Past Champion Returns to Rhode Island
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
EAST PROVIDENCE – Todd White spent an enjoyable morning playing a practice round Tuesday at Wannamoisett Country Club as he prepares for his 20thappearance in the Northeast Amateur Invitational.
“It’s good to be back,” he said.
White, 56, is the oldest competitor in the field and the most-seasoned. His last appearance in this tournament came in 2018, but his most memorable was when he won in 1990. At the time, he was a 22-year-old senior at Furman University. On Tuesday, he played with the tournament’s youngest competitor, Miles Russell, 15, along with NHL referee and fan favorite Garrett Rank.
“It was the most fun I’ve had in a practice round,” Russell said.
Even though White knows this course well, it was still a blast to walk and reminisce. He shared stories and thought about all the great memories he has from playing in the Northeast Amateur. He also shared many of those stories during the annual dinner for the players as he participated in a Q&A. He admitted he’s had time to reflect on his many trips to Rumford and how winning the Northeast Amateur changed his career.
“Winning here provided me with a great deal of confidence,” White said. “This tournament is a testament to all that’s great about amateur golf. You get the best field on one of the best courses and it’s just a great week.”
Wannamoisett, which is considered one of Donald Ross’ best designs, has changed over the years and recently underwent an impressive renovation. White, a native of Spartanburg, S.C., loves everything about this course that he considers home when he’s in Rhode Island.
“When you stood on first tee in 1990 you could not see No. 2 fairway, or No. 9 fairway, but now you can see both fairways. Since, there have been a lot of trees and a lot of hair that’s been lost,” he said with a laugh.
White believes there’s a strong sense of community around the Northeast Amateur, which makes the tournament unique for all the players, family, friends and hosts. It’s something he cherishes above all else during his time here.
“It’s not so much winning,” explained White. “Winning is obviously wonderful, and it’s great to have that memory, but each time I was able to come here it’s always about reconnecting with old friends . . . it’s a wonderful place where I’ve established great friendships, so to me, winning’s great but when I think about all the great friends up here, especially with the RIGA, it’s just a special week and I look forward to it.”
It’s going to be a special few weeks for White in Rhode Island. After the Northeast Amateur is complete, he will compete in the U.S. Senior Open next week at Newport Country Club. It will be his third U.S. Senior Open, but he’s thrilled for the opportunity to play Newport Country Club.
“I’m looking forward to being at Newport,” he said. “Coming up here, playing in the Northeast (Amateur) there were a number of years after the tournament concluded I’d stay an extra day or so and play at different courses around the state. There’s so much great golf here in Rhode Island and being able to get to Newport (Country Club) a few times and having a familiarity with it I’m really looking forward to next week. If you have to spend two weeks playing golf in Rhode Island – Wannamoisett and Newport – you can’t think of two better places you’d want to be.”
While White is a legend around these parts, Rhode Islander Harry Dessel, 21, is a rookie at this tournament, but he’s been dreaming about this opportunity since he was a young boy playing out of Rhode Island Country Club. He earned a special exemption into the Northeast Amateur by winning the RIGA’s Player of the Year in 2023 and he’s been thinking about it ever since.
“I’m excited to see what happens,” he said. “I’ve wanted to play in this tournament since I was a little kid and I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid, so I’m really excited to play. It means a lot. It’s been a goal of mine for a long time and I plan on doing well. It’s pretty cool that there’s an incredible tournament 20 minutes away from my house.”
Dessel celebrated his 21st birthday Tuesday at Wannamoisett by playing a practice round with his father, Bill, serving as the caddy. Dessel, who is a rising junior at Lafayette College, has already played a few practice rounds this spring as he prepares for Round 1 Wednesday and he’s confident he’ll be able to compete with the country’s best amateurs and fellow collegiate golfers. It also helps that he has the local knowledge of the host course.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind that this tournament was coming up,” Dessel said. “I’ve played here a few times this spring and I’ve thought about it a little bit every day. This course is a Donald Ross just like my home course (RICC) and with this kind of rough maybe not all the players here are used to it. A lot of them are from the south and they don’t have this kind of rough there, especially around the greens and it’s a different type of chip you’re hitting here, so I think I can use that to my advantage. It can get pretty windy here, too, which I’m used to and maybe that’ll help me.”
While Dessel spent some time on the putting green Monday afternoon, Gordon Sargent stood nearby also working on his game. The fact that Sargent’s the top ranked amateur in the world did not stun Dessel.
“It’s cool. Obviously, he’s incredible and he’s guaranteed on the PGA Tour, but it’s more excitement than nerves. I’m excited to see how I stack up against these top players,” Dessel said. “It’s really important not to be nervous.”
Dessel, who was sporting a Celtics hat during his practice round, spent Monday night at TD Garden watching one of his favorite teams win the NBA Championship. He said if the team won he would rock the hat during the Northeast Amateur.
“Hopefully it’s good luck,” he said.