2005 CC Invitational Champ Camrin James

CHIP SHOTS - AUGUST 2006

Adamonis on the Road to Recovery

     After nine months of battling three cancers, Challenge Cup founder and Johnson & Wales University Director of Golf, Dave Adamonis Sr. was given the green light by his doctors to assume his responsibilities at JWU.  Adamonis, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August of 2005, has overcome a litany of complications associated with his cancers and leukemia. Fortunately, an outstanding team of doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital has given Adamonis a new lease on life, as they are most optimistic about his long term health. On behalf of my family, I would like to thank all of the wonderful people who offered their support during this difficult time.

New England Contingent Headed to Trusted Choice Big I Junior Classic

     Garrett Medeiros continued his dominant play this season, as he posted a 4-under par 67 to claim medallist honors at Potowomut Golf Club in the Rhode Island Sectional Qualifier for the Trusted Choice Big I Junior Classic. Joining Medeiros at the national tournament at Odessa Country Club in Odessa , Texas will be Barrington ’s David McAndrew, and Massachusetts sectional qualifiers Bryan Eger, Marko Kazanjian, Davis Mullany, Nick Pokora and Mary Chamberlain.

     Past champions of this event include Tiger Woods, Rhode Island ’s Billy Andrade, Bob Tway, Justin Leonard, Christie Kerr and Grace Park.

Renner Outduels Zolotas for Amateur Invitational Title

     Former Challenge Cup Player of the Year and 2005 NAIA Individual champion Jim Renner became the first multiple winner of the Amateur Invitational by outdueling George Zoltas for the title. Entering the final round Renner and Zolotas, who had opened with even par rounds of 71, trailed Kevin Velardo by two strokes. Over the final round Renner and Zolotas blitzed the demanding New England Country Club layout posting rounds of 5-under par 66 and 3-under par 68 respectively.

Amateur Invitational Results

@ New England CC

Par 71-71-142

1.Jim Renner                 71     66     137              Plainville , MA 

2.George Zolotas           71     68     139              Peabody, MA 

3.Kevin Velardo            69     74     143              Wilmington , MA 

4.Colby Hart                 74     70     144              Chestnut Hill, MA 

4.Adam Fuchs               71     73     144              Plainview , NY 

4.Bill Drohen                 74     70     144              Danvers , MA 

7.Brian Higgins             73     72     145              Bellingham , MA 

7.Andy Dohen               73     72     145              Granville, MA 

7.Adam Rainaud           75     70     145              South Hadley , MA 

10.Jess Houston             74     72     146              Wellesley, MA

Challenge Cup Alumni Dominate State Amateur Championships

     At this time of year the success of the Challenge Cup program can be measured by the results of past and present players at the State Amateur Championships. Amazingly four of the six New England State Amateur Championships were all Challenge Cup finals.

     In Connecticut , 17-year old Tommy McDonagh won a 39-hole thriller over Baylor signee Cody Paladino to win 104^th edition of the CSGA Amateur Championship. Former Challenge Cup players CJ Denmark and RJ Zielinski were eliminated in the quarter-finals giving the Challenge Cup four of the eight quarter-finalists.

     At the Rhode Island Amateur Championship, 13 of the 32 qualifiers for match play and 3 of the 4 semi-finalists were either current members or alumni.  One semi-final match pitted Brad Valois against Bobby Fournier Challenge Cup alum and his assistant coach at Johnson & Wales University . In the final match, Valois, the 2005 Challenge Cup Player of the Year, rallied to defeat good friend Dave Marino 2 & 1. The level of play in their match was outstanding as the duo posted 14 birdies over 35 holes.

     Speaking of a high level of play that is precisely what one saw in the finals of the Massachusetts Amateur. Ben Spitz fired an impressive 5-under par 65 in the morning round 18 of his final match with Jess Houston to stake himself to only a 3-up lead.  It was more of the same in the afternoon as Spitz was 1-under par in becoming the first lefty in the history of the MGA Amateur Championship to hoist the hardware. Getting to the final was not easy, as Spitz had to get by good friend Jon Curran (1up) in the semi-finals. Like Rhode Island 13 of the 32 qualifiers for match play had Challenge Cup ties.

    Not to be outdone, the New Hampshire Amateur Championship final featured another Challenge Cup battle, as Matt Burroughs played near flawless golf in ousting Mark Stevens 8 & 7.

Wanner, Baldwin Earn First Pro Victories

     Former Challenge Cup Player of the Year Brent Wanner birdied two of the final three holes in the final round of the Vermont Open at Lake Morey Golf Course to earn his first professional victory. Wanner carded rounds of 66-68-65 for an 11-under par total of 199 to edge former PGA Tour professional John (Jumbo) Elliott by 1-stroke.

     Continuing with the alumni theme, Mark Baldwin was equally impressive in nipping yet another former PGA Tour professional, Eddie Kirby, by 1-stroke for the New Hampshire Open crown. Baldwin fired rounds of 68-64 for a 10-under par total of 132 en route to the W.

Valois Bests Velardo for New England Amateur Crown

    Question: What college has produced four consecutive New England Amateur champions? Hint: If you are looking for the answer you only need to look at the past four New England Amateur champions. They all hail from Johnson & Wales University ( Miami , Fla. ). At the 2006 edition of the New England Am, Brad Valois bested Kevin Velardo in yet another battle of Challenge Cup alum. Mike Welch (2003 & 2004) began this impressive feat and Jim Renner (2005) passed the torch to Valois . With Valois only being a freshman, is “a drive for five” a la New York Islanders in the cards.

Paladino, Ballo, Williamson Ousted in Match Play at US Junior

     New England stars Cody Paladino, Mike Ballo Jr. and Peter Williamson were ousted in the opening round of match play in the USGA Junior Championship at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

     Paladino, who is in a close battle with Garrett Medeiros for Challenge Cup Player of the Year honors, was stopped by Canada ’s Jean Phillippe Paiement 3 & 1.

     Ballo, the 2006 Connecticut Junior Champion, lost a heart-breaker to Simi Valley , California ’s John Douglas Archibald 2 & 1.

     Williamson, had perhaps the most exciting week of anyone but champion Philip Francis, as he qualified for match play in an exciting play-off. His play-off win earned him the right to face none other than the eventual champion. After Williamson won the first hole with a birdie, Francis turned his game up a notch and coasted to a 6 & 4 victory.

     Many golf enthusiasts were hoping for a showdown between Francis, who has captured two AJGA majors this season and 2005 National Junior Player of the Year Peter Uihlein, but Pennsylvania ’s William Miller defeated Uihlein 1-up to knock him out in the first round.

Three Amigos Headed to Hazeltine

     Former Challenge Cup Players of the Year and good friends Ben Spitz, Jim Renner and Jon Curran claimed medallist honors in sectional qualifying for the USGA Amateur Championship at their respective qualifying sites. The trio will head to the famed Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota (August 21-25) in quest of our national championship.  Joining the three amigos will be Challenge Cup alums Matt Parziale and Conor McMahon and 7-time MGA Player of the Year Frank Vana Jr.

Riley, Technology Solutions Support Junior Golf

     Even though her son Ryan is six years removed from junior golf, Laura Riley and her Technology Solutions Inc. company continue to support the Challenge Cup by providing technical support and live scoring at four events on the 2006 Challenge Cup schedule. Additionally, her company will sponsor the Technolgy Solutions Junior Match Play Championship this fall. To date Riley has provided support at the Tournament Players’ Championship, the Amateur Invitational, and the Providence Open. She is slated to close out her season at the prestigious World Series of Junior Golf.

Spinal Technology Challenge Cup
Past Players of the Year