HAVERHILL, Mass. – There was simply no catching Shawn Warren, PGA, on Tuesday.
Warren, the assistant professional at Falmouth CC, entered the final round of the New England PGA Assistants Championship at Renaissance Golf Club with a three stroke lead after posting the only under-par round on Monday, a 3-under 69, and followed it up with a 6-under par 66 on Tuesday, the low round of the day by four strokes. Warren’s two-day total of 9-under par sealed a seven-stroke win and his fourth NEPGA Assistants Championship, adding to his 2011, ’16 and ’17 titles.
Warren had the putter working all day, converting six birdies and an eagle with just two bogeys on the scorecard in the final round.
“It’s championship golf and the way Max (Doctoroff) has been setting them up, it’s difficult out there,” Warren said. “I think the scores reflect that you really have to golf your ball. There’s a lot of trouble waiting out there.”
Playing in the final group alongside Warren, Liam Friedman, PGA (Nashawtuc CC) did his best to keep the pressure on, but couldn’t match Warren’s 66, much less overtake him. Friedman eagled the last hole to go with four birdies and post 2-under par 70 for the day. He finished the tournament alone in second at 2-under.
Jake Kramer (Bass Rocks) also played in the final group and shot 3-over par 75 to finish 5-over for the tournament. Kramer’s solo fifth-place finish secured his first National Car Rental PGA Assistant Professional Championship berth.
“Congratulations to everyone who qualified, I think that’s a huge deal,” Warren said. “I played with Jake today and he grinded it out and it’s going to be his first Assistants Championship and I’m proud of the way that he came in.”
Ryan Moseley (Manchester CC) shot 73 on Tuesday to finish the tournament 3-over par and alone in third. 2018 Champion Robert Bruso, PGA (Blackstone National GC) improved by eight strokes from Round 1 with a 2-under par 70 to finish fourth at 4-over.
Jeff Seavey, PGA (Goose River) finished alone in sixth after shooting 70 but will forego miss the National Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Instead, the Section’s sixth and final qualifying spot will go to Todd Scarafoni, PGA (Bass Rocks), who finished tied for seventh at 8-over and secured the spot by virtue of a 4-for-1 playoff. Malcom Oliver (Weston GC), Kyle Dobbs (Bay Club at Mattapoisett), Kyle Puzzo (Hyannisport Club) and Dan Shepherd (Newport CC) are the NEPGA’s four alternates, in that order.
The National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship is Nov. 12-15 at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Warren’s win adds to an already spectacular year on the course. Last month he competed in the PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park then cruised to a 5-stroke victory in the NEPGA Championship, his third Section title and second consecutive.
Thank you to Renaissance GC and head golf professional Rhett Bishop, PGA, for hosting the Championship. The Championship would not be possible without presenting partner National Car Rental, and supporting partners Cleveland/Srixon/XXIO/Asics, Avidia Bank, John Deere, Mohegan Sun and the PGA TOUR.