In the Nick of Time
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
WEST WARWICK – Defending Rhode Island Stroke Play champion Michael Hamilton was yelling from the sixth green at Valley Country Club, trying to get the attention of RIGA executive director, Bob Ward.
“He’s here,” Hamilton screamed.
Harry Dessel was running up the hill from the parking lot, grabbed his golf bag and quickly hit a shot.
Two hours earlier, play was suspended at 8:55 a.m. during the 40th R.I. Stroke Play Championship due to inclement weather. Since the rain delay was expected to last at least two hours, Dessel, 20, decided to go home to Barrington for dry clothes. He almost did not make it back on time. When play resumed at 11:05 a.m., Hamilton and fellow playing partner, Andy Coughlin, stood on the par-3 green, looking for Dessel, who was nowhere to be found. So, Hamilton and Coughlin finished the hole just as Dessel sprinted up, still in his sneakers, with seconds to spare before he would have been disqualified.
Still, Ward issued a two-stroke penalty. Dessel found his ball, which he left in the rough at the time the horn sounded to suspend play and chipped in for bogey, which would have been a birdie if not for the penalty.
Overall, he finished the first round T2 with a 1-under par 71.
“It was a good two-stroke penalty. The best two-stroke penalty I could have,” he said with a nervous smile. “I’ll be disappointed if I lose by one, though. I was just very glad I was still in the tournament. I really didn’t care if I hit it over the green. I was just glad Mr. Ward let me keep playing. I thought I was going to miss it.”
As Hamilton and Coughlin drove up to the next tee box, Dessel quickly put his golf shoes on before sprinting to No. 10. While onlookers couldn’t believe Dessel chipped in, he was focused more on his next tee shot.
“It really affected me more on the next hole, because I was so out of breath,” Dessel said with a smile. “I snap-hooked my drive. It was a terrible tee shot, but I was just so relieved I was able to keep playing.”
Still, he made par on No. 10.
It’s been a whirlwind for Dessel, 20, this last calendar year. After graduating from Moses Brown, he spent the 2022 summer playing golf, preparing for his collegiate career at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. During the 2022 Rhode Island Amateur Championship at Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club, Dessel was the No. 2 seed, but lost his Round of 32 match to Zach Kovat, 2&1. As a freshman, he played in every match during the season and believes his game has improved.
A product of Rhode Island Country Club, Dessel showcased his skills this summer during the State Amateur Championship at Montaup Country Club. He reached the finals before losing to Bobby Leopold, who claimed his fourth state title. Dessel’s short game has been impressive this summer, which bodes well with his ability to hit fairways off the tee.
“I hit it farther this year, which definitely helps,” he said. “I’ve also putted well in important moments, especially against (Michael) Hamilton and Max (Jackson) in the Amateur. Not so much against Leopold, but I putted well.”
On the course he’s learning to play the percentages.
“In the past, I would land it next to the hole and it would bounce over the green,” he explained. “I would be mad and wonder how that happened. Now, I would rather have 20 feet up the hill, so it’s better course management and playing smart.”
He’s also working on keeping his emotions in check when things aren’t going so well on the course, or when he decides to leave the property for dry clothes.
“Especially today, I didn’t get frustrated at all,” he said. “I only get frustrated if I three putt, and today I had two, three putts, but I didn’t allow it to affect me. I just kept on going and hit some nice putts at the end. I’m keeping a good attitude on the course, which is very important.”
Off the course, maybe pack extra clothes?
“Yeah,” he said with a laugh.
Dessel returns to school Aug. 27 and he’s looking forward to his sophomore year on and off the golf course.
“I wouldn’t say that I played my best (freshman year),” he said. “I feel like I’m playing a lot better now. I’m definitely very excited to get back on the college scene. I feel like it’s going to be a big difference this year than last year.”
The Rhode Island Stroke Play Championship continues Wednesday with a 36-hole round at Valley CC. It’s a safe bet Dessel will pack extra golf clothes as he attempts to win this tournament. Either way, it was another life lesson on the golf course that will pay dividends in the future.