Sep. 26—Pease Golf Course’s Keith Stone shot a blistering 3-under-par 69 on Thursday to capture a second straight New Hampshire Senior Championship golf title at Portsmouth Country Club.
Stone, who fired a 74 in Wednesday’s opening round of the two-day stroke play event, was the only golfer to break par on Thursday. He notched five birdies and only two bogeys, finishing with a two-day total of 143, five strokes better than runners-up Peter Keilty and Craig Steckowych, both of the host club.
Steckowych was the first-round leader at 71.
Stone’s victory mimicked his title last year at Canterbury Woods, where he started three shots back before winning by five strokes.
“I was very comfortable today,” said Stone. “It helped a lot with the experience I had last year being behind, catching up early and having that adrenaline.”
Stone cited his long game as a key to success. “It’s the best I’ve ever driven the ball for 36 holes, ever, and I’ve been playing golf for 40 years. I’ve never driven it like that.”
Dave Larrivee of Manchester Country Club, Dan Mulkern of the Golf Course of New England, and Mark Thompson of Abenaqui tied for fourth with two-day totals of 150.
Derryfield’s Dan Arvanitis and Hoodkroft’s Paul Ralston tied for seventh at 152.
Rounding out the top 10 were John Mumford of The Golf Club of New England and Sean Lacey of Derryfield, who tied for ninth at 153. Bob Mielcarz of Concord Country Club and Pat Dion of Amherst tied for 11th at 154.
