Heads were still turning more than a day later about a historic round.
Of the three courses that host the Lowell City Golf Tournament, the most challenging one is Vesper Country Club.
The Tyngsboro layout has dashed many a dream since the tournament began in 1923, whether it hosted the first round, second round or third and final round.
But on Wednesday, the 100th edition of the Cities saw a spectacular first-round performance from Tyngsboro native and Western Kentucky standout Trevor Drew. The Long Meadow member and defending Cities champion carded a 6-under 66 to serve notice that he doesn’t plan on relinquishing his title easily.
Even par at Vesper is an impressive score. Six-under? That will get people’s attention. Quickly.
How solid was Drew’s round? It’s the lowest ever score at Vesper in the 100-year history of the tournament, according to Cities historian Gene Manley.
“That’s a heck of a score,” Manley said of Drew’s 66.
The event record, by the way, was recorded by Doug Parigian when he fired a 65 at Mt. Pleasant en route to his 10th Cities win in 2003.
In a sign of the high quality of golf in the 48-player field, five players Wednesday shot even-par 72 or better at Vesper. Impressive stuff.
With help from his caddie, Nathan Crowley, left, lines up a putt on the first green Wednesday during the opening round of the 100th Lowell City Golf Tournament at Vesper CC. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)
Firing 2-under rounds were two-time champion Chris Gentle of Mt. Pleasant and tournament newcomer Madison Smith, who added to her family’s eye-popping Cities legacy with an impressive opening 18 holes.
Manley was left stunned by Smith’s performance in her first Cities round.
“Are you kidding me? I couldn’t believe it. It was unbelievable. Her first Cities,” Manley said.
Smith fired a 32 on Vesper’s front nine, a score Manley called “insane.”
Smith, representing Long Meadow, won’t be a senior at Westford Academy until the fall.
Among those firmly in the hunt entering Friday’s second round at Long Meadow (play begins at noon) are two members of Smith’s family. Sister Molly Smith of Mt. Pleasant (72) and father Phil Smith of Long Meadow (74), an eight-time winner of the event, are playing together in the second-to-last group with Vesper’s Chris Herrick (72).
Among those teeing off three groups earlier is Long Meadow’s Morgan Smith, another member of the Westford golfing family who has the talent to soar up the leaderboard on her home course.
Smith is a two-time New England Women’s Amateur champion, capturing the 2022 and 2023 titles, and the University of Georgia golfer will look to rebound after a 76.
Molly Smith of Mt. Pleasant Golf Club hits a chip shot on the first hole during the opening round of the 100th Lowell City Golf Tournament on Wednesday at Vesper Country Club in Tyngsboro. Smith finished even par. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)
In the team competition, Long Meadow won the title in 2003. Then Vesper went on a historic run, capturing the next 19 championships. Mt. Pleasant broke the streak in 2023, but Vesper rebounded last year to earn the title again.
If Vesper is going to win its 21st title in the last 22 years, the Tyngsboro club has some work to do.
After Wednesday’s opening round, Mt. Pleasant (852) led, followed by Long Meadow (860), Vesper (865) and Nabnasset (905).
Vesper’s members didn’t dominate on their home layout. In fact, only three Vesper members will tee off Friday in the final five trios.
Eight-time winner Phil Smith of Long Meadow fired a 2-over par 74 during Wednesday’s opening round of the 100th Lowell City Golf Tournament. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)
Mt. Pleasant will host Saturday’s final round at 11 a.m.
Friday’s tee times
12:00 p.m: Chris Osborn (MP), Robb Burndrett (N), Dan Ahern (N)
12:09 p.m.: Andrew Mosco (V), Jack Ryan (N), David D’Entremont (LM)
12:18 p.m.: George Vergados (LM), Chris Lerra (N), Thomas McKiernan (MP)
12:27 p.m.: Liam Gleason (MP), Bernie Nangle (LM), Justin Adams (V)
12:36 p.m.: David Walshe (N), Nicholas Wilder (N), Jason Fischer (V)
12:45 p.m.: Kevin McLaughlin (N), Jason Howarth (MP), Nathan Crowley (LM)
12:54 p.m.: Tom Ervin (N), Reed Bourgeois (LM), Bret Edwards (LM)
1:03 p.m.: George Popp (V), William Adie (V), Matt Tramonte (LM)
1:12 p.m.: Daniel Meyers (V), Ryan Brogan (V), Mike Schnyer (N)
1:21 p.m.: Travis Kellegrew (N), Rick Moreau (N), Andrew Conway (V)
1:30 p.m.: Kyle Dunn (LM), Jeffrey Monahan (V), Eric Roy (MP)
1:39 p.m.: Eric Young (N), Morgan Smith (LM), Ryan Lally (MP)
1:48 p.m.: Andrew Mierzwa (MP), Matt Asselin (MP), Trevor Green (MP)
1:57 p.m.: Ryan Friel (V), Brian Corbett (MP), Daniel Brown (V)
2:06 p.m: Molly Smith (MP), Chris Herrick (V), Phil Smith (LM)
2:15 p.m.: Trevor Drew (LM), Madison Smith (LM), Chris Gentle (MP)
Vesper’s Andrew Conway checks the wind before hitting his tee shot on the sixth hole during the opening round of the 100th Lowell City Golf Tournament on Wednesday. (James Thomas for the Lowell Sun)
