CRANSTON, RI – The NEAA Alpine Pro Pro began with our Spring Meeting, which saw a terrific turnout and set a strong tone for the day. It is always valuable to get the membership together, and the engagement and energy carried right into the competition.
The golf course did not give anything away. The wind was up all day, forcing players to stay committed to their numbers and execute solid golf shots. It was a day where patience mattered, and limiting mistakes was just as important as making birdies.
Ryan Maguire and Paul Champagne separated themselves with a round of 70 at 2 under par. Three birdies and just one bogey made for efficient golf in difficult conditions. They kept the ball in play, managed the wind, and avoided costly mistakes. That is how you post a number on a gusty day like we had on Monday.
Right behind them at even par 72 were Ryan Riley and Nolan Donze, Aaron Walker and Kyle Puzzo, and Derek Gilbreth and Jarred Huggins. All three teams played steady golf, handled the conditions well, and gave themselves chances throughout the round. Even par was a strong score in those conditions, and those groups earned it.
The skins competition was tightly contested throughout the round with several holes being shared by multiple teams. The team of Varun Anand and Ryan Small led the way with four skins, followed by Derek Gilbreth and Jarred Huggins with two. Ryan Riley and Nolan Donze, Aaron Walker and Kyle Puzzo, and Ian Willikens and Peter Walsh earned one skin. Overall, it was a competitive side game with multiple teams getting on the board.
A sincere thank you to Tim Murphy for being there to run a smooth and well-organized tournament, and to Nate Adelsen, PGA for the generosity in hosting us for both the Spring Meeting and golf. The facility was in excellent condition and made for a great day all around. We are grateful for the support and hospitality.
All in all, a strong start to the season. A good meeting, good competition, and a proper test of golf.