Thornton, NH – After 36 holes of championship golf, a lengthy weather delay, and a playoff that stretched into the fading evening light, Sam Maurice and Gavin Richardson captured the New Hampshire Golf Four Ball Championship at Owl’s Nest Resort, defeating former champions Jim Cilley and Mike Mahan on the second playoff hole. Both teams finished the tournament at an impressive 18-under par to put themselves in a playoff for the title.
The championship featured both rounds being played in a single day, creating a true test of endurance and focus for the field. Play was suspended for nearly two hours during the afternoon round due to dangerous weather conditions in the area, but once play resumed, the race for the title delivered an unforgettable finish.
Maurice and Richardson set the pace from the outset, firing a tournament-best 11-under-par 61 in the opening round. The duo followed with a 7-under-par 65 in the afternoon to post a clubhouse total of 18-under-par 126 and put pressure on the rest of the field.
Their success stemmed from a steady, complementary style of play that kept mistakes off the card while consistently creating birdie opportunities.
“We kept the bogeys pretty limited today, only one so that helped and we just had good momentum rolling through,” said Maurice. “We always had two looks at it, putting at it on every hole.”
Richardson echoed that sentiment when reflecting on their opening-round performance saying, “That first round we were just ham and egging it pretty good. If I made bogey, he made birdie.”
Standing in their way were former Four Ball champions Jim Cilley and Mike Mahan, who showcased the experience that has made them one of the state’s most successful teams. After opening with a 9-under-par 63, the duo remained within striking distance throughout the afternoon and saved their best for last.
Needing a special finish on their final hole to catch the leaders, Mahan delivered one of the championship’s defining moments, draining an eagle putt to pull his team even at 18-under par and force a sudden-death playoff with Maurice and Richardson.
The weather delay did little to cool the momentum of Maurice and Richardson, who immediately got back to work once play resumed. Richardson stated, “We came out and both birdied the first hole back after the weather delay so I wouldn’t say it affected us too much.”
With daylight quickly disappearing, the two teams headed back to the course for extra holes. Both sides matched scores on the opening playoff hole before the battle continued into near-darkness. On the second extra hole, Maurice and Richardson finally seized the advantage, securing the championship after a day that tested every aspect of a team’s game.
Jalen Rines and Ryan Kohler finished third at 16-under-par after rounds of 65 and 63. Bryce Zimmerman and Austin Baker claimed fourth at 15-under-par, highlighted by a 10-under-par 62 in the second round, while the teams of Surprenant and Shattuck and Schlosstein and Zetterholm rounded out the top five at 14-under-par.
Despite the weather interruption, scoring remained exceptional throughout the championship, with four teams finishing at 15-under-par or better. For Maurice and Richardson, the victory was the reward for a full day of staying patient, trusting their games, and capitalizing when opportunities arose.
“It feels very good,” Maurice said. “We knew if we just played well, we would have a chance, and enough putts fell to get it done.”
New Hampshire Golf would like to extend a sincere thank you to Owl’s Nest Resort Golf Club for hosting the Four Ball Championship and their hospitality throughout the day.
Four Ball Championship | Results
