SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Medalist Patrick Welch finished with a 2-under-par score of 211 to spearhead Rhode Island to victory in the New England Junior Amateur Championship at the Purpoodock Club.
Rhode Island posted a three-round total of 1,085 in the two-day tournament, including a 212 by Davis Chatfield. The contingent wound up 19 shots ahead of defending champion Massachusetts, which wound up at 1,104.
Welch, from Metacomet CC, was never over par. He shot an even-par 71 and a 69 on Monday before carding a 69 again on Tuesday. Chatfield, from Wannamoisett, rebounded from a 3-over first round of 74 to shoot 68 in the second round and one-under 70.
Massachusetts, led by James Turner of Bass Rocks at 1 over, placed second in the championship at 1,104. Connecticut, led by Connor Looney’s final-round 68, the low score of the day, followed at 1,113.
Vermont finished in fourth at 1,132 while New Hampshire and Maine trailed the pack at 1,149 and 1,164, respectively.
Maine was paced by 14-year-old Cole Anderson of the Samoset Resort in Rockport, who finished 11th individually at 224. Drew Powell of Bangor, playing out of Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono, rebounded from a mild case of heatstroke Monday to finish 22nd at 230.
Maine was represented by 14-year-olds Anderson and junior champ Austin Legge from Purpoodock, 15-year-old Ryan Collins, also of host club Purpoodock, and 16-year-olds Eric Dugas of J.W. Parks in Pittsfield and Logan Thompson from Barnes Brook in Enfield. Powell and Drew Kane of Sable Oaks in South Portland are both 17.
NEPGA Section Championship
CONCORD, Massachusetts — Six of the eight Maine players entered in the NEPGA Section Championship have advanced to Wednesday’s third and final round being played at Nashawtuc Country Club and Concord Country Club.
Shawn Warren of Falmouth Country Club fired rounds of 70 and 72 for a 142 total and is tied for seventh, 7 shots behind leader Rich Berberian of Windham Country Club. Jeff Seavey of Samoset Resort in Rockport had rounds of 74-71 (145) and is tied for 15th, while Mike Dugas of J.W. Parks in Pittsfield is tied for 20th at 71-75-146.
Allan Menne of Poland Springs fired a 76-71-147 also made the cut, while John Hickson (Sebasco Estates) shot 74-74-148 and Bob Darling of Fox Ridge Golf Course in Auburn carded 76-76-152.