LINCOLN, R.I.- Ed Kirby shot a 1-under 71 at Kirkbrae Country Club to capture the 2021 Rhode Island Chapter Championship.
Kirby, who was representing The Aquidneck Club, added a third Chapter Championship to his resume having previously won the title in 2012 and 2014. His third title puts him in elite company in Rhode Island Chapter history, he now only trails Dana Quigley (’85, ’90, ’92, ’94 champion) and Jeff Martin (’05, ’06, ’09, ’10 champion) who both have 4 titles.
Kirby displayed an ability to play consistent golf throughout his round on Tuesday. After hooking his tee shot into the trees on the 1st hole, he was able to make a nice recovery and save par. He then took that momentum and made four consecutive pars before cashing in for his lone birdie of the front nine on the par-5 6th hole to make the turn at 1-under 35.
Kirby was rock solid again on the back nine, recording an even-par 36. His lone bogey of the day came at the 361-yard par-4 13th. However, he quickly erased that mistake by making a birdie on the 15th to stay at 1-under 71.
Brendon Ray (Point Judith CC) held the 9-hole lead in the tournament posting a 3-under 33 on the front. Ray played lights out making birdie on holes 1 and 3 in addition to an eagle on the reachable par-5 6th.
However, it was a tale of two nines for Ray who ran into trouble on the back. Heading into the 18th hole Ray found himself sitting at 1-over par. Needing to do something special on the last hole, he stuck his approach shot to 30 feet on the 18th green. He then went on to drain the extremely difficult 30-footer for birdie. Despite his best efforts, ultimately Ray fell one shot short of Kirby.
In a tie for third place was Wanumetonomy G &CC’s Nick Jagoe and North Kingstown Golf Course’s Brian Owens who both posted rounds of 76. In a 4-way tie for 5th place was Bill Maguire (Wanumetonomy), John Rainone (North Kingstown), Dave Tiedemann (Shelter Harbor), and Bob Tramonti (Triggs Memorial) who all shot rounds of 78.
The Chapter would like to thank Kirkbrae’s General Manager Mike Bradshaw, Head Professional Jason Howard, and Superintendent Pete Wood for being fantastic hosts! The Chapter would also like to thank their sponsors for the event, Avidia Bank, Fox Pest Control, Tournament Solutions, and the PGA Tour.
