News Release
For Immediate Release: September 25, 2001
It may have taken him an extra day, but Ed Fletcher successfully
defended his Massachusetts Senior Championship title this afternoon at the
Essex County Club. Fletcher, who entered the final round two strokes back
of the leaders, shot 72 to finish at 6-over 146 and edge out William Fuller
by three strokes. This year's championship marks the third time that Fletcher
has been victorious as he won the title in 1998 and 2000.
The 2001 Championship title will always be memorable for Fletcher, however. Severe rainstorms in the Essex County region on Tuesday afternoon forced a suspension of play at approximately 2:30 p.m. At that time, Fletcher had completed four holes and was already 2-under for the day. The players were removed from the course during the first batch of downpours and were forced to come back to complete their second rounds on Wednesday morning.
The three leaders following Day 1 action - Ron Pascucci, Fred Walker and Kenneth Kotowski - entered the final round with a two-stroke lead over the field after shooting 2-over 72 on Monday. Kotowski finished in a three-way tie at 10-over 150, while Walker and Pascucci were right no his heels just one shot back.
Robert McDonald, who plays out of Charles River CC, picked up Super Senior honors as he was the low scorer in the 65 and over age group. McDonald finished at 10-over 150.
September 24, 2001 Highlights:
A low score was certainly hard to come by during the first day of competition at the Massachusetts Senior Championship held at Essex County Club. Heading into the second and final day of play, three players - Ron Pascucci (Salisbury, MA), Fred Walker (Cotuit, MA) and Kenneth Kotowski (Marion, MA) - hold a slight lead over the field after shooting 2-over 72 on Monday. William Foley (Milton, MA) is just one shot back at 3-over 73.
Pascucci, who began on the 10th tee, turned in perhaps the most unique round of the day. The Salem CC member was in fine shape following his first nine holes as he posted a Day 1 best score of 2-under 32. After making par on Holes 1, 2 and 3, however, Pascucci began to struggle and made bogey on three of the final six holes, including a double bogey on the par-3 4th hole.
Kotowski and Walker had more tranquil day as they both turned in a four bogey, 2 birdie round. The field of 144 players is right on the heels of the leaders as a total of 37 participants are within five shots of the leader. Included in that group is defending champion Ed Fletcher (Mashpee, MA), who sits just two strokes back at 4-over 74.
Weather permitting, the second and final day of play will take place tomorrow at Essex CC. A final decision on the format of play will be made on Tuesday morning.