Playoff Finale at Newport: Lev Takes the Crown
A Championship Close
The final playoff event at Newport Golf Club delivered everything we hoped for: tight scoring, big moments, and plenty of clubhouse chatter afterward. Jonathan Levenson — “Lev” to most of us — closed the season in spectacular fashion with a 6-under 65 to take the win and secure the playoff title. It was a classic Live Free Golf Tour finish: steady ball-striking, smart course management, and a couple of timely putts.
Behind Lev there were a handful of notable performances that deserve a shout-out. Jim Tokanel chased hard with a 3-under 68 for second place, and Chris Roussin held on for third after a solid 2-under 69. Chad Lawrence’s 70 and Ben Vestal’s even-par 71 were crucial contributions to a stacked top five. And while many names filled out the leaderboard with impressive rounds, a special nod goes to the depth shown across the field — a reminder of just how competitive our league has become.
Moments Worth Replaying
There were a few moments that will be talked about for weeks. Chris Pacia, battling through what he joked was a self-imposed difficulty, played much of the round "with one eye shut" — and still carded a respectable 7-over 78. That bit of clubhouse lore (and humor) perfectly captured the camaraderie of the day: even on tough days, we laugh, grind, and celebrate the game together.
Other standouts included Cameron Murray and Richard Dichard, who both closed with 72s to finish tied for sixth, and the Murray brothers — Christopher and Cameron — both in the top 8 and showing why family weekends at Newport are becoming a regular sight. Tom Gibson II joined them at 73, rounding out a very competitive top ten.
We also want to acknowledge Steve Lane, who started but had to withdraw. We missed seeing him through to the final tee and wish him well.
Two Close-to-the-Pin Battles
We ran two closest-to-the-pin contests that added extra excitement to the day. On Hole 7, Joseph Gagne’s pinpoint shot landed just 3 feet from the hole to win the contest and collect the contest prize of $190. Richard Dichard (11' 9"), Jonathan Levenson (17'), Rocky LeFort (20') and Brian Surprenant (29' 7") also made strong bids but came up short of Gagne’s clutch effort.
On Hole 16, Jim Tokanel answered with a 7' 10" gem to take the second closest-to-the-pin pot, also worth $190. Chad Lawrence (10' 3"), Tom Gibson II (13' 2"), Brian Surprenant (24' 7"), Ron Holm (26' 5") and Richard Dichard (29' 6") rounded out the leaderboard for that hole. Both CTTPs drew plenty of attention, and those two perfect wedges turned into some of the loudest cheers of the day.
Full Leaderboard Highlights
The leaderboard showed the strength and depth of the field:
- Jonathan Levenson — 6-under (65) — Winner
- Jim Tokanel — 3-under (68) — 2nd
- Chris Roussin — 2-under (69) — 3rd
- Chad Lawrence — 1-under (70) — 4th
- Ben Vestal — Even (71) — 5th
- T6: Cameron Murray & Richard Dichard — 1-over (72)
- T8: Christopher Murray & Tom Gibson II — 2-over (73)
- 10: Scott Matson — 3-over (74)
- And many more solid rounds through the field, including a cluster of players in the mid-70s who battled back over the closing holes.
Thanks and Looking Ahead
A big thank you to everyone who came out to Newport and to the course staff who kept things running smoothly. With this final playoff behind us, the top 24 places are now set for the LFG Championship in two weeks. We’ll see those qualifiers tee it up for the season’s biggest prize — and the rest of the membership will be cheering them on.