Headline: Reigning Massachusetts Junior Amateur Champion Nick McLaughlin Continues Stellar Year... Captures Division 1 Individual State Championship
For Immediate Release: November 4, 2009
Norton, MA — It has been a memorable year for Nick McLaughlin (Far Corner GC). The 16 year old, who captured the 2009 Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship this past July, came through with another huge victory... this time on the high school stage.
McLaughlin, a sophomore at St. John's Prep (Danvers), fired an even par 72 on Monday to capture the Division 1 individual state championship by 6 strokes at the Golf Club at Turner Hill in Ipswich.
"I birdied 13 and 14, so that kind of got me on the right track," said McLaughlin, who began his day on the fifth hole, to the Boston Herald. "Then I had a pretty good cushion to work with. I made a few bogeys coming in, but those birdies put me ahead enough that I had some shots to spare."
His victory this week was reminiscent of his win at Framingham Country Club against a field of the state's top junior competitors. McLaughlin capped off his Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship drive by posting a final-round score of 4-over par 76.
As a result of his performance, McLaughlin became only the third Pre Junior Division player in 17 years to capture the overall title. James Driscoll, the two-time Massachusetts Amateur Champion who is now competing on the PGA Tour, accomplished that feat in 1993 while Nat Hoopes following suite in 1996.
Congratulations to Nick on a job well done!