Beach's Best Practice Named to Top 5!

PGA Magazine's Top 5 Player Development Best Practices

So Nice, We Did It Twice

Todd Cook, PGA Goes Scuba Deep, but Portmouth CC Takes the Title

Lincon, RI

The New England PGA Pro – Senior Championship was scheduled for September 4^th but was postponed until Wednesday, October 3^rd due to rain. The second time around produced not much better weather, a slight over cast with the occasional drizzle, but did produce some outstanding golf. The teams consisted of one professional and 3 seniors from their club (Age 50 and up). The format was one best ball gross and net. Though the professionals may look to some of their senior members for some life lessons, the senior members are often left looking to the professional for some golfing lessons.

                The team from Portsmouth Country Club, in Portsmouth, NH, lead by PGA Professional Bill Andrews, PGA, bested the field in the gross division. The team from the north combined to make 7 birdies on the day and no bogeys to win the tournament with a -7 (64). The total was good enough for a one stroke victory over the team from the Milton Hoosic Club, lead by the Low PGA Professional Todd Cook, PGA.

High Belmont Stakes

Philo wins at Belmont, Kirby Locks Up Player of the Year

Belmont, MA

The AHead Stroke Play Series has been a tradition of the New England PGA for the past 6 years. A series of individual stroke play events on some of the best courses in New England. The winners of these events are the best players in the section, and often decide the winner of the NEPGA Player of the Year race, and this year was no different.

Going into the final event of the season, Ed Kirby, PGA had the NEPGA Player of the Year all but locked up. Only one player stood between him and this career goal, Kirk Hanefeld, PGA. With just one scenario for Hanefeld to steal the title, he had to win. Hanefeld began well, starting with a birdie on 5 to get him to -1 under on the day and jump up the leaderboard. After 2 disappointing bogies to close out his front nine, Kirk came in with a +1 (37) on his front nine. More disappointing bogies on the back nine dashed Hanefeld’s hopes of winning the AHead Stroke Play Championship and the NEPGA Player of the Year.

Fields of Dreams

John Fields, PGA wins Taylormade Head Professional Championship on a Magical Golf Course

Go Low Like A Pro

Owens wins National Car Rental Assistants Championship Presented by Cobra/Puma Golf

The second round of the New England PGA National Car Rental Assistants Championship presented by Cobra/Puma Golf began as a dead heat, but ended as a one man sprint. Brian Owens, PGA of North Kingstown Municipal Golf Course, began the round in a tie for the lead with Todd Anzlovar, PGA of Wellsley Country Club. After a bogey on the par 4 2^nd hole, Owens fell behind early. But with some perseverance, and some help from his fellow competitor, Owens regained the lead after just 4 holes and never looked back.

Brian Owens, PGA started his round of with an early bogey, but persevered with 2 strong birdies on the par 4 5^th and the par 3 8^th holes. He then began plotting his way to a closing round +1 (71), which was good enough for a 4 stroke victory over the field. “These were the best greens I have putted on all year” said Owens, “I would like to thank the staff for doing a great job, and the sponsor for all of the support.” The victory put the finishing touches on a great season for Owens. With 3 individual top 10 finishes on the year, and several top 10 team events, Owens has had his best year since his New England Assistants Association Player of the Year season in 2010.