MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association Illustration Illustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: June 19, 2002

There was no miraculous putt on the 18th hole nor a stunning comeback. Rather, this year's Massachusetts Open Championship was captured in the spirit of slow and steady play. Geoffrey Sisk (Marshfield CC), champion of this event in 1995 and 1997, entered the third and final round in a three-way tie for the lead, played even-par golf through nine holes, threw in a few birdies on the back nine and then calmly collected his third Clarence G. Cochrane Memorial Trophy and a winner's check for $15,000. Sisk finished the tournament with a score of 8-under par 202.

By capturing this year's Championship, Sisk becomes only the sixth player in Open history to claim three titles. He now shares that honor with Alex Ross (1906, 1907, 1908, 1909,1910, 1912), Mike Brady (1914, 1916, 1923), Harold McSpaden (1936, 1937, 1938, 1941), Bob Crowley (1957, 1962, 1966, 1973), Paul Harney (1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1977) and Dana Quigley (1982, 1983, 1984).

It wasn't always a sure bet, however. In a case of near déjà vu, Rich Parker (Lebanon, NH), who entered Day 3 six shots back of the leaders, made a strong run at the title this afternoon by shooting a 5-under 65 to finish the tournament at 4-under par 206. Last year, Parker stormed back from a five-shot deficit to win the 2001 Open title but came up just short this time around.

Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC), who along with Sisk and Rodney Butcher (Tampa, FL) entered the final round tied for the lead, finished third overall with a score of 3-under par 207, which was good enough to capture the 2001 Commonwealth Cup, awarded to the tournament's low amateur. A total of five players fell in behind Vana at 2-under par 208 for a share of fourth place.

Day 3 Championship Notes:
• Four was the magic number for Marc Spencer (Groveland, MA) on the final day of the Massachusetts Open Championship. Spencer, who finished the tournament at 1-under par 209, turned in his scorecard and it showed that he had posted a "4" on the final 11 holes of play and 15 of his total 18 holes!
• Five of the seven former champions who were part of this year's Open field advanced to the final round. They include James Hallet (1985), Sisk (1995, 1997), Butcher (1998), James Gilleon (2000) and Parker (2001).

Round 2 Highlights:

It's a three-man party atop the leaderboard following the second day of play at the 2002 Massachusetts Open Championship, which is being held this week at Longmeadow Country Club. Former champion Rodney Butcher (Tampa, FL), who made a strong move today by posting a 5-under par 65, finished with a two-day score of 5-under par 135. He currently shares the lead with Day 1 leader Geoffrey Sisk (Marshfield CC) and amateur Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC).

After enjoying a five-birdie day on Monday, Sisk managed only two birdies on his second day of play to surrender sole possession of the lead. Meanwhile, Vana, Jr., who shot a 4-under par 66 on Day 1, moved up a spot thanks to 1-under par 69 performance this afternoon.

Marc Spencer (Groveland, MA) jumped into contention thanks to a 5-under par 65 performance today. His two-day score of 3-under par 137 puts him in a tie with Jeff Seavey (Rockland, ME) for second place. Scott Hawley (Worcester CC), Doug Ferris (Brooksville, FL) and Greg Folsom (The Orchards GC) all finished with a score of 4-over par 144 to claim the final spots for tomorrow's Championship round.

The 150-player field was trimmed to 40 following two days of 18-hole play. The 40 competitors who made the final cut will return to Longmeadow Country Club on Wednesday morning to compete in a final 18 holes of golf to determine the 2002 champion. The first group will tee off at 8:00 a.m.

Round 1 Highlights:

Geoffrey Sisk (Marshfield CC) made his presence known following Round 1 of the Massachusetts Open Championship, which is being held at Longmeadow Country Club this week, by posting a 5-under par 65 to take a one-shot lead over the field. Sisk began his Massachusetts Open Championship quest today on the 10th tee and was on fire from the beginning. He made birdie on three of his first five holes en route to his bogey-less, five-birdie round. Sisk captured this title in 1995 and 1997.

Local amateur Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC), who was victorious at the 2002 Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship earlier this year, was 2-under on both sides to finish with a 4-under 66 and sole possession of second place. And despite starting off his back nine with a bogey, amateur Michael Carbone (Dennis Pines GC) still managed a 3-under 32 en route to his final 3-under 67. Carbone currently shares third place with Rick Karbowski (Wachusett CC).

Aided by sunny, warm weather conditions, this year's Massachusetts Open field showed its strength and depth with 23 players finishing Round 1 with a score of even par or better.

All 150 competitors will return to Longmeadow CC on Tuesday for the second round of play (18 holes). At the conclusion of the second round, the 40 lowest scorers and ties or anyone within seven shots of the leader for the first 36 holes will advance to the third and final day of play on Wednesday.