Keene, NH – Bryce Zimmerman (Nashua Country Club) lit up the back nine at Bretwood Golf Course (South) Wednesday afternoon, closing with three consecutive birdies to post a 2-under-par 70 and earn a share of the lead with hometown hopeful Nick Sarsfield (Bretwood Golf Course) at 3-under (141) after two rounds of the New Hampshire Stroke Play Championship. With the cut at 156 (+12), 41 golfers will tee it up in the final round to determine this year’s champion.
If you asked Zimmerman on the front nine where he expected to see his name on the leaderboard after the round, he would not say in a tie for the lead. He stated, “I firmly believe that you have to be one-under on those first two holes to keep up with the field and I did not so it was a rough way to start.”
Despite a slower start, which included two bogeys on the front nine, Zimmerman used a red-hot finish to vault into a share of the lead, carding three consecutive birdies on holes 16, 17, and 18, the notoriously difficult “Jurassic Park” stretch, to shoot a 2-under 70. He stated, “I rattled off three in a row, 16, 17, and 18, which was nice. I stuffed everything and chipped it in on 16.”
Despite struggling early with bogeys on holes 4 and 5 and making the turn at 2-over 38, Zimmerman posted a back-nine 32 thanks to birdies on 11, 13, 16, 17, and 18. Commenting on it, he said, “I finally birdied 11, one of the hardest holes on the course. It was good to see a putt go in. I haven’t made a putt all week.”
“I didn’t hit it that great today”, continued Zimmerman. “I hit way better yesterday, but I scored better today, which kind of sums up how I play golf.”
Now in a familiar position near the top of the leaderboard, Zimmerman is embracing the moment saying, “I always play well here. Last year, I had the first-round lead playing in this. If I just keep doing what I’m doing, I think I’ll be fine. Another under-par round would be great, but you never know. There are so many good people out here creeping near the top of the leaderboard.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge and potentially being in the final group”, continued Zimmerman.
Meanwhile, Nick Sarsfield, representing the host course, leaned on his course knowledge to remain steady, following up his opening 69 (-3) with an even-par 72. While he wasn’t as flashy as Zimmerman, his scorecard told the story of controlled golf. After a triple bogey on the par-4 4th, Sarsfield stayed composed, making birdies at 11, 15, and 16 to offset the damage and finish with a back-nine 33. His final nine included birdies on two of the three Jurassic Park holes, helping him maintain his place atop the leaderboard.
Will Miele (Nashua CC) sits just one shot back at 2-under (142) after posting consistent rounds of 70–72. James Shattuck (Beaver Meadow GC) and Elliot Wallace (Manchester CC) are tied for fourth at even-par (144) after shooting 75 and 74, respectively, on Wednesday. Austin Fox (Derryfield CC) made the biggest jump of the day, climbing 11 spots with a 1-under 71 to sit solo sixth at +1 (145). Connor Greenleaf (Atkinson Resort & CC) is just behind at +2 (146), and a trio of players, Ryan Kohler (NH Golf e-Club), Andrew Surprenant (Beaver Meadow GC), and Matt Moore (Canterbury Woods CC) are tied at +3 (147), all within striking distance heading into the final day.
The cut came at +12 (156), with 41 players advancing to Thursday’s final round. With Bretwood’s Jurassic Park stretch continuing to play as the most demanding part of the course, the final 18 holes are sure to bring excitement, pressure, and championship drama.
NH Stroke Play | Leaderboard
