Warwick CC to Host 2025 Tri-State Matches
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
WARWICK – The Rhode Island Golf Association is proud to announce Warwick Country Club will host the 91st Tri-State Matches Oct. 14-15, 2025, on its exquisite Donald Ross course along Narragansett Bay.
Mass Golf hosted this annual event at Worcester Country Club in 2024, while the Connecticut State Golf Association held it at Wampanoag Country Club in 2023. Warwick CC will serve as a perfect backdrop and continue the recent tradition of hosting this championship on a Donald Ross course.
“It’s a feather in any club’s cap to be asked to represent your state golf association in an event,” said Warwick CC PGA pro Matt Walsh. “We are thrilled to host this year’s Tri-State Matches, featuring teams from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Warwick CC held its own during last year’s State Amateur and we hope to again provide a firm and fair test for some of the region’s finest players. We’re looking forward to October.”
Rhode Island last won this championship in 2001 when it was played at Newport Country Club. Massachusetts is the defending champion, colleting a total of 80 ½ points ahead of CSGA (75 ½) and the RIGA (36) last October at Worcester Country Club.
“I was so excited to get the text this morning that Warwick would be hosting,” said Jonathan Pannone, who is a member of Warwick CC and represented Rhode Island last season on the Tri-State team. “The goal of making the team again went immediately on my goals wall. Competition is the state is so good now, so I will be very focused to represent the state and the club in the fall. The venue will be magical with fall golf on The Bay. The course is usually firing at that time, so it will be cool hosting as a member and as a state. Time to get preparing.”
Warwick CC was established in 1924 when a group of 50 prominent Rhode Islanders purchased the estate and mansion of Colonel George L. Shepley. Ross designed nine holes and the course opened in 1925. In 1954, noted golf course architect Geoffrey Cornish constructed the second nine holes. WCC is steeped in tradition and that will continue when it hosts the Tri-State Matches in October.
Warwick CC also hosted the 119th State Amateur Championship in July 2024.
“It’s going to be a special event at Warwick Country Club. We would like to thank the club’s executive board, its members and staff for hosting this historic championship. Hopefully Rhode Island can snap its losing skid on one of its legendary Ross courses,” said RIGA Executive Director Bob Ward.
The Ocean State is the home of 11 courses either designed or remodeled by Ross, including Agawam Hunt (1911 remodeled), the now-defunct Metacomet Country Club (1921), The Misquamicut Club (remodeled 1923), Newport Country Club (remodeled 1915), Point Judith Country Club (remodeled nine holes and added nine holes in 1927), Rhode Island Country Club (1911), Sakonnet Golf Club (1921), Triggs Memorial Golf Club (1930), Wannamoisett Country Club (1914, remodeled 1926), Warwick Country Club (nine holes 1924), and Winnapaug Country Club (remodeled nine holes 1921, added nine holes 1928).
This friendly competition between the three New England states is always an exciting championship for all the players. This season they will be spoiled once again at Warwick Country Club.
2024 Rhode Island Tri-State Team
Top row: Jeff Dantas, Kevin Blaser, John Drohen, Cam Moniz, John McNeill, Darren Corrente, Larry Lafauci, Mike Caparco, Michael Hamilton
Bottom row: Chris DeLucia, Tom McCormick, David Marshall, Tim Murray, Joe Pieranunzi (captain), Jonathan Cooper, Bobby Leopold, Jonathan Pannone