Sometimes on the golf course, it’s a strong closing stretch that gets you over the edge. Marblehead native and Tedesco Country Club member Brendan Locke II found that out last week during his qualifying round for the 112th Massachusetts Amateur Championship, as he went 1-under over his final five holes to shoot a score of 1-over 73 and make the cut on the number at Renaissance Golf Club in Haverhill.
That five-hole stretch included an eagle on the par-5 14th hole and three straight pars to close the round.
“I was 2-over through 13 holes and I had just made a nice up-and-down on 13, so I was feeling pretty good going down the stretch,” said Locke, who recently completed his freshman year at Division II St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt. “I hit a nice driver and had about 215 in, which was right between a four and a five-iron for me. I ended up going with the four and ended up just left of the green. I hit a nice flop shot from there that trickled in for the three, which was awesome.”
After making bogey on the tough par-3 15th, Locke knew that he had to have a solid closing stretch to have a chance.
“I knew that the cut was going to be somewhere around 1- or 2-over, so I really wanted to play the last three holes even,” Locke said. “The last three holes, I played to the middle of the fairway and the middle of the green on each hole and got out of there with the three pars I needed.”
The cut sets him up to play in the 112th edition of the Massachusetts Amateur, which will be hosted at both The Kittansett Club and The Bay Club at Mattapoisett from July 13-17. The Kittansett Club was set to be the lone host initially, but The Bay Club stepped in at the last minute to help alleviate the crowds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second site was added to accommodate the 144-player field, as each player must start from the first tee. After the first round, the players will swap courses for the second and final round of stroke play. Any playoff needed to determine the final match play spots will take place Wednesday, July 15 at Kittansett, which will host all the match play from July 15-17 to determine a winner.
“It’s a great feeling to qualify,” said Locke. “I’m excited to get to compete on some great golf courses against some great competition.
“The golf courses are going to be really fun,” Locke added. “A few of the members at Tedesco are also members at Kittansett, so I’m actually going to be playing a practice round this week. They’re also allowed a walkthrough at The Bay Club on Saturday, so it’ll be a nice chance to get a look at both courses.”
Locke is coming off of a solid freshman season at St. Michael’s, making the adjustment to college life both in the classroom and on the course. His top finish on the year was a second-place finish as an individual at the NE-10 Championship.
“It’s a great school both with athletics and academics, so it was a great first year,” said Locke. “We play at Vermont National (in South Burlington, Vt.), which is a great course, and working with Coach (Jason) Bedard has been awesome. I played well towards the end of the year.”
As for the state of his game going into the Amateur, Locke is feeling good. He’s been putting in some work with Tedesco head professional Jake Leech in the leadup to the tournament, and he shook off the competitive rust when he competed in the Father-Son Modified Scotch at Crumpin-Fox Club on Wednesday.
“Everything is going pretty well right now,” Locke said. “I’m hitting the ball well and my putting has been good, so I’m hoping I can just continue what I’m doing.”
Locke will tee off in the first round of the 112th Massachusetts Amateur Championship on Monday (10:18 a.m.) at The Kittansett Club.
