THOMPSON, Connecticut (September 18, 2024) – The Final Round of the New England Senior Amateur Championship was contested on a cloudy, yet pleasant day, at Quinnatisset Country Club.
It was anything but a walk in the park, but overnight leader Andy Drohen (The Ranch GC, MA) was able to slam the door shut with an incredible up-and-down for birdie on the final hole to take home the New England Senior Amateur Championship.
Craig Steckowych (Portsmouth CC, NH) mounded a furious comeback, playing the final five holes at 3-under-par to claim the Super Senior Championship.
Senior Championship Final Leaderboard
1 – Andy Drohen (MA); 66-72 (-6)
T2 – Dean Godek (MA); 71-68 (-5)
T2 – David Marshall (CT); 71-68 (-5)
T4 – Doug Clapp (MA); 71-69 (-4)
T4 – Timothy Murray (CT); 68-72 (-4)
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Senior Championship
Early in the day, it looked like newly minted senior, Andy Drohen was going to pick up where he left off yesterday, and easily birdie his way to victory. A couple of opening pars followed by back-to-back birdies put Drohen at -8 and out in front.
Hometown favorites Timothy Murray (Quinnatisset CC, CT) and David Marshall (Quinnatisset CC, CT) hung around the top of the leaderboard for the entire day. Joining them was former champion Doug Clapp (Old Sandwich GC, MA), Dean Godek (Agawam Municipal GC, MA), as well as a smattering of others.
As the clock read 4:45 p.m., there were six players either tied or within one shot of the lead.
But what makes golf such a beautiful game is the rhythm of rounds and the ability for late fireworks, especially when a reachable par-5 is awaiting on 18.
At first it looked like Clapp was set to etch his name on the trophy once again, as he was four-under on his round through 12 holes. As his round slowed, it was Godek’s that started humming. After a birdie on the par-5 14th, Godek played a crafty, low chip into the face of the hill on the par-3 15th, perfectly deadening the ball. As the ball released off the hill it slowly inched its way towards the hole, before falling for birdie.
After Godek’s birdie bid on the closing hole lipped out, it was Marshall who looked primed to grab victory. But like Godek, his birdie bid was no good, setting the stage for Drohen.
The forgotten man, the one that came into the day leading, needed a birdie on the last to win the championship.
“I leave the phone in the car, because work gets in the way of that,” joked Drohen in explaining that he was unaware of his standing coming into the final hole. “I was playing with Tim there, and I kind of thought Tim was, I think he was one back, and I figured he was going to make a birdie there. So I was just trying to make the birdie (to) hold him off that, so I had no idea what’s going on with the field.”
Nevertheless, Drohen found himself greenside in two, but well left of the green. A high, soft pitch landed loudly on the green and bounded past the hole for Drohen. After a full examination, Drohen stepped up and buried the long birdie putt for the win.
“It’s been good to be the young guy again,” added Drohen. “Been looking forward to being old for a long time, so getting in that range of 50 years old and above, and can’t really compete with the young guys anymore. So, it’s kind of good to compete with the all the old legends again.”
Super Senior Championship Final Leaderboard
1 – Craig Steckowych (NH); 74-69 (-1)
2 – Kevin Carey (MA); 72-74 (+2)
3 – Donald Reycroft (MA); 74-73 (+3)
4 – John Herbert (CT); 74-74 (+4)
5 – Richard Stevens (CT); 74-75 (+5)
Super Senior Championship
Craig Steckowych, of Portsmouth Country Club in New Hampshire, doesn’t consider himself a Super Senior, but he played spectacular during the two-day event to finish as the champion in that division. He was the only Super Senior to shoot below par, posting 74-69 – 143 (1-under). Despite a double-bogey on his second hole of Round 2, he settled down and cruised to victory with seven birdies. It’s been nearly a year to the day since Steckowych won the New Hampshire Senior Match Play Championship at the Golf Club of New England Sept. 19, 2023 in Stratham, N.H. He continued his New England success this week at Quinnatisset Country Club.
Top Finishers From Each State
Connecticut – David Marshall (T2)
New Hampshire – Craig Steckowych (T9)
Maine – Thomas Caron (T65)
Massachusetts – Andy Drohen (Winner)
Rhode Island – Jeffrey Dantas (T15)
Vermont – Greg Birsky (T44)
The New England Senior Amateur Championship was the final event on the New England Golf Association calendar for 2024. Next year, this event will be contested in Maine at site that yet to be determined.
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