Headline: Two Longmeadow Country Club Amateurs Hold Their Own Against a Professional-Laden Field at Day 3 of 2010 Massachusetts Open Qualifying
For Immediate Release: May 25, 2010
Pittsfield, MA —The temperatures were warm and the play was even hotter in Pittsfield as a field of hopeful professional and amateur competitors vied for the 14 available spots at day three of Massachusetts Open Qualifying.
Following 18 holes of fierce competition, a talented corps of professional golfers surged to the top and captured 12 of the 14 available spots. The only amateurs to advance were a pair of Longmeadow Country Club standouts — Pat Pio III (Longmeadow CC) and Greg Fisk (Longmeadow CC).
Day 3 Quick Links
Pio, who is coming off a strong 2009 senior campaign at Nichols College, finished the day with two birdies and two bogeys for a final score of even par 71. Fisk, a clubmate of Pio and resident of East Longmeadow, finished in a tie for 12th place despite posting a double bogey on the 170-yard, par 3 9th hole. He made up for that miscue throughout the round by carding two birdies and two bogies for a final score of 2-over par 73. Fisk – much like Pio – is no stranger to high-level competition as he was a member of the University of Massachusetts' men's lacrosse team back in the 1980s.
Claiming medalist honors was Mark Stevens (Concord, NH), a name very familiar in New England golf circles. On Tuesday, Stevens – the 2008 New Hampshire State Amateur Champion – was simply outstanding as he put together a round that featured seven birdies and two bogies for a day-low score of 5-under par 66.
It didn't start off exactly as he had planned, however, after Stevens made bogey on his very first hole – the 371-yard, par 4 10th hole. That early miscue proved to be an aberration as he went on to make birdie on four of his next eight holes to make the turn at 3-under par 33. Stevens, who resides in Concord (NH) but was born in Hyannis, continued his strong play down the stretch by carding three birdies and just one bogey to cap off his medalist round.
In what is a testament to the reputation of the Massachusetts Open Championship, 10 of today's 16 qualifiers hailed from outside of Massachusetts. Included in that list was Arizona resident Brady Stockton (Cave Creek, AZ), who logged the most miles traveling to today's qualifier.
Gone But Never Forgotten
While golf has continued on at the Country Club of Pittsfield, there will forever be a void in the hearts of many since the club and the amateur golf scene lost one of its family members earlier this year. Andy Blau, a longtime member of the Country Club of Pittsfield and rules official for the MGA, passed away at the age of 73 this past January.
His legacy as a club member – he was a past president and had just completed a term as secretary of the board – and as a dedicated and self-professed "rules guru" was felt more than ever today since it was Blau who was instrumental in securing the Pittsfield club as a qualifier for the Massachusetts Open Championship.
"Among the many contributions that Andy made to our organization, he dedicated himself to helping the MGA to secure qualifying and championship spots in the western part of the state," said Jesse Menachem, the MGA's director of rules & competition. "He loved the spirit and camaraderie of the events and players always enjoyed seeing him driving around the course and being in the right spot to make a ruling. He was one of a kind."
In fact, the Pittsfield native was a driving force for securing spots and managing tournaments in the western part of the state. He often served as an official in charge for qualifying and Championship Proper events held in his part of the state and was known for traveling hundreds of miles each summer to serve as an official at MGA and New England Golf Association championships.
In addition to his contributions to the game of golf, he was also a pillar in the Pittsfield community. He is a past member of the board of the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club, served as an officer in the Pittsfield Downtown Associates and the Central Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.
Thank you Andy... you will never be forgotten!
2010 Massachusetts Open Qualifying
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Country Club of Pittsfield (Pittsfield, MA)
Par 71 (35-36)
Qualifiers
1) Mark Stevens (Concord, NH) 33-33—66
2) Adam Fuchs (Plainview, NY) 33-34—67
T3) Kyle Gallo (Kensington, CT) 38-31—69
T3) John Stolz (Kiamesha Lake, NY) 33-36—69
T5) Brady Stockton (Cave Creek, AZ) 36-34—70
T5) William Root (Aberdeen, NJ) 36-34—70
T7) Bob Mucha (Greenock CC) 37-34—71
T7) a-Pat Pio III (Longmeadow CC) 36-36—71
T9) Chris Damiano (Jupiter, FL) 35-37—72
T9) Joseph Cioe (Homosassa, FL) 35-37—72
T9) Erik Easton (Granby, CT) 37-35—72
T12) Eugene Smith (Glen Ridge, NJ) 35-38—73
T12) a-Greg Fisk (Longmeadow CC) 36-37—73
T12) Sam Bracken (Hanover, NH) 33-40—73
Alternates
1st) Adam D'Amario (The Ranch GC) 38-35—73
2nd) Sam Spector (Old Saybrook, CT) 37-36—73
