BOYLSTON, Mass. – Matt Arvanitis (Southern New Hampshire Univ.) and Rich Berberian (Vesper CC) combined to shoot a bogey-free 19-under par in the 36-hole Pro-Pro Stroke Play Championship, held Monday (July 26) at The Haven Country Club.
The duo carded respective rounds of 8-under and 11-under in the tournament to take an eight shot victory over Kirk Hanefeld (Salem CC) and Rick Karbowski (Auburn Driving Range).
RELATED LINKS: RESULTS | PHOTO ALBUM
In their opening round 64, Arvanitis and Berberian started on hole 10 birdied three of their first four holes and added another birdie on 18 to turn at -4. On the front side, the duo birdied 1, 2, 6, and 7 to come in with another 32 for 64.
The momentum continued in the second round as Arvanitis and Berberian added another five birdies on the front side to turn at 31 and 13-under for the tournament. Berberian holed out on hole 10 for eagle and Arvanitis eagled the par-5 14th hole to push the overall score to 18-under par. As a bonus, Berberian added a birdie on the par-3 17th before a par on 18 for the two-round total of 125.
The veteran duo of Hanefeld and Karbowski began with a 35 on their first nine holes to turn at -1. Hanefeld and Karbowski caught fire on the back nine, carding four birdies and an eagle for a 30 and score of 65. In the second round, the pair recorded four birdies, two on each side, without any bogeys for a 68 and two-round score of 133 for second place.
Bob Bruso (Blackstone National GC) and Jeff Seavey (Goose River CC) claimed solo third with consecutive rounds of 67 for a two-round score of 134. The pair played bogey-free golf with 10 birdies on the card, played holes 6, 14, and 18 at a combined 6-under.
Chip Johnson (Hatherly CC) and John Hickson (Cape Neddick CC) took home a share of fifth place with respective rounds of 67 and 68 for a two-round total of 135. The pair began the first round with a bogey on hole 10 before four birdies to turn at 33. The duo added another three birdies offset by one bogey on their second nine for a 34 and 67 overall. A clean second round with four birdies gave the duo a 68 and share of fourth.
Brian Owens (North Kingstown GC) and Robert Tramonti (Triggs Memorial GC) opened the day with a round of 64 for a share of the lead through 18 holes, recording four birdies on each side of the golf course for 32-32-64. In the second round, Owens and Tramonti made the turn at 2-under and 10-under for the tournament, but a pair of bogeys coming in pushed their two-round total to 135 for a share of fifth.
Frank Dully (Kernwood CC) and Matt Zdon (Belmont CC) were the final group to come in at 9-under for the tournament. The duo recorded two birdies a side in the first round for 68. In round two, Dully and Zdon jumped out of the gates with four birdies in their first seven holes. From there, they added two more birdies compared to one bogey for the 67 and two-round score of 135 and share of fifth place.
The New England PGA would like to thank host PGA professionals Chris Comeau and Hal Jacobs, superintendent Ben Pacific, and the entire HCC staff for again hosting the Pro-Pro Stroke Play Championship.
The NEPGA would also like to thank its 2021 Pro-Pro Stroke Play Championship partners: Turtleson Apparel, Kirk & Matz, Pinned Golf, Evolve Golf, PTE Golf, and the PGA TOUR.