Local Flavor Adds to Historic Event
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
NEWPORT – Billy Andrade and Brett Quigley gave Ernie Els an aerial tutorial of Rhode Island as they three traveled here to compete in the 44th U.S. Senior Open at Newport Country Club.
They played in the Dick’s Open last week in Endicott, N.Y., and flew into T.F. Green International Airport Sunday night. The Rhode Islanders pointed out several state and personal landmarks, including schools they attended and golf courses they played growing up. Safe to say both Andrade and Quigley, along with Brad Faxon, are beaming with pride to serve as the hosts of this championship.
“They are very proud and very excited about this area and to be here this week,” Els said. “We’ve been looking forward to this event now for quite a few years. I was really looking forward to it in 2020 and I’m glad it’s come around now . . . I love the place. A lot of great things happening here this week on this golf course.”
This championship was originally scheduled to be played here in 2020 but was postponed due to COVID-19. Everyone involved hoped it would be rescheduled here and it didn’t take long for the USGA to announce a 2024 return. Now that it’s finally here, the Rhode Island contingent can show it off with enthusiasm.
“It’s very dear to our hearts to play a major championship here in Rhode Island, here at Newport Country Club the home of first (U.S.) Open, first (U.S.) Amateur. There’s so much great history here and the golf course is fantastic,” Quigley said after his practice round Tuesday afternoon. It’s going to be a great challenge and I’m looking forward to seeing how the USGA sets up the golf course and how it tests us.”
While Andrade finished tied for sixth (12-under) at the Dick’s Open, Quigley finished T50 (1-under), but he said he’s happy with his game and looking forward to the challenge at Newport. Ironically, he’s never played a competitive round at Newport CC and didn’t play here until his college days at the University of South Carolina. He spent his junior golf days mostly at Rhode Island Country Club, along with Crestwood Country Club where his uncle, Dana, was a longtime pro. Brett has spent more time playing Newport the last few years, knowing it would eventually host the U.S. Senior Open.
“I’m looking forward to this week and it’s great that we’re here in Rhode Island. It’s been a long wait since it was cancelled in 2020. I know a lot of players are very excited. The history of this golf course and everything about Rhode Island is shining so far,” Quigley said.
All of Rhode Island is pulling for both Andrade and Quigley and would enjoy witnessing one of them win this event in historic fashion. Quigley said he welcomes the pressure of playing at home and appreciates the enormous support the pair of locals are receiving.
A Barrington High School graduate, Quigley won the 1984 RIGA Junior Amateur and the 1990 State Amateur. Combined with his father, Paul, they captured the State Four-Ball Championship in 1988 and 1990. Brett was also the RIGA Player of the Year in 1988. He is one of only two Rhode Islanders to win the Northeast Amateur Invitational at Wannamoisett Country Club, joining Ronnie Quinn.
Quigley also won the U.S. Junior Championship in 1987, so there’s a special plaque that signifies that victory on his locker nameplate, which is on the exclusive third-floor clubhouse at Newport. He’s using that as more motivation to have another plaque added to his name on the wall, this time with the 44thU.S. Senior Open Championship.
“Of course you think about winning and that’s why we’re all playing,” he said. “I’ve had a smile on my face the last couple of months and I’m going to be smiling all week.”