Matt Parziale survived a five-hole playoff to signal his return to the top of competitive golf
AUBURNDALE, Mass. (July 26, 2013) -- Matt Parziale of Thorny Lea survived a five-hole playoff to signal his return to the top of competitive golf after rain had shortened the 46th Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament at Woodland Golf Club on Friday. The 24 year old recently re-instated amateur also won in 2009. The Tournament, normally a three-day 54-hole event played at three different courses, was cut to 36 holes after torrential rains Thursday evening and Friday morning. The final round is always played at 6,721 yard Woodland Golf Club, Mr. Ouimet’s home course. The first two rounds were played at Wollaston Golf Club and Wellesley Country Club.
Parziale was tied after the first two rounds with Cody Paladino of Wethersfield Country Club in Connecticut and John Flaherty of the TPC River Highlands, also in Connecticut. The three were knotted at three under par 139. Seeing that there was only a short window of good weather, tournament officials decided to cancel the final round, but have the players tied for the lead of the Championship and Eddie Lowery senior divisions have a three-hole aggregate playoff on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes. Parziale took an early lead after hitting a 9 iron to five inches on the 17th, but three putted from 44 feet on 18 to extend the playoff against Paladino. Flaherty bogeyed 18 to drop out, and the playoff then went to sudden death. It ended on the 17th after Paladino drove out of bounds and eventually double bogeyed while Parziale made a routine par.
Parziale turned professional in 2009 a couple of months after winning the Ouimet Memorial. After a couple of years of playing on mini-tours, he decided to become an amateur again and earned his status last month. He recently was a semi-finalist in the Massachusetts Amateur Championship and this was his first tournament victory since re-instatement. “This was very special to win here again. I’m feeling good about my game, and feel that if I can get in contention I have a chance,” he said.
Dick King of Hyannis Golf Club, a 64 year old retired data consultant, birdied the 18th hole twice after spectacular hybrid shots to defend his title in the Eddie Lowery Senior Division. King had been tied after 36 holes at 148 with Kevin Carey and Joe Walker, both of Dennis Pines. King recovered from a bogey on the 17th (2nd) hole with a 165 yard hybrid to eight feet at 18 and made the curler to force the playoff to sudden death. All three parred the first sudden death hole, and Walker fell out after a three putt bogey at 17 (2nd sudden death). King then hit his second great hybrid from deep rough at 18 to two feet as Carey went over the hole and settled for bogey. Carey, a Ouimet scholarship alumnus, was the 2000 Ouimet champ and trying to become just the second to win the Championship and Snior Divisions. “It was truly an honor to win the Eddie Lowery Division in the centennial Year of Francis Ouimet and Eddie Lowery winning the U.S. Open,” said King.
The Women’s division, normally an 18 hole event for six special invitees on the final day, was cancelled due to the weather.
The Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament benefits the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund.
About the Francis Ouimet Memorial
This 54-hole stroke play tournament honors Francis Ouimet, considered America's First Golf Hero and one of the most important figures in the history of golf. His victory in the 1913 U.S. Open in a stunning playoff upset of Harry Vardon and Ted Ray is...
Most Popular Articles
FINAL RESULTS: 2026 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley
Mar 14, 2026Miles Russell surged with a closing 67 to reclaim the boys title while Asterisk Talley dominated the girls division at Sage Valley
Mark Your Calendars: Key USGA Entry Dates for 2026
Mar 12, 2026For players mapping out a competitive schedule, knowing exactly when USGA entries open and close is critical
Meet the Amateurs in the 2026 Masters: Six Different Paths to Augusta National
Mar 22, 2026From teenage phenoms to seasoned dreamers, the amateur class at the 2026 Masters brings six compelling stories to Augusta
San Francisco City Championship: Champions Crowned
Mar 22, 2026Joey Hayden, Gianna Singh, Bob Niger, and Jeff Thomas capped championship week with title-winning performances at Harding Park.
Six Amateurs at the Puerto Rico Open: John Daly II, Miles Russell and Round 4 Scores
Mar 8, 2026Kihei Akina closed with a 2-under 70 to finish T16 at 10-under (68-70-70-70).
