By Dalton Balthaser

 

NORTH KINGSTOWN - 2020 is the year when everything changed and where everyone is adjusting to New Normals and living during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

For Agawam Hunt’s Dean Parziale and Bruce Heterick, not much has changed.

 

Defending Senior Four-Ball (Gross) champions Parziale and Heterick picked up where they left off in 2019 and took the Day One lead with a best-ball score of 64 Monday at North Kingstown Golf Course (par 70, 6,269 yards).

 

It was Parziale who got red-hot, but not because of his recent form. He missed the cut in last week’s 115th Rhode Island Amateur at Pawtucket Country Club. So did Heterick. But that didn’t matter Monday at the start of the 27th edition of the Senior Four-Ball (Gross).

 

Swansea Country Club’s Mike Arter and the host club’s Hermen Dacones were next in line with a 65.

 

“I’ve been feeling good about my tennis game, not my golf game.” said Parziale, 60, of East Providence. “I played the Rhode Island Amateur last week and I didn’t make a birdie in 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying. I knew that we already had par made for each hole because of how steady Bruce is. It’s much more relaxing playing with some help.”

 

“Dean was what was working for us today,” said Heterick with a laugh when asked what the bright spot of the team was Monday.

 

Parziale raced out of the gates with an eagle on No. 4 (par 5, 501 yards). After a perfect drive, Parziale hit a 3-hybrid from 210 yards to eight feet and converted.

 

On No. 7 (par 5, 554 yards), Parziale was a little more ambitious. He went driver-driver to 10 feet and two-putted for another birdie.

 

Parziale said the difference in his game was his mindset. He altered his putting grip and was focused on releasing his driver properly. Sometimes that is all it takes to see improved results. 

 

On No. 9 (par 4, 290 yards) a beautiful blast from the greenside bunker led to another red number.

 

“We have different games, but we get after it and play a similar way,” said Heterick, 57, of Barrington. “Dean is always going to be around par. Then he can get hot like he did today. He putted great.”

 

A beautiful 7-iron from 165 yards by Parziale on No. 15 (par 4, 416 yards) resulted in yet another birdie. But the duo gave one back on No. 16 (par 4, 405 yards) after a Heterick three-putt.

 

After a birdie by Heterick on No. 17 (par 4, 325 yards), Parziale stepped up to No. 18 (par 3, 160 yards) looking to go out with a bang.

 

A laser-like 8-iron to eight feet closed out the day on a high note. Even the rather calm Parziale, celebrated after making the birdie putt.

 

Parziale and Heterick shot 2 under last year at Potowomut Golf Club in their victory. They have already eclipsed that mark in the first round by four shots. 

 

“If you can keep the ball in play here, you can make birdies,” said Parziale. “We both drive the ball well.”

 

“We had a lot of holes today where we both had putts for birdie,” said Heterick. “Last year at Potowomut, it seemed like we were always grinding but today we were in control.”