Headline: Paul Murphy & Jim Finnerty Hold One-Stroke Lead Following Day 1 of Massachusetts Senior Four-Ball Championship
For Immediate Release: September 8, 2009
Mattapoisett, MA — It is shaping up to be a battle to the finish as one team holds a slim one-stroke lead over the field following the first of two rounds of play at the 2009 Massachusetts Senior Four-Ball Championship. (Story continues below)
Day 1 Quick Links
The annual MGA championship event which features a field of the state's top senior amateur two-man teams is being held this week at two courses – Bay Club at Mattapoisett and Allendale Country Club.
Leading the way after firing a score of 5-under par 67 at Allendale Country Club was the team of Paul Murphy (Charles River CC) and Jim Finnerty (Stockbridge GC).
Nipping on the heels of the round-one leaders are the teams of Andrew Congdon (Wyantenuck CC) and Richard Congdon (Wyantenuck CC), Robert Tribou (Pocasset CC) and William Tribou (Poquoy Brook GC) and Pat Monti (Swansea CC) and Mark Derham (Swansea CC). The Congdons and Tribous posted scores of 4-under par 68 at Allendale Country Club, while Monti and Derham came through with a 4-under par 67 at the Bay Club of Mattapoisett today.
Following today's first round, the field was re-paired according to score. The lead group of Murphy and Finnerty will compete alongside the Tribou brothers beginning at 11:20 a.m. at the Bay Club of Mattapoisett.
In just a few short hours, all eyes will no doubt be on Murphy and Finnerty as the dynamic duo posted a near flawless round that included four birdies, one eagle and a lone bogey. Surprisingly, the round began with a less than ideal start as they made bogey on their very first hole – the 391-yard, par 4 1st hole. Not letting a bad start deter them, the partners did not drop a shot from that point on as they played 6-under par golf through the next 17 holes. They made the key eagle on the 502-yard, par 5 11th hole. Only two teams recorded such a score on that hole today!
One year ago, the pair finished in a tie for fifth place overall.
Within just two strokes of the leaders are the defending champions – Jim Ruschioni (Monoosnock CC) and Paul Nunez (Ludlow CC) – who posted a 3-under par 69 at Allendale Country Club. Ruschioni and Nunez, who won this event in 2003, 2004 and 2008, sit in a six-way tie for sixth place overall.
Birdie Fest
The total number of birdies made by the three teams sitting in a tie for second place adds up to an astonishing 18! Monti and Derham had the most interesting day as their round featured a day-low seven birdies and three bogies. The Tribous, winners of this event in 2007, began their round exactly like the leaders with a bogey on their first hole. They too rebounded by making five birdies and 12 pars from that point on. The Congdons jumped into second place thanks – in part – to a run of three straight birdies made on their back nine.
In total, there were 266 birdies and four eagles made on the two courses. A 170 of those birdies were scored at the Bay Club of Mattapoisett.
Four-Ball Play & How It Works
Today's event represents a different type of golf tournament that may be foreign to the occasional golfer. In a four-ball event such as the Massachusetts Senior Four-Ball Championship, each team is comprised of two players who must have a combined USGA/GHIN Handicap index not exceeding the 12.0 limit stated on the application.
Throughout the 18-hole round, each competitor plays his/her own ball. At the end of each hole, the low score between the two partners is used as that team's score. The event earned its name because four-ball competition usually pits two two-person teams against each other which would result in four balls being played! Please refer to Rules 30 and 31 of the USGA Rules of Golf book for more details.
Shot of the Day
The players may not have seen it from so far away, but there was no question about the result. On the 12th hole at the Bay Club of Mattapoisett, Henry Shean (Brae Burn CC) sent his 6-iron shot off the tee and scored a key ace for his team. Not only was it a memorable moment for Shean, the 59 year old from Carlisle who had never made a hole in one heading into today's round, but it was a critical shot for his team as it lifted he and Aram Hintlian (Brae Burn CC) to even par for the day. The duo suffered three bogies on the front nine and made just one birdie up until that point in their round. The hole in one on the 153-yard, par 3 hole energized the pair as they went on to make six straight pars to post a round of even par 71.
Not Quitting Their Day Jobs
While each of these competitors brings a strong golf game to the course, many have enjoyed a life off the course which is oftentimes even more impressive. Although the accomplishments of a field of 112 teams comprising of 224 players is too much to cover in one sitting, here is a summary of just some of the players who represent a group of diverse and accomplished competitors.
Thomas Martin (Charles River CC), the 2003 New England Senior Amateur Champion, is the founder and CEO of Cramer Productions, the Norwood-based full-service marketing and events agency that employs more than 160 individuals. The agency has produced critically-acclaimed sports programs such as the Boston Red Sox: 100 Years of Baseball History, the Emmy Award-winning Banner Years: The Official History of the Boston Garden; the PBS special The Story of Golf; as well as Home Run Heroes, a tribute to legendary Red Sox batters; Ray Bourque: The First 20 Years; and Boston's Greatest Sports Stories: Beyond the Headlines.
Leading up to his days as a successful businessman, Martin was twice honored as a First Team Ice Hockey All American at Boston College during the 1960s. He was inducted into the Boston College Hall of Fame and his hockey jersey was retired and hangs from the rafters at Conte Forum.
The Eagles are well represented at this event, especially considering the fact that Martin's partner this week is James Logue (Salem CC). Logue is a member of the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame as a result of his outstanding play as netminder for the ice hockey team from 1959 through 1961. Logue, a goaltender for the 1968 U.S. Olympic squad who recorded 65 saves against the former Soviet Union in the Olympic Tournament, is presently entering his 16th season as assistant coach for Boston College.
In between golf rounds, Jon Fasick (New England CC) and Carter Fasick (Indian Meadows GC) are a two-man operation as the twin brothers operate their own carpet installation company. This year marks the second year that the duo has been eligible to compete in MGA senior competitions. One year ago, the Fasicks finished in second place in the Massachusetts Senior Four-Ball Championship. On this day, the duo rebounded from a rough start (they made bogey on their first three holes at Allendale Country Club) to finish the first round with a score of 1-under par 71.
Hintlian is a 1975 alumni of the Babson College graduate school who captained the 1973-74 ice hockey team. He currently serves as Chief Operating Office of Nutcracker Brands, Inc., a Billerica-based manufacturing company that produces dry roasted products, oil roasted products, baking nuts and snack nuts.
In addition to serving as a competitor and rules official at MGA and USGA events, Del Kinney, Jr. (Wyantenuck CC) has a deep connection to amateur golf. Kinney, who resides in Great Barrington, is a former Executive Director of the Connecticut State Golf Association (CSGA). Kinney, who has also served on the USGA Public Links Amateur Championship Committee, captured the 1986 and 1990 CSGA Public Links Championships and was runner-up in the 1988 and 1990 CSGA Mid-Amateur Championships. Prior to his work in golf administration, Kinney was the director of admissions at Western Connecticut State University until his retirement in 1996.
Rick Cunha (Pinehills GC) paired with friend Ray Richard (Thorny Lea GC) today and fired a 1-under par 71. Cunha is a certified public accountant who lists as one of his clients the New England Golf Association! Richard, meanwhile, knows more than a little about equipment as he serves as a senior assistant manager and hardgoods buyer at Joe & Leigh's Discount Golf Pro Shop at the Pine Oaks Golf Course.
Fan Gaudette (Wyckoff CC) is 62 years old but has a lifetime worth of experiences. After a successful collegiate career at Clark University (he was captain of the basketball and baseball teams), he returned to his alma mater in 1967 to serve as head baseball and soccer coach. After leading both teams to winning seasons, he took over as assistant basketball coach and head golf coach at the University of Massachusetts. The basketball team received five bids to the National Invitational Tournament, while his golf teams were crowned New England Champions five times, ECAC Champions three times, and made three trips to the NCAA Golf Tournament. He has also coached basketball at Easthampton High School, Smith Academy (boys and girls) and West Springfield High School.
When not competing in his own events, Gaudette can be found following his son Sean, who finished third at the 2009 Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship.
Thorny Lea Golf Club – The "New" Senior Capital
If percentages played a role in the event, there is a good chance that a team from Thorny Lea Golf Club would take home the title. A record 12 members from that MGA Member Club are included in this year's field.
Here is an inside look – courtesy of dedicated golf reporter Bob DiCesare from the Brockton-based The Enterprise – at the teams representing Thorny Lea Golf Club.
GOLF LIFE: Thorny Lea seniors hope to flex muscles
By Bob DiCesare
The Enterprise
Posted on September 6, 2009
When the MGA Senior Four Ball Championship is played Tuesday and Wednesday at The Bay Club in Mattapoisett and Allendale CC in Dartmouth, there's a good chance that you'll see a team from Thorny Lea Golf Club near the top of the leaderboard.
In this tournament, Thorny Lea is like the local golf version of the New York Yankees. They've loaded up with an abundance of veteran talent including five, two-man teams, plus two other players who are competing with playing partners from other clubs.
Thorny Lea has the highest number of competitors from a single Massachusetts club with 12. Teams entered from the club include Frank Mullins and Dan Reagan, Jeff Burrell and Mike Gordon, Tom Heenan and Bob McMenimon, Tom Gadles and Albert Markella, and Richard Swiech and Stephen Gregg.
Also, Ray Richard of Thorny Lea will pair with Rick Cunha of Pinehills, and Thorny Lea's James McCabe will team with Gerard Williams of Cummaquid CC.
Last year at Crestview CC, Mullins and Reagan tied for third place with a four-under-par 140 in their first pairing together. Richard and Cunha tied for ninth place at one-under 143.
Richard and Gadles have both hit a Brockton trifecta in winning the City Open, City Four Ball, and the men's club championship at Thorny Lea over the years. McMenimon has won numerous father-son titles at Thorny Lea with his son, Rob.
“There are a lot of guys here at Thorny Lea who are over age 50 and can play,” said head professional Peter Norton. “Many of these guys have handicaps of 4 or less.”
“I'm proud of the representation from Thorny Lea in the Senior Four Ball,” said Mullins, a former club president at Thorny Lea in 2007-08. “It speaks volumes about the number of highly competitive players here of all ages.”
Mullins said his partner, Reagan, carried their team last year with solid putting, so he will be looking to return the favor this year following last year's impressive third-place finish.
After the conclusion of the MGA Senior Four Ball, many of these same guys will be right back at it again on Friday for the start of the Brockton City Open.
“It'll be a busy week for many of us,” said Mullins. “Hopefully, Thorny Lea will come out on top.”
Other local golfers participating in the MGA Senior Four Ball include former champions Bill Tribou of Poquoy Brook GC in Lakeville and his brother Bob Tribou of Pocasset GC, who won this tournament in 2007. Also, Wayne Alden of Easton CC and Bob Meehan; Bruce Allman and Gary Cronin of Segregansett CC in Taunton; Bill Moffitt and James Keenan of Norton CC; Brian Mulrooney of Plymouth CC and Bob Ronayne; Bob Bradley of Hanover and Robert Hickman; Gary Palmer of Segregansett and Steve Winter; Steve Bettencourt of Plymouth CC and Dave Houghton; Vin Bucci of Old Sandwich GC in Plymouth and Joe Churchhill; Jim Irving and Rick Marcos of Segregansett; Leigh MacKay of Southers Marsh in Plymouth and Gary Coughlin of Plymouth CC.
