Headline: Surging Veteran Doug Clapp Takes Qualifying All in Stride; Qualifies With Ease for 2010 Massachusetts Amateur Championship
For Immediate Release: June 7, 2010
Norton, MA — It was hard to keep the focus on golf with so much else to discuss. That was no doubt the major challenge for Doug Clapp (Old Sandwich GC) who was making a return to his old course... well sort of.
Clapp, who finished as medalist at Oakley Country Club – one of three Massachusetts Amateur qualifiers held today – with a score of 4-under par 67, may not have an Oakley Country Club bag tag hanging from his equipment and he may not have ever battled for the club championship but that does not keep him from feeling right at home at the historic Donald Ross layout. (story continues below).
Day 1 Quick Links
"The story is that I was a member there for one day," says Clapp. "When I started at the firm in 1992, (my wife) Jan and I lived in Watertown. A couple of the guys from the firm were members so I went through the process and got it. The day I received the notice and bill was the same day that my grandfather asked me if I wanted to buy the family house in Walpole."
Although the Clapps did not intend to move to the suburbs at that time, the opportunity was just too good to pass up. Considering that the family homestead was located on the 8th hole of Walpole Country Club, Clapp made the decision to send back the letter, invoice and a note of thanks but no thanks to Oakley Country Club.
"Thus began my involvement with Oakley," said Clapp who guestimates that he has played the course at least 65 times since then. "There were like 11 members who tried to qualify today and probably five other former members. I didn't see anyone that I didn't know… it was nice to see so many familiar faces. I felt like I was playing in a member guest."
Adding to the familial feel of the day was one of his playing partners – 21-year-old Chase Lovett-Woodsum (Boston GC). Although years apart in age, the two players found an immediate connection. Their grandfathers were business partners and longtime operators of the Walpole Woodworkers, but more importantly, they were best friends. Unfortunately for Lovett-Woodsum, he never really knew his grandfather so it was fitting that he was paired with Clapp who remembered the man very fondly.
"Chase didn't really know him (his grandfather died when Chase was just four years old), so it gave me chills because I knew his grandfather better than he did," said Clapp, who was also joined on the course by Lovett-Woodsum's father who caddied for his son all afternoon. "It was a fun day. We smoked and joked our way around."
The day was actually extended an hour after the course required extra time this morning to recover from the violent thunderstorms from the night before. The time was well spent and enjoyed by Clapp as he went on to post a sizzling 4-under par round that featured one eagle, four birdies and two bogies.
After making the turn at 1-under par 35, Clapp made a momentum-building eagle on the 472-yard, par 5 10th hole when he rolled in an eight-foot putt. He stuck his final two approach shots of the day – on the 345-par 4 17th and 358-yard, par 4 18th holes – to four and six feet, respectively.
Today's round has been a continuation of great play by Clapp this season. A veteran player who celebrated his 43rd birthday on May 28, he captured his first-ever Norfolk County Classic title in May which marked the first time that he had won an event that is included in the MGA's Richard D. Haskell Player of the Year Points System. He also found himself just one stroke off the lead following day one of this past weekend's Hornblower Memorial Tournament.
"People are joking and don't believe it, but I haven't really been playing," said Clapp who is off to one of the best starts of his amateur golf career. "For the first in my life, I didn't touch a club during the entire winter. I didn't play from the first week in November to the first week in April."
No one can question his reasons for taking a winter hiatus from the game. Almost exactly one year ago, Clapp's now 11-year-old son Jeffrey was diagnosed with diabetes. The revelation was a life changer for not only Jeffrey, who must constantly monitor his levels even if it means waking up several times per night, but for Doug and his wife Jana.
"He has handled it so well and I couldn't be prouder of him," said Clapp, who noted that he spent his free time this past winter hitting the slopes with Jeffrey who has become an avid skier. "The last month has been really tough. It's tough because he has to be woken up at midnight and 3:00 a.m. to see if he is on the right track with his numbers. He seems to handle it really well, better than Jan and I do. Any chance that you have time to spend with him is a good thing."
So with memories of his grandfather being stirred up by his playing partner and thoughts of his son with him always, Clapp played golf as if it was – in the grand scheme of things - just a game.
Ungvarsky Makes it a Family Affair in Bradford
Zack Ungvarsky (CC of Billerica) stole the show on the North Shore as he not only fired a medalist score of 1-under par 69 but captured that honor by a dominating four strokes. Although the round looked near perfect on paper, Ungvarsky used his cool head and trusty caddie to help him out of an early hole which saw him 3-over par through five holes.
"I had a double bogey there (on the 5th hole) which was frustrating," said Ungvarsky, who quickly righted the ship by making three straight birdies on the 6th, 7th and 8th holes. "I had a lapse of mental focus on the 5th tee shot which led to that double bogey. My dad, who was my caddie, and I just tried to keep a cool head and got to the par 3. We talked about it, the club selection and I got back into the zone and I stuck it to four feet."
His trusty caddie – his father Gene – has been a constant companion on the links recently. The family connection has worked wonders for the Ungvarsky family which includes Zack's parents Gene and Julie, older brothers Jordan and Aaron and younger sister Aubrey. Oh yes, it's also notable to mention that he is nephew of longtime PGA Tour player Joey Sindelar.
"It makes the round enjoyable," said Ungvarsky about having his family on his bag. "You are never more than two steps away from someone you can have a great conversation with."
That type of down-to-earth and humble attitude is what propelled Ungvarsky to an impressive collegiate career at the University of Hartford which came to an end when he graduated on May 16. As a fitting exclamation point to his four-year career, the Wilmington native was named to the 2010 All-New England Division I Golf Association second team. His senior campaign featured many highlights including two top-10 finishes in his first four tournaments of the year!
After sinking that four-foot birdie putt on the 6th hole today, Ungvarsky went on to drain a 10-foot, uphill birdie putt on the 292-yard, par 4 7th hole and then made a comfortable two-putt birdie on the 488-yard, par 5 8th hole.
"My dad actually gave me a great read on the putt on six and that is when it started," said Ungvarsky, who earlier this season finished as first alternate for the MGA Open Championship at a qualifier held at Stow Acres Country Club. "From then on it got easy. The swing started feeling right and everything was going right after that."
While his focus is on the next big challenge this summer - the Massachusetts Amateur Championship is scheduled for July 12-16 at Myopia Hunt Club – Ungvarsky is keeping an open but honest eye on what his future might hold.
"My plans are to play in as many amateur events as I can this summer," said Ungvarsky. "My goal is to make it to the U.S. Amateur once before I go pro. If I can make it to that then I know that I have the game to make it at the next level."
A wise strategy... and something that he most likely learned while making the loop with his father and brothers.
2010 Massachusetts Amateur Qualifying
Monday, June 7, 2010
Bradford Country Club (Bradford, MA)
Par 70 (35-35)
Qualifiers
1) Zack Ungvarsky (CC of Billerica) 35–34—69
T2) Josh Salah (Bass Rocks GC) 35–38—73
T2) Bryan Vitale (Bradford CC) 37–36—73
T2) John Hogan (Ferncroft CC) 36–37—73
T5) Jonathan Yorks (Kernwood CC) 37–37—74
T5) Ryan Furey (Merrimack Valley GC) 36–38—74
T5) Kevin Benstead (Far Corner GC) 38–36—74
T5) John Sadowski (Golf Club at Turner Hill) 39–35—74
T5) Matthew Leisman (The International) 38–36—74
T10) Steve Salah (Bass Rocks GC) 38–37—75
T10) James Staffieri (Indian Ridge CC) 36–39—75
T10) Timothy Cote (Bradford CC) 37–38—75
Alternates
1) Jimmy Grant (Crystal Springs GC) 40–36—76
2) William House (Haverhill CC) 36–40—76
2010 Massachusetts Amateur Qualifying
Monday, June 7, 2010
Cyprian Keyes Golf Club (Boylston, MA)
Par 72 (36-36)
Qualifiers
1)
Colin Brennan (Indian Ridge CC) 34–34—68
2) Daniel Falcucci (Cyprian Keyes GC) 35–35—70
3) Richy Werenski (The Orchards GC) 37–35—72
T4) Brendan Monahan (Winchester CC) 35–38—73
T4) Dan Rourke (Whitinsville GC) 40–33—73
6) Mark O'Sullivan (Juniper Hill GC) 35–39—74
T7) R J Foley (Sterling National CC) 38–37—75
T7) David Marseglia (Framingham CC) 37–38—75
T7) Michael Haglof (Holden Hills CC) 37–38—75
T10) Alex Bury (Cyprian Keyes GC) 36–40—76
T10) Joshua Feinberg (The International 41–35—76
T10) Joe Cunningham (The Country Club 37–39—76
Alternates
1) Neil Thompson (Sassamon Trace GC) 41–35—76
2) Terry Dunn (Holden Hills CC) 37–39—76
2010 Massachusetts Amateur Qualifying
Monday, June 7, 2010
Oakley Golf Club (Watertown, MA)
Par 71 (36-35)
Qualifiers
1) Doug Clapp (Old Sandwich GC) 35–32—67
2) Sean Deale (Brae Burn CC) 38–33—71
T3) Chase Lovett-Woodsum (Boston GC) 37–36—73
T3) Brian Accorsini (Framingham CC) 37–36—73
T5) Charlie Fox (Charles River CC) 38–36—74
T5) Robert Malcolm, Jr. (Oakley CC) 38–36—74
T5) John McNeill (B.A.G.S.) 37–37—74
T8) Eric McPhail (Oakley CC) 38–37—75
T8) John Messuri (Oakley CC) 38–37—75
T8) Emilio Bardini (a) (Beverly G & TC) 39–36—75
T8) Ken Gys (Mount Pleasant GC 38–37—75
T8) David Walshe (Vesper CC 40 35—75
Alternates
1) Rick Santilli (Oakley CC) 39–36—75
2) Robert Younker (George Wright GC) 40–36—76
