MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – Peter Ruymann, PGA of Marshfield CC claimed the top score in the 2024 New England PGA Stroke Play Series opener at Newport National Golf Club on Tuesday, April 23rd. Playing in some chilling temperatures, the group of 84 Professionals competed over 18 holes and Ruymann posted a score of 3-under, 69 to take home the title.
Ruymann played outstanding on one of the first outings of the 2024 seasons. His group was the third to last group to tee off, starting the round just after noon. He started the round strong with a birdie on the par-5 first hole. He made the turn at 1-under and added another birdie on the 8th hole. The temperatures drew colder as the day moved on, but it proved to be no challenge for Ruymann as he added three more birdies in a row on the back nine. Holes 14, 15, and 16 helped move Ruymann to 3-under overall for the top spot on the leaderboard.
Shawn Warren, PGA (Old Marsh CC) took home solo second place, just one stroke behind Ruymann, finishing with a score of 2-under, 70.
Warren was even through the opening nine holes, carding a bogey on the par-4 second hole and a birdie on the par-5, 567-yard, eighth hole. He started strong on the back nine, carding an eagle on the par-5 11th hole and following up with a birdie on the par-4 12th hole to move to 3-under. A bogey on the par-3 16th hole gave him the final 2-under and he finished the round with two pars to hold on to the lead.
Frank Dully, PGA (Kernwood CC) crept up the leaderboard, finishing in third place, shooting 1-under, 71 on the day. His scorecard was highlighted by three birdies on the front nine. After a couple challenging holes, he added on more birdie on the par-5 14th hole to secure the third place spot.
Greg Kelly, PGA (Myopia Hunt Club), Ed Kirby, PGA (The Aquidneck Club), and Matt Baran, PGA (The Ridge Club), and Frank Leja, PGA (The Club at New Seabury) all shot even-par 72’s for a share of fourth place.
Kelly made the turn at 1-over and went on to put up three birdies and two bogeys on the back nine to finish 1-under on the back and even overall.
Kirby started the day strong with a birdie on the par-5 first hole of the day. Another birdie on the front, on the par-4 seventh hole, put him at 2-under at the turn. The par-3 13th hole also proved to be a challenge to Kirby, as a double bogey brought his scorecard to even. He birdied the very next hole, the long par-5 14th hole, and a final bogey on 17 left him at even in a share of fourth place.
Baran carded a total of three birdies through the opening nine holes, including two par-4 holes (5 & 9) and one par-5 hole. He made the turn at 2-under, 34. Holes 10 and 15 proved to be challenging on the back and left Baran at an even par-72, tied for fourth place with Kelly, Kirby and Leja.
After a difficult opening nine, making the turn at 2-over, Leja carded three birdies on the back, on holes 12, 14, and 17 to move to an even-par 72 finish in a four-way tie for fourth place overall.
Jeff Martin, PGA (Wollaston GC), Matt Ferrelli, PGA (Boothbay Harbor CC), and Louis Rivers, PGA (Agawam Hunt Club) all finished tied for eighth place, shooting 73 (+1).
The 2024 Stroke Play Series continues with its second installment at The Cape Club of Sharon on July 8th in Sharon, Mass. Professionals can find more information or register by CLICKING HERE.
Thank you to Newport National Golf Club host PGA Professional, Chris Hulme and the entire NNGC staff for hosting the Stroke Play Series event. The NEPGA would also like to thank its presenting partners: AHEAD USA, Avidia Bank, Bushnell Golf, Maui Jim, SCNS Sports Foods , New England Golf Cars, Comparison Insurance, and the PGA TOUR.