Jay Pollini of The Oaks is the New Hampshire PGA Champion for the second time in three years after firing a 2-day total of 8-under par (134) at the North Conway Country Club. Pollini held a 1-shot lead over Zane Johnson (Bald Peak Colony Club) after round one in which both players separated themselves from the field with bogey free rounds of 65 and 66. Johnson was playing in his first NHPGA Championship. Johnson kept his bogey free streak alive with a 3-under 32 on the front nine in round two, opening up a 3-shot lead. Pollini wasn’t finished, opening the back nine with birdies on three of the first four holes to even it up after the thirteenth. They halved the next two holes with pars. Pollini took a 1-shot lead on 16, only for Johnson to even it up with one to go. Pollini won 18 with a par to take the title. Both players fired 2-under par 69 in the finale. Jason Sedan (Lake Winnipesaukee GC) finished third at 2-under, followed by Rico Riciputi (Coach Club) at -1.
Dan Wilkins of Laconia Country Club, who has three Chapter Championships under his belt, won his first NHPGA Senior title in another tight battle in which eight players finished within three strokes. Wilkins carded rounds of 75, 72 –147 for the victory. Tim Riese (Pease GC) held the first-round lead by a shot over Billy Andrews (Portsmouth CC) after opening with a one over par 72. Halfway through round 2, Geoff Williams (Scottish Highlands) found himself tied with Riese for the lead after an even par-35 front nine with Wilkins closing the gap to one. Wilkins cruised home with an even par-36 on the homeward half, playing two groups behind the leaders, for the win. Riese and Andrews finished tied for second only one shot back, while Williams and local north country favorite Bob McGraw (Eagle Mountain House) tied for fourth just two off the lead.
Fifty-three players mostly avoided the wet weather conditions on Monday which saw a delay and a shotgun start. Tuesday saw breezy but much more favorable conditions in the beautiful Mount Washington Valley. Thanks to the North Conway Country Club membership, volunteers, golf staff led by PGA Professional, Kevin Walker, Ledgeview Grille crew and Superintendent Andy Bechtold and his staff for the red-carpet treatment of our Chapter players, families and friends.
Next week we will look to crown our Pro-Pro Team Champions at Portsmouth Country Club.