By Dalton Balthaser

 

SEEKONK, MASS. – Mark Wilson and Cole Vieira became familiar with each other on the Challenge Cup circuit.

 

Once Wilson’s family joined Wannamoisett Country Club, the two youngsters hit it off in the form of plentiful rounds of golf around the Donald Ross layout.

 

In those times they became familiar with each other’s games and learned they would be a dynamite four-ball partnership.

 

Wilson and Vieira’s sharp iron play pushed them to the lead after Round One of the 73rd Rhode Island Four-Ball after a round of 63 at Ledgemont Country Club (par 71, 6,801 yards).

 

“Growing up, we played a lot of Challenge Cup events so that’s how we became familiar with each other,” said Vieira. “With Mark living far from Wannamoisett it isn’t always as easy to play a lot together but when we do it is always a good time.”

 

They hold a one-shot lead over clubmates and two-time champions (2015-16) Tyler Cooke and Bobby Leopold who fired a 64 at Ledgemont.

 

Stephen Vye and Michael Occhi of Green Valley Country Club fired a round of 67 on their home course to lead the contingent who played Green Valley (par 71, 6,830 yards) during Round One.

 

“We played quite well as a team today,” said Vieira, 17, of Barrington, R.I. “Whenever one of us was out of the hole, the other stepped up and hit a good shot. In this format, being able to trust your partner is huge.”

 

The duo carded a total of nine birdies. Wilson, the 2022 #BurkeMemorial champion carded six of those nine and kickstarted the duo with one on the opener (par 5, 477 yards).

 

Vieira, a rising junior at Barrington High School got his first birdie of the day on No. 4 (par 3, 222 yards) after hitting a 4-iron on a string to three feet. 

 

Wilson added one of his own on No. 5 (par 4, 361 yards) after a crisp 58-degree wedge from 75 yards landed five feet from the hole.

 

Vieira helped them make the turn in 5 under with birdies on Nos. 7 (par 4, 462 yards) and 9 (par 4, 391 yards). All he and Wilson could do was grin when he rolled in the 20-footer on No. 9. 

 

Wilson answered his teammate with another sharp wedge shot to 15 feet on No. 10 (par 4, 386 yards).

 

“We both have solid wedge games,” said Vieira. “If we have chances for birdies on the greens we will make our fair share. We just have to play to our strengths.”

 

Wilson added three more birdies on Nos. 12 (par 3, 186 yards), 14 (par 4, 396 yards) and 17 (par 4, 431 yards) to get them to 8 under.

 

“If we continue to do what we are doing, I like how we work as a team,” said Wilson, 20, of Needham, Mass. “The experience I had at the Burke was important for me to know what it takes to win an RIGA event. There’s no need to get tense. We just need to stay calm.”

 

They will be paired with Cooke and Leopold who are stalwarts in this format and former U.S. Four-Ball Quarterfinalists. They made six birdies and an eagle.

 

“If we go out there tomorrow and play our games, we will be fine,” said Wilson. "Knowing we have an extra ball in play if we need it is nice. All we must do is focus on each shot and the hole ahead. If we focus on that and not the result, we should be there at the end."

 

“I played with Tyler in the Rhode Island Amateur last year, and I know about Bobby’s longevity in Rhode Island golf,” said Vieira. “They are both good players and we know we will have to play our best. But regardless of what happens tomorrow, this will be a good learning experience for the both of us.”