By Dalton Balthaser

 

Photo Gallery

 

PORTSMOUTH - It’s been some time since Joe Downing played golf competitively.

 

He wasted no time getting back into the swing of things Wednesday.

 

Downing used a red-hot putter to claim medalist honors in a Rhode Island Golf Association Amateur Qualifier at Green Valley Country Club (par 71, 6,641 yards).

 

He was the only one to shoot par or better with a 69. The next closest was Metacomet Golf Club’s Brad Broome who shot 72.

 

The 115th Rhode Island Amateur Championship will take place July 13-17 at Pawtucket Country Club.

 

A total of 23 players secured their spot at Pawtucket with the cut line falling at 78 (7 over).

 

Downing has deep roots at Green Valley. He grew up in a house by the second tee and is a member at the club. He knows the ins and outs of the golf course and was able to take advantage.

 

“Golf was an outlet for many during the COVID-19 quarantine because it never closed in Rhode Island,” said Downing. “It was the only way to get outside and have a resemblance of normalcy. If you play by the rules and follow the precautions, you will be fine. It was great to be out here playing.”

 

He got it going with a miraculous birdie on No. 4 (par 5, 541 yards). He hit his second shot into the right trees and was hoping to somehow make par.

 

After punching a 6-iron underneath the trees to 40 feet, Downing buried the putt, which he said help him calm his nerves.

 

He added another one on No. 7 (par 4, 354 yards) after hitting a gap wedge from 100 yards to 12 feet.

 

Making the turn in 1 under put him in a good position to qualify with hard conditions awaiting the remaining competitors. 

 

Downing’s wedge play, a staple of his, stayed laser-like with a dart to two feet from 95 yards on No. 13 (par 4, 327 yards).

 

And then a hole-out eagle on No. 15 (par 4, 354 yards) from 36 yards propelled him to the top.

 

“I was lucky to have local knowledge on No. 15,” said Downing. “You have to land the ball short of the green and let it run back. It worked out nicely. It was my fifth eagle on a par 4 in the last five weeks.”

 

Golf can be a funny game, one day you have it and one day you don’t. 

 

“Tuesday, I played in a New England Amateur Qualifier at Agawam Hunt and shot 79 because I couldn’t get anything going,” said Downing. “The difference today was I made putts.”

 

Now Downing will be teeing it up alongside Rhode Island’s best at Pawtucket. Unlike Green Valley, he has no experience at this year’s #RIAmateur venue.

 

“I’ve never played Pawtucket,” said Downing. “I hope to be able to get a practice round in. It’s nice to be back competing.”

 

Notes:

 

Warwick Country Club’s Brad Auclair made an ace on No. 12 (par 3, 125 yards). He used pitching wedge for his third career ace.

 

Former RIGA P.J. Boatwright Interns Brad Wilbur and Peter O'Neill made the cut. Wilbur shot 78. O'Neill shot 76.