29 July, 2015
Hopkinton, MA — It all seemed to fall into perfect place for Jimmy Hervol (Hopkinton CC) on Wednesday afternoon. After all, it was his course, his year and his time.
In front of a gallery of friends, family and club members the 17-year-old Hopkinton native captured the 2015 Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship
“It was awesome,” said Hervol. “I was able to represent the club. Everyone here was supporting me. In order to win it in front of my friends and family was great.”
MGA Junior Day 3 Quick Links
* Nicholas Hampoian Wins the Pre-Junior Division Title
* Next Up - the 1st MGA Boys Junior Amateur
* Photo Gallery
The crowd erupted into applause and a broad smile appeared on Hervol’s face after he tapped in for par on the 18th hole to post a three-round score of 4-under par 209 and win his first career MGA Championship title. He finished two strokes ahead of second-round leader Davis Chatfield (Locust Valley GC).
It was a sweet and emotional moment for Hervol, who just one year ago entered the final round of this event with a four-stroke lead but finished T6 overall.
Since that time, Hervol completed his senior year at Hopkinton High School and verbally committed to play golf at the University of Connecticut.
“It feels great especially after last year when I was in the lead after two days and then blew up on the last day,” said Hervol. “I can’t tell you how awesome it feels to finally win this thing.”
From start to finish, Hervol was consistent and at ease on his home layout. After making the turn on his first nine holes on Monday at 2-over par, Hervol played 6-under par golf. He capped off his victory with a second straight round of 2-under par 69.
It was a much-needed strong finish as Chatfield entered Wednesday’s final round with a two stroke lead. Chatfield made birdie on his first two holes to jump out to a four-stroke advantage.
Hervol remained calm and inched back within striking distance with back-to-back birdies on the 7th and 8th holes. And by the 14th hole they were all square.
“I knew that I had to do something,” said Hervol. “I just thought that I had to make a few birdies coming in order to win the tournament.”
His biggest birdie of the day came on the 500-yard, par 5 14th hole where Hervol knocked his iron-approach onto the green. With Chatfield off the green and lying three, Hervol was able to two putt for birdie. Chatfield would go on to make bogey to complete the two-stroke swing.
Two holes later on the 136-yard, par 3 16th hole, Hervol got up and down from off the back left of the green to save par. It was a huge save after Chatfield drained a long birdie putt on the previous hole.
“He had me worried there,” said Hervol. “I knew that it wasn’t going to be easy but I was able to keep my head up and keep playing well.”
Hervol kept his head down the rest of the round and when he lifted it up on the 18th green, he saw nothing but happy faces.
“Since last year didn’t go so well I knew that this would be the year,” said Hervol.
Nicholas Hampoian Wins the Pre-Junior Division Title
In the battle for the Joseph M. Batchelder Memorial Trophy, Nicholas Hampoian (Thomson CC) turned in a come-from-behind victory after posting a three-round score of 4-over par 217. He capped off his victory with a 1-over par 72 on Wednesday. He finished two shots ahead of Andrew O'Leary (Glen Ellen CC).
"This means a lot to me," said Hampoian. "I played really well all week long."
Next Up - the 1st MGA Boys Junior Amateur
One group that was noticeably missing this week in Hopkinton were the competitors who were under the age of 13. In past years, those individuals competed for a boys division title.
In 2014, however, the MGA announced the introduction of a new championship that is just for golfers who are under the age of 13. Those competitors will compete in the 1st Annual Massachusetts Boys Junior Amateur Championship
Please credit David Colt/MGA
