Rumford, RI. – The New England PGA hosted the first round of the 2026 Senior Championship on Monday, July 27 at Agawam Hunt. With sunny blue skies and temperatures around 80 degrees, 68 PGA Professionals took the road to East Providence, Rhode Island to compete for the cup.
Jeff Martin, PGA (Wollaston GC) shot a 4-under, 65 in round 1, propelling himself to the leader of the clubhouse. He started his day strong with birdies on holes 1 and 2. He added another birdie on the par-4, 9th hole to make the turn a 3-under. He moved to 4-under with a birdie on the 10th hole before trading a bogey and a birdie on 11 and 12. After a bogey on 17 put him at 3-under, Martin finished the round strong with a birdie on the par-4 18th hole to give himself a 2-stroke lead heading into round two on Tuesday.
Martin is exempt from qualifying for the PGA Senior Professional Championship following his performance at the 46th U.S. Senior Open earlier in July. His is one of nine New England PGA Professionals who will have the chance to compete in the 2026 Senior PGA Professional Championship from October 22–25, 2026, hosted at the Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club in Gold Canyon, Arizona
Robert Tramonti, PGA (Triggs Memorial GC) and 2025 NEPGA Senior Champion, Dale Abraham, PGA (Cape Arundel) share the second place spot following round 1, both sitting at 2-under, 67s. Tramonti carded four birdies on the day, three coming through the final four holes of the day, capturing momentum for day 2. Abraham also carded four birdies on the day, with his streak coming on holes 3 through 5.
John Hickson, PGA (Northport GC) claimed solo 4th place, at 1-under, 68.
The NEPGA implemented the Forward Tee option for players 65 years and older for the second time. The Forward Tee Division is not eligible for the overall Championship or PPC Qualifying. Vince Molesky led the Forward Tee Division in Round 1, shooting 3-over, 72. His scorecard was highlighted by birdies on holes 3 and 13.
Seven qualifying spots at the Senior PGA Professional Championship are up for grabs tomorrow. Hanefeld, the 2008 and 2011 Senior PNC Champion, is exempt from qualifying as well as Martin, who made the cut at the U.S. Senior Open from July 2–5, 2026 at Scioto CC. Tomorrow’s round will determine the seven qualifiers as well as five alternates for the senior PNC to be held from October 22–25, 2026, hosted at the Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club in Gold Canyon, Arizona.
The NEPGA would like to thank Agawam Hunt Head Professional, Louis Rivers, PGA and the entire Agawam Hunt Golf staff for hosting the two-day Championship.
The 2025 NEPGA Senior Championship is supported by the Golf Channel, RJ Shepherd, Cobra Puma Golf, PXG, Baystate Financial and the PGA Tour.