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Locals set for MGA Junior Am |
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Reminder Publications submitted photo
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By Chris Maza
Reminder Assistant Editor
GREATER SPRINGFIELD -- Seven golfers from local area golf and country clubs qualified for the 2010 Massachusetts Golf Association (MGA) Junior Amateur Championship.
In order to take part in the championship, golfers must first compete in one of five qualifying rounds.
Longmeadow's Liam Dunne tees off on the first hole at Longmeadow Country Club. Dunne was co-medalist in the MGA Junior Amateur qualifier at Blandford Country Club and will compete in the Junior Amateur Championship on July 27-29.
Liam Dunne from Longmeadow Country Club was co-medalist in the qualifier at the Blandford Club, shooting a three-over-par 73. Dunne was also the medalist in the 2009 MIAA Western Massachusetts Division 1 team tournament, leading Longmeadow High School to the championship.
"It's probably the most important tournament I'm going to play in this summer," Dunne said. "It's the Massachusetts Junior Amateur. All of the best kids from Massachusetts go to play there."
Ben Mann of Holyoke's Wykoff Country Club finished second in the qualifier at The Ledges Golf Club in South Hadley with a three-over 75. Cody Miller of South Hadley's The Orchards Golf Club tied with Mann at 75.
Andrew Johnston (Country Club of Wilbraham) shot an 81 for seventh place, while Matt Iczkowski (The Ranch Golf Club, Southwick) took 11th with an 83. Thomas Cook, also from the Country Club of Wilbraham, took 13th with an 85.
South Hadley's Kevin Garbacik and Patrick Oleksak (Crestview Country Club, Agawam) will be the first and second alternates after rounds of 85 and 86, respectively.
The Junior Amateur, which is scheduled to take place July 27-29 at Foxborough Country Club, brings together some of the state's top amateur golfers from ages 14 to 17.
"It absolutely is a very special event," MGA Second Vice President Clarence Bennett of Longmeadow said. "This is the premier Massachusetts golf competition for this age group. It's a real good test of golf. You just see some really terrific golf. Some of these kids are jut fantastic. Some of them may even go pro."
The Junior Amateur is a unique event in it requires a young player to display stamina while playing at a high level through three rounds and a total of 54 holes.
"It's rather grueling," Bennett said. "It's very competitive and all the players must walk. They can't have any motorized vehicles, no pull carts and they can't have caddies."
Through his high school and other golf experience, Dunne said he will recognize all of the golfers from Western Massachusetts he will be pitted against. While he indicated it won't affect his play, seeing familiar faces can only help.
"Nothing really rattles me on the golf course. I play in a lot of tournaments," Dunne said. "But it's comforting knowing there are friends I'm going to be golfing with."
Most players from the area do not have much experience with the course. A practice round is allowed, according to Dunne, but come July 27, all bets are off.
"I'm going to be as prepared as I can be, but nothing can ever go to plan out on the golf course," Dunne said.
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