Assumption's Sean Magarian soars to capture Worcester County Amateur by 5 strokes

WEST BOYLSTON — For Worcester's Sean Magarian, playing golf against talented competition in a big-time tournament on a beautiful day in early July is what summer is all about. Of course, warding off that competition and winning adds luster to the day's festivities.

Magarian, who plays college golf at Assumption University, made the most of his opportunities during Sunday's second round of the Worcester County Amateur at Wachusett Country Club in West Boylston, playing tough down the stretch to slip past Temple University golf standout Ethan Whitney of Westminster. The championship was Magarian's first.

Magarian, who finished at 8 under par to win by five strokes, topped the field after the first day of play at Kettle Brook Golf Club in Paxton.

Whitney, a St. John's graduate, finished second in last year's tournament.

Defending champion Owen Quinn, who won the event the last three years, has turned pro and did not play.

"This is a big one for me, being from Worcester and all," Magarian said. "And following in the footsteps of great players like Owen. Growing up here, I know how prestigious this tournament is. Playing college golf and competing in the Worcester County Amateur are two of my favorite things."

Magarian, who plays out of Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, begins his junior year at Assumption this fall. He played his high school golf at West Boylston High and honed his skills at Wachusett CC, where the Lions would practice. Magarian enjoyed a standout high school career, with two highlights being back-to-back first-place finishes in the Division 3 district championship during his junior and senior years.

The college golf experience has been fine for Magarian, but capturing a tournament title near home has special meaning.

"Winning this championship is the greatest feeling, it's awesome," Magarian said. "I started off with the lead today and played well from that point on. I made birdie right off the bat and made a nice putt. I was also driving it well to start, and then I had a couple of setbacks. Back nine, I was able to turn things around. I got my driver going really well. I was also able to find fairways and greens."

"That was my big thing coming into today — hitting greens and fairways," Magarian said. "I was also able to make putts and not make mistakes."

Though Magarian enjoys hitting with friends in various venues, he's dead serious about his game.

"I keep the course in front of me — I manage my misses, and that's a huge thing," Magarian said. "I don't get myself way out of position. And my short game usually comes through for me. I also practice putting a lot. My putting really came through for me in this tournament."

Downpours late Saturday had no effect on Magarian or Wachusett's fairways.

"Kettle Brook was in phenomenal shape, and Wachusett was at its best," Magarian said. "The greens were perfect, the course was perfect, which is amazing because of the rain on Saturday. Wachusett was dry today. There were no mudballs."

Magarian is studying marketing in college, and also has ideas of following in his father's footsteps and becoming a policeman.

Whitney was solid throughout, but in the end, it wasn't quite enough.

"Second two years in a row, but Sean played great, and I tip my hat to him," Whitney said. "I needed a little help from him, definitely, and I needed to shoot a good number.

"I thought I played well, "he added. "I hit the ball much better than I did on Saturday. But the putts just didn't really fall in the hole today for me. He had a four-shot lead to start the day, so I knew I needed to shoot a good number, and hope that he didn't take it too low."

"But it was a great time and a great tournament," Whitney said. "We rode in the same cart, we're good buddies. I had a lot of fun. This was another good learning experience for future events."

Whitney's strong showing in the Worcester County Amateur bodes well for his future at the collegiate level. A rising sophomore, Whitney is putting together an impressive golf résumé. Last month, Whitney shot an opening-round 6-under 64 at the Mass. Open at Longmeadow Country Club, tying the competitive course record. Whitney had the lead entering the third and fourth rounds and eventually finished fourth.

His golf coach at Temple is Quinn's uncle, Brian Quinn, a name that is synonymous with Wachusett and the Worcester County Amateur.

Whitney, who plays out of Oak Hill CC in Fitchburg, is a business management major. Golf will remain a driving force in his life.

"I love the game, I love competing," Whitney said. "Every round is different. I love playing against the best, guys like Sean, and just playing around the state."

—Contact Craig Holt at sports@telegram.com.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Assumption's Sean Magarian soars to capture Worcester County Amateur by 5 strokes