Cranston, R.I. – The New England PGA Section kicked off the 2024 NEPGA National Car Rental Assistants Championship, hosting round 1 on Monday, July 1st at Alpine Country Club in Cranston, Rhode Island. This event is a qualifier for the PGA of America’s National Assistants Championship. The national tournament will be held on November 14-17, 2024 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL. The top 6 non-exempt eligible finishers in the NEPGA Assistants Championship will gain entry into the National Championship. Four alternates will also be identified.
Rich Berberian, PGA (Vesper CC) currently sits in first place overall, as he shot 4-under, 68, through the opening 18 holes. Liam Friedman, PGA (Wollaston GC) is close behind, at 3-under, 69.
Berberian made three birdies on the front nine, including two par-5s (holes 4 & 8). He made the turn at 1-under. He went on to post four more birdies on the back, his final birdie came on the par-4 17th hole, to secure the lead.
Friedman finished round 1 with eight birdies on his scorecard. He was even at the turn and added four birdies and one bogey on the back to finish the opening round at 3-under, in solo second place.
Greg Kelly, PGA (Myopia Hunt Club) rounded out the top three, shooting 2-under, 70, to finish the first round in third place overall. Kelly had a clean scorecard, posting two birdies, on holes 15 and 17, and parring the rest.
Round 2 is set to be hosted back at Alpine CC on Tuesday, July 2nd. Thank you to our partners, Vineyard Vines, Srixon/Cleveland/Asics, PGA Tour, and National Car Rental. A tremendous thank you goes out to Director of Golf, Nate Adelson and the entire Alpine Country Club staff for serving as host of the Championship.