By Joe McDonald

RIGA Senior Writer

 

BARRINGTON – Mike Caparco once admired all the RIGA accolades on the shelves of Jamie Lukowicz’s trophy case. 

 

“You’ll get one soon,” Lukowicz told his close friend and playing partner. 

 

Well, that occurred sooner than later for Caparco. He and Lukowicz produced an incredible 69-62 – 131 (11-under) to win the 75^th Four-Ball Championship Thursday at Rhode Island Country Club.

 

Lukowicz is a past State Amateur champion (2020), Mid-Amateur champion (2014, 2015) and Stroke Play champion (2018). After several attempts with other partners, he finally lands the Four-Ball Championship with Caparco, a first-time RIGA winner. 

 

“It feels great,” Caparco said. “I felt going into this tournament if we played our best golf there could be only a couple of teams that could compete with us. We came pretty close last year, and played good the year before and we finally got it all together this time.” 

 

The team from Agawam Hunt was three shots off the lead after Day 1 at Potowomut Golf Club, but they put on an outstanding display of golf Wednesday at Rhode Island CC. Lukowicz and Caparco carded six birdies in the first eight holes to take the lead and never relinquished it. 

 

They had only three holes remaining when play was suspended late Wednesday at both courses due to lightning and hail. Players returned Thursday morning, but Lukowicz and Caparco remained focused. 

 

“We knew we had to come back and just stick to what we were doing because there was still a lot of golf to play,” Caparco said. “We wanted to come out and make some birdies, but we didn’t want to drop a shot. We wanted to keep the momentum going and focus on one shot at a time.” 

 

They finished with three consecutive pars to claim victory. 

 

“It’s not easy,” Lukowicz said of the team’s victory. “You’re out here grinding and we made three bogeys (Day 1) and only finished 2-under when we should’ve finished 5-under . . . the finish (Thursday) was not easy. The wind was blowing and it was early in the morning, so the way we finished was good and we’re fortunate enough to get a good win.” 

 

Quinnatisset Country Club’s Tim Murray and David Marshall had a front-row seat and they enjoyed watching it. 

 

“They played well individually and then they played great as a team,” Murray said of the winners. “It was really cool to watch it, too. They had both guys in every hole and when one was a little out of position, ‘bang’ the other one made a huge putt. After they went 5-under after five holes, Dave and I just tried to stay out of their way and enjoy the show. We had a great time playing with them. To be 9-under on Rhode Island Country Club with the wind was very impressive.” 

 

Another thing stood out to Murray.

 

“That’s the first time that I can remember where Dave and I never had the honors,” he said. 

 

Superintendents Andy Hannah (Rhode Island CC) and Peter Fish (Potowomut GC) worked their magic and made sure both courses were playable after a nearly three-hour delay Wednesday. After play was suspended again and needed to continue Thursday, all the players were impressed with the conditions despite the amount of rain. 

 

“Kudos to the crew,” Hannah said of his staff. “We have a great staff. They do everything to give the members and guests a great experience.” 

 

The players credited both courses for a job well done. 

 

“These guys are amazing,” Lukowicz said. “The place (Rhode Island CC) is special as you can see in the background (points to the water). This place is phenomenal and Potowomut is great. The fairways here are tight, which we’re not used to, but it was fun.” 

 

Lukowicz won his first RIGA tournament here in 2014 and believes it started him on a path to success on the amateur circuit. 

 

“This place has been good to me,” he said. “My first Mid-Am (win) was here in 2014 and that got me going, so this place means a lot. 

 

When everyone else left the Rhode Island Country Club Thursday morning, Lukowicz and Caparco stood on the 18^th green and enjoyed the view, but more importantly their shared victory. Maybe there’s more to come. 

 

“I hope so,” Caparco said. “I want a lot more of these, so let’s get it.”