July 16, 2012

107th R.I. Amateur Championship - Match Play Tree

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Seamus Fennelly fell in 19 holes to Charlie Blanchard in the round of eight at the 107th Rhode Island Amateur Championship, held at the Wanumetonomy Golf and Country Club (par 70/6,309 yards).

Fennelly rallied from three holes down through 11 to force an extra playoff hole against Blanchard, the head golf coach at Bryant University.  It marked the second time that Fennelly surged on the back nine. 

During the morning match, he rallied from 2-down through 11 holes against Eddie Hjerpe, carding birdies on 12 and 13 to pull even, before taking the lead with a par on 15.  He closed out the win with another par on 18, setting up  the lead for the first time with a par to win15, then closed it out with a par to win 18 and the match, 2 up.

On July 11, the rising sophomore defeated former Rhody golfer Brad Valois to advance to the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, contested on Thursday, July 12. 

Rhode Island golf was well-represented at the R.I. Amateur.  Rising senior Jeffrey Ray won his first match in 19 holes on July 11, before falling in the round of 16.  Rising sophomore Jared Adams also advanced to the round of 32, dropping his first match.

The stroke play rounds were contested on July 9-10 and the top 32 golfers from stroke play advanced to the match play tree.