News Release

For Immediate Release: April 2, 2001

Applications have now been posted for the Massachusetts Open Championship online. The Open Championship - one of the MGA's most popular events - will take place on June 18-20 at Mount Pleasant Country Club in Boylston, MA. This year's Open Championship will be a first for Mount Pleasant Country Club, which has never hosted the event.

The Open Championship is open to professional and amateur golfers with an up-to-date MGA/USGA GHIN Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4 (as determined by the October 27, 2000 Handicap Revision), or who have completed their handicap certification as defined on the Entry Form.

The Open Championship marks the second event currently available online. The Four-Ball Championship (May 14-15, 2001) was posted on the web site earlier this week. Interested participants are encouraged to register online by clicking on the "Championships" icon on the left side of the MGA home page. Qualifying sites will go quickly, so please register as soon as possible. As always, individuals who are unable to register online can print out the application form or contact the MGA offices directly to have an entry mailed to them (see contact information for the complete mailing address).

This Boylston, MA, course will no doubt challenge the players throughout the competition, as it is one of the few courses in the state which offers vesper velvet greens. Last year's Championship featured a dramatic three-hole aggregate play off between James Gilleon and Kirk Hanefeld. Not only was it the first year the Open instituted the three-hole aggregate play-off format, but Gilleon's one-stroke victory made Open history as it marked the 14th time and second straight year in the State Open's 91-year history that the title had been decided by a play-off.