By Joe McDonald

RIGA Senior Writer

 

PORTSMOUTH – Ask the older generations around the course and they'll say golf is a young person's game. Most young players – with confidence – would agree. 

 

A total of 126 golfers competed in the 118th Rhode Island Amateur Championship, ranging from 14-years-old to 73. In fact, there are 15 teenagers, 30 players in their 20s, 40 in their 30s, 14 in their 40s, 17 in their 50s, 10 in their 60s and one legendary player – 73-year-old Dr. George Pirie – in the 2023 field at Montaup Country Club. Rocco Capalbo, 14, is the youngest player, while Drew MacLeod and Joey Iaciofano are both 15. Iaciofano finished stroke play 4-over to advance to match play. 

 

Coventry High School standout Sam Fuentes, 17, advanced to match play while competing in his first Rhode Island Amateur. He also recently qualified for the 75th U.S. Junior Amateur July 24-29 at Daniel Island Club in South Carolina. La Salle’s Max Jackson, the defending Rhode Island Junior Amateur champion, also advanced to match play for the R.I. Amateur. It’s great to have so many young players, both young men and women, continuing the great tradition of golf in the Ocean State.

 

It’s evident the game is flourishing and that’s on display this week at the Rhode Island Amateur with so many different age groups. Playing with “older people” has been a bit strange for the younger players, but it’s been a good mix. 

 

“It was weird for me playing, because I normally just play with junior golfers,” Fuentes said with a smile. “It’s a fun experience playing with all ages.” 

 

Three-time State Amateur champion, Bobby Leopold, finished as the medalist after shooting 65-68 – 133 for 9-under. As golf coach at Bishop Hendricken High School, the 38-year-old understands first-hand how the younger core of golfers in the state are improving. His message to younger players is simple: “Everyone in this field is just as nervous as you are, if not more nervous. You look at someone and they may seem cool, calm, like they have it all figured out, but I guarantee they’re terrified as well and that’s the way you have to look at it. Everyone’s trying to achieve the same goal. It’s about trying to hone those skills you have, along with the years of experience, and just trust yourself.” 

 

Leopold preaches the importance of the process and staying confident. 

 

“If you fail because you didn’t take your time, or pulled the wrong club, those unforced errors are huge in match play,” he said. “You want to make as few unforced errors as possible. The moment you do that you open the door for your opponent to either see a weakness, or attack. You have to play steady, play your game and then make as many putts as you can.” 

 

Harry Dessel, 20, a rising sophomore at Lafayette College, and former Moses Brown standout, played both rounds with Leopold and Michael Hamilton. The “elders” were impressed with Dessel’s game and how he’s improved the last few years. He finished third with a score of 69-70 – 139. 

 

“Solid,” Leopold said. “He didn’t make any mistakes. Even when he missed the green, he got up-and-down easily. I’ve played with Harry a few times now and he’s hitting it further than he did the last time I played with him, which is helping his game because he’s always had a really good short game. His game has come on a lot and he’s playing good.” 

 

The first two rounds served as a master class of golf for Dessel, who watched Leopold completely dominate the field. 

 

“I love how confident he is with the driver,” Dessel said. “On the first hole, on the first day it’s raining and it’s easily out of bonds left, and he pulls driver. Every hole he hits driver. I admire his confidence. It’s fun to watch.” 

 

If Dessel takes one thing away from this week’s tournament, it’s this: “Just trust my game, because clearly Bobby trusts his. It’s better to think, ‘Why would I not play with confidence?’ That’s what I’ve learned from him the most.” 

 

Tommy McCormick, 43, was a lot younger when he won the State Amateur in 2005. His mindset back then as a 25-year-old is completely different than it is now. If any of these young players asked his advice, he would tell them: “It’s not life or death. You’ll play better with a certain level of confidence. When I was a kid, I tried to force it and it hindered me. When I got older and realized there was a place for golf and it was below other things I played better. It took the pressure off. My responsibilities are to my family, to my job and then golf – that’s the hierarchy. When I was younger, it was flipped and when you put so much pressure on yourself you tighten up and don’t make the swing you’re supposed to make, or you don’t think properly and get nervous. I can’t tell you the last time I got nervous on the first tee. You hit it and chase it.” 

 

Rocco Biafore will be a freshman at Bryant University in the fall and he’s already enjoying an impressive summer of golf. He’s playing well and building his confidence. This is only his second Rhode Island Amateur and he advanced to match play. Not only is he thrilled with his accomplishment, he’s also happy for all the younger golfers in the field. 

 

“There are a lot of good, young players and we play together a lot, either casually, or in the Challenge Cup circuit, so I see all these guys all the time,” he said. “All these guys can compete at the highest level in Rhode Island.” 

 

Sooner rather than later the younger core will start to dominate the golf scene in Rhode Island. These players respect how the older generations have kept the golf traditions in the state secure as the torch is being passed. 

 

“You see the Bobby Leopolds, the Tom McCormicks, all those guys and you’ve seen what they’ve done and you think, ‘If they can do it, I can do it.’”