DEDHAM, Mass. – It was a beautiful day for golf and a great venue to host the first-ever New England Assistants’ Association (NEAA) Championship, Dedham Golf and Polo Club. Matt Daley of Marshfield Country Club took home the inaugural 2025 NEAA Championship trophy in playoff fashion and finished 18 holes at an impressive 1-under, 69.

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Another highlight of the day was a first-ever hole-in-one made by Peyton Schaeffer of Alpine Country Club on the 150 yard par-3 hole 12th  hole.

Daley claimed victory on the first playoff hole over Malcolm Oliver, PGA (Weston Golf Club) with a par on the 415-yard par-4 first hole. On the famous hole, Daley pushed his tee shot right over the stream while Oliver kept it short left in the rough. Daley then proceeded to hit the green despite Oliver missing the green and two putting. Oliver was in for five as Daley lined up his birdie putt, missing the chance to drain the putt, tapping in the par putt from a few feet to win the playoff.

The Mansfield pro started the day by making four birdies and one bogey on the front nine, shooting a 3-under 33. He then proceeds to record a two-over 36 back nine with one birdie on the 13th hole. Daley finished his round with a 1-under 69 score.

Oliver had the clubhouse lead for most of the day until Daley came in one of the last groups. Oliver began the day with an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole to help him finish even par on the front nine. Following a bogey on the 5th hole, Oliver made nine straight pars before closing out his round with two birdies and a bogey to shot a 1-under 33 on the back nine.

With one of the highest recording fields in recent history, the NEAA had 53 Assistants or Associates competing for the title. Dedham showed its teeth today by having an average score of 11-over 81, featuring the hardest hole, the par-4 18th, which was averaging one stroke over par. The second hole also averaged just over par against the competition.

Daley and Nick Fantasia from Mt. Pleasant Golf Club tied each other with the most birdies on the day with five. There were a lot of birdies made on the day but no one in the field converted a birdie chance on the par-3 189 yard 17th hole.

A big thank you to everyone who participated, and a special thank you to Brad McCluski, PGA and the entire team at Dedham Golf and Polo for their outstanding hospitality. Another big thank you goes out to Jeff DiBona from Turtleson for sponsoring the NEAA Championship and providing the field with custom NEAA Turtleson shirts.