GolfNewsRI

Throughout the course of the 2024 golf season, GolfNewsRI interviewed dozens and dozens people involved in the game of golf in Rhode Island.

From rising stars to current stars and local legends, this past season had it all and GolfNewsRI was there to provide the best coverage around. 

With that said, we thought it would be cool to sum up the 2024 season by using some of the great quotes that we got from interviews, TV shows and more. 

RI Legend Paul Quigley on State of Golf in RI with GolfNewsRI TV

“I’m a little worried. It seems like it is getting harder and harder to get good golf courses for the competitions. I don’t know the answer, they haven’t asked my opinion. Before Covid, golf was in a tough place… and the RIGA always had those courses they could fall back on, that were good courses, good condition. Then Covid hit and everyone decided to play golf and these courses don’t need you, they don’t need the money…I think the pendulum has to swing and I’m hoping we can adapt to it. You know it used to be an honor for a course to host the Rhode Island Open, now it seems like a afterthought.” 

Women’s Am Champ Emily Brooks Praises Morgan MacLeod Following Match

“She was amazing. Foot on the gas from the very first hole and I kind of got caught up in it. One hole, I think five, she hit a great drive and it ends up in a divot, put it in the bunker, hit it out and then almost chipped in for par and I three-putted. Her attitude all day was awesome, she is a great player and I think she will have one of these trophies pretty soon.” 

High School State Champ Rocco Capalbo on State Title Battle with Drew MacLeod

“It was amazing. Drew is one of my best friends, he is such a good player. He made a birdie on the par-3, big putt, I was so proud of him. I know we have a lot more to come and I can’t wait.”  

Brett Quigley after playing the U.S. Senior Open at Newport Country Club

“Just an incredible week. I mean, the show coming to town and coming to Rhode Island was fantastic. I thought Rhode Island and the golf course showed incredibly well, and certainly all of Rhode Island should be proud. It’s very cool.” 

Olivia Williams on La Salle’s three-peat as High School State Champions

“I’m really happy we won as a team. This season I feel like we were closer than ever, great team, good team chemistry and I’m really happy that we finished strong for Max (Jackson) and Charlie (Melvin).” 

Robert McNeil tells GolfNewsRI TV about opening of Met Links

“I think there is great history here. The golf holes are great that we saved there was no need to re-route or move anything around. We kept holes 1,2,3 as everyone knows them who have played here. We kept hole 5 which is now hole nine. We intentionally kept the history as much as we can on this property. The greens are as good as any in Rhode Island. We are pretty excited about the history of this old/new golf course.” 

Billy Andrade Talks Favorite Hole Ahead of U.S. Senior Open at Newport CC

“I’ve never been big on, you know, I have one favorite hole. Because what happens? You play your favorite hole and you hit in the water and make a triple, now that’s not your favorite hole, see? Every hole is your favorite hole, you just hope you birdie or par it and move on.” 

Meghan Khang reflects on growing up at Button Hole

“You know, growing up, before my dad picked up golf he was a mechanic in Rhode Island. On the weekends a lot of my extended family was in Rhode Island and we came across Button Hole. I would kind of drag my cousin with me so I would have a friend to go play with. Just to be able to have the accessibility that Buttonhole provides to those that may not have the financial stability to play golf, but to have $1 for a bucket, $3 to go play and overall you can spend an entire day and spend maybe $10, it’s incredible.”

Lily Dessel following her win at the RI Girls Junior Amateur

“This gives me a lot of confidence knowing that I can beat all the junior girls in Rhode Island. I will probably go in with confidence next week and all the future tournaments and high school. I feel like last season it was all about Olivia and Adriana, but now I think the stories will shift a little.”

Bobby Leopold after winning his fifth Rhode Island Amateur title:

“We always say that if life is good, golf is good and I feel they go together really well. I got a great wife, three great kids. You know they support me in everything I do, even though my son, my oldest, says ‘daddy you stink, play better.’ He’s probably sitting over there saying ‘what happened, you were three up.’ But without all their personalities and support, there is nothing to play for. Play for yourself, but it’s way better to play for your wife and kids who love you and I love them.”