RI Chapter News May 31, 2013
SUSAN BOND FEATURED IN PGA MAGAZINE
A special shout-out to Weekapaug PGA Head Professional Susan Bond who was featured in the latest issue of PGA Magazine (May 2013) as she recounted her harrowing 13th Boston Marathon experience amidst the senseless act of terrorists. She was running to raise funds for the Art beCause Foundation to fight cancer, which claimed her Dad’s life 14 years ago. A must read for all.
KIRBY...DOES IT AGAIN
Amazingly, for the 20th time in his illustrious career, the reigning NEPGA Champion, Ed Kirby, PGA Head Professional – Alpine CC, qualified for the US Open sectionals after returning the low score (68 -3) at the Rhode Island CC local qualifier in early May - parlaying three birdies on his final six holes to lead the loaded group of 78 golfers vying for 5 coveted spots into the Northeast’s sectionals – played this year at Old Oaks and Century – venues Kirby is very familiar with – and one of 13 sectionals which will produce the final field for the Open at Merion in mid-June. Joining him amongst 120 other hopefuls in NY will be Brad Faxon. Kirby has qualified for four US Opens and made the cut in three!!!
SECTION PRO PRO MATCH PLAY
Warwick’s new PGA Head Professional Matt Walsh and Foxborough’s PGA Head Professional Lou Rivers blitzed the LeBaron Hills layout in early May enroute to an eye-popping 63 earning them medalist honors in the qualifying round of the NEPGA Pro Pro Match Play Championship. The RIPGA was well represented as the team of John Rainone, N. Kinstown’s PGA Head Professional and Ed Kirby won three consecutive matches over prior champion teams only to lose in the final match to Jim Fairbanks and Shawn Warren from Maine. Meanwhile, Jeff Martin and Troy Pare, former champions in their own right, lost in the first round while Walsh and Rivers lost in the 2nd round after nipping Beth O’Kelly and Susan Bond 1-up in round 1.
CARNEGIE ABBEY PRO-AM A HUGE HIT
PGA-led foursomes from all over SE New England descended upon the seaside gem – The Carnegie Abbey Club – for RIPGA’s 2nd Pro-Am of the Spring battling gusty winds off Narragansett Bay and perfect course conditions hosted by PGA Head Professional Jim DiMarino whose team (see photo) fought hard for a T-3 in the best 2 of 4 Stableford format. Congrats to Montaup GC Steve Diemoz –PGA led team who notched the victory over 19 other teams. Huge thanks to sponsors Keith Tortorella/ CCE and Peter Guild/ Callaway Golf for making the day possible.
Who else but Ed Kirby won low pro honors (37 pts. in stableford scoring) followed closely by Jay Askew, The Ridge Club’s PGA Head Professional (35 pts) and local legends Rick Finlayson, Country View’s PGA Pro & Brian Owens – N. Kingstown’s PGA Asst. both accumulating 34 pts. Finlayson turned it in -3 par while Owens checked in with 14 consecutive pars to begin their respective rounds, but could not overcome the leader in the RIPGA player-of-the-year race, Kirby.
Andrew Carnegie watches over the 18th hole! |
(L to R) Jim DiMarino, Mitch Pozez, Lauren Collins & Jack Sheehan |
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