For Immediate Release: August 19, 2009
Headline: Team New Hampshire Comes From Behind to Win the 2009 New England Junior Championship
Wells, ME – The team from New Hampshire, fueled by an impressive third round score of 380, came through with an upset victory over defending champion Connecticut on Wednesday to capture the 2009 New England Junior Championship at Old Marsh Country Club in Wells, Maine.
New Hampshire finished with a three-round total of 1158 which was just five strokes better than Connecticut. Maine captured the third spot with 1179 points, while Massachusetts finished fourth with 1198 points. Vermont and Rhode Island – despite a a tournament-low score of 1-over par 71 fired by Andrew Fiorenzano (Carnegie Abbey Club) on Wednesday – finished in fifth and sixth place, respectively.
After trailing Connecticut by two strokes following the first two rounds of play which were contested on Tuesday, the seven members of the New Hampshire squad put their best foot forward on Wednesday as it was a team effort that catapulted them to the top spot.
Leading the way for New Hampshire was Nick Fairweather (Atkinson R&CC), who posted a score of 2-over par 72 on Wednesday for a three-round total of 19-over par 229. While Fairweather served as the anchor, it was a complete team effort in the end as the seven players – despite hot and humid conditions on the course – came through win a spectacular final round which saw them combine for a score average of 78 on Wednesday.
Representing Team New Hampshire this year were Fairweather, Chelso Barrett (Bretwood GC), Joe Leavitt (Atkinson R&CC), Jake Nutter (Manchester CC), Ryan Henry (Breakfast Hill GC), Jake Hajec (Windham CC) and Tyler Silver (Eastman GL).
“We were proud of the performances from all teams,” said Harry McCracken, the secretary-treasurer of the New England Golf Association. “All teams put forth a tremendous effort this week despite the hot conditions and they should be proud of their performances.”
This marks the first time in six years that the New England Golf Association has been able to crown a new New England Junior champion. For the past five years, Connecticut has dominated this event.
New Hampshire will look to defend its title next year when the New England Junior Championship moves to the Granite State.
Finishing as the low individual scorer in the event was Maine's Seth Sweet (Lakewood GC) with a three-round total of 12-over par 222. Sweet edged Evan Russell (Links @ Lang Farm) by five strokes.
Here are the final team standings:
1) New Hampshire - 1158
2) Connecticut - 1163
3) Maine - 1179
4) Massachusetts - 1198
5) Vermont - 1199
6) Rhode Island - 1201
