Brad Valois Wins RI Mid-Am in Playoff
Brad Valois claimed his first Rhode Island Mid-Amateur title on Tuesday at Wanumetonomy.
Valois beat 2025 RI Amateur Champion Mike Calef on the first playoff hole to claim the title.
“It felt like my first win all over again. It has been about ten years or so since my last win, so I had to go through all the nerves like I did the first time around and I’m happy I was able to finish strong,” Valois told RIGA after the round.
Valois is a four-time Rhode Island Amateur Champion with his last State-Am win coming in 2013.
With this Mid-Am win, Valois has now won a total of 14 State events in his career.
Valois’ Tournament
Valois opened the tournament with a first round 71 in relatively calm conditions, but was well back of leader Tyler Cooke who fired a first-round 67.
However, in the second round on Tuesday the winds picked up.
“When you’re hitting sand wedges and pitching wedges that are curving 20 yards, it is very very challenging. So today, I just hit driver everywhere and tried to get as close to the green as possible and chop it on somehow and get up and down,” said Valois.
Nonetheless, Valois carded a second round 71 which was good enough to put him in a tie with Calef in regulation.
In the playoff, Calef put his tee shot in the bunker on the left, while Valois put his in the rough on the right behind a tree.
“I had 145 yards into the green on 18 I think, behind that tree. I had to keep it low. I tried to hit a little 30-40 yard hook with an eight iron, cut it in over the bunker, which I did. Luckily it ended up in the rough and I got a great lie,” Valois told RIGA.
From here, Valois nearly chipped it in putting the pressure on Calef to have to make a putt.
Calef’s putt just slid by, giving Valois the win.
Dufault Wins Senior Mid-Am
Montaup’s Glenn Dufault won the Senior Mid-Am on Tuesday at Wanumetonomy.
Dufault carded rounds of 77 and 72 over the two days to be nine over for the tournament.
He held on to win by one shot over Brian Foley and David Marshall.
It’s great to see Glynn name. I remember playing with his dad Russ and Glynn at Chemawa Golf Course years ago.