Andy Farrea was one of three amateur players representing Newport National Golf Club of Middletown, R.I., when the team rallied a year ago to capture the inaugural PGA McGladrey Team Championship at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.

When PGA Professional John Simmons left Newport National to assume another position, it appeared the team's leadership was gone along with any hope for the club to earn a return National Championship visit to Pinehurst, Oct. 20-22.

But, the 25-year-old Farrea, a graduate of the PGA Golf Management program at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., learned his lessons from Simmons and other mentors well. He was elected to PGA membership in March and was offered an assistant position at Newport National Golf Club.

Meanwhile, two other members of the 2007 National Champions were not sitting idly last spring. Jamie Farrea, 21, a senior at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass., and Andy's younger brother, was still in touch with teammate Tod Camara, 18, now a freshman at the University of West Virginia. Jamie decided in May to call on a former high school golf teammate, Andrew Marshall, now a junior at James Madison University. Marshall had not played much golf in the past several years, but was willing to join the team.

"I had said to Jamie and Tod, 'wouldn't it be great if we could get back to Pinehurst and go down the clubhouse hallway and see our team photo?' said Andy. "We wanted to get that chance."

It was not an easy journey for Newport National. Some dreams take more work than others.

"Andrew could not break 100 when we teamed for a pro-am earlier this year at Wanamoisett Country Club," said Andy. "But, he became so dedicated to practicing that he became the most improved person on the team. He also showed what a great short game he has."

After Newport National Golf Club won its Local Qualifying Event, it advanced to the Aug. 14 New England Section Championship at Turner Hill Golf Club in Ipswich, Mass.

"I joined the guys and worked on coaching Tod and Andrew," said Andy. "It was funny, because we saw John (Simmons) there, representing Fenner Hill Golf Club of Hope Valley, R.I.

"He gave us encouragement and after we got into a playoff, he followed us. There must have been some 70 people behind the 17th green, watching the playoff.

The playoff was determined by a 40-yard pitch-off from the fairway. The other team [led by 2006 PGA Professional National Champion Ron Philo Jr.] hit first. The approach rattled the flagstick and ended up some five feet away.

Then it was Tod's turn. He hit his uphill 40-yard pitch stiff, less than a foot from the hole."

By virtue of that clutch shot, Newport National Golf Club earned a return visit to the Team Championship, joining a field of 164 players featuring foursomes guided by a PGA Professional, at Pinehurst Resort for The PGA's grassroots best-ball Championship.

"We can't wait to see our team photo up on the wall," said Andy. "Last year was a dream come true. I think we will be really relaxed this time around."

The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is the result of a partnership between The PGA of America and RSM McGladrey, the Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting firm of The PGA of America. RSM McGladrey is the fifth largest accounting, tax and business consulting firm in the country when considered with McGladrey & Pullen LLP (a partner-owned CPA firm).

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