Dunham Upsets Jackson in Junior Amateur
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
PAWTUCKET – Entering the 105th Junior Amateur Championship at Pawtucket Country Club, Ian Dunham felt confident enough in his golf game to believe he had an opportunity to dethrone Max Jackson.
Well, Dunham accomplished that goal Wednesday afternoon, defeating the three-time champion in 19 holes. It was an epic match between the two competitors that ended with Dunham making par on hole No. 1, while Jackson three-putted for bogey. He had an opportunity to become the first player to win four consecutive Junior Amateur championships, but Dunham rewrote the history books with his sudden-death victory.
He understands there are plenty of great competitors remaining in the semifinals, but Dunham’s confidence level is at an all-time high.
“I do feel like I took down the top dog of Rhode Island golf, especially for the junior age. He does great at the (State) Amateur, so it’s a big confidence boost going forward to feel like I have a good chance of winning the thing,” Dunham said.
He will face Brayden Dickinson, who also won his match in 19 holes against Eli Hamelsky, in the semifinals Thursday morning at PCC. Rocco Capalbo defeated Drew MacLeod, 4&3, and will play Jesse Hellring, who defeated Nick Emery, 6&5.
There was plenty of attention surrounding Jackson in this championship, especially since Pawtucket CC is his home course. He had the advantage this week on the greens and was 3-up against Dunham with five holes to play.
“Yes, home course is definitely a little bit of an advantage, but at the end of the day you’ve got to play golf. He didn’t go out and have a terrible day, but if you go out there and don’t play your best golf it really doesn’t matter what course you play,” Dunham said.
Dunham did not give up and won four straight holes, beginning when he drained a 25-foot putt on No. 14 to change the momentum.
“That was the big turning point,” admitted Dunham. “I went on a four-hole stretch and won four holes straight. I was 1-up going into 18 and hit the worst drive of the week almost left of 10 fairway, so I lost that hole and he made birdie. The (playoff hole) we hit our tee shots in similar spots, we both hit the green from there and I two-putted for par and he unfortunately three-putted and that’s how it ended.”
Dunham credited Jackson for an outstanding match.
“Feels great,” Dunham said of the win. “He’s a great player. It’s a grind to play against him. You’re never going to win a hole with a bogey. I don’t think he hit the ball his absolutely best today, but neither did I. It’s just such a grind to play a guy like that. He hits so many good shots. That four-hole stretch – 14, 15, 16, 17 – played some of my best golf. On 17, I had 200 yards in out of the fairway, in the pouring rain, and hit a 6-iron to five feet for birdie and made the putt. That was the biggest hole of the match, for sure.”
Dunham’s confidence helped him focus going into the playoff hole and he finished with a victory.
“Once I got into the playoff hole, it was like we just started the match again, but it’s first to win a hole takes it and fortunate enough I got the job done,” Dunham said.
With one goal accomplished, Dunham has his sights on one more.
“I’ve just got to keep playing my game,” he said. “I played solid all week. I’ve had a few bad shots here and there but that’s golf. Overall, I’ve been pretty dialed in and as the days have gone on my longer iron shots have gotten much, much better. If I can build off that in the next two days I think I’ll be in a good spot.”
The Girls’ Championship Division played out with Olivia Williams (Potowomut GC), Adriana Eaton (Kirkbrae CC), Lily Dessel (Rhode Island CC) and Clarie McTaggart (RICC) all advancing to the semifinal round. Williams, the two-time defending champion, defeated Elizabeth Kue, of Button Hole, 5&4. Eaton beat Emma Lockhart, 5&4, while Dessel defeated first-timer Ava Andoscia, 8&7. McTaggart also beat a first-timer, Julia Nault, 2&1. In the semis, Williams will face Eaton, while Dessel and McTaggart square off.
“I’m feeling good after today,” Eaton said. “I like this course. It’s in very good shape and I feel like it’s a good length and if my wedge game and putting is on then it should be a good match (vs. Williams). I just need to treat it like another round of golf, not worry about the opponent and just play me against the course and see how it goes.”
Williams defeated Eaton, 1-up, to win this championship last season at Ledgemont Country Club.
In the Boys’ First Division quarterfinals, Connor Ahlborg, of Warwick CC, defeated Richie Cavanagh, of Ledgemont CC, 3&1. Luke Cavanaugh, of Lincoln CC, defeated Noah Patel, of Newport CC, 1-up. Connor Rabbitt, of Winnapaug CC, defeated Nick Adamonis, of Riverside, 2&1. Zachary Taraian, of Potowomut GC, beat Julien Kocatas, of The Misquamicut Club, 5&4.
In the Boys’ Under-14 Division quarterfinals, Mitch McTaggart, of RICC, defeated Nick Keefe, of Wannamoisett CC, 7&6. Aidan Connell, of Crestwood CC, defeated Ray Rainville, of Warwick CC, 2&1. Raj Mammen, of Warwick CC, defeated Logan Ferreira, 7&6. Nico Capalbo, of Shelter Harbor, finished strong with a 1-up win over Kailer Louangxay, of Button Hole.