BRUNSWICK, June 28….Jimmy Welch is not accustomed to come-from-behind victories. The 41-year-old Winding Brook Country Club member likes to go wire-to-wire, open a big lead and coast to victory.

But Sunday Welch did it the hard way and rallied to win the 66th Troy Invitational at Country Club of Troy.

The Skidmore College graduate birdied the second, ninth, 11th and 18th holes for a sizzling 3-under-par 68. That earned him 214 for the 54 holes and gave Welch a one-shot triumph over 18-year-old Jeb Buchanan of Wolferts Roost Country Club.

Second-day leader Steve Quillinan Jr. skied to 76 and finished at 217. Lefty Devin Komline also had 217 after a round of 71.

This was Welch’s third Troy Invitational win. He won it in 1991 (in match play) and again in 2006.

“Playing from behind was easier,” Welch said afterwards. “I had momentum late. I knew I could do it.” Welch began the day five shots behind Quillinan.

“I felt good, I wasn’t nervous,” Welch said. “I hit the ball straight and my driver was real good.” Welch said the vital thing was “keeping in play and staying focused.”

Alex Macialak had a hole-in-one on the 156-yard third hole. It was Macialak’s first career ace and third in three days at Troy.

Buchanan, 18-year-old Shaker High graduate, said he was happy with his effort. “I played well,” he said. “It was nerve-wracking.’

Joe Quillinan won his third senior title in the last four years.Here are Sunday’s final results:

COUNTRY CLUB OF TROY (Par 71)

Open Division:
Jimmy Welch 68-214; Jeb Buchanan 71-215; Steve Quillinan Jr. 76-217; Devin Komline 71-217; Chad Stoffer 70-218; John Vaccaro 75-219; Don DeNyse III 72-220; Matt Clarke 74-222; Alex Macialak 74-224;  David Mooradian 75-225; Erik Thomas 74-225; David Hayes 80-226; Greg Levings 72-226; Nick Pinckett 75-227; Joe Macaluso 74-227; Jake Spitalny 71-228; Sam Spitalny 71-228; Matt Horton 79-229; E.J. Cardish 77-229; Peter Wilson 80-230; Dan Russo 78-230.

Saturday’s story…….

The 19-year-old Averill Park golfer is 18 holes away from becoming the youngest player to ever win the Troy Invitational. He’ll start play today with a three-stroke lead in the 66th annual Troy Invitational at Country Club of Troy.

But when he ended Saturday’s round, Quillinan wasn’t happy with his play.

He finished with a 2-over-par 73 for 141 for 36 holes.

“It wasn’t worth watching,” the June Albany Academy graduate said to well-wishers.

Quillinan expects to polish up his putting and chipping before beginning his mission on Sunday.

BRUNSWICK, June 26…The second hole at Country Club of Troy has a special hold on Steve Quillinan Jr.

In a practice round on Wednesday, the 19-year-old Quillinan aced the hole with a 9-iron. The hole was expanded from 135 to 156 yards on Friday and Quillinan did it again — a hole-in-one with a 7-iron.

The ace propelled the Albany Academy graduate to a 3-under-par 68 and a three-shot lead after the opening round of the 66th Troy Invitational. Quillinan, who moves to West Palm Beach, Fla. in the fall, added 2 birdies.

Last May Quillinan won the Tri-County Golf Association Match Play Championship. The Averill Park resident, a member of CC of Troy, wants the title this weekend.

Three shots beind is 20-year-old Dan DeNyse III, a Siena College junior-to-be who is the 2-time defending Albany County champ.

Tied with 72s are Wolferts Roost’s John Vaccaro and 2-time Troy Invitational champ Jim Welch of Winding Brook.

Here are Friday’s first-round results:

COUNTRY CLUB OF TROY(Par 71)
Steve Quillinan Jr. 68; Don DeNyse III 71; John Vaccaro 72; Jim Welch 72; Chad Stoffer 73; Jim O’Connell 73; Mark Sabatino Jr. 74; Peter Wilson 74; Mike McCarroll 75; Jim Cocca 75; Matt Horton 75; Devin Komline 75; Sam Spitalny 75; Erik Thomas 75; Nick Pinckett 75;   Ryan Bailey 75; Dan Russo 76; Matt Clarke 76; David Mooradian 76; Jeb Buchanan 76; David Hayes 77; Chris Scott 77; Robby Bigley 77; Jimmy Sullivan 77; Justin Deitz 78; Keith Komline 78; Casey Komline 78; Colin Quillinan 78; Jake Spitalny 79; Joe Macaluso 79; Dan Ireland 79; Chris Driscoll 79.

Seniors (Leaders):
Joe Quillinan 70; Brad Griffin 73.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.