The second event of the Spring 2013 NCCGA New England regional season was held April 13-14 at Stow Acres CC in Stow, MA. Saturday’s round was contested on the South course, while Sunday was played on the storied North course, home to a Monday qualifier for the PGA Tour Playoffs Deutsche Bank Championship and the 70th US Amateur Public Links Championship.
The South course (6,250 yards, 71.7/128) was challenging, featuring many elevation changes, some tricky par fours, and tough greens. Regardless, weather conditions and the fact that players already had one club golf tournament under their belts contributed to some great scores. BC’s Tim Cunningham led the way with an opening 73, featuring six birdies. BC’s Mike Richardson was a shot behind at 74, and UNH’s CJ Konkowski put up a 75. On the strength of five scores of 77 or below, BC held a 15 shot lead over UNH after day one with a team score of 376 to UNH’s 391.
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Day two at the North course (6,797 yards, 73.7/130) put players in position to walk the same fairways as some of the game’s icons. As the site of many Deutsche Bank Championship Monday Qualifiers, the course has undoubtedly seen some of the game’s greatest players and some rising stars. The layout was phenomenal, and it is no wonder that it has hosted such large-scale events. Sunday featured tougher course conditions, and as such, scores were slightly higher for the field. Bentley’s Mike Higgins posted the day’s low of 76, and overnight leader Tim Cunningham was only able to manage an 85. UNH’s Danny Kish took home the individual title with a two-day total of 152, a shot ahead of teammate Konkowski and BC’s Richardson, who tied for second with a total of 153. Despite only posting one score under 80, BC was able to hang on to take home it’s first-ever New England Regional title, with a team score of 786. UNH finished second, and was two shots behind. In the end, the Boston College Club Golf team came out on time.
Without taking anything away from Danny Kish’s win, the following should be noted. UNH’s Konkowski’s final round featured a two-stroke penalty for playing the wrong ball on his 18th hole, and that penalty ultimately knocked him out of the individual title. While pondering his approach into the par 5 18th, an errant tee shot from the first hole toward the group, striking Konkowski on one bounce. The ball came to rest feet from his actual ball, and in the semi-confusion that always follows such an incident, Konkowski played the wrong Titleist. His playing companions had no idea, and had Konkowski not shown the integrity and honor that characterize our game by immediately calling the penalty on himself, he would have been able to take home the medalist trophy. Kudos to him for doing the right thing!
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