Rochester, NH – The 122nd New Hampshire Amateur Championship presented by Davis & Towle Insurance and supported by Johnnie Walker has reached the Quarterfinal stage at Rochester Country Club, and among the standout performers are brothers Cam and Damon Salo, who both advanced through the Round of 32 and Round of 16 with poise and precision. Also advancing to the fifth day of the championship with the Salo Brothers are 2020 and 2021 champion, James Pleat, Gavin Richardson, Ryan Scollins, Josiah Hakala, Mat Gover, and Jake Nutter.
Representing The Shattuck Golf Club, Damon Salo picked up a solid 3 & 2 victory over Ryan Zetterholm in the Round of 32 before continuing his efficient play in the afternoon session. He defeated top-seed Justin Grondhal in the Round of 16 by a commanding 4 & 3 margin. Damon stated, “I just didn’t make any mistakes. I putted really well, I kept the ball in play, and put the pressure on him early.”
His strategy has centered on smart putting and course management, saying, “You have to be smart with the putter and leave yourself in some good spots, and I’ve been doing that. From here on out, I just need to keep playing better and better golf. So, I just need to stay positive and stay calm.”
Older brother Cam Salo joins Damon in the Quarterfinals after a 2 & 1 win over Will McLaughlin in the Round of 32, and another tightly contested victory in the afternoon. With McLaughlin flipping roles and serving as caddie for Cam during the Round of 16, the Salo-McLaughlin combo proved strong.
“It was good to have Will on the bag to keep things simple,” said Cam. “He would talk me through the shots because you can get in your own head if you let yourself.”
The Salo brothers, both proud natives of New Ipswich, have embraced the spotlight as they put their hometown on the golfing map. “It feels great, I love it,” said Cam. “And it was cool to see Jalen [Rines] make the cut as well. It’s sweet to see New Ipswich put themselves on the map with Josiah [Hakala], Jalen, me, and Damon.”
Despite the possibility of a future head-to-head, the Salos remain each other’s biggest fans. “Every year we both play, we see what side of the bracket each of us are on and see when we would be able to play against each other,” Damon said. “But I’m rooting for Cam.”
From Beaver Meadow Golf Course, Hakala added another clutch performance to his growing amateur resume. One year removed from a run to the Semifinals, the 18-year-old fought through 20 holes in the Round of 16 to defeat Carter Browning (Passaconaway CC). Browning pushed Hakala to the limit before finding trouble in the trees on the second extra hole, opening the door for Hakala to secure the win. With the victory, Hakala continues his impressive match play history, eyeing another deep run with his name now etched once again among the tournament’s final eight.
Bald Peak Colony Club member Ryan Scollins delivered one of the biggest wins of the day, knocking out defending champion Rob Henley (Lake Sunapee CC) with a 2-up victory in the Round of 16. Scollins played composed, confident golf down the stretch, answering every push from Henley and closing strong to punch his ticket to the Quarterfinals. It’s another big step for Scollins, who has shown sharp form all week at Rochester and now stands just two wins away from a championship match appearance.
Also advancing is Mat Gover (Atkinson Resort & CC), who secured a Round of 32 win (8 & 6) before facing a challenging competitor, Ryan Martel, in the Round of 16. Martel brought the match to their 18th hole but Gover’s ability to keep himself calm in the high pressure situation eventually led to his success.
Gover’s return to the knockout rounds is notable, he reached the Semifinals in 2019 and brought that experience back into play this week. He said, “I didn’t set any goals and have no expectations for myself. I’m just playing my game and seeing where that stands up. Right now, it’s on to the Quarterfinals, which is very, very nice.”
Reflecting on his past success, Gover added, “I think the experience helps a lot, especially coming down the stretch. Being able to calm myself under those pressure situations and execute it definitely helped.”
With some exciting matches on the horizon, the Quarterfinals of the 122nd New Hampshire Amateur Championship are sure to bring the heat. Damon Salo will face James Pleat, Gavis Richardson will go up against Ryan Scollins, Josiah Hakala will face Mat Gover and Jake Nutter takes on Cam Salo.
NH Amateur | Match Play Bracket | Round of 32 Results | Round of 16 Results
