Past Champions Finding Success in Players Invitational at Baker Hill
Newbury, NH – This year’s Players Invitational got off to a strong start at Baker Hill Golf Club with the sun making its way out for perfect weather conditions. In the Regular Division, Jamie Ferullo (Rochester CC) returned to the field and made a statement with a three-under par, 69, to lead by one stroke over Pat Pelletier (Hanover CC Online). In the Senior Division, two past champions of this event are tied for the lead at one-over par, 73. Andy Hunnewell (Carter CC) and Tony Fournier (Portsmouth CC) will dual it out in the final round.
As the 2018 Players Invitational champion, Jamie Ferullo has a firm grasp on understanding Baker Hill, where to play the ball and what his game plan is going into each round played there. He started out with a steady opening nine, carding birdies on the par-3, 3rd hole and on the short par-4, 7th hole to turn at two-under par, with the lead. With just one bogey and two birdies on the back nine, he finished the day at three-under par, 69.
“It was very simple today, just hit the middle of the green”, stated Ferullo after the round. “I think I missed three greens all day. I made some good putts and took advantage of the par threes.”
Ferullo played the par-3’s alone at two-under par, an impressive feat as the par-3’s can be tough at Baker Hill. With a simple game plan of just hitting the greens and two-putting, he was fortunate enough to roll in a few of his birdie putts.
Baker Hill certainly holds a special place in Ferullo’s heart, having played it numerous times in NHGA events and winning this event in 2018. He said, “It’s such a great course, there are so many good holes where you have to think your way around it. It’s not always driver off the tee, it’s laying back a little bit, and learning where pins are.”
The Players Invitational is always a strong field of competitors as it brings to get the top players from the previous season, along with past champions of the event. With that in mind, Ferullo has many other competitors he will need to be aware of, including Pat Pelletier and Mark Stevens, both players who have won at Baker Hill before. Pelletier is just one stroke behind Ferullo, carding a 70 (-2) with an impressive five birdies on his card. Stevens sits five shots back of Ferullo after shooting two-over par, 74.
“I’m going to go out tomorrow and play my own game”, commented Ferullo. “I’ve been in this position before in other tournaments and haven’t gotten it done.” Ferullo would love to be able to close out this tournament with another victory.
In the Senior Division, it comes as no surprise that Tony Fournier and Andy Hunnewell lead the way at one-over par, 73, in the opening round. Hunnewell has captured two Players Invitational Senior Division titles, while Fournier is the defending champion. Both have the capability of closing it out, but it will be interesting to see who will pull away.
Hunnewell had the stronger start to the round by making the turn at even-par, with nine-straight pars. On the other hand, Fournier quickly got himself to three-over par thru four holes as he made three-straight bogeys. Fournier did birdie the 7th hole at Baker Hill to get himself to two-over par for the front nine. On the back side, Fournier carded two birdies, but closed out his round with a bogey, ending the day at 73. Hunnewell was up and down on the back nine, but having played the course a number of times, he was able to keep his game in check to tie Fournier for the lead.
In each division, the final groups are comprised of past champions of the Players Invitational. In the Regular Division, Ferullo, Pelletier and Stevens will tee it up together, while Fournier, Hunnewell and Everett will all compete alongside eachother in the final round.
As the 2018 Players Invitational champion, Jamie Ferullo has a firm grasp on understanding Baker Hill, where to play the ball and what his game plan is going into each round played there. He started out with a steady opening nine, carding birdies on the par-3, 3rd hole and on the short par-4, 7th hole to turn at two-under par, with the lead. With just one bogey and two birdies on the back nine, he finished the day at three-under par, 69.
“It was very simple today, just hit the middle of the green”, stated Ferullo after the round. “I think I missed three greens all day. I made some good putts and took advantage of the par threes.”
Ferullo played the par-3’s alone at two-under par, an impressive feat as the par-3’s can be tough at Baker Hill. With a simple game plan of just hitting the greens and two-putting, he was fortunate enough to roll in a few of his birdie putts.
Baker Hill certainly holds a special place in Ferullo’s heart, having played it numerous times in NHGA events and winning this event in 2018. He said, “It’s such a great course, there are so many good holes where you have to think your way around it. It’s not always driver off the tee, it’s laying back a little bit, and learning where pins are.”
The Players Invitational is always a strong field of competitors as it brings to get the top players from the previous season, along with past champions of the event. With that in mind, Ferullo has many other competitors he will need to be aware of, including Pat Pelletier and Mark Stevens, both players who have won at Baker Hill before. Pelletier is just one stroke behind Ferullo, carding a 70 (-2) with an impressive five birdies on his card. Stevens sits five shots back of Ferullo after shooting two-over par, 74.
“I’m going to go out tomorrow and play my own game”, commented Ferullo. “I’ve been in this position before in other tournaments and haven’t gotten it done.” Ferullo would love to be able to close out this tournament with another victory.
In the Senior Division, it comes as no surprise that Tony Fournier and Andy Hunnewell lead the way at one-over par, 73, in the opening round. Hunnewell has captured two Players Invitational Senior Division titles, while Fournier is the defending champion. Both have the capability of closing it out, but it will be interesting to see who will pull away.
Hunnewell had the stronger start to the round by making the turn at even-par, with nine-straight pars. On the other hand, Fournier quickly got himself to three-over par thru four holes as he made three-straight bogeys. Fournier did birdie the 7th hole at Baker Hill to get himself to two-over par for the front nine. On the back side, Fournier carded two birdies, but closed out his round with a bogey, ending the day at 73. Hunnewell was up and down on the back nine, but having played the course a number of times, he was able to keep his game in check to tie Fournier for the lead.
In each division, the final groups are comprised of past champions of the Players Invitational. In the Regular Division, Ferullo, Pelletier and Stevens will tee it up together, while Fournier, Hunnewell and Everett will all compete alongside eachother in the final round.