ROUND 1 RECAP

New Durham, NH – The 34th annual Sovereign Bank New England Open Championship began today with winds whipping out of the north and swirling around the tall New Hampshire pines. Despite Tuesday’s rains, the course dried out quickly in the breezy conditions, providing a stern test for the field of 132 players from across the country.

Eli Zackheim (Portland, OR) managed to overcome the elements on his way to a first round 66 (6-under par) and a one-stroke lead following the first round. In gusts reaching 35 miles per hour Zacheim hit an amazing 17 greens and managed the 7,005 yard course without a bogey. The highlight of his round came at the par 5 13th hole where he made an eagle from 15 feet.

Michael Harris (Shorewood, WI), Michael Adamson (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) and Brett Stegmaier (Vero Beach, FL) each managed to keep their games in control as well on their way to matching scores of 5-under 67. All managed their share of birdies (Harris – 7, Adamson – 6, Stegmaier – 8,) on the slick greens, while Adamson kept the damage to a minimum with only one bogey.

Other scores include a 4-under 68 from former PGA Tour player John Elliot along with a group of 5 at 3-under par 69.

The Sovereign Bank New England Open presented by OPEN from American Express is a 54-hole stroke play event featuring one of the most talented fields in the region. The field will be cut to the low 50 players plus ties for the final round on Friday September 14th. Everyone making the cut will share in the $150,000 purse with the winner taking home $40,000.

ROUND 2 RECAP

Day 2 of the Sovereign Bank New England Open Championship dawned to bright, crisp blue skies and more importantly a lack of the northerly gusts that plagued the first round.

Taking advantage of the benign conditions, defending champion Geoff Sisk (Marshfield, MA) managed 9 birdies on his way to a 63 and a 36-hole total of 133 (-11). Sisk started his round on the 10th hole, making birdies on 5 of his first 6 holes for a back nine score of 30. He stayed hot on the front side with birdies on 1, 2, 3 and 8.

First round leader Eli Zackheim stayed in the hunt with a 4-under 68, 10-under for the tournament. The Portland, OR native actually made more birdies in round 2 but was unable to avoid bogeys, making three on the day.

Two shots back of the top pair are Michael Harris (Shorewood, WI) and Brett Stegmaier (Vero Beach, FL).

The field was cut to the low 50 players plus ties following the completion of the second round.

The Sovereign Bank New England Open presented by OPEN from American Express is a 54-hole stroke play event featuring one of the most talented fields in the region. The field will be cut to the low 50 players plus ties for the final round on Friday September 14th. Everyone making the cut will share in the $150,000 purse with the winner taking home $40,000.

SISK DEFENDS THE CROWN AT LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE GC

Defending champion Geoff Sisk (Marshfield, MA) began the final round with a one stroke lead on the field at the Sovereign Bank New England Open Championship only to see it disappear after a bogey on the first hole.

Eli Zackheim (Portland, OR), playing alongside Sisk, birdied the first hole to take the lead in the event. The two were in the final pairing of round 3 in the 2006 event as well.

Both players managed to birdie the par 5 second hole and traded blows over the next few holes before Sisk began to open up some space late on the front side with consecutive birdies on 6-7-8. Zackheim meanwhile went on a string of bogeys, playing holes 7-8-9 in 3-over par.

Sisk plays on the North American Pro Golf Tour locally and is looking forward to PGA TOUR qualifying school this fall. He is a 6-time winner of the Massachusetts Open Championship, including the win this year at Kernwood CC in Salem, MA.

Zackheim ended his day on a good note, making birdie on the final hole to tie Michael Harris (Shorewood, WI) for 2nd place.

The Sovereign Bank New England Open Championship presented by OPEN from American Express is a 54-hole stroke play event for professionals and amateurs alike. More than 200 players attempted to qualify for the event all across the northeast.

The top 15 and ties are exempt into the 2008 Sovereign Bank New England Open Championship. The event will be held a Lake Winnipesaukee GC for the 4th consecutive year, September 9 – 12, 2008.

» NE Open Press Release
» Ron Philo Jr. wins 2005 Sovereign Bank New England Open
» Geoff Sisk wins 2006 Sovereign Bank New England Open