Headline: Team Massachusetts Captures Record Sixth Tri-State Match Title at Pleasant Valley Country Club
For Immediate Release: October 10, 2009
Sutton, MA — It was a performance that was befitting of a record-breaking day.
The 12-person team from Massachusetts capped off a magical two days of competition by winning a record sixth title at the 76th Tri-State Matches which were held this week at Pleasant Valley Country Club.
Facing off against formidable foes in teams from Connecticut and Rhode Island, the Bay State contingent defended its title in memorable fashion as they collected a total of 71 ½ points to defeat Connecticut by 18 ½ points and Rhode Island by 34 points.
2009 Tri-State Matches Quick Links
As a result of their performance this week, Massachusetts becomes the only state to have claimed six straight titles since the event's inception in 1928. The Bay State has won this prestigious title dating back to 2004. That victory six years ago stopped a six-year drought for Massachusetts.
During the second day of play, the 12 Bay State competitors competed in singles matches with a maximum of six points up for grabs in each match. Leading the way was Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC), who is making a record 16th appearance at this event. Vana, who one day earlier partnered with Mike Calef (Brockton CC) to capture six points during the foursomes matches, was the leading scorer as he collected 5 ½ points. Vana led all competitors this year with 11 ½ points.
Posting 4 ½ points on Friday were two former Massachusetts Amateur Champions – John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC) and Ben Spitz (The Harmon Club). Calef won 4 points, while Mike Cole (Larry Gannon Municipal GC), who finished second at last week's Massachusetts Senior Amateur Championship, also collected 4 points to lead all Bay State seniors.
Congratulations to Team Massachusetts on a job well done!
* Indicates a senior amateur
Here are the final results.
1) Massachusetts – 71 ½
2) Connecticut – 53
3) Rhode Island – 37 ½
|
Connecticut |
|
Massachusetts |
|
Rhode Island |
|
|
Larry Bolduc |
5 ½ |
Robert Linn |
2 |
Steve Sampson |
1 ½ |
|
Dave McNally |
3 |
Paul Murphy |
1 ½ |
Dr. George Pirie |
4 ½ |
|
Shawn McLoughlin |
3 ½ |
Paul Nunez |
½ |
George Donnell |
5 |
|
Lou Stone |
4 |
Mike Cole |
4 |
Tom Goryl |
1 |
|
Patrick Griffin |
0 |
Brian Higgins |
3 ½ |
Bobby Leopold |
5 ½ |
|
Randy Hoder |
2 |
Frank Vana |
5 ½ |
Charlie Blanchard |
1 ½ |
|
Phil Perry |
3 |
John Hadges |
4 ½ |
Brad Valois |
1 ½ |
|
Rudy Hermstadt |
1 ½ |
Mike Calef |
4 |
Paul Quigley |
3 ½ |
|
Jim Gentile |
6 |
Kevin Velardo |
3 |
Billy Forcier |
0 |
|
Brent Dietz |
5 |
Ryan Riley |
3 ½ |
Mitch Pozez |
½ |
|
Bill Hermanson |
5 ½ |
John Gilmartin |
3 ½ |
Ben Tuthill |
0 |
|
Ryan Leahey |
4 ½ |
Benjamin Spitz |
4 ½ |
Jeff Kern |
0 |
|
Singles Total |
43 ½ |
40 |
24 ½ |
||
|
Connecticut |
|
Massachusetts |
|
Rhode Island |
|
|
McNally-Bolduc |
1 |
Linn-Nunez |
6 |
Goryl-Donnell |
2 |
|
McLoughlin-Stone |
3 |
Murphy-Cole |
5 ½ |
Sampson-Pirie |
0 |
|
Griffin-Leahey |
½ |
Vana-Calef |
6 |
Blanchard-Valois |
2 ½ |
|
Hermanson-Hoder |
3 |
Higgins-Gilmartin |
2 |
Leopold-Quigley |
4 |
|
Gentile-Dietz |
½ |
Hadges-Spitz |
6 |
Pozez-Tuthill |
2 ½ |
|
Perry-Hermstadt |
1 |
Riley-Velardo |
6 |
Kern-Forcier |
2 |
|
Foursome Totals |
9 ½ |
31 ½ |
13 |
||