Rumford, R.I. – The New England PGA Section concluded the final round of the 2025 NEPGA Section Senior Championship on Tuesday, July 29th at Agawam Hunt. The day brought very hot and humid temperatures, with a high of 96 degrees, feeling like over 100. Congratulations to the 2021, 2022, and now 2025 Champion Dale Abraham, PGA (Cape Arundel GC), for shooting an overall score of 6-under, 67-65-132. His final round of 4-under, 65 was the deciding factor that cemented his victory, becoming a 3-time winner of the event.
Seven qualifying spots at the 37th Senior PGA Professional Championship were up for grabs today. Kirk Hanefeld, PGA (LM) the 2008 and 2011 Senior PNC Champion, is exempt from qualifying.
Coming into day 2, Abraham was slotted tied for third, with a round 1 score of 2-under, 67. He immediately capitalized by shooting 3 straight birdies on holes 3, 4, and 5. Abraham topped off his front nine with a birdie on 7, pushing him to 4-under until hole 12 where he notched another birdie. His 2-stroke lead gave him just enough cushion to hit a bogey on 18 and take home the trophy, winning by 1-stroke.
“I wanted to put a little pressure on the guys behind,” said Abraham. “Getting around yesterday and getting to know the course was kind of a big help today… I kind of knew where to hit it and what to hit off on some of the tees, and I was able to take advantage of that,” He continues. “It means everything, it means you get to go and have what every golf pro dreams of, to go play in or at least try to qualify for a major.”
Jeff Martin, PGA (Wollaston GC) finished as the solo runner-up, shooting a 2-under, 67 in his final round and overall 5-under, 133 overall. He headed into day 2 being second in the clubhouse, and kept his consistent play throughout his final round, highlighted by an impressive 3-under front nine.
Boomer Erick, PGA (Boston Golf Club) shot 1-under, 68 in round 1 and 1-over, 70 today to find himself in the solo third place finish, totaling 6 birdies during his 36 holes.
NEPGA President Chip Johnson, PGA (Hatherly Golf Club) and Frank Dully, PGA (Kernwood Country Club) rounded out the top 5 with a tie for 4th, finishing at 1-over, 139 overall. Dully’s 5-under first round score kept him firmly in the qualifying position, and Johnson’s 1-under, 68 in the second round was supported by his incredible hole in one on the 8th hole.
Joe Rocha, PGA (Golf Country) and John Hickson, PGA (Northport GC) round out the top seven, shooting 2-over, 71 through the two rounds for a share of sixth place on the leaderboard. A playoff hole between 4 of our professionals determined the final 2 qualifying slots, and Hickson and Rocha prevailed to secure their ticket to Florida.
The New England PGA implemented the Forward Tee option for players 65 years and older. The Forward Tee Division is not eligible for the overall Championship or PPC Qualifying.
Vince Molesky, PGA (Apple Hill GC) took first place in the Forward Tee Division, shooting an 11-over, 75-74-142 over the two rounds. His performance was shown through his birdies in his 36 holes, and playing well on the par 5’s, totaling 1-under overall.
Seven qualifying spots at the 37th Senior PGA Professional Championship were up for grabs today. Hanefeld, the 2008 and 2011 Senior PNC Champion, is exempt from qualifying. Today’s round determined the seven qualifiers as well as five alternates for the Senior PNC to be held from October 23-26 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Congratulations to the following NEPGA Golf Professionals on qualifying:
Dale Abraham (Cape Arundel Golf Club)
Jeff Martin (Wollaston Golf Club)
Boomer Erick (Boston Golf Club)
Chip Johnson (Hatherly Golf Club)
Frank Dully (Kernwood Country Club)
John Hickson (Northport Golf Club)
Joe Rocha (Golf Country)
Congratulations to our alternates:
James Burke (Ponkapoag GC)
Greg Yeomans (Bay Club at Mattapoisett)
Kevin Murphy (Bradford Country Club)
Scott Hickey (Cyprian Keyes GC)
Robert Tramonti (Triggs Memorial GC)
The New England PGA would like to thank Agawam Hunt Head Professional, Louis Rivers, PGA and the entire Agawam Hunt staff for hosting the two-day Championship.
The 2025 NEPGA Senior Championship is supported by the Golf Channel, RJ Shepherd, Cobra Puma Golf, PXG, and the PGA Tour.