72nd Delaware Amateur Day One

Huntsville’s Paczewski ignites red-hot 65

WYOMING, Del. – Logan Paczewski got a much needed wake-up call when he walked through the doors at Rutgers University for the first time.

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“I learned quickly that staying level-headed is huge,” Paczewski, 19, of Dallas, Pa., said. “In Junior golf, I was mostly a rager and was up and down with my emotions. The fall of my freshman year was a problem because I am representing the program and the university so I can’t be out there acting like a jerk and slamming clubs. You have to act like a professional and play like one.”

His freshman year wasn’t much of a success. He didn’t compete in any tournaments as a member of the team. He participated in a select few as an individual.

Paczewski, aided by a relaxed demeanor and a hot putter, played like a professional and took the Round One lead of the 72nd Delaware Amateur Monday at Wild Quail Golf & Country Club (par 72, 6,606 yards).

His round of 65 was good enough for a one-shot lead over Kings Creek Country Club’s Blake Micholas. Micholas carded a 66 in the first group of the day. 

Defending champion Jacoby Chappa, of Maple Dale Country Club, sits in a tie for 19th after an opening round of 73.

Paczewski has grown up in the last year. Learning from his mistakes and focusing on personal growth.

“When you play with people who are rude on the golf course you remember that,” Paczewski, of Huntsville Golf Club, said. “I remember thinking when I saw others acting that way, it looked like me. I am glad I’m not that person anymore. I’m focusing on staying cool and playing my game.”

Paczewski’s game has been strong throughout the last month. He’s coming off an appearance two weeks ago in the BMW Philadelphia Amateur at Huntingdon Valley Country Club where he was a Quarterfinalist.

“I have definitely progressed since I finished my freshman year,” Paczewski, a rising sophomore at the New Brunswick, N.J. school, said. “My coach told me the biggest jump in your game usually comes in the summer after your freshman year with respect to how you improve. I have spent a lot of time at the range, more than usual. I feel hot about my game right now. It is in a good place.”

He started fiery with birdies on four of his first seven holes and made the turn in 4 under. A bogey after hitting a tree off the tee on No. 10 (par 4, 350 yards) brought out some frustration, but he gathered himself quickly.

Crisp lob wedges from 105 and 85 yards, respectively, on Nos. 11 (par, 4, 381 yards) and 12 (par 4, 312 yards) quickly got him to 5 under. A spirited 6-iron on No. 13 (par 3, 191 yards) got some swagger back as he chased in a 15-footer for a two.

“This place sets up nicely for me,” Paczewski said. “I like to draw the golf ball but I am working it both ways now which is a big part of my game. I was just thinking about hitting fairways and greens. The putts were falling today so it was a good day out there.”

A pierced 8-iron on No. 17 (par 3, 165 yards) to eight feet was the last red figure of the round. Paczewski, a drawer of the golf ball, needed to hit a flighted fade up against a right-to-left wind. He executed to perfection and walked in the left-to-right putt.

Paczewski lives approximately 200 miles away from Wild Quail and is staying in an Airbnb about 50 minutes away. He’s dedicated to improvement and committed to competition.

“With the DSGA [Delaware State Golf Association] joining GAP, I saw it as another opportunity to play in a quality event,” Paczewski said. “I just love GAP. The events are awesome.”

There’s plenty of golf remaining. 54 holes, in fact. But Paczewski is only focused on the here and now. There will be plenty of low numbers available the next two days. Paczewski said how he handles the conditions and the pressure as the tournament progresses will determine if he’ll be in contention come Wednesday afternoon.

“I am a good scrambler. I know how to get the ball in the hole,” Paczewski said. “I know there are going to be a lot of scoring opportunities out here. I am going to keep chugging and do the best that I can.”

The second round begins Tuesday at 7:45 a.m. The leaders will tee off first.

Stay tuned at gapgolf.org and the DSGA/GAP social media channels (@GAofPhilly/@DSGA_Golf) all week long for #DelawareAmateur coverage.

GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The organization’s 340 Member Clubs and 100,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.