Breakfast Hill director of golf glad New Hampshire Open came to the Greenland course

GREENLAND – Soon after Breakfast Hill Golf Club hosted the New Hampshire Women’s Golf State Qualifier in 2019, Director of Golf Nathan Bridges was approached by Matt Schmidt, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Golf Association about the club hosting the New Hampshire Open in 2020.

It would have marked the first time the course hosted the tournament, but, unfortunately, COVID delayed those plans.

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“It was inevitably pushed off until this year,” Bridges said. “They approached us (about this year) and we were welcome to accommodate.”

The course has hosted many tournaments such as smaller state events, qualifiers, amateurs and other Seacoast events, but nothing to this level.

It’s been almost 50 years since the New Hampshire Open was last held on a Seacoast-area course.

And Bridges said Breakfast Hill Golf Club is very pleased to end the near-half century drought.

“The fact that it has come back to the Seacoast, first and foremost, is the most important thing because there are so many great courses here,” Bridges said. “The fact that we were chosen was a wonderful accomplishment by us, especially since we’re only in our 22nd year. There are plenty of other golf courses around here with established resumes; we were honored to be asked.”

The 18-hole, par-70 course has been featured numerous times, and has been ranked a top-five course by Golf Week magazine as one of America’s best daily fee facilities.

In 2008, 2009 and 2018, Breakfast Hill was awarded four stars by Golf Digest as one of its “Best Places to Play,” so it was just a matter of time before the New Hampshire Open took to the course to host the annual three- day tourney.

Bridges described what makes the course so unique despite its tricky greens.

“For the better amateurs and the professionals, it’s not terribly long, but it proves challenging because it’s so narrow,” he said. “There’s not a lot of bailouts on either side of the green. The greens are tricky, but fair. The course is fair as well depending on where the tee markers are.”

Bridges added, “I think for a lot of players coming to New England, they’re very surprised by the narrowness of it.”

The par-4 third hole is considered the “narrowest on the property.”

“The staff around here is wonderful,” North Hampton’s Ryan Quinn said. “I know Nate, and all the guys in the golf shop, they do a great job with this golf course. I love this place, and it’s nice to host an event here.”

Quinn shot a 4-under-par 66 on Friday and is in a five-way tie for 19th, eight shots off the pace.

Quinn, who calls Breakfast Hill is home course, decided to turn professional after winning last year’s Seacoast Amateur.

“Every time we see some of the young kids come through here, Ryan in particular, we’re thrilled and rooting for him,” Bridges said. “And now that he’s turned pro, we’re hoping he does well in the future.”

Buffalo’s Ben Reichert shot a 3-under-par 67 on Friday and has a one-shot lead over Harrison Shih and Jason Thresher heading into Saturday’s final round.

Jacob Hollander of Peterborough has the best two-day score from a New Hampshire golfer, posting a 134 and is tied for seventh place, three shots behind Reichert.

Quinn was the lone Seacoast golfer to make the cut and will play in Saturday’s final round.

Even with the narrowness of the course, Bridges said it’s not so much the course itself that presents a challenge to the golfers.

“It’s taming their own ability levels,” he said. “It’s staying within themselves, knowing their game, and if they know their game and are comfortable with it, and they’re comfortable with their yardages and club selection, they can score very well on this course, and we’ve seen that over the first two days.

The 156 registrants of the tournament is the most the New Hampshire Open has had in the past five years. Bridges credited a number of driving forces including the area, the course and the great job the NHGA does.

“It’s a great team, a great staff, and (NHGA) does a wonderful job,” Bridges said. “I think it’s all encompassing into one.”

Bridges, who has been in his position for 22 years, has been trying to stay in the background throughout the tournament, but what he’s heard as people passed by were all positive remarks.

“From what I’ve heard, they think the golf course is very favorable, it’s in great shape,” Bridges said. “It’s shorter than what they’re used to, but from what I’ve heard in passing, they’re pretty pleased with it.”

Bridges mentioned there has not yet been discussions on Breakfast Hill hosting the tournament again in the future.

“We would love to, but we have not been approached,” Bridges said. “We would certainly be welcome to this in the future.”

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