NANTUCKET, Mass- The 36th Annual Island Classic was held October 1–2 at Miacomet Golf Course on Nantucket, where players battled two days of tough, wind-driven conditions. Day one featured gusts up to 50 miles per hour, making scoring a challenge across the board. Day two brought slightly calmer, but still breezy, weather that allowed for a few low rounds and some big leaderboard movement.
In the team competition—two best balls of four over 36 holes—it was a landmark win for the host club. Jack O’Hara of Miacomet Golf Course, playing alongside Stephen Visco, Kirk Coburn, and Marcel Leclerc, posted rounds of 140 and 129 for a 269 total, finishing at 19 under par. Their final round 129 was enough to hold off a strong push from Chris Gagnon’s team from The Brookside Club and Kevin Maynard’s group from Sankaty Head, who each finished at 273. Not only was it a wire-to-wire win, but it also marked the first time a Miacomet team has won the event since its inception—an especially fitting result on home turf.
In the individual professional competition, Matt Baran of The Ridge Club once again separated himself from the field. After an even-par 72 in round one, he followed with a four-under 68 in round two—the lowest individual round of the tournament. His 140 total gave him a comfortable seven-shot victory over O’Hara, who finished second at 147. This marks Baran’s fourth Island Classic win since records began in 2012, solidifying his solid run in the race for Dutch Wessner Player of the Year coming off of his Chapter Championship win.
Despite the weather, Miacomet Golf Course was in excellent condition throughout the tournament thanks to the work of Superintendent Ryan Scotto and his crew. A sincere thank you goes to Director of Golf Mike Haberl, PGA, and General Manager Sean Oberly for their fantastic hospitality and continued support of the event.