Jack Whelan

WELLESLEY, MA --- Jack Whelan continued his quest for his second Ouimet championship Thursday, adding a 71 to his first round 65 for a three under par 136 total and a one shot lead in the 47th Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament at Wellesley Country Club. Whelan, of Myopia, was the 2012 champion. He leads Patrick Frodigh of Dedham Country and Polo Club, who had a 69 on the 6,702 yard par 34-36-70 Wellesley course. The final round of the prestigious 54-hole amateur invitational is today at Woodland Golf Club. Whelan is a senior at St. Lawrence University. He started with a birdie, but then had bogeys on three of the next four holes. “I stayed grinding and then strung some pars together. The wind was creating havoc out there – it was a swirling wind,” he said. “I’ve put myself where I want to be going into tomorrow.”

Frodigh is a sophomore and golf team captain at the University of Denver. He also felt he had to grind, and made several 10 footers to save par. He explained he has played numerous times at Woodland and with Jack Whelan, and is looking forward to the pairing. He recently qualified for the upcoming US Amateur Championship.

Four players were tied for third at even par 139. Alex Jeffers of Woodland had the day’s most spectacular shot, a 264 yard three wood that yielded a double eagle two on the par five 17th. Zachary Staub of Ferncroft, T.J. McNulty of Hatherly and Ben Kelly of TheCountry Club were also at that figure. Kelly is the golf coach and a math teacher at Milton High school and had only played or walked a few holes at Dedham Country and Polo Club, the first round site, and Wellesley during high school matches. He’s never played Woodland.

Paul Nunez rolled in a 30-footer for birdie on the 1st hole enroute to a 69 after an opening-round 74. He has a 143 total and a one shot lead in the Eddie Lowery Senior division. Kevin Carey of Dennis Pines, the 2000 Ouimet Champion, is alone in second and is bidding to become just the second person to win both the championship and senior titles. Nunez, of Ludlow, is 67 years old and a four time winner of the state senior fourball championship with Jim Ruschioni. Carey has been struggling with a pinched neck nerve, and has been very limited in his recent golf.

Friday’s play will also include a women’s division featuring six invitees in an 18-hole competition.

A total of 45 players made the Championship cut, which stood at 149.

The Ouimet Memorial Tournament benefits the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund.

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