The 2020 New England PGA Head Professional and Teaching Professional Championships at LeBaron Hills CC produced a familiar winner, and one who took home the title for the first time, as Kirk Hanefeld, PGA (Salem CC) won his third Teaching Professional title and Jeff Martin, PGA (Wollaston GC) won his first Head Professional Championship.
It took 20 holes for Hanefeld to defend his Teaching Professional title. Hanefeld and 2017 Champion Eric Barlow, PGA (Winchester CC) were tied at 1-over 73 through 18 holes before Hanefeld prevailed over Barlow on the second playoff hole.
Hanefeld made the turn at even-par with one birdie and one bogey on the scorecard and added two bogeys and three birdies on the back.
“It hit it good today, but I putted poorly,” he said. “I three-putted four times and that was the four bogeys I made. Three-putting is normally not my deal but it was today. I struggled on the greens for whatever reason but apparently it was good enough.”
Martin got hot in the middle of his round and carded a round of 3-under par 69. After two early bogeys, Martin made six birdies in an eight-hole stretch to propel him to victory.
“I started hitting some good golf shots,” Martin said about the middle of his round. “I birdied eight, then I hit it on in two and just missed making eagle (on nine) and I just gave myself some good chances and just found it out there.”
While Martin’s win is the first Head Professional Championship on his resume, he won seven NEPGA Pro-Pro Match Play Championships at LeBaron Hills with Troy Pare, who he played alongside on Tuesday.
“I like this golf course. I know where to hit it,” he said. “We’ve played enough rounds here. It’s a second home if you will. It’s nice to come back here and play.”
Frank Dully, PGA (Kernwood CC) shot 2-under par 70 to finish one stroke behind Martin in the Head Professional Championship. John Hickson, PGA (Chequessett Y&CC) and Robert Bradley, PGA (Brockton CC) tied for third at 1-under par.
