Dan Venezio, the former Myopia Hunt Club assistant professional, was eager to serve as host pro for the 106th New England PGA championship that was recently contested at his home Portland (Maine) Country Club course. It would be a proud experience.
But the state of his game mid-summer did not provide the same level of excitement. He did not mind sharing that concern with his wife, Lindsay, the former Danvers resident and Georgetown High history teacher.
“My tournament results in the spring and summer had not been the greatest, particularly the Maine Open in June,” Venezio, 41, pointed out. “At the same time we were wrapping up the busiest five-week stretch at the club.
“But then I shot four under at a Maine Chapter pro-am in Falmouth and had a couple solid ball-striking rounds in NEPGA events at Sharon and Concord (N.H.). Those rounds, plus a little selfish extra practicing leading up to the tournament, had me feeling positive as the NEPGA approached.”
Such positivity paid handsomely come championship week for Venezio.
Following a 75 the first round at nearby partner host site The Woodlands, Venezio returned to his home course to fashion rounds of 71-69 for 140. In doing so, he captured the NEPGA crown by defeating Greg Kelley of the Bay Club at Mattapoisett by a single stoke, 215 to 216.
Buoyed by birdies on the final nine on Nos. 13 (18 feet) and 16 (a 30-foot 2-putt on the par-5), plus a pivotal 10-foot par putt on No. 17 that emoted thunderous applause from the pro-Venezio gallery of more than 100 observers, the championship was Venezio’s.
“I couldn’t believe the noise (that) the gallery made after I made that putt on 17,” said Venezio.
In earning the $13,000 top prize and a berth in next spring’s National Professional Championship at Streamsong, Venezio improved upon his second place finish to Rich Berberian in the 2021 event at Worcester CC. That’s where Berberian broke away from playing partner Venezio the final nine with four birdies.
“I learned from that experience,” Venezio noted. “Rich showed me the head space you need to win a championship. I learned a lot about myself as a competitor that day, too.”
The celebratory noise you might have heard after he won the crown in the Danvers neighborhood where Lindsay’s parents reside would have been in response to Venezio’s dramatic victory.
Then there was the champ’s champagne dousing he received from Jim Gusella, his general manager at Portland CC, wife Lindsay and Ryan Auclair, a member of his golf staff.
Venezio hopes he can enjoy a similar situation next year when he defends at The Quechee Club in Vermont.