N. Hampton, NH – The race for a spot in the 123rd New Hampshire Amateur Championship presented by Davis & Towle Insurance continued at Sagamore-Hampton Golf Club, where a strong field battled for 18 qualifying positions and three alternate spots in the second of seven statewide qualifiers. At the end of the day, Nick McLaughlin (Wentworth by the Sea Country Club) and Stephen Miele (NH Golf e-Club) shared medalist honors after each carded rounds of 3-under-par 68 on the challenging Sagamore-Hampton layout.
McLaughlin and Miele were the only players to finish at 3-under, while Grey Gagnon (Youth on Course) and Jimmy Schouller (Abenaqui Country Club) followed closely behind at 2-under 69. Ross Oberg (USGA/NHGA GC) rounded out the top five with an even-par 71.
For Miele, the key was a steady approach from tee to green and a hot putter on Sagamore-Hampton’s well-conditioned greens. He stated, “Today was pretty easy. I kind of just kept it in front of me all day and made some putts. It went nice and smooth.”
Miele credited his success to his work on the greens throughout the round saying, “I had a lot of good putts today, I made a lot of putts. The greens were in great shape.”
The qualifying number ultimately settled at 5-over-par 76 but reaching that mark did not guarantee a spot in the championship field. By day’s end, eight players found themselves tied at 76, creating a playoff for the final five qualifying positions.
The playoff provided a dramatic finish to the day as competitors battled for the remaining places in New Hampshire’s premier amateur championship. Three players were left to claim alternate positions after the playoff concluded. Those advancing through the playoff were Kevin Strong, Cody Stevens, AJ Mastrullo, Nick Correia and Ian McNamara.
The Sagamore-Hampton qualifier marks the second stop in the qualifying process for the 123rd New Hampshire Amateur Championship presented by Davis & Towle Insurance, which will be contested next month at Cochecho Country Club. Players will have five more opportunities across the state to earn their place in the championship field as qualifying continues throughout the summer.
With two qualifiers complete, the road to Dover is beginning to take shape, but plenty of spots remain available as New Hampshire’s top amateur golfers continue their pursuit of the state’s most prestigious amateur title.
NH Amateur Qualifier at Sagamore-Hampton GC | Results
