The second and final day of stroke play at the 116th Massachusetts Amateur is in the books.
And while none of our Cape Ann golfers managed to make the 32-player match play cut of 2-over par, all three put forth strong efforts in the ever-competitive field.
Former Gloucester High standout Jack Delaney led the local trio by firing rounds of 78-73—151 (7-over par) to narrowly miss the cut line. The Bass Rocks Golf Club member had six bogeys in his opening round on Monday (to go with 12 pars) but cut that down to just three on Tuesday to go with a pair of birdies on hole Nos. 2 and 3. To put Delaney’s round in perspective, he still scored better than 63 other golfers in the tournament — and it was just his first time qualifying for the Mass. Am. to begin with.
Right behind Delaney was fellow Gloucester native and former St. John’s Prep standout Mark Turner. Also playing out of Bass Rocks, Turner carded a 79 in Round 1 but bounced back strong with a 1-over 73 to match Delaney on Day 2. His cumulative total of 152 (8-over par) wasn’t his best showing to date in the Mass. Am., but it was nothing to scoff at, either.
Evan Buddenhagen, another Gloucester native who shined at IMG Academy and Pingree School, also finished at 152. He remained consistent over the two days, firing 76 each time out to finish at 8-over par. Playing out of Essex County Club, Buddenhagen plays collegiate golf for Division 1 Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
Granite Links Golf Club’s Matt Cowgill was the stroke play medalist, finishing at a sizzling 9-under par (68-67-135). Thorny Lea Golf Club’s Shuvam Bhaumik, who is a staple in the North Shore Amateur tournament each summer at Far Corner Golf in Boxford, finished second at 7-under (69-68-137). Last year’s Mass. Am. champion Ryan Downes, who became the tournament’s youngest ever winner at just 17 years old, narrowly made the match play bracket via a playoff that wound up knocking out Far Corner Golf’s Nick McLaughlin.
Both the Rounds of 32 and 16 will be played on Wednesday as the tournament continues at Framingham Country Club.
Sports Editor Nick Giannino may be contacted at 978-675-2712 or ngiannino@northofboston.com.