Dover, NH – Championship Thursday lived up to its reputation at the 123rd New Hampshire Amateur Championship presented by Davis & Towle Insurance, as two of the tournament’s biggest favorites were eliminated and the field was trimmed from 32 players to eight at Cochecho Country Club.
After the Round of 32 in the morning and the Round of 16 in the afternoon, just eight players remain in contention for New Hampshire’s most prestigious amateur title. Of those eight, only one past champion remains: Jack Pepin, the 2023 champion.
The day’s biggest surprise came in the Round of 16, where Cam Sheedy knocked off medalist and No. 1 seed Rob Henley, 5 & 3. Sheedy, who advanced to the championship match of the 2020 New Hampshire Amateur before falling to James Pleat on the 35th hole, leaned on his experience and composure to eliminate one of the tournament favorites.
“I wouldn’t sign up for this if I didn’t think I could compete, but sometimes it looks like you’re about to run into a buzzsaw and Rob’s a fantastic player,” Sheedy said. “It was a little bit nerve wrecking.”
After defeating Tommy Ethier in a tightly contested 1up match in the Round of 32, Sheedy found another gear against Henley, building an early advantage and holding off the top seed down the stretch. Sheedy credited his patient mindset and improved short game for helping him survive two demanding matches.
“I’m trying to keep it one shot at a time,” he said. “I’m trying to avoid the big mistakes, that’s a huge part of it. For me, so far this week, it’s been hit or miss off the tee and that’s always been my game though. My short game and putting have really made a turnaround over the past few years.”
With the tournament entering its final two days, Sheedy isn’t changing his approach. He said, “I’m just trying to stay loose, keep my next shot ahead of me, try not to get too hung up on the past and try to keep my emotions level.”
Another major upset unfolded just a few groups away as Cochecho Country Club member Kurt Eddins defeated defending champion Josiah Hakala, 2 & 1. Eddins first advanced past Taylor Michie, 4 & 3, in the Round of 32 before using his local knowledge to outlast Hakala in one of the day’s marquee matchups.
“The kid’s a stud,” Eddins said of Hakala. “I just figured I would just go out and attack and try to make some birdies and see what happens.”
“It was a really good match, definitely a tough one, but I’m pretty happy,” continued Eddins.
Having called Cochecho home for nearly a decade, Eddins understands the subtle challenges the course presents saying, “I’ve been here for almost 10 years. There’s a lot of places you just can’t be. Whether it’s off the tee, or there’s really sloping greens, and you just can’t be on the wrong side of them.”
As match play continues, Eddins knows staying mentally disciplined becomes just as important as executing shots. He commented, “It’s a grind. You just have to stay present and take it one shot at a time.”
While the top half of the bracket saw significant shakeups, Pepin continued his steady march toward another championship. The 2023 champion defeated Reece Bessette, 4 & 3, in the Round of 32 before narrowly defeating Austin Baker, 2 & 1, in the Round of 16 to become the lone past champion remaining.
Another player who continued to impress on Thursday was Grey Gagnon, who made quick work of both of his matches to advance to the quarterfinals. The newly crowned New Hampshire Junior Amateur champion defeated Jabe Felch, 6 & 5, in the Round of 32 before cruising past Harry Groft, 5 & 4, in the Round of 16.
Fresh off his victory at last week’s New Hampshire Junior Amateur Championship at Mt. Washington Resort Golf Club, Gagnon has already secured an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur. Now, the Pease Golf Course member has positioned himself to chase an even bigger prize, the New Hampshire Amateur title and the champion’s exemption into the U.S. Amateur Championship.
The remaining quarterfinalists are Cam Sheedy, Kurt Eddins, Grey Gagnon, Myles O’Quinn, Jack Pepin, Damon Salo, Gavin Richardson, and Bryce Zimmerman setting up an intriguing Friday as the championship heads into the quarterfinals and semifinals.
By the end of Friday, the field will be reduced from eight to just two players who will earn the opportunity to compete in Saturday’s 36-hole championship match.
NH Amateur | Match Play Bracket
