Kirk Massie, a relative newcomer to the area, made a successful debut in a Maryland State Golf Association Amateur/Open qualifying event, carding a par-71 at Piney Branch Golf Club in Hampstead, April 29.
In the first of four such programs, Massie, who moved from New York City to Washington within the last year, matched par with 36-35 for a course played at 6,703 yards. The 25-year-old, who is in the wholesale business, highlighted his round by holing a 50-yard wedge shot at the 407-yard 18th (his ninth hole) and he went on to finish with four birdies, four bogeys.
The cut for the Amateur — due June 6-9 at the Chevy Chase Club — fell at 77, and the cut for the Open — due July 15-17 at Worthington Manor GC — came at 78.
There was a three-way tie for the top spot in the Amateur part at 72 among Michael Mulieri, the 2008 Amateur champion from Baltimore CC; Nick Barrett, Turf Valley CC, and Carlo Pizzano from Glenn Dale GC. Mulieri and Pizzano had two birdies, three bogeys, while Barrett had three birdies, four bogeys.
David Freiss, PGA General Manager from Musket Ridge GC, also had 72 and was the only pro among four at that number atop the leaderboard. He was joined by Jack St. John, MSGA E-Club; Barrett, and Pizzano.
The weather was partly cloudy and breezy, and the thermometer never got out of the 50’s.
Joe Zdrojewski, from Maryland National, who will only play in the Open, shot 35 on the front side and Richie Steinwand, from Diamond Ridge GC, who will only play in the Amateur, posted 34 on the back and they were the only ones with sub-par nines. Steinwald shot 43 on the front and doubled No.10, but recovered to birdie four of his last five holes, including the closing three.
The next Amateur/Open qualifier will be held May 9, at Mountain Branch GC in Joppa.
Reported by John Stewart
