Donovan leads the 100th

Massachusetts Open

by The Republican Sports Desk

Monday June 22, 2009, 9:12 PM

By JUSTIN A. RICE

BELMONT - Just about every player to come off the course in the opening round of the 100th Massachusetts Open Championship Monday morning was soaking wet.

Matt Donovan was the closest thing to bone dry as he possibly could have been in what where monsoon-like conditions at Belmont Country Club.

The 31-year-old from Pittsfield was also leading the tournament - at 3-under-par 68 - after the first round for the second straight year. This year, however, his father Jim, was his caddie.

"We had two umbrellas going," Matt said. "We're a good team. That was a very big key to playing well today."

It was the second time Jim, 65, a certified public accountant, caddied for his son since his wife died in January.

"She was sick for a lot of years so I couldn't travel," said Jim, choking up. "I made the (Mass) Open last year in Stockbridge, and I could make day trips, but I could never get away for a three-day tournament. So I'm enjoying this. He doesn't need me. If I wasn't here he'd bunk with one of his buddies. But it's a great bonding experience; the day after Father's Day."

Jim said he doesn't read greens or guess how much yardage there is to the pin. But he did push his son's cart, which had an umbrella attached to it while Jim held another umbrella over his son.

"He's real independent, I don't mess with that, I just carried his bag and kept him dry," Jim said. "It was important to stay dry and keep the club heads dry. It's critically important to have dry grips."

But while dad downplayed his role in yesterday's round, son couldn't speak highly enough about how much his father helped.

"I've been a pro since 2001, and he's maybe seen me play a handful of tournaments," Matt said. "So it's fun. It's good to have him out here."

But as well as the father-son combo worked Monday, Matt knows how early it is. He finished 28th last year after leading the first round.

"There are 100 guys still out there," he said. "It's a long day."

The Mass. Open means so much to Donovan, having playing in it for about a decade straight. His best finish came in 2003 when he was third.

"It's a good start, but it's always easy to come prepared for this tournament," he said. "For us mini-tour players it has the most prestige, purse-wise. It's always something you want to play well in."

The field running for the $15,000 first prize also included Michael Welch of Quincy, who just returned from the U.S. Open. Welch shot a 2-over 73 Monday and was tied for sixth.

Matt just missed the U.S. Open himself this year. After playing in the local U.S. Open qualifying tournament, Matt was listed as an alternate for the regional qualifier. He ended up being called to play in the Columbus, Ohio, regional.

In Columbus, Matt ended up in a nine-man playoff in which only the top spot moved through to the U.S. Open. Matt said he would have rushed back to play in the Mass. Open just the same had he qualified.

"He's playing (today) for the same reason I am, it's our job," Donovan said.

Adam Rainaud of South Hadley shot 73 to share sixth.

The low 40 scores after Tuesday's play will advance to the championship round Wednesday.