Bigs go Bigger

Martin, Berberian, Jr. Dominate Moving Day

-N. Kingstown, RI

Jeff Martin, PGA (Wollaston GC) shot a second round score of 66 (-6) at Quidnessett Country Club on Tuesday to claim the low score on the day, and the second lowest two-day total at 136 (-5). He trails Rich Berberian, Jr, PGA (Vesper CC)  by three strokes heading into the final round.

Martin’s round one score at one-over par at Warwick on Monday was quickly forgotten Tuesday as he put his best round of golf together for the tournament. He made an early birdie on the straightaway par-four first hole, and followed it up with three other birdies on three, six, and nine. The Wollaston GC Professional made the turn at 32 (-4) with no bogeys.

On the back, his solid play stood out, as he capped a bogey-free day with two more birdies to get to six-under-par. However, he knew as well as he played, catching and keeping the leader, Rich Berberian Jr. at bay would be a difficult task.

“I hit the ball ok today, had some crooked shots go not where I wanted in a few places, but I was able to put and chip much better today and that helped me get there. I’m still not low enough to beat Richie (Berberian) but I’m closer, so that’s good before tomorrow,” said Martin.

As Martin put his best game out on the course, Berberian Jr was on the same quest to the top of the leader board. Looking to keep his lead alive on Tuesday, Berberian had strong play from the gates, but didn’t get too far under with a sole birdie on the ninth hole on the front side.

His start on the back wasn’t as planned with a bogey on the tenth. He wouldn’t be down for too long.

Wicked Hard

Berberian, Hanefeld Finish Under Par at Challenging Section Championship

-East Greenwich, RI

Rich Berberian, Jr, PGA (Vesper CC) shot a 66 (-3) in his opening round to lead the field at Warwick CC in the 2018 NEPGA Section Championship. Both Warwick CC and Quidnessett CC bore their teeth as NEPGA Professionals tried to make deep cuts into the competition. Only two players in the overall contest were under par on Monday.

Berberian and Kirk Hanefeld, PGA (Salem CC) both began their Section Championship journeys at Warwick CC. The seaside Donald Ross course features major undulations on its fast-paced greens and was set to bring out the best in the PGA Professionals. They finished as the only two players under par for the day.

As one of many very accomplished players in the section, Berberian started his round with solid play. He made a birdie on two and eight solid pars to make the turn at 33 (-1). He was dialed in through Monday’s round, making three more birdies on 10, 12 and 15 and only one bogey on the 18^th. His single bogey is not to be understated, as the scoring average at Warwick CC was just fewer than 76 (+7).

Hanefeld’s round wasn’t quite as even keel as Berberian’s. He began at Warwick by making bogey on the first hole. He followed it up with a birdie on two, but was quickly back to +1 with a bogey on three. He refocused and was able to make two more birdies on five and eight, to make the turn at one-under-par.

On the back, Hanefeld made solid pars, and two birdies on 15 and 16 on the way back in the clubhouse. He made only one more bogey on the 17^th on his way to finish in sole possession of 2^nd place with a 67 (-2) .