Swampscott’s Danny DiLisio, who heads into his senior year at Salem State next month, captured the club championship at Kernwood Country Club in Salem last weekend.
Playing for the club’s prestigious Peter S. Oppenheim club championship, DiLisio won the crown in dramatic fashion. Tied with Josh Price at 13 over par after three rounds of stroke play on the Donald Ross gem, he prevailed on the third playoff hole.
Starting the third and final day of championship play three strokes behind the leader, Price, DeLisio birdied the first hole en route to a front nine 33. Price withstood the charge and, with birdies on 8 and 13, maintained a lead. Price continued his gutsy play with a bogey on 15, getting it up and down from 80 yards.
But DiLisio’s steady play down the stretch and clutch putt on 18 secured a final round 70. Price needed his own clutch putt on 18 for a 72 to force the playoff.
After DiLisio bogeyed the second playoff hole, Price had a chance for the win — but an otherwise perfect putt spun out of the hole. On the third playoff hole, DiLisio sank an 8-foot birdie putt to secure his first club title.
DiLisio, a captain of the Salem State golf team, played the final round with his uncle, David Bossman, who finished in tie for third place.
In all, 24 players entered the club championship, with a dozen knocked out after two rounds with a cut line at 20 over par.
Former champions in the field included Stuart Robbin, Scott Sagan and Rick Cohen.