By Dalton Balthaser

 

Photo Gallery: http://bit.ly/2kwi8FX

 

PAWTUCKET, R.I. - When Bobby Leopold stepped to the tee to begin his quest for a fourth Rhode Island Golf Association Mid-Amateur, he had no idea where his first tee shot was going.

 

“I didn’t expect to play well,” said Leopold, 34, of Coventry, R.I. “I spent the holiday weekend with my family in New Hampshire. When I came home Monday, I drove to Wannamoisett to practice and I hit the ball horribly. My wife asked me how it was and I said ‘it was worthless and I am going to play like crap tomorrow.’”

 

Leopold, with zero expectations, relied on past experiences and mettle to card an opening-round 67 to lead the 26th #RIMidAm after Day One Tuesday at Pawtucket Country Club (par 69, 6,420 yards).

 

Leopold won the last Mid-Amateur held at Pawtucket in 2012.

 

He heads into the final round with a one-shot advantage over Pawtucket’s Peter O’Neill, Metacomet Golf Club’s Richard Audette, Jr., Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club’s Seamus Fennelly, and Cranston Country Club’s Augie Sottile. Each one of them is looking for their first RIGA Major.

 

“Having a poor session like that limits expectations,” said Leopold. “After hitting it nicely for the first few holes, I thought I could get it around decent. I was encouraged with how I was able to play considering I haven’t played much recently.”

 

For not being as sharp as he’d like to be Leopold had a clean card for 17 holes. A bogey on No. 1 (par 4, 389 yards) was the only blemish on an otherwise solid day.

 

The Wannamoisett Country Club member began his run of red numbers on No. 3 (par 4, 379 yards). He stuffed a 9-iron from 152 yards to five feet to regain the lost shot on the opening hole.

 

Leopold found himself with numerous scoring opportunities in the opening round. He was precise with his tee shots although he chose to only hit driver twice.

 

He hit driver on No. 9 (par 4, 449 yards) and was left with a pitching wedge from 146 yards that he stuffed to five feet to make the turn in 34.

 

Leopold’s third and final birdie of the day came on No. 12 (par 4, 371 yards) a 3-iron off the tee left him a 150-yard 8-iron, one he’d put to 20 feet and convert.

 

While Leopold is looking for another notch in his RIGA Major belt, he’s got his eyes on a U.S. Four-Ball qualifier Sept. 10 at Newport National Golf Club. He and club mate Tyler Cooke reached the quarterfinals in this years’ edition at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

 

“I told myself that even if I struggle today and tomorrow, I need to figure something out before the U.S. Four-Ball qualifier next week,” said Leopold. “It is just a shame that quarterfinalists aren’t exempt into the following year’s event. It is hard to have to qualify because any team can shoot 8 under on a given day.”

 

While Leopold has five RIGA Majors to his credit including two Rhode Island Amateurs (2009, 2014) and three Mid-Amateurs (2011-12, 2016), it has been three years since he last stepped in the winner’s circle.

 

Golf isn’t the only thing for him anymore. But it doesn’t mean he’s shying away from the opportunity.

 

“It has been a bit since I won an RIGA event,” said Leopold. “With my kids and getting older, it’s harder to compete and put in all of the time I used to. Usually, before a big tournament, I played and practiced all weekend. You can’t expect to win but I try to do my best and I shoot what I shoot.

 

Note:

 

New England Amateur Tour’s Rob Parsi recorded an ace on No. 13 (par 3, 177 yards) with a 5-iron.