Rhode Islanders Set Sail at Gasparilla
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
It’s been too long since Larry Lafauci played competitive golf at this level, but he’s ready for the upcoming challenge.
The reigning two-time Rhode Island Mid-Amateur champion is set to compete in the 69th Annual Gasparilla Invitational Feb. 22-24 at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club in Tampa, Fla. The 43-year-old out of Kirkbrae Country Club hasn’t played in a national event since his college days, and he’s looking forward to this opportunity to play among the best mid-amateurs in the country.
“Never thought I’d be back to this level of golf,” he said before leaving for Florida. “I’m going down there really humble with my eyes wide open and hopefully I can get some great experience.”
Lafauci produced a strong 2023 season as he repeated as Rhode Island Mid-Amateur Champion with an impressive win at Quinnatisset Country Club in Thompson, Conn. He also earned a spot on Rhode Island’s Tri-State Team that competed against Massachusetts and Connecticut at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford, Conn.
As a result, he finds himself at the Gasparilla, along with fellow Rhode Islanders Bobby Leopold and Tyler Cooke. This will be Lafauci’s first time at the Gasparilla Invitational. He had an opportunity to compete in 2023 but was unable due to a work commitment. So, he’s looking forward to this season’s tournament.
“It wasn’t in the works (last year) and I was really bummed about it,” he said. “I’m just really happy I was able to (repeat) at Quinnatisset and the stars aligned this year, so I’ll be able to play.”
Leopold, who won his fourth Rhode Island State Amateur Championship last July at Montaup Country Club, and also teamed with Cooke to win the Four-Ball Championship last October at Quidnessett Country Club, is an experienced veteran when it comes to the Gasparilla.
“I love the golf course and the entire club itself,” Leopold said. “The members are huge supporters of the event and there are usually upwards of 1,000 people watching around 18th (hole) on Saturday afternoon. As mid-amateurs, this is by far the best atmosphere we will ever experience and is the most fun without a doubt.”
It’s a 54-hole event and attracts the best mid-, and senior amateurs in the country. Plus, as an aside, it has one of the coolest logos in golf. Palma Ceia G&CC is a par-70, 6,300-yard challenge for the field with a cut after 36 holes to the low 60, including ties.
Since Rhode Island courses have been covered by snow of late, Lafauci has been spending some time working on his game in the simulator at Kirkbrae. He’s also been working out, trying to shed some weight, while adding to his flexibility in preparation for the upcoming season.
“My body feels good,” he said.
Recently, he was in Georgia for a work event, so he brought his clubs with him to at least play outside and spent a few hours on the putting green.
Despite the long layoff this winter, Lafauci is confident with his game, since he’s won back-to-back Rhode Island Mid-Amateur Championships.
“I’m confident to an extent,” he said. “If we were having this conversation in October or November, I would feel maybe a little more confident. I just want to keep my expectations low. I’ll feel better once I get out there, but my biggest nerves right now are just how am I going to feel getting out there. That first tournament is always tough to shake the cobwebs and the nerves. Hopefully I can get off to a decent start, but it will be a little nerve-racking because I haven’t been in that (positive) mental space in a while.”
Competing in the Gasparilla Invitational, along with Leopold and Cooke, is a positive sign for Rhode Island golf.
“I’m super proud to join those guys,” Lafauci said. “I still think I’m behind those guys a little bit. I probably don’t give myself enough credit, but I’m trying to chase those guys. It’s an honor for me to be there with them, especially someone at Bobby’s level. I’m excited to grow those relationships in our association because we’re such a tight-knit community. Any time you can be around great players is a big deal for me. It’s always been a goal of mine just to be in the conversation on the state level, never mind at the national level. I’m just going to go down there and try to learn as much as I can from Bobby.”