Brown & Duarte Lead Field With Pair of 68's at Passaconaway State Amateur Qualifier
Litchfield, NH – Ryan Brown and John Duarte, both Passaconaway golfers, return rounds of 68 (-3) to secure co-medalist honors in the second State Amateur Qualifier of the season being held at their home course. With very similar qualifying rounds under their belts, both are thrilled to head to Manchester Country Club next month for the 120th New Hampshire Amateur presented by Wedü. 15 additional golfers will join them as those shooting 75 (+4) or better, and surviving the playoff, worked their way into this year’s championship field.
Ryan Brown was the first to tee off in this qualifier and he really set the pace for the rest of the field. He began playing steady, consistent golf making four consecutive pars leading up to his first birdie of the day on the par-5, 5th hole. He went on to make two more birdies and just one bogey on the front nine to be the first to turn at two-under par.
Heading to the back nine with an under-par round going, he wanted to keep the same gameplan and momentum. He said, “I just tried to stay aggressive and just keep the ball in front of me, it gets a little tight on the back nine.”
Despite a bogey on the par-3, 11th hole, Brown made two more birdies on the back nine and finished up his day at a respectable three-under par. Reflecting back on the round, he stated, “It’s qualifier golf, you just have to keep the ball in front of you and don’t give up any errors.”
“I played solid and hit the driver well. I think I hit every single green in regulation”, continued Brown.
With a strong qualifying round now behind him, Brown looks forward to his return to his former home club, Manchester Country Club. He commented, “I always say that it’s one of the best layouts in the entire country. I might be a little biased; I grew up playing there. I’m so happy and excited to be going back.”
Right behind Brown on the tee sheet but tied on the leaderboard is John Duarte who had an equally impressive qualifying round. Without any blemishes on the front nine, Duarte was able to pour in two birdie putts to also make the turn at two-under par, alongside Brown. He had a near-perfect round going as he made two more birdies on the back nine, including one on the 17th hole.
He said, “Anytime you can give yourself a couple of insurance strokes going into the last four here feels really good.”
A bogey on the closing hole kept him from going bogey-free for the day. Aside from that one hole, Duarte is proud to sit at the top of the leaderboard in this qualifying round, commenting, “I’m happy with the gameplan and happy with the way I was striking my irons.”
Duarte’s iron play for the day is really what kept him going. He said, “I almost jarred it for the ace on the 4th hole but that kind of set the tone for the rest of the round.”
He will be heading back to the New Hampshire Amateur with confidence on his side as he has played some great golf already this season, including a first-place finish in the first event of the season at Campbell’s Scottish Highlands. Duarte looks forward to competing with the top golfers in the state next month.
In unprecedented fashion, 12 golfers finished T9 at 75 (+4) forcing a 12 for 9 playoff to determine the final golfers moving on to Manchester Country Club for the 120th New Hampshire Amateur Championship presented by Wedü.
State Amateur Qualifier @ Passaconaway CC | Results