LYNN, Massachusetts – It was a hot and sunny day at Gannon Municipal Golf Club for Round 1 of the 39th Massachusetts Amateur Public Links Championship. After the first round of play, Daniel Falcucci (Cyprian Keyes GC) and Steven Ferraro (The Ledges GC) lead the way at 2-under par.
Falcucci shot the round of the morning with his 68. He ended the day with a birdie on the long par-3 9th hole, his 6th birdie of the day. Ferraro, also having started on the back nine, shot two-under on the back nine and finished his day with 10 straight pars to tie for the lead.
“It honestly didn’t fit my eye very well, but somehow I tried to make the best of it. I have a buddy who is battling cancer, so I just tried to play for him today and take it one shot at a time.” said Ferraro.
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Three other players shot even-par or better: Samuel Russell (George Wright GC) shot a 1-under par 69, Brian Foley (Cyprian Keyes GC) shot an even-par 70, and 3-time Champion of this event Bill Drohen (Brookmeadow CC) shot 70 as well.
Talking about what a come-from-behind victory would mean, Drohen said “It’d mean a lot, it’s been a while since I’ve been in one of these competitive rounds and actually be in the hunt.”
Daniel Falcucci (Cyprian Keyes GC) is tied for the lead after round 1 (Photo: David Colt)
Coming in at 1-over par 71, and just 3-shots back were Robert Thomas (Gannon GC) and Sean Fitzpatrick (George Wright GC). Talking about today’s round and the plan for tomorrow, Fitzpatrick said “It was a good day. It was my first time playing the golf course so I was a little defensive off the tee. Now having seen the course and and having a good plan of attack, it’s gonna be a little bit more aggressive tomorrow. Definitely be more of a green light out of the gate.”
Also in the mix is Brendan Mahoney (Granite Links GC) thanks to his Albatross on the 15th hole. After a good drive on the reachable par-5, Mahoney hit what turned out to be a perfect 6-iron to a blind green. Making a 2 on a par-5 is a rare feat, but something Mahoney almost experienced last week. “It was a big two for me. The ironic thing was, I was playing last Thursday and I hit one to three inches on a par five and I was like man, am I ever going to get that close to an albatross.” Turns out the answer was yes, and thanks to it, Mahoney is in good position heading into the Final Round.
About the Amateur Public Links Championship
Entries are open to amateur golfers who are bona fide public course players at a public Mass Golf member club (a course/club that provides playing opportunities for the general public seven days a week) and maintain an up-to-date Mass Golf/GHIN Handicap Index not exceeding 12.0 (as determined by the June 4, 2020 Handicap Revision). Players who have playing privileges or who have an established handicap at any private club are ineligible, with the exception of:
Qualifying took place at 6 sites, with the first coming in late June and the last qualifier in early July. The qualifying sites included: Meadow at Peabody GC (Peabody), CC of Greenfield (Greenfield), Bass River GC (South Yarmouth), Sandy Burr CC (Wayland), Olde Scotland Links (Bridgewater), and Blackstone National (Sutton).
About Gannon Municipal Golf Course
Located on the outskirts of the Lynn Woods Reservation, Gannon Municipal Golf Course is an 18-Hole Championship design by famed Donald Ross disciple Wayne Stiles. Gannon is owned by the city of Lynn and operated by Golf Facilities Management Inc. and longtime Golf Course Superintendent Steve Murphy.
