News Release

For Immediate Release: October 16, 2001

Still basking in the glory of capturing his third straight Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship two weeks ago, Frank Vana, Jr. has yet another accomplishment to hang his golf hat on this summer. The Sudbury native who now lives in Shrewsbury capped off a sensational season by being named the 2001 Richard D. Haskell Player of the Year.

The announcement was made today by the Massachusetts Golf Association (MGA) following the conclusion of the first two rounds of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship - the last official competition on the 2001 schedule. Since no Massachusetts golfers advanced to match play, Vana officially became the 2001 points winner.

Propelled by his Massachusetts Mid-Amateur and Francis Ouimet Memorial titles this year, the 39-year-old Vana finished the 2001 season with a total of 739 points, 102 points ahead of second-place finisher and 1991 Player of the Year Steven Tasho (637). Brendan Hester, the 2001 Massachusetts Amateur champion, finished third with 608 points.

This year marks the third time that Vana has won Player of the Year honors as he captured the crown in 1994 and 1995. He joins Kevin Johnson (1985-1988) and Jim Salinetti (1997, 1999, 2000) as the only three-time winners of the award. Vana, who plays out of Marlboro CC, was also the MGA Player of the Decade for the 1990s. Vana, along with the other 2001 MGA champions, will receive his award at the annual MGA Dinner of Champions held in January at Wellesley CC.

Following each Championship season, the MGA crowns the Richard D. Haskell Amateur Player of the Year. This honor is given to the amateur player who has accumulated the most points throughout the championship schedule. Eligible players earn points through competition at all MGA qualifying and championship events, USGA qualifying (U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Amateur Public Links & U.S. Mid-Amateur) and championship (U.S. Amateur, U.S. Amateur Public Links & U.S. Mid-Amateur) events and a select number of invitational and regional tournaments.

Frank Vana, Jr. in 2001
• Massachusetts Amateur (July 9-13) - Quarterfinalist
• Francis Ouimet Memorial (July 25-27) - Winner
• U.S. Amateur (August 20-26) - Qualified for Championship; Medalist at Sectional Qualifying
• Massachusetts Mid-Amateur (October 1-2) - Winner
• U.S. Mid-Amateur (October 13-18) - Qualified for Championship

Other 2001 Highlights:
• Selected to the Massachusetts Tri-State Team
• Selected to the Massachusetts State Team

©2004 Massachusetts Golf Association.