Experience Matters
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
WARWICK – If results from the Round of 32 are any indication how the remainder of the 119th State Amateur Championship will play out, then buckle up because it has a chance to reach epic proportions at Warwick Country Club.
While it’s an interesting fact that five past champions will compete in the Sweet 16, it’s not a coincidence Tommy McCormick (2005), Kevin Silva (2015), Brad Valois (2006, 2007, 2011, 2013), Bobby Leopold (2009, 2014, 2021, 2023) and Kevin Blaser (2022) all advanced given their respective experiences. All week, players have commented how challenging Warwick Country Club is playing with its long rough, fast greens, narrow fairways and wind conditions. So, it’s no surprise the championship’s best players have reached this point.
“It’s a testament to the golf course. This golf course is championship level and the players with experience, the players who have been through this, I think the course brings out the (best) players,” said Silva, who defeated No. 2 seed Bennett Masterson.
Silva, of Montaup Country Club, qualified for match play during a playoff hole after Round 2 Tuesday. He then defeated No. 2 seed Bennett Masterson, 4&3, Wednesday.
“I was really looking forward to today. Over the last couple of days, I felt like I didn’t get a lot out of my game. I was happy to sneak in (via playoff) and my game’s been ok,” he said. “Bennett’s a great player, he didn’t have his best out there and I just tried to make some putts and capitalize on a few good shots I hit and just stay the course.”
Silva admitted his veteran experience was a key factor.
“I think so,” he said. “You’ve got to beat the player you’re playing against and it’s about putting pressure on your opponent. It’s about trying to capitalize on different mistakes. I do love the theory of match play, love putting pressure on my opponent and hopefully I can come through with some great shots and see how it goes. My goal is to not beat myself out here.”
Warwick Country Club favorite Jonathan Pannone needed 19 holes to beat past State Amateur champion Billy Forcier. It was a tight match and many believe Pannone has the advantage playing on his home course. It won’t be easy, however, and his first match against Forcier proved it.
“It was a long battle and we were giving it back and forth to each other,” Pannone said. “We played high school golf together, we were roommates at URI together and played college golf together, so it was a blast getting to compete. We were both a little nervy down the stretch with some of the missed putts, but match play is match play. I was able to find something and able to pull one off. I’m looking forward to the next round.”
Defending champion Bobby Leopold also had an interesting match against Lance Gillett. Leopold jumped out to a 4-up lead after five holes, but Gillett stayed in control and stormed back to tie the match after 10 holes. Leopold regained his focus and finished with a 3&1 win.
“It was a battle,” he said. “I didn’t hit it great for a few holes, then found it again, then lost it again, then found it.”
It did come down to the wire for Agawam Hunt’s Mike Caparco, who defeated Henry Sheehan, of Wannamoisett, 1-up. As Caparco was walking off No. 18, Leopold stood nearby to offer his congratulations. They will face off in the Round of 16. Leopold defeated Caparco, 5&3, in the semifinals last year at Montaup CC.
“I obviously need to bring my absolute best golf or I’m going to get pounded,” Caparco said. “I’m looking forward to it and I know Bobby is a RIGA legend, so I’m looking forward to competing against him and hopefully pull a win out . . . “This is the biggest tournament of the year for the RIGA, so I’m happy to be moving forward.”
Larry Lafauci, of Kirkbrae, pulled off an incredible up-and-down on No. 18 to beat Geronimo Narizzano, 1-up. Lafauci will play the 2023 State Amateur runner-up Harry Dessel in the Sweet 16.
“You’ve got to hit good shots,” Lafauci said. “These guys are going to make birdies and it’s really tough. There are some great players here and you’ve got to hit fairways and greens. You can’t make mistakes and you’ve got to make birdies when you have the opportunity. You’re going to hit a rough patch and you’ve got to find your way through it.”
The entire field this week was thrilled to compete at Warwick Country Club, and now it’s only going to get better for those who remain.
“This place is unbelievable. I love Warwick and have always enjoyed playing here. The rough is brutal, fairways are tight and narrow, greens are good and everything’s great. Now that the wind is blowing it should make for an interesting next couple of days,” Lafauci said.
Caparco concurs.
“We should play every event here,” he said. “This place is absolutely spectacular, conditions are great and the rough around the greens, and just off the fairways makes every hole a challenge. It’s a great venue.”
