Headline: Jack Kearney, Paul Couture and Gary Palmer Among Locals Who Advance at 2010 U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying at The International Golf Club
For Immediate Release: September 7, 2010
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Jack Kearney was one of five competitors to qualify at 2010 U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying held at The International Golf Club in Bolton. |
Bolton, MA — If it was the game of baseball, Jack Kearney (Elmcrest CC) would be batting a perfect 1.000.
The veteran amateur player who earlier this year turned 55 years old, captured co-medalist honors in his first U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying event.
This latest golfing feat for the 1992 Richard D. Haskell MGA Player of the Year came this afternoon at The International Golf Club in Bolton where he fired a 3-under par 69 on the Pines Course to claim one of the five qualifying spots.
Using pinpoint accurate approach shots, Kearney made birdie on four of his first six holes and found himself 5 under par for the day through 13 holes. His only miscues on the day came in the form of bogies carded on the 14th and 16th holes.
In the end, those minor mistakes were blips on the screen of a senior amateur season debut which has been one to remember.
"I like this course a lot and I played great today," said Kearney, who will be making his 15th career appearance at a USGA Championship Proper. "I birdied 2, 3 and then 5 so I was 3 under right away which put me in a comfort zone. After that I figured that if I just didn't fall on any hand grenades on the next few holes than I would be fine. I just fired at the middle of the greens and made some pars."
In addition to his medalist performance this afternoon, Kearney put on a putting show last week when he – along with partner Bill Barry (Elmcrest CC) – finished second in last week's Massachusetts Senior Four-Ball Championship. Earlier this summer, the former Air Force and current Delta Airlines pilot was dominating en route to winning the Lowery Division at the 43rd Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament held at The International.
"I knew the course well and played good here at the Ouimet,” said Kearney. "I had good vibes coming in and I knew what to expect."
Helping Kearney out all day long was his friend and sometime caddie, Bob Coates.
Although the pair has been friendly for several years, Coates took on the role of caddie in July at the Ouimet Memorial Tournament. The first day went so well that Coates carried the bag through all three rounds. The chemistry and the winning combination were so rewarding that Kearney and Coates decided to continue their luck this week at The International.
"He followed me during the Ouimet, so I asked him to come back up for the qualifier," explained Kearney. "I am going to try and talk him into following me to Plymouth (the site of the Massachusetts Senior Amateur Championship on September 13-14)."
Equaling Kearney's score of 3-under par 69 was David Szewczul (Farmington, CT), who registered three straight birdies – on the 15th, 16th and 17th holes – to secure a share of medalist honors. One of the most decorated amateur golfers from Connecticut, Szewczul has been the winner of every Connecticut title except for the Connecticut Open.
Also qualifying today were Paul Couture (Grafton, MA), Raymond Camarco (Newington, CT) and Gary Palmer (Taunton, MA).
The 2010 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship will be held on October 2-7 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida.
2010 U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
The International Golf Club (Bolton, MA)
Par 72 (36-36)
Qualifiers
T1) Jack Kearney (Peachtree City, GA) 32-37--69
T1) David Szewczul (Farmington, CT) 36-33--69
3) Paul Couture (Grafton, MA) 35-37--72
4) Raymond Camarco (Newington, CT) 36-37--73
5) Gary Palmer (Taunton, MA) 37-37--74
Alternates
1st) Carter Fasick (Milford, MA) 37-37--74
2nd) Tom Bergeron (Gill, MA) 38-36--74
