Bay State wins N.E. Junior Amateur Invitational; DiLisio wins individual stroke play title

SEEKONK – For the third time in four years, the seven-person team from Massachusetts can call itself the New England Junior Amateur Invitational champion. Team Massachusetts also lays claim to the tournament?s individual champion, Steven DiLisio of Swampscott.Under perfect conditions from start to finish, the Bay State contingent erased a two-stroke deficit following the first round to prevail by 17 strokes in the three-round competition held over two days at Ledgemont Country Club.Team Massachusetts finished with a three-round score of 16-over par 1,081 to best Connecticut — a 15-time winner of this event — as well as teams from Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.DiLisio (Salem CC), powered by two 1-under par 70 rounds on Tuesday, claimed individual stroke-play honors with a three-day score of 3-over par 214. He edged Connecticut?s Evan Grenus (TPC River Highlands) by one stroke and teammates Jackson Lang and Matthew Naumec by two. Four of the top 10 finishers in the individual stroke-play competition were from Massachusetts.?I could not be prouder of these boys and the effort put forth all week long,” said Scott Whitcomb, captain of Team Massachusetts. “Heading into the final round, I told them that they needed to put the accelerator down and stay focused and that is exactly what they did.”Following the first 18 holes, Whitcomb found his team trailing by two strokes to Connecticut. In a wild swing over the next 18 holes, Massachusetts not only claimed the lead but the team played 4-over par golf to stretch out a commanding 12-stroke lead heading into the final day.?It was a remarkable and important swing for us,” said Whitcomb. “Every single one of these players contributed and a full team effort is what it takes to win this title.”On the final day, Jackson Lang (Nashawtuc CC) led the way by posting a day-low score of 2-under par 69. It was a remarkable round of golf that included a final stretch where he made birdie on five of his last seven holes.The 2014 Masachusetts Junior Amateur Champion, Naumec (CC of Wilbraham), finished as one of only four players from the entire field to post an under-par round on Wednesday. He carded a 1-under par 70.Matt Hutchins and DiLisio finished with scores of 2-over par 73 and 3-over par 74, respectively, while Jimmy Hervol (Hopkinton CC), Matt Organisak (Nashawtuc CC) and Jake Ratti (Harmon Club) turned in scores of 5-over par 76.This latest accomplishment for Team Massachusetts marks the state?s 13th title since the event was launched in 1967. It also stands as the second time since 1996-97 that the Bay State has secured back-to-back titles.