By Dalton Balthaser

 

Photo Gallery: http://bit.ly/2QTML45

 

CRANSTON, R.I. - Andrew Fiorenzano was one of the last to get into the 114th Rhode Island Golf Association Amateur qualifier at Cranston Country Club.

 

A golf spark reignited as a result of playing well in the 70th RIGA Four-Ball May 28-29 at Agawam Hunt and Warwick Country Club with Mike Hamilton. A T7 finish added fuel to the already burning desire to return to competitive golf.

 

Fiorenzano used laser-like precision off the tee to secure medalist honors in a #RIAmateur qualifier at Cranston (par 71, 6,493 yards) Wednesday.

 

The 114th Rhode Island Amateur Championship will take place June 24-28 at Shelter Harbor Golf Club in Charlestown.

 

A total of 22 players secured their spot at Shelter Harbor with the cut line falling at 79 (8 over).

 

“When I saw Shelter Harbor on the schedule for this year’s Rhode Island Amateur, I knew I needed to get in,” said Fiorenzano, 27, of Saunderstown, R.I. “I am very happy with this. I haven’t played much golf in the last year so I will take it. The RIGA Four-Ball was the first tournament I had played in years. So it’s nice to be back out here.”

 

Fiorenzano reached the Amateur final in 2014 where he lost to Wannamoisett Country Club’s Bobby Leopold, 4&2, at Montaup Country Club.

 

That memory is still fresh but his time to keep his game in shape has dropped dramatically. After starting his own small construction business, his time to practice and play has subsided but he tries his best to keep at it when he can.

 

“My backyard has some space to it so I can hit some wedges,” said Fiorenzano. “So that’s how I can get some practice in with limited time. Playing in the Four-Ball gave me the golf bug again.

 

“My biggest goal in golf is to win the Rhode Island Amateur. A lot of my friends that I went to school with are focusing on their careers, which I was too. It is nice to get back in touch with the RIGA. The landscape has changed here. I want to see if I can still compete.”

 

Fiorenzano, a 2014 University of Rhode Island graduate and member of the golf team, got his round kickstarted with a key par save on No. 2 (par 4, 365 yards). After having to pitch out, Fiorenzano stuffed a 60-degree wedge from 60 yards to five feet and converted the early, yet key, par save.

 

After making the turn in 2-over-par 37, Fiorenzano got it going.

 

The Aquidneck Club member converted a 15-footer for birdie on No. 11 (par 4, 392 yards) after controlling a 95-yard sand wedge from the fairway.

 

But the highlight of his round came on No. 13 (par 5, 510 yards). He smashed his drive into the middle of the fairway and drilled a 6-iron to 25 feet from 190 yards.

 

A big smile appeared on his face after converting that putt, which got him into red figures on the round.

 

“Since I haven’t been under par in awhile I thought to myself to get in the house in the red,” said Fiorenzano. “That was definitely on my mind.”

 

A bogey on the following hole, No. 14 (par 4, 373 yards) didn’t deter him coming in. He closed with four pars and secured his spot atop of the qualifying leaderboard and in this year’s Rhode Island Amateur.

 

“If I could play in one tournament each year it would be the Amateur,” said Fiorenzano. “I love match play because you can be aggressive. I am good in match play because I make a lot of birdies. I like to get into match play and let the horses out.”