By Joe McDonald

RIGA Senior Writer

 

 

THOMPSON, Conn. – After a 45-minute ride Tuesday morning to Quinnatisset Country Club, Larry Lafauci, Jr. stepped out of his car and felt like a “90-year-old” before he attempted to defend his Rhode Island Mid-Amateur Championship. 

 

“That drive is not conducive for a back situation. It was killing me,” said Lafauci, 43, who also celebrated his birthday Tuesday. 

 

Despite his ailments, Lafauci focused, found the proper motivation en route to a bogey-free round of 2-under 70 for first-round medalist honors at the 30^th Mid-Amateur Championship. He’ll have a chance to defend his title Wednesday. 

 

Lafauci, along with teammate and fellow Kirkbrae member, Tommy McCormick, finished as the runner-up at the historical Havemeyer Tournament last weekend at Newport Country Club. Jamie Lukowicz and Darren Corrente won the championship with a 3&2 victory over the Kirkbrae duo. 

 

“I picked up a lot of confidence this past weekend, playing at Newport,” Lafauci said. “I’ve been working on some new stuff, so I just needed my body to cooperate, but it really wasn’t. Honestly, it was probably the best thing for me because I just tried to keep everything in front of me and try to hit as many fairways as I can. (Quinny) is a place you need to keep it in play, so that’s all I tried to do and not do anything stupid. I was lucky today I didn’t make a bogey.” 

 

Lafauci has been searching for consistency in his game, recently working with his swing coach, Kevin Sprecher, who is the director of instruction at Sleepy Hollow in New York. 

 

“People tell me I have a good golf swing, but I don’t necessarily believe that all the time,” Lafauci said. “A lot of it is mental and believing in my abilities, but some of it is trying to get my body to move right. I know how to move my body in the correct way, and when I do good thing happen for me. My body needs to feel good, and my body did not feel good today.” 

 

Still, he was able to figure out and played well. Since he won this event last season, he’s motivated to repeat as champion. 

 

“I obviously want to play well,” he said. “My mindset basically was not to get too caught up in what happened last year. I still feel like I have a lot to prove. As much as I enjoyed winning last year, and it was great, the job isn’t done yet. I always feel like I have something to prove. I’m not the kind of guy who is ever satisfied, so my mindset was just try to defend in a positive way.” 

 

Since the 2023 season is ending, Lafauci still wants to earn a spot on Team Rhode Island that will compete in the Tri-State Championship in a few weeks at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford, Conn. Even though he’s played well this season, he admits he’s still trying to keep up with the Bobby Leopolds, Michael Hamiltons, Tommy McCormicks and Tyler Cookes of the Rhode Island golf world. 

 

“I know I need to compete because those guys are going to play well,” he said. “My mindset was not to get wrapped up in what happened last year and just be present.” 

 

When he arrives at Quinnatisset CC Wednesday morning, Lafauci will repeat his same pre-round routine. Because of the wet conditions Tuesday, the driving range wasn’t available for the players to warm up, so Lafauci might go without hitting a practice shot again Wednesday. 

 

“I might hobble out of my car, say a nice prayer like I did today, make the sign of the cross, tee it up and see what happens,” he said. 

 

A friend’s wife recently gifted Lafauci with a black coral bracelet and told him to rub it during his round for good luck. He admits he doesn’t get wrapped up in superstitions, but he wore it Tuesday and believes it worked. 

 

“I was lucky enough to just get out of the car, lucky enough to compete and be with all these guys, because they’re all great players,” Lafauci said. “I’m truly blessed to come out here and have an opportunity to do something special tomorrow.”