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Headline: MGA Welcomes the Start of the 2010 Golf Season; There Are Many Reasons Why Players & Spectators Will Enjoy the MGA Four-Ball Championship

For Immediate Release: May 10, 2010

Norton, MA —The golf balls are flying through the air in Ipswich as the Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship is underway at two MGA Member Clubs — Golf Club at Turner Hills and Ipswich Country Club.

Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship Quick Links

"After months of planning, we are excited to welcome the players to the course and begin what should be another great season," said JesseMenachem, the MGA's director of rules and competition who is entering his second full season as head of the championship department. "We have an impressive list of championship and qualifying sites lined up for this year beginning with the two Ipswich layouts which should be a fun challenge for all competitors."

Proving that excitement is in the air for all, entries for the Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship were maxed out prior to the entry close date. As a result, many interested two-person teams had to be placed on a wait list.

"You always roll the dice with spring golf here in Massachusetts," said Menachem of the four-ball event scheduled for May 10-11. "We have experienced weather extremes with this kick-off event in the past. From driving rain to snow on the fairway, these players exhibit toughness year-in and year-out as is evidenced by the incredible response we receive each season."

Highlighting the field this year will be defending champions Ryan Riley (Norton CC) and Herb Aikens (Pinehills GC) and Sean Fitzpatrick (George Wright GC) and Paul Mitchell (George Wright GC). One year ago, these two teams posted top scores at each host site. As happens quite frequently as noted above, inclement weather took center stage during the second day of competition and play was suspended after 18 holes. As a result, the teams that posted the top score at each site were declared co champions.

Competing alongside the co-champions are pairs of golfers who know a thing or two about winning championships.

Two-time winners of the event (in 2002 and again in 2003) – Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC) and Michael McCarthy (Woodland GC) – will play alongside Riley and Aikens, while the dynamic brother duo of Jon Fasick (New England CC) and Carter Fasick (Indian Meadows GC) will do their best to keep pace with Fitzpatrick and Mitchell. The Fasick brothers currently hold the record for most Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship titles as they were victorious in 1986, 1991, 1997 and 1998.

Spectator Amenities

As is the case for all MGA events, spectators are welcome to attend free of charge!
This is a unique opportunity for golf enthusiasts to freely walk the Ipswich Country Club and the Golf Club at Turner Hill layouts and enjoy an "inside the ropes" experience.
Four-ball golf is fun! In what is considered a unique format for most non-golf junkies, four-ball golf creates four times the excitement for players and spectators. In this format, two teams of two players are pitted against each other (a total of four balls being played, hence the name) using better-ball scoring. It is perhaps best known for being one of the formats used at the Ryder Cup.
Starting times for Round 1 and Round 2 are now available.
A scoreboard area will be set up outside of the clubhouse so that all spectators and players can follow all of the action.
Results will be posted online throughout the event at www.MGAlinks.org

Schedule of Events

Monday, May 10
First Round, 18 Holes

Tuesday, May 11
Second Round, 18 Holes
Any tie for first place will be decided immediately by a hole-by-hole play-off at the Golf Club at Turner Hill.