Rhode Island

The U.S. Senior Open provided a special homecoming for three Rhode Islanders

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2024

The U.S. Senior Open provided a special homecoming for three Rhode Islanders

NEWPORT — Three of the state’s emissaries to the golf world came home this weekend.

Billy Andrade, Brad Faxon and Brett Quigley all spent the last few days on the grounds at Newport Country Club. Andrade and Quigley both played in the U.S. Senior Open and made the cut. Faxon served as lead analyst for the NBC coverage and was in the booth alongside the 18th green.

More: The Newport Country Club could not have put on a better showing for the state of Rhode Island

More: Richard Bland wins US Senior Open in dramatic finish at Newport Country Club

It made for some nostalgia on a gorgeous Monday morning here. Sunday’s storms gave way to bright sunshine and an ideal summer day. Andrade finished his tournament at even par and Quigley checked in at 2-over. That’s a long way down the road from playing junior golf together in the 1980s.

“Simply amazing,” Andrade said. “Everything that I imagined. It was just an unbelievable course, setting. Rhode Island, Newport — it just makes me feel very proud.”

“Just an incredible week,” Quigley said. “The show coming to town here and coming to Rhode Island was fantastic. I thought Rhode Island and the golf course showed incredibly well.”

Andrade got up and down for par at the 18th, pitching onto the green from about 50 yards and coaxing home a quick downhill putt. He qualified for this tournament thanks to his place on last year’s PGA Tour Champions money list, and his appearance here kicked off three straight weeks at his Bristol home. Andrade has played in the Walker Cup, at the Masters, in 18 editions of The Players Championship but none of his previous weeks were like this one.

“It’s pretty cool,” Andrade said. “At 60 years old I’ve been doing this my whole adult life. To have a tournament like this at this stage of my career is real special.”

Andrade came firing out of the gates with a 6-under 64 before the venue showed its teeth. Only 30 players broke par here this week, and only 20 finished within 10 shots of the pace set by winner Richard Bland and runner-up Hiroyuki Fujita. Varying winds and the rolling seaside landscape proved a challenge all the way into a dramatic finale.

“I think this golf course stacked up great,” Andrade said. “I haven’t heard one complaint from one player, and that’s odd. Usually there’s somebody who’s not happy.

“I think it would be awesome to come back here.”

Quigley shot par or better in each of his first three rounds before closing with a 74. A pair of bogeys in the challenging morning conditions cost him a higher finish, including into the wind at the uphill par-4 18th. The majority of the field that finished on this extra day needed something more than an iron approach to have a chance of reaching the putting surface.

“It has to (come back), it absolutely has to,” Quigley said. “I think it showed well. I think the USGA had a great championship.”

Quigley has won tournaments as far away as Morocco and posted top-10 finishes at each of his last two PGA Tour Champions majors in 2023. He planned to visit the beach with his family later on Monday and will remain on vacation away from his Florida home for a few days. Quigley played in the group behind Andrade during his fourth round and was stealing a glance or two at his old friend throughout both days.

“We were kind of looking at each other and smiling,” Quigley said. “Just thrilled to be part of the whole thing.”

Newport hosted the U.S. Women’s Open in 2006 and waited 18 years to stage its next USGA event. It was the 1,001st for the organization — the first was the U.S. Amateur in 1895. Senior Open locations are currently booked through Spyglass Hill in 2030, but the USGA has openings to fill in 2031, 2033-37 and 2039-41.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On X: @BillKoch25

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Rhode Island

GoLocalProv | News | Gov. McKee’s Schedule for the First 10 Days of the New Year

Published

5 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

GoLocalProv | News | Gov. McKee’s Schedule for the First 10 Days of the New Year

Saturday, January 10, 2026

GoLocalProv News Team

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Governor Dan McKee PHOTO: GoLocal

It’s a new year, filled with new challenges. The General Assembly is back in session. Rhode Island’s economy is flat at best, and according to the University of Rhode Island economist Leonard Lardaro, the state is in a recession. Rhode Island is also in daily legal conflict with the Trump administration.

Add that the state is trying to recover from a mass shooting at Brown University, which killed two students and wounded nine others.

For Governor Dan McKee, it is a critical time.

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He has announced he is running for reelection—the Democratic primary is just nine months away.

McKee’s poll numbers have plummeted to record lows.

A poll released by the University of New Hampshire in November of 2025 found that in the race for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Rhode Island, 29% of likely Democratic primary voters (N=359) say they would currently vote for former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, 13% would vote for Speaker of the RI House of Representatives Joe Shekarchi, 11% would vote for incumbent Governor Dan McKee, 6% would write in someone else, and 42% are undecided.

Is the 74-year-old McKee criss-crossing the state to reassure Rhode Islanders, listening to residents’ ideas, and sharing his vision for the state in his second term?

GoLocal offers a recap of the McKees’ public schedule for the first ten days of the month.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 & SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2026

No public events.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026

No public events.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026

2:00 PM

Governor McKee will deliver remarks at the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty’s 18th Annual Interfaith Poverty Vigil.

LOCATION:

RI State House Rotunda

82 Smith Street

Providence, RI

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026

No public events.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026

No public events.

MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026

9:30 AM

Governor McKee will deliver remarks at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new community learning center at the Cross’ Mills Public Library.

LOCATION:

Cross’ Mills Public Library

4417 Old Post Road

Charlestown, RI

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3 & SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2026

No public events.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2026

11:00 AM

Governor McKee will join members of Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation and local and state leaders for a rally hosted by Climate Action RI, Climate Jobs RI, and the AFL-CIO in support of Revolution Wind and other offshore wind projects.

LOCATION:

CIC Providence

225 Dyer Street

Providence, RI

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

No public events.

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Rhode Island

GoLocalProv | Politics | Providence On Sunday Is One of the Sites for a National Protest Against ICE

Published

17 hours ago

January 10, 2026

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GoLocalProv | Politics | Providence On Sunday Is One of the Sites for a National Protest Against ICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

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Protest in Providence in June against ICE PHOTO: GoLocal

Organizers in Rhode Island and across the country are mobilizing against ICE after a pair of shootings in the past few days.

Organizers locally said, “Rhode Islanders will gather on Sunday to honor the life lost, make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions, and demand that state and federal leaders reject local contracts with ICE, take every action possible to stop ICE from operating in Rhode Island, and hold ICE agents accountable when they break the law.”

The RI event begins at 2 PM at the State House on Sunday.

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Nationally, it was a announced on Friday that, “A broad national coalition, including Indivisible, MoveOn Civic Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, Voto Latino, United We Dream, 50501, the Disappeared in America Campaign of the Not Above the Law coalition, and partner organizations across the country, is calling for a coordinated ICE Out For Good Weekend of Action.

“The mobilization comes in response to the escalation of ICE violence in our communities, the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old wife and mother of three, and the months-long pattern of unchecked violence and abuse in marginalized communities across America. Across the country, communities will gather in nonviolent, lawful, and community-led actions to honor the life lost, demand accountability, and make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions,” said organizers.

Organizers added, “Good and the Portland victims are part of a broader and deeply alarming pattern of unchecked violence and abuse by federal immigration enforcement agencies. In September, ICE reportedly shot and killed Silverio Villegas González, a father and cook from Mexico living in Chicago. In 2025 alone, more than 30 people have reportedly died in ICE detention.”

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island General Assembly Begins 2026 Session With Focus on Affordability – Newport Buzz

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Rhode Island General Assembly Begins 2026 Session With Focus on Affordability – Newport Buzz

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island lawmakers opened the 2026 legislative session this week with a focus on health care affordability, housing costs and economic stability, as leaders in both chambers warned of uncertainty tied to federal budget changes.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi outlined House priorities centered on expanding access to health care while lowering costs, calling it the chamber’s top agenda item for the year. He also said lawmakers will continue addressing housing shortages and rising home energy costs, emphasizing the need for community input as policy decisions move forward.

In the Senate, President Valarie J. Lawson convened the chamber by urging bipartisan cooperation and announcing plans to introduce legislation supporting education, small businesses and the state’s health care system. Stabilizing hospitals and strengthening the primary care workforce were identified as key goals.

Both chambers paused to honor victims of the Dec. 13 shooting at Brown University, passing resolutions recognizing the victims and commending first responders. Lawmakers also observed a moment of silence.

New legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara would require the Department of Education to adopt a zero-tolerance hazing policy in partnership with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, mandating clear and consistent discipline statewide.

Meanwhile, Reps. David Morales and Jennifer Stewart called on Gov. Dan McKee to fully fund public libraries in the upcoming state budget.

Speaker Shekarchi also announced several committee leadership changes, appointing Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee as chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee and Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith as chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee.

The week also marked the first Senate session for Sen. Stefano V. Famiglietti, who received committee assignments following his election to fill a vacant seat.

Legislative leaders capped the week by joining faith leaders at the 18th annual Rhode Island Interfaith Poverty Vigil at the State House, calling attention to legislation aimed at reducing poverty statewide.

Temporary erosion protection systems installed at Second Beach in Middletown, Rhode Island

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