Headline: Michael Philipp Is Enjoying a Week of Firsts... Including a Course Record Score of 5-under par 67 During Day 6 of MGA Amateur Qualifying
For Immediate Release: June 15, 2010
Acushnet, MA — It has been a memorable week of firsts for Michael Philipp (TPC of Boston). In the past four days, the Canton resident celebrated his 25th birthday, became engaged, finished first in a tournament... and oh yes he also fired a course-record score of 5-under par 67 at Acushnet River Valley Golf Course during a Massachusetts Amateur qualifier.
"I have never actually won a tournament," said Philipp, a lifelong Connecticut resident who recently moved to Canton. "I have tied for first and lost in playoffs but never actually won. This is just awesome." (story continues below).
Day 6 Quick Links
Philipp's medalist score of 5-under par 67 today bested the previous course record of 68 that was held by Peter Cahill since last summer. Although he has always been a strong player throughout his career, Philipp's focus has recently shifted away from the game and more on his professional and personal life.
After earning an MBA from Bryant University, Philipp accepted a job at a small insurance firm located in Mansfield, moved to Canton and made the decision to propose to his girlfriend. Golf was not actually top of mind… until today.
"My younger brother who lives in Connecticut came up today to caddy for me," said Philipp, who – over the course of his amateur career – qualified for the Connecticut State Amateur Championship five times and was part of a Bryant University golf team that advanced to the NCAA Division II men's golf Championship in 2005 and 2008. "I caddy for him in his big tournaments and he does the same for me and we really click well. I knew that it was going to be a good day, but I didn't know that it was going to be course record good."
Not surprisingly, the talk on the course was not about golf on that front nine. Philipp's younger brother Bryan, a 21-year-old student at Central Connecticut University, spent most of the time giving his older brother trouble about his recent proposal. It wasn't until they made the turn at 2-under par 34 that they realized something special was brewing.
Through his first six holes, Philipp was hitting greens and making putts. Following birdies on the 391-yard, par 4 2nd and 478-yard, par 4 4th holes, he came to a pivotal moment in his round. On the 159-yard, par 3 7th hole, Philipp's shot off the tee plugged in the bunker and then sculled his second shot over the green. Facing a round-changing hole, the 25 year old calmly hit a flop shot to one foot and salvaged a bogey to keep his momentum going in the right direction.
"I had it in my head that I was going to make double so making bogey really turned it around for me," said Philipp, who had never played Acushnet River Valley Golf Course heading into today's round. "I didn't realize that it turns into a links-style golf course on the back nine. It's a completely different golf course through the last seven holes and it got windy out there. I really played good coming in."
That is a humble statement for sure considering that Philipp played 3-under par golf through his final nine holes on a day when no other golfer in the 73-player field was able to break par. He finished his day with six birdies and one bogey.
"I hit the ball a pretty good way, but normally I am good for a double bogey and I tend to get loose out there and make a lot of bogies," said Philipp, who has managed to keep his game sharp by practicing before and after work at his home course of TPC of Boston. "I tend to make a lot of birdies, and today I kept the big numbers off the card, didn't get on the bogey train at all and I kept it consistent."
As a Connecticut native who attended college in Rhode Island, Philipp hasn't had the luxury of playing many Bay State courses. Included in that list would be the host site of the Massachusetts Amateur Championship – Myopia Hunt Club. Although a scary proposition for most players, it does not seem to faze the newly minted mid-amateur who plans to enjoy a practice round or two with some of his former Bulldog teammates which include Dan Falucci, Dave Falucci and Scott Congdon.
He will also be joined during Championship Proper by his trusty caddie Bryan. The dynamic brother duo will no doubt work hard to collect another first for the Philipp family – an MGA Championship title.
Jim Forsgard (South Shore CC), Andy Falcone (Indian Pond CC) and Michael Lepore (Olde Barnstable GC) all carded scores of 2-over par 74 to claim a piece of medalist honors at Bayberry Hills Golf Course. A total of nine qualifying spots were available at that West Yarmouth site.
Forsgard is one player who looks forward to the opportunity to return to Match Play at the Massachusetts Amateur Championship. Three years ago, Forsgard posted his best career finish at this event by advancing to the first round of Match Play at Concord Country Club.
"It was the only time that I ever made Match Play in the Amateur and I got thumped really good in the first round by Joe Keller," said Forsgard. "I was really nervous back then, but I thnk that experience will help me this time around."
An admitted nine-to-five guy who does his best to balance a career, two teenage daughters and a competitive golf game, Forsgard is hoping that his performance today bodes well for what is to come next month.
"I love it," said Forsgard about Myopia Hunt Club. "I played the Mid-Amateur there (in 2003) and we played it in college and I have always loved it. I would have been disappointed to have not qualified because I am really looking forward to playing there."
2010 Massachusetts Amateur Qualifying
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Acushnet River Valley Golf Course (Acushnet, MA)
Par 72 (36-36)
Qualifiers
1) Michael Philipp, Jr. (TPC of Boston) 34-33—67
T2) Tim Brennan, Jr. (Pinehills GC) 41-31—72
T2) Kyle Sargis (Brae Burn CC) 38-34—72
T2) Bryan Kelly (Brockton CC) 36-36—72
T2) Carter Fasick (Indian Meadows GC) 39-33—72
T6) Brian O'Leary (Ponkapoag GC) 38-35—73
T6) Eric Breemen (Charter Oak CC) 35-38—73
T6) Matt Broome (TPC of Boston) 37-36—73
T9) Steven Burak (Thorny Lea GC) 38-36—74
T9) Michael Buenaventura (Charter Oak CC) 37-37—74
T11) Kyle Pelletier (CC of New Bedford) 37-38—75
T11) Dave Tasho (Thorny Lea GC) 36-39—75
Alternates
1st) Dennis Gunderson (Marshfield CC) 37-38—75
2nd) Mike Gunderson (Marshfield CC) 38-37—75
2010 Massachusetts Amateur Qualifying
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Bayberry Hills Golf Course (West Yarmouth, MA)
Par 72 (36-36)
Qualifiers
T1) Jim Forsgard (South Shore CC) 36-38—74
T1) Andy Falcone (Indian Pond CC) 37-37—74
T1) Michael Lepore (Olde Barnstable GC) 37-37—74
T4) Michael Kaloyanides (Walpole CC) 39-38—77
T4) Will Bachman (Brae Burn CC) 39-38—77
T4) Nick Maccario (Far Corner GC) 38-39—77
T4) Garrett Bird (Cape Cod CC) 38-39—77
T8) Josh Coffey (Beverly G & TC) 37-41—78
T8) Joe Walker (Dennis Pines GC) 39-39—78
Alternates
1st) Jeffrey Duggan (The Captains GC) 40-38—78
2nd) Ned Chaney (Butter Brook GC) 36-42—78
