mark O'Sullivan (MA) Southborough, MA 79 71 150
15 Megan Khang (J) Rockland, MA 74 76 150
15 Dale Smith (MA) Thompson, CT 74 76 150
