BARRINGTON _ Jamie Lukowicz has been
knocking on the door for a Rhode Island Golf
Association
Championship for nearly 20 years. On Tuesday,
he finally walked through and joined the list of
major champions.
The West Warwick native, who now plays out of
Metacomet, took the lead early in the second
round
in the 21st annual Rhode Island Mid-Amateur
Championship at Rhode Island Country Club and
went
on to a convincing four-stroke victory over Kyle
Hoffman.
"It was fun. I played well,’’ Lukowicz said after
matching the low round of the day, a 2-under
69, for
a 4-under 138 total.
"There have been a lot of seconds,’’ Lukowicz
said. "I remember the last time this tournament
was
played here (in 2009) Charlie (Blanchard) beat
me in a playoff. So this feels good.’’
The victory was a long time coming for the 40-
year-old. Lukowicz has been a frequent
contender
and did win the state Public Links Championship
several years ago. The long bomber has come
close
in numerous open field events. He challenged in
the State Open three years ago at Kirkbrae,
before
a late chip-in by URI grad Mark Stevens beat
him. He has been in the hunt in the Mid-Am
before
and three times combined with Rob Grossguth to
finish second in the Four-Ball.
Grossguth, one of the first to congratulate
Lukowicz after the victory, had an explanation
for
Lukowicz’ improvement. As much as he was
sorry to see his friend leave West Warwick, it
was good
for his game.
"At Metcomet, he has to hit all his clubs. At West
Warwick he was always hitting eight or nine
irons,’’ Grossguth pointed out. "And the greens at
Metacomet are faster than those at West
Warwick.
It has helped him improve his putting.
"He’s playing better than I’ve ever seen him.
Good for him. I’m happy for him,’’ said
Grossguth, who
finished fifth at 147.
Lukowicz began the day two strokes behind Ryan
Pelletier but quickly took the lead with birds on
three and four while Pelletier was suffering two
early bogeys. Lukowicz had his lead to three by
the
turn and maintained full control down the
stretch.
Hoffman completed what has been a breakout
season for him. His 69tied for low score in the
final
round and earned him the runner-up spot.
George Cidade ran off nine straight pars on front
side to hang in and move into second for a time
before going 5-over on 10 through 12 and falling
out of contention. First-day leader Pelletier
never
made a birdie and gradually fell with a 77 for
144 total and a tie for third with State Amateur
champion Bobby Leopold. It clinched the player-
of-the-year award in the process. Senior
Amateur
champion George Pirie won the Senior Division
at 148 and clinched Senior player-of-the-year in
the
process.
The victory brings a double award for Lukowicz.
He not only received the championship bowl
from
Bob Ward, the RIGA director, he also received
an invitation to join the RIGA’s Tri-State team for
the
matches against Connecticut and Massachusetts
in two weeks.
Each state sends players 12, including four
seniors, to the matches, which have been held
for the
last 80 years. Lukowicz entered the Mid-Am in
17th place in the yearlong standings kept to help
determine the association’s player of the year as
well as the Tri State team. The 250 points in he
earned for winning on Tuesday vaulted him into
fifth place in the standings behind Leopold, Brad
Valois, Hoffman and Pelletier.
Leopold, Valois and Blanchard leave this
weekend to represent the RIGA in the USGA
State Team
Championship. That same threesome tied for
second in that event two years ago.
View results for Rhode Island Mid-Amateur
ABOUT THE Rhode Island Mid-Amateur
Open to male amateur golfers who are members
with
a RIGA member club, have reached their 25th
birthday
by the start of the event, and an index no more than
12.0. Format is 36-holes of stroke play with a cut to
the low 55 players and ties after the first round.
There
will also be a senior division for those 55 and older.
View Complete Tournament Information