Headline: Team Massachusetts Jumps Out to a Commanding Lead Following Day 1 of the 76th Tri-State Matches
For Immediate Release: October 9, 2009
Sutton, MA — The 12-person team Massachusetts took a huge step towards capturing a record six straight titles at the 76th Tri-State Team Matches being held at Pleasant Valley Country Club. (Story continues below)
2009 Tri-State Matches Quick Links
This annual event – which dates back to 1928 – provides an exciting finale to the golf season by pitting teams of the top mid amateur and senior amateur golfers from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island against each other. Although teams have traditionally been comprised of eight mid amateurs and two senior amateurs, this year marked the introduction of a four-person senior amateur division.
The change in format and the pressure of hosting the event did not keep the Bay State squad from dominating on day one. Four out of the six foursomes posted the maximum number of six points during their afternoon matches and the team won an incredible five out of six matches. Rhode Island stands in a distant second with 13 points, while Connecticut registered 9 1/2 points.
Highlighting today's action was the senior amateur duo of Robert Linn (Berkshire Hills CC) and Paul Nunez (Ludlow CC). In addition to claiming six total points as the lead group for Massachusetts, Nunez shined by making the shot of the day – a hole in one on the 162-yard, par 3 3rd hole.
That ace set the tone for the rest of the day as the second senior amateur pair of Paul Murphy (Charles River CC), who is coming off his first Massachusetts Senior Amateur Championship title just one week ago, and Mike Cole (Larry Gannon Municipal GC) posted 5 1/2 points.
The first mid amateur group of Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC) and Mike Calef (Brockton CC) were simply outstanding as they posted six points. Also collecting six points today were John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC) and Ben Spitz (The Harmon Club) and Ryan Riley (Norton CC) and Kevin Velardo (CC of Billerica).
If successful on Friday, Team Massachusetts will have captured a record six straight titles which is something that has not been accomplished since the event's debut in 1907.
All players will return to Pleasant Valley Country Club on Friday morning to take part in the singles matches beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Here are the results from today's foursomes matches.
|
Connecticut |
|
Massachusetts |
|
Rhode Island |
|
|
McNally-Bolduc |
1 |
Linn-Nunez |
6 |
Goryl-Donnell |
2 |
|
McLoughlin-Stone |
3 |
Murphy-Cole |
5 1/2 |
Sampson-Pirie |
0 |
|
Griffin-Leahey |
1/2 |
Vana-Calef |
6 |
Blanchard-Valois |
2 1/2 |
|
Hermanson-Hoder |
3 |
Higgins-Gilmartin |
2 |
Leopold-Quigley |
4 |
|
Gentile-Dietz |
1/2 |
Hadges-Spitz |
6 |
Pozez-Tuthill |
2 1/2 |
|
Perry-Hermstadt |
1 |
Riley-Velardo |
6 |
Kern-Forcier |
2 |
|
Team Totals |
9 1/2 |
|
31 1/2 |
|
13 |
Schedule of Events
Here is a schedule of events for the final day of play at the 76th Tri-State Matches being held at Pleasant Valley Country Club.
Friday, October 9
8:30 a.m.
– Singles Match Play
Singles Match Play
|
Connecticut |
Massachusetts |
Rhode Island |
|
Larry Bolduc |
Robert Linn |
Stephen Sampson |
|
Dave McNally |
Paul Murphy |
Dr. George Pirie |
|
Shawn McLoughlin |
Paul Nunez |
George Donnell |
|
Lou Stone |
Mike Cole |
Tom Goryl |
|
Patrick Griffin |
Brian Higgins |
Bobby Leopold |
|
Randy Hoder |
Frank Vana |
Charlie Blanchard |
|
Phil Perry |
John Hadges |
Brad Valois |
|
Rudy Hermstadt |
Mike Calef |
Paul Quigley |
|
Jim Gentile |
Kevin Velardo |
Billy Forcier |
|
Brent Dietz |
Ryan Riley |
Mitch Pozez |
|
Bill Hermanson |
John Gilmartin |
Ben Tuthill |
|
Ryan Leahey |
Benjamin Spitz |
Jeff Kern |