Valois Going For Third Consecutive R.I. Amateur Championship

July 10, 2008

Click here for more information on the 103rd R.I. State Amateur Championship

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Brad Valois will attempt to become the first player in close to 50 years to win three consecutive Rhode Island Amateur Championships, when he takes on David McAndrew in tomorrow's final match of the 103rd Rhode Island Amateur Championship, to be held Agawam Hunt C.C.

Valois won the state's top Amateur title in both 2006 and 2007. The last player to do so was Robert W. Allen, who won three consecutive R.I. Amateur crowns in 1958, 1959, and 1960. Only three times in the 103-year history of the tournament did an individual win the championship three straight years: Allen, T.S. Tailer, Jr. (1930-32) and John P. Burke (1934-36).

Both the quarter and semifinal rounds were contested on Thursday. In the morning quarterfinal session, Valois advanced past Stephen Royer, 1 up. The match was all square heading into the par 4 18th hole, but Valois bested his opponent with a par score and advanced to the afternoon's semifinal round.

In the semifinals, Valois downed Garrett Medeiros, 2 and 1, to advance to Friday's championship match. A par score of 4 on the 9th hole put Valois at 3 up, but Medeiros would rally over the next five holes to square the match after 14. But the URI standout posted back-to-back pars on 15 (par 5) and 16 (par 3) before closing out the match with a birdie on the par 4 17th hole.

The 36-hole final match is set to begin at 8 a.m. and Noon at Agawam Hunt.