Brad Faxon, Billy Andrade helped this Rhode Island golf course celebrate 25 years

On a perfect summer Tuesday evening, Button Hole Golf Course in Rhode Island celebrated its 25th anniversary in a packed white event tent situated about 25 yards down the driving range. This sprawling green landscape, with its rippling ponds and smattering of bunkers, starkly contrasts the surrounding city. The course, once a gravel pit, has become a gem in the area, thanks to the vision of businessman Ed Mauro and his trusted associates.

A learning center dedicated in Mauro's name highlighted the night, with honorary co-chairmen Billy Andrade and Brad Faxon attending from their home state. Mauro expressed gratitude for the people around him and acknowledged the impact of Button Hole on golfers' lives. Founded in 2001, the course has welcomed over 25,000 participants to its lesson programs.

Billy Andrade, a former top-15 player in the world, emphasized that Button Hole provides an accessible entry point into the game for urban kids who may not have the financial means to join traditional clubs. LPGA Tour winner Megan Khang, who grew up at Button Hole, shared Faxon's enthusiasm about the course's impact on young talent.

Mauro leveraged his business connections and state relationships to develop the 26-acre parcel in the late 1990s, transforming it into a nine-hole par-3 course with various amenities. Notable alumni include Ishaan Catone, a Cranston native who finished second at last week's Junior Amateur, alongside fellow Button Hole member Kailer Louangxay, and the Johnston sisters, who qualified among the top three stroke play qualifiers in the girls' field.

Ed Mauro emphasized that Button Hole is a collective effort, shaped by the contributions of countless individuals, particularly the young golfers who have benefited from its programs.