"Being a member here is a huge advantage but playing good golf is the most important thing," Jamie Ferullo as NH State Am opens Monday at Rochester CC
GONIC – Jamie Ferullo refers to Rochester Country Club as his “childcare” because he spent his formative years on a course where he eventually became a club champion.
“This was my summer camp,” he said. “Mom would drop me off at 6:30 (a.m.) and I’d get picked up at 6 (p.m.). I’d play all day. … Being a member here is a huge advantage but playing good golf is the most important thing.”
Ferullo looks to take advantage of his local knowledge this week when Rochester Country Club - where he has been a member for 25 years - hosts the 122nd New Hampshire State Amateur Championship. He shot a one-under-par 71 during Monday’s first day of qualifying for the field of 156.
On the strength of five birdies, Derek Dinwoodie of Farmington Country Club leads the local contingent with a 3-under 69 that leaves him in a three-way tie for second along with defending champion Rob Henley, one stroke behind leader Justin Grondahl. Ryan Zetterholm of Pease Golf Course and Kory Ferullo of Rochester CC each shot 2-under 70.
Jamie Ferullo was 3-under through seven holes thanks to a chip-in eagle at No. 6 before back-to-back bogeys at Nos. 8 and 9. He finished with four birdies and an eagle.
“I did more scrambling than I like,” he said, “and I missed a couple easy up-and-downs. Overall, I was happy with the way the round went.”
Owen Himmer of Dover’s Cochecho Country Club came in at even par 72 as did Harvin Groft of Candia Oaks.
There will be a second day of qualifying on Tuesday before match play begins on Wednesday with the tournament capped by a 36-hole final on Saturday.
The low 64 golfers will advance to match play following Tuesday's second round of stroke play. The first round of match play will be contested on Wednesday with the rounds of 32 and 16 on Thursday, and the quarterfinals and semifinals scheduled for Friday.
“You don’t want to make big numbers,” Jamie Ferullo said. “You don’t want to do that but at the end of the day it’s a long week. To build momentum for the week sometimes you need to get a little more aggressive. … The strategy overall is to really go as low as possible but play smart.”
Dover’s Brett Wilson, who is coming off his sixth Seacoast Amateur Golf Championship last month, shot a 1-over-par 73 on Monday as did Portsmouth CC’s Craig Steckowych and Jay Cleveland of Rochester CC along with Grey Gagnon of Pease GC also came in at 1-over. Jimmy Schouller of Abenaqui shot a 2-over 74 as did Kurt Eddins of Cochecho CC and Alex Jefferson of Portsmouth CC.
“I would have taken it before teeing it up,” Wilson said, “but it was disappointing. I was 3-under par through 11 and made a handful of bogeys coming in. It was not good.”
The final round of the Seacoast Am last week was played at Rochester CC where Wilson fought off several challengers down the stretch.
“It’s a whole different animal,” Wilson said of the State Am. “I don’t think there’s any momentum. In fact, I don’t think there’s any momentum in playing well and qualifying for match play. There’s two numbers. There’s ‘in’ and there’s ‘out.’”
Wilson has reached the semifinals in the State Am twice.
“There’s so many good players in the state now,” he said. “You want a better seed, but it really doesn’t mean anything. Really what it’s about this week is a mental and physical endurance test. You’re not going to have easy matches anymore. Those days are gone.”
Peter Lown of NHGA e-Club finished at 3-over 75 along with Jabe Felch of Candia Oaks. Brian Dekoning of Exeter CC shot a 77 as did Connor Allard of the Golf Club of New England, Andrew Degen of Exeter CC and Scott Rolph of Pease GC.
Jon Dumais of Cochecho CC shot 78. Rochester CC’s Wade Paquette came in at 79 along with Jared Lamothe of Portsmouth CC. Portsmouth CC’s Peter Keilty shot 80 while Keith Stone of Pease GC came in at 81 as did Patrick Connolly of Breakfast Hill and Mike Roy of Exeter CC. Jack Zioze of Abenaqui CC shot 81.
Justin Fogarty of Candia Oaks shot 85.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Locals in good position as NH State Am opens at Rochester CC
Category: General Sports