Prep grad McLaughlin wins New England Amateur Championship

A year ago, Nick McLaughlin drove home from the New England Amateur Championship in pain and wondered what his playing future would hold.
On Thursday, he was enjoying a moment that he never thought would become a reality. The 21-year-old St. John’s Prep grad captured the Harry B. McCracken Jr. Trophy at Baker Hill Golf Club in Newbury, N.H., by finishing with a score of 7-under par 281.
“I guess it came full circle,” said McLaughlin, who will be a senior at the University of Virginia in the fall. “To be almost having to withdraw last year and then struggling the rest of the summer and then coming all the way back here and winning is great.”
As a result of his victory, McLaughlin becomes only the fourth golfer in Massachusetts history to win both the Massachusetts Amateur and the New England Amateur in the same year.
He joins the distinguished company of Massachusetts Golf Hall of Famer Ted Bishop (1946), Jim Hallet (1982), and Jim Salinetti (1997, 2000).
History making was not at the top of McLaughlin’s mind over the past 12 months. He has been focused on rehabilitation and even sat out his spring collegiate season.
Since returning to tournament play this spring, he has now won three major tournaments: the Hornblower Memorial (May), Massachusetts Amateur Championship (July), and now the New England Amateur Championship.
“It changed my perspective on playing,” said McLaughlin. “When you can’t play, you appreciate playing a little bit more even if you aren’t playing well. So maybe in five or 10 years, I will look back on it and it will be a good thing.”
He delivered more than just a good thing this week in New Hampshire, where he was the only golfer in the field of 152 competitors who posted four under-par rounds. He entered the final day of play ? which included 36 holes ? four strokes back of the lead.
The deficit and the thought of another 36 holes on a hilly layout that was playing more than 7,000 yards all week was daunting. After all, McLaughlin played 134 holes from Monday through Friday at the Massachusetts Amateur Championship the previous week.
“I didn’t know what I would have this week,” said McLaughlin. “I played so much last week. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t touch a club on Saturday or Sunday, so I just wasn’t sure what I would get out of myself this week.”
Consistent play was the key this week for McLaughlin, especially on the final day. After the first 18 holes on Thursday, McLaughlin was still chasing the leaders, including hometown favorite and second-round leader Joe Leavitt (Atkinson CC) and Ben Balter (Weston GC ? MA).
The turning point came on the 185-yard, par 3 17th hole. Both Balter and Leavitt suffered double bogies during the final round on that hole, while McLaughlin enjoyed his moment by draining a 45-foot birdie putt.
“Fortunately, I played four really consistent rounds and finally got a putt to go on the back nine on 17 when it really mattered,” said McLaughlin. “I guess when things are falling your way, they keep falling your way.”