University of Vermont first-year golfer Tom Rogers (Acton, Mass./Holderness) won the individual title at the 68th annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championship at the Captains Club in Brewster, Mass. on Tuesday, October 22.
University of Hartford shot a two-day 613 to finish in third place behind Rhode Island (600) and Central Connecticut (605).
Rogers, one of the top New England Prep golfers the last two years at Holderness, shot two rounds of 74 on the par-72 Post and Starboard courses at the Captains Club, and then won a one-hole playoff with a par, defeating Bryant College’s Jason Clary. A total of 232 golfers from 47 teams participated in the championship.
In winning the prestigious championship over the best collegiate golfers in New England, Rogers joins former UVM All-American and local golfing legend John Donnelly Sr. as the only Catamounts to win the NEIGA crown. Donnelly won the title in 1964 at Rutland Country Club.
Rogers also joins an impressive list of golfers who have won the NEIGA title. The list includes Senior PGA standout Dana Quigley of Rhode Island (1969), PGA veteran Jim Hallet (Bryant), a five-time winner from 1981 to 1983, and PGA pro Tim Petrovic of Hartford (1986).
The Hawks, who posted a 306 on Monday and entered the second round four strokes behind leader Central Connecticut, combined to shoot 307 on the final day. Rhode Island, which had shot a 307 on Monday, combined for a 293 on Tuesday to finish five strokes ahead of runner-up Central Connecticut.
Senior Jeff Campbell (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) climbed from a 14th-place tie on Monday to finish tied for eighth overall at 151. His round of 75 on Tuesday was one stroke better than his Monday effort as he led the team for the first time this season.
Senior Miroslav Holub (Semily, Czech Republic/Semily) also shot a final-round 75 to finish in an 11th-place tie at 152. Classmates Chris Holmes (Fort Erie, Ontario/Fort Erie) and Dean Carrigan (Southbury, Conn./Pomperaug) finished tied for 24th at 155. Senior Brian Boylan (Bow, N.H./Bishop Brady) rounded out the squad with a 158 and tied for 40th.