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Rochester, NH – Maybe it was the hot dog at the turn or maybe it was the six birdies throughout the final round, but Rob Henley was finally able to secure an NHGA title this season.  With a final round 68 (-4), putting him at nine-under par for the 54-hole tournament, Henley has been crowned this year’s New Hampshire Mid-Amateur Champion.  It’s been a long season of runner-up finishes for him, but he can end the New Hampshire championship golf season on a high note, taking home the first-place trophy.
 
As the 42 golfers who made the cut took to Rochester Country Club for one final round, Henley had a two-shot lead over Jim Cilley who wanted the win just as badly Henley did.  Neither have claimed a New Hampshire Mid-Amateur title before and both were certainly capable of capturing the win.  The two had past Mid-Amateur champions James Pleat and Brett Wilson trailing behind them, so it was tough competition for the final round.
 
“I played pretty well all day” stated Henley after his win.  “I made a bunch of pars to start out and birdied 6 and 9 to turn at two-under.”
 
Henley’s smooth and consistent front with two birdies and the rest pars started to separate himself from Cilley who wasn’t able to drop any birdie putts and made one bogey to turn at one-over par.  Meanwhile, Wilson also made the turn at two-under par, unfortunately not gaining any ground on Henley.  Pleat turned at just one-under par after three birdies and one double bogey on the front side.
 
“I had a hot dog at the turn, so that made it a strong finish for me”, Henley said with a smile.  “This day would be nothing without saying that.”
 
Henley has been known for having a hotdog or two throughout his round to boost his energy and morale on the course.  It has proven successful so far.  After his hot dog at the turn, he birdied the 10^th hole.  He only made two bogeys throughout his round, the first coming on the par-3, 12^th hole but he followed that up with another birdie.  He then bogeyed the 14^th hole but again followed that up with two consecutive birdies.  Playing the back nine at two-under par, Henley closed out the tournament with a 68 (-4).
 
Pleat was the definition of consistency on the back nine with nine-straight pars and was not able to gain any more ground on Henley.  Wilson found more bogeys than birdies on the back nine, also not getting any closer to Henley.  And for Cilley, he also played the back nine at even par with two birdies and two bogeys.  Pleat, Wilson and Cilley ended up in a tie for second place, all seven shots back of Henley in the end.
 
For Henley, it’s been a tough season of second-place finishes.  He lost in 37 holes to Jack Pepin in the New Hampshire Amateur Championship in July and found second place again in the New Hampshire Stroke Play Championship as he watched Joe Bowker take home the title.  This tournament was about redemption, and he was finally able to get it done.  He said, “It feels really good to finally bring home an NHGA win after coming up short all season.”
 
As the NHGA championship season winds down, we would like to extend a sincere thank you to Rochester Country Club for hosting this tournament over the last three days.  The course was a great challenge for all competitors and was in excellent shape all week.
 
NH Mid-Amateur | Results