Low Scores Highlight Qualifying

HANOVER -- The consensus among longtime watchers of the Tommy Keane Invitational at Hanover Country Club after Friday’s stroke play was that the championship flight it produced is strong. Very strong.

Jake Obar, the former Hartford High School standout who teamed with Hanover High product Rex Whitney to win last year’s championship, sees the 32nd renewal of the event the same way.

“It’s a great championship flight,” he said. “The playoff (for the final slots in the championship flight) was one-over and I think it’s been a long time since it’s been that low. Probably since they did the renovations (in 2001). There’s a lot of good scores out there. I mean, 6-under? Even in a two-man, that’s as good as it gets.”

Medalists in stroke play at 65 on the par-71 Hanover layout were University of Hartford player Nick MacDonald of Lebanon and Doug Lantz, a veteran of a number of good runs in the New Hampshire Amateur. Earning the second seed, one shot back, were Duane and Bill Vielleux, the former minor league baseball player out of Hartford High. The father-won team shot a 66.

Onetime Dartmouth golfer Ted Dardani and Noel Volpe claimed the third seed with a 67.
The fourth seed went to Jim Burnett -- the inaugural TKI champion in 1975 -- combining for a 68 while playing for the first time with son Joe.

Shane MacDonald -- father of top-seeded Nick -- joined again this year with Andy Hydorn and his team is seeded fifth after carding a 68.

Obar and Chris House shot a 69 to take the sixth seed, thanks in part to House’s first career hole-in-one on the 145-yard 14th hole.

One more shot back at 70 and seeded 11th are former Hanover High standout Ryerson Stinson and former Lebanon golfer Pat Pelletier (70).

Brothers Scott and Mike Peters, winners of six TKI titles, are seeded 12th after shooting a 1-under 70. “My money would be on them coming in,” said Obar. “They scare me down there.”

Right behind the Peters brothers is six-time champion Brian Doyle, teaming up once again with Craig Steckowcyh, his partner the last three times he won the title. The pair from the Seacoast shot 71, the same as Hartford High co-coach Mike Hathorn, seeded 14th with former Hurricane star, Mitch Cable.

Match play begins this morning. The champions will be crowned Sunday afternoon.

“This is a great tournament,” said Obar. “I look forward to playing in it every year. It doesn’t get any better than this. Great golf with a bunch of great guys. It’s just a great event.”