Finally a Monday with no rain. After three straight NHC/NEPGA Pro Am rainouts, the tour finally got on the course to compete today. The site, Pease Golf Course, the event, the Pro Senior Championship. 36 teams (144 players) came to compete for this championship event. Todays format is a little different, 2 BB Gross or 2 BB Net.
In the pro contest Sam Cody of Stonebridge came to play today. Sam shot a 6 under 65, besting the field by 3 strokes, to take the first place. He made 7 birdies offset by 1 bogie to shoot that score. Joseph Finemore of Portsmouth, playing in his first NHC event came in with a 3 under 68 to take 2nd place. He made 4 birdies and had 1 bogie to come in with that score. Austin Baker of Souhegan Woods shot 2 under 69 to come in 3rd by himself. Bill Andrews of Portsmouth, also playing in his first event of the season, shot a 1 under 70 to come in 4th. Brett Smestad of Rochester and Cory Mansfield of Derryfield both came in with even par 71’s to tie for 5th place. This years to date POY point leader Jay Pollini of Ridgewood came in with a 1 over 72 to come in 7th place by himself. Sam Read of Den Brae, Lucas Langelier of Cochecho, and Barry Pearson of Keene all shot 2 over 73 to tie for 8th place.
The 2 BB Gross division which will crown this years Pro Senior Champions the team from Portsmouth led by Finemore shot a 12 under 130 to had a tie for the top spot. They are crowned the 2023 NHC/NEPGA Pro Senior Champions. The other team from Portsmouth led by Bill Andrews and his team of Craig Steckowych, Chris Pollet, and Peter Harrity shot 11 under to take 2nd place. Two teams tied for 3rd place. Ben Stone and his team from Derryfield with his team of Lance Pelly, Dan Arvanitis, and Sean Lacey shot a total of 10 under. Matching that 10 under was the team from Rochester led by Mitch Jefferson with his teammates being Glenn Cyr, Dave Kretschmar, and Brett Chavaree.
The 2 BB Net contest saw another team from Derryfield take top honors shooting an 19 under 123 to best the field. Cory Mansfield led that team with his players Bob Proulx, Scott Linehan, and Scott Kenniston. Two teams tied for 2nd place at 18 under par. The team from Stonebridge led by Sam Cody and teammates Chase Martell, Dave Hildenbrand, and Wayne Bortle tied with the team from Den Brae led by Sam Read and the team of Gary Mercier, Roland Cullen, and Brian Stewart.
Pease golf course is always a great host and as always was very accomadating to the NHC and all the players. We thank you very much. The series heads to North Conway CC next Monday & Tuesday for the NHC Championship where a NHC Champions and Senior Champion will be crowned. It is always the highlight of the season for the players.
Sorry no pictures today, I am home recovering from knee replacement surgery!