News Release
For Immediate Release: May 15, 2001
The father & son pair of Jim & Jason Ruschioni birdied 4 out of the
final 8 holes on Tuesday afternoon to finish with a 10 under par 134 and capture
their second Four-Ball Championship in five years. The duo, who play out of
Oak Hill CC, first won the title in 1996 by a one-stroke margin. This time
around, the victory was never in question during the final round at Stow Acres
CC thanks to the phenomenal play of Jason, who finished with five birdies
and one eagle on the day.
"He was fantastic all week long," said father Jim. "He's really matured. Over the last couple of years he really didn't want to play competitive golf. This year he decided that he wanted to play, and he has really proven himself. If he keeps this up, there is no doubt that he will take the [Oak Hill CC] championship this year."
The Ruschionis entered the final round of the Championship tied with two other teams -- Rick Murrell & Corey Fisk and Brian O'Leary & Tom Taylor. Although the lead was held by only three, the field was so closely bunched heading into the second day of play that 22 teams were within two strokes of the leaders.
Six birdies, along with an eagle by Jason on the par-5 5th hole, set the stage for a dominating back nine. After parring the 9th and 10th holes, Jason put together back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th holes to pull to 5 under for the day. He then chipped in for another birdie -- his fourth of the day -- on 14. A bogey on 16 was the only blemish on their scorecard, but that was quickly negated by a final - and very fitting - birdie by Jason on 18.
Three teams finished tied for second place at 6 under par 138, including the team that posted the best round of the day. Mark Heffernan and Jim Lynch of Charles River CC made 10 birdies that helped offset three bogies en route to a second round score of 7 under par 65.
Jim & Jason Ruschioni at MGA Events
1985 Mid-Amateur Champion (Jim)
1991 Mid-Amateur Champion (Jim)
1996 Father & Son Champions (Jim & Jason)
1996 Four-Ball Champions (Jim & Jason)
1997 Mid-Amateur Champion (Jim)