Atkinson, NH—New name, same frustration.

Despite an off season makeover that transformed the New England Pro Golf Tour into the North American Pro Golf Tour, Pittsfield’s Matt Donovan experienced the same frustration during the final round of yesterday’s season-opening event at Atkinson Country Club that has plagued him since he began paying the regional tour in 2001.

One back of Mark DiGiacomo beginning the day, Donovan fired a 4-under 68, one of only two rounds of 68 or better on Friday. Trouble was, Andrew Svoboda, who began the day just two shots behind Donovan, carded the other, a 6-under 66 to post 10-under.

Standing in the 18^th fairway at 10-under, Donovan needed to get up and down from 85 yards to avoid a playoff.

But his wedge approach came up 12 yards short and was soon followed by a chip that also came up short, leaving Donovan with a 12-foot for par.

Despite those missteps, he buried his must-make putt and returned to No. 18 tee for a playoff with Svoboda.

Any chance Donovan had of redeeming his previous mistake on No. 18 were quickly squashed when his approach—played from nearly the same position he was in during regulation—sailed over the green and buried into thick rough. Donovan then made a miraculous par save from just off the putting surface, but Svoboda ended his hopes moments later when he pitched to six-feet and sank the putt for birdie.

Donovan earned $4,625, his highest check since winning the Bangor (Me.) Open in July of 2005. He has now recorded a playoff loss and two runner-up finishes on the newly-name North American Pro Golf Tour since 2001.

“I felt like it was my time,” said Donovan, 29. “I’ve been playing this Tour a long time. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.”