Headline: Michael Haglof Makes Birdie on Final Three Holes to Secure Spot at the 2010 Massachusetts Amateur Public Links Championship
For Immediate Release: June 30, 2010
North Oxford, MA — If today's medalist Michael Haglof (Kettle Brook GC) actually had time to play, it would be scary what the results might be.
The 39 year old from Spencer posted a day-low score of 1-under par 70 this afternoon at Pine Ridge Country Club to capture medalist honors and earn a spot at the 2010 Massachusetts Amateur Public Links Championship. One of eight qualifiers at today's site, Haglof enjoyed a relatively stress-free round which was a welcome surprise considering that he has found little time to play competitively this summer.
"You get a feeling out there during a qualifier what the cut is going to be," explained Haglof, who carded six birdies and five bogies. "I was 2-over going into 16 and the guys I was playing with were around 6 and 4 over so I was more rooting for them at that point. It's a little easier when you don't have as much pressure on you."
Pressure or not, Haglof stole the show during those final three holes as he registered three straight birdies to finish in the red and as the only player to break par in North Oxford.
First, on the 363-yard, par 4 16th hole he sent his sand wedge to 15 feet and drained the putt. After sinking another 15-footer for birdie on the 348-yard, par 4 17th hole, Haglof put together his two best shots of the round and then casually two-putted from 20 feet for birdie on the 487-yard, par 5 finishing hole. It was a fitting end to what was his second successful MGA qualifying round of the season. One month earlier, Haglof qualified for the Massachusetts Amateur Championship at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club.
"I was playing great at the beginning of the year and qualified for the Amateur," said Haglof. "Since then I have not played that well, but I was relaxed out there today... and it all worked out well."
Focused on advancing his career, Haglof left the Bay State in 2005 to pursue a professional opportunity in Vero Beach, Florida. Since his return a year and a half ago, golf has taken a back seat but that has not meant that the quality of his game has suffered. A point that was evidenced by today's outstanding round.
"I don't play as much as I used to," said Haglof, who currently works for his home club of Kettle Brook Golf Club in Paxton. "I figured that I have five or six good years left in me and I wanted to go out there and give it my best. Being older, you don't get as mad at yourself if you don't play well. My mindset is better now than it was when I was in my 20s."
Over the course of his career, Haglof has more experience than most at MGA Championships as he has qualified for the Massachusetts Amateur Championship, Massachusetts Open Championship, Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship and now his second Massachusetts Amateur Public Links Championship.
With a strong qualifying round and years of invaluable experience now under his belt, Haglof enters the next phase of the summer season with a calm and an ease that will no doubt translate into positive results at Championship Proper.
"We'll see what happens at Myopia," said Haglof, who will take on the state's top amateur public links players at Quashnet Valley Country Club on August 10-11. "My girlfriend has a place on the Cape, so we'll go down there and I'll get a practice round in and hopefully start playing well now that I have to start preparing for these tournaments. There can't be any more of this playing once a week stuff."
Spoken like a true amateur... one who must balance work, life and golf!
2010 Massachusetts Amateur Public Links Qualifying
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Pine Ridge Country Club (North Oxford, MA)
Par 71 (34-37)
Qualifiers
1) Michael Haglof (Kettle Brook GC) 35-35-70
T2) Geoffrey Holt (Shaker Hills GC) 34-37-71
T2) Brad Hartz (Fresh Pond GC) 35-36-71
4) Robert Bruso (Blackstone National GC) 36-37-73
5) Kevin McCarthy (Larry Gannon Municipal GC) 38-36-74
6) Richie Powers (Gardner Municipal GC) 36-39-75
T7) Steven White (Wachusett CC) 37-40-77
T7) Richard Johnson (Holden Hills CC) 37-40-77
Alternates
1st) Andrew Loconto (Holden Hills CC) 38-39-77
2nd) Tim Suitum (Kettle Brook GC) 38-39-77
