YARMOUTH, Massachusetts – In a first round that was defined by a 2 hour and 35-minute delay because of heavy rains, players faced a staunch mental test to begin the Championship Proper, hosted by Bayberry Hills Golf Course. It was Brady Allbritton of Easton Country Club who was able to stay composed the most of any in the field, as he carded a 3-under 69 to take a two stroke lead after round 1. With two birdies and two bogeys on his opening nine, Allbritton sat at even par with nine holes remaining. He continued his even keeled play with pars on holes 10-14, before he opened up the floodgates by birdieing three of his final four holes, 15, 16 and 18, to finish 3-under. Bayberry proved a solid test for the competitors, as only four players in Round 1 came in at under par.
The Amateur Public Links Championship is open to amateur golfers who are public course players at public Mass Golf member clubs and who’s Handicap Index does not exceed 12.0 (as determined by the June 1, 2019 Handicap Revision). Players who have playing privileges or who have an established handicap at any private club are ineligible, with the exception of:
For the first time in the 38-year history of the Massachusetts Amateur Public Links, the Championship Proper hangs its hat at Bayberry Hills Golf Course on Cape Cod. This is the fourth time the Championship has been hosted on Cape Cod, with the first three being held at Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds in Barnstable (1998) and twice at Cranberry Valley Golf Course in Harwich (2005; 2014). Winning in 1998 was Eric McPhail, Phil Miceli won in 2005, while Herbie Aikens was victorious in 2014.
Five former Massachusetts Amateur Public Links champions were in the field Tuesday. Among them, defending champion Owen Quinn of Wachusett Country Club. Also playing in this year’s Championship were Andy Drohen (2012), Ryan Riley (2009), Phil Miceli (2005) and the man who won the inaugural event in 1982, Don Reycroft. Miceli is the only one of that group to have won his Amateur Public Links Championship on the Cape, as he was victorious at Cranberry Valley in 2005. Quinn finished his first round with a score of 7-over 79, Drohen finished his first round carding a 4-over 76 and sits in a tie for 35th, Riley fired a 1-under 71, good enough to put him in a tie for second, while Miceli shot a 1-over 73 and sits in a tie for 13th after the first round. Reycroft shot a first round 75 to sit at 3-over after round 1 and a tie for 25th. The cut after the first round was the low 60 finishers, including ties.
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