BROOKLINE — Greenfield’s Cody Booska and South Deerfield’s Jake Zaranek posted 1-over par rounds of 72, pacing an impressive performance from Franklin County golfers in the opening round of the 111th Massachusetts Amateur Championship, Monday at The Country Club.
Booska birdied two holes on his back nine, nearly sinking his approach on No. 17 from the fairway before settling for a tap-in birdie from just an inch away. Zaranek also birdied the 17th hole, the very same hole that Justin Leonard famously birdied to clinch a U.S. win in the 1999 Ryder Cup at the historic club.
Both golfers sit in a tie for 13th place after 18 holes, with another round of stroke play set for today. The top 32 after Round 2 advance to single-elimination match play, which begins on Wednesday.
“It was one of my better 1-over rounds, for sure,” offered Booska, who made his seventh Mass. Am. appearance. “I had a couple 10 to 15-foot par saves which kept the momentum going. I started struggling with the ball-striking a bit but making some putts definitely helped. Overall, I’m happy with 1-over.”
Zaranek, who just last week qualified for the U.S. Amateur and is one of the hottest golfers in the field, sat at even-par on his round after the birdie on 17, but gave one back on 18 after his approach went long and he had to chip back over a cart path.
“The way I struck the ball today, I had the potential to shoot a really good number,” the 20-year-old Fairfield University rising junior explained. “I hit the two par 5s in two (shots) and didn’t make a birdie on either one of them. I gave myself a lot of chances, didn’t really make the putts but going forward I think I have the chance to put a number out there.”
Amesbury Golf & Country Club’s Chris Francoeur sits alone atop the leaderboard after Round 1, as he fired a 4-under 67. Dillon Brown and Herbie Aikens are one shot back after 3-under 68s. Just nine players broke par in the opening 18.
South Deerfield’s Jonathan Elkins was in good shape heading to the back nine of his opening round. The 18-year-old was 1-over through 11 holes, but bogeyed No. 12 and hit his tee shot on the par 3 16th hole into a precarious spot in the greenside bunker. The plugged lie did not give Elkins much to work with, and he wound up double-bogeying en route to a 4-over 75.
“Sixteen was just a thing of its own. I wasn’t able to make anything good out of it,” he offered. “I figured if I could just make double (bogey), save that one shot, it’s going to take a little pressure off (Tuesday’s round). I didn’t want to make any big, big mistakes out here.”
Indeed, Elkins rebounded with pars on 17 and 18 and is in a tie for 44th place entering today’s round. He hit 13 greens in regulation on the day.
“To go out and play just an OK round and still see my name up there with some of the state’s best amateurs, it just eliminates a lot of doubt in my mind going forward,” Elkins said.
Greenfield’s Jake Willis carded a 5-over round of 76, and the Mass. Am first-timer sits in a tie for 55th place. The Nichols College rising junior got off to a stellar start, recording birdies on two of his first three holes of the day. He took the turn at even-par, but a triple-bogey on his last hole of the day dropped him down the standings.
“I knew I’d give away a few shots on this golf course but that triple-bogey definitely set me back a bit,” Willis explained. “It was just amazing to be out there, though. There are so many talented golfers here it’s just a pleasure to be able to compete.”
Amherst’s Ronald Laverdiere, who plays out of Crumpin-Fox Club, shot 6-over 77 as the lone local player who teed off in the morning session of Monday’s Round 1. He sits in a tie for 67th place. Greenfield’s Andy Lesenski, a Northfield Golf Club product, was one shot behind with a 7-over 78 and is tied for 82nd.
Booska notched pars on his first six holes of the day before giving back his first shot on No. 7. Still, he managed to bounce back by putting himself consistently in
“As long as I keep hitting centers of greens and make a couple putts, I’ll be fine,” the 23-year-old said. “This course is not easy, you need to get in good spots and take advantage when you can.”
Zaranek was a par machine, rattling off 13 straight at one point in his round on Monday.
“I’m striking the ball really well,” said Zaranek. “I’m giving myself a lot of opportunities, I just need to capitalize on them. I feel like my putting is good, I just haven’t been getting the putts to fall yet.”