Salem Country Club member Steve DiLisio made two birdies on his final five holes to win the 125th Massachusetts Open championship Thursday at Saconnessett Golf Club in Falmouth.
DiLisio, who in 2019 became the first Salem CC member to win the Massachusetts Amateur before turning professional, captured the $15,000 top prize by shooting a closing 69 Thursday for a five-under-par 211 aggregate. The Swampscott native edged out Nashawtuc CC pro Xavier Marcoux, who had been the leader for most of the 54-hole tournament.
DiLisio became the first North Shore-connected player to win the Mass. Open since Rob Oppenheim in 2009 at Belmont. Prior to Oppenheim’s win, there had only been three other area-linked champions dating back to 1976, when Paul Barkhouse won at Worcester. Kevin Johnson won in 1986 at New Seabury and Pat Bates won seven years later at Tedesco.
DiLisio also joins a selected group of players who have won both the Massachusetts Amateur and Open.
Other North Shore scorers were Kernwood amateur Aiden Emmerich at 218, Amesbury’s Chris Francoeur at 223, and Aidan’s brother Christian and former St. John’s standout Nick Pandelena at 224.
Locals who missed the 36-hole cut at 151 were Peabody’s Athan Goulos at 154, Kernwood’s Frank Dully at 155, Ferncroft’s A.J. Bodnar at 156, Sagamore’s Phil Miceli at 160Bass Rocks’ Todd Scarafoni at 163 with Kernwood amateur Sean Dully and Ipswich’s Brian Loughlin who shot 91 and withdrew.