Middletown--Fellow CGTers Matt Doyle and Joey Iaciofano earned two of four spots into this week’s Buick Championship during Monday qualifying at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middletown, CT.

Iaciofano, 36, who sells real estate in Rhode Island, carded a bogey-free, 6-under 66 to share medallist honors with Jim St. Pierre.

“Pretty soon, if I do well this week, I may say I’m quitting,” said Iaciofano, who will make his debut on the PGA Tour. “I called my secretary and said, “Cancel every appointment. I don’t really care.’ I come first. No
one is going to disrupt me this week!”

Doyle, meanwhile, shot a 5-under 67, and will make his second appearance on the Tour, nine years after Monday qualifying for the former Greater Hartford Open in 1996.

“In ’96 I was just happy to be there,” said the 28-year-old Doyle, who reached 5-under through 12 holes. “This week, I’m looking to tear it up.”

One week ago, after a disappointing tie for 28th performance in the Wintonbury Hills Open, this performance didn’t seem possible.

But a lesson with his father, legendary teaching professional Ken Doyle, changed all that.

“My Dad watched me in the final round at Wintonbury,” said Doyle, “and told me I was reaching for it too much. The next day, I went to the range, moved six inches to the ball, and since then I’ve been knocking down the pin. Now I’m right back on point.”

Despite the helpful hints, don’t expect to see the elder Mr. Doyle on the bag this week. “He’s not allowed to caddy,” joked Doyle. “It’d be too emotional. He can watch.”

This year’s Buick Championship comes during a lull for many of the PGA Tour’s top names. Following the PGA Championship and NEC Invitational, many players, including CGT Alum Sean O’Hair, are using this week to relax before the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Regardless of the depleted field, Doyle and Iaciofano are anxious to see how their games stack up. “I’m not afraid to play anybody,” said Iaciofano. “I really want to make the cut.”

“I’m looking at this as a good test to see where my game is heading into Tour School,” added Doyle. Tyler Hall shot a 4-under 68 to earn the fourth qualifying spot.

Matt Donovan, who bogeyed his final two holes, and Bobby Gage, shot matching 3-under 69s and fell one shot short of forcing a playoff for the final spot.