Mike Hamilton Holds on to Win RI Stroke Play Championship
Kirkbrae’s Mike Hamilton held on to win the Rhode Island Stroke Play Championship on Tuesday afternoon at Montaup Country Club.
Hamilton finished the tournament at 11-under par to beat Kevin Silva by two shots.
The victory comes just a two weeks after Hamilton finished runner-up in the State Amateur to Kevin Blaser.
This is Hamilton’s second Stroke Play Championship victory.
He previously won in 2020.
The victory earns Hamilton an invite back to the Northeast Amateur.
Hamilton Hangs On
Hamilton held a two shot lead heading into the final day, a 36-hole day, at Montaup.
After a morning 65, which included a stretch of four straight birdies on the front nine, Hamilton’s lead grew to six to kick off the final 18.
Things got off to a good start on the second 18 with Hamilton birding the fifth hole.
However, a double on six sent him backwards, then a birdie on seven and another bogey on nine.
Combined with Silva making a final round run, the back nine was suddenly not looking so easy.
On the backside Hamilton birdied the 11th hole, then dropped another birdie on the 13th hole to give himself some breathing room.
A bogey on 15 meant he would have a two shot lead with three holes to go.
Clutch par saves on 16 and 17 kept the lead, and a tap in par on 18 secured the victory.