News Release

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2003

Jon Curran (Hopkinton, MA) showed the golfing community that he is on top of his game by shooting the course record at Kettle Brook Golf Course (Paxton, MA) during today's U.S. Junior Amateur Local Qualifying. Curran, the 2002 Christopher Cutler Rich MGA Junior Player of the Year, shot a blistering 6-under par 66 during the final 18 holes of qualifying.

Curran's outstanding round included nine birdies, one double bogey and one bogey. The course record score of 66, combined with his morning score of 3-over par 75, was good enough to earn him medalist honors at the site. Curran is no stranger to this event, as this marks the second straight year that he has qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. The second and final qualifier at Kettle Brook GC was Jesse Speirs (Bangor, ME), who finished at 5-over par 149.

At the second qualifying site - Country Club of Halifax (Halifax, MA) - it was George Zolotas (Peabody, MA) who turned in the day's low score of 1-over par 145. Zolotas was steady throughout the day as he posted an even par 72 following a morning round of 1-over par 73.

"I think the key to my play today was the fact I kept my tee shots in the fairway," said Zolotas. Along with keeping his tee shots between the trees, the fact that he had 6 birdies, as well as an eagle on the par-5 11th hole, helped him to his 1-over par 145 total. "I played pretty well. I did not have too many expectations going into today, which helped me stay calm out there,"

Even though he knocked it on in two on the 485-yard 11th hole, and smoothly drained the 6 footer for eagle, he quickly gave it back on the very next hole where he took a double bogey 5. However, with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to finish his morning round, he brought himself back into contention.

Also qualifying at CC of Halifax was Drew Harker (Barrington, RI), who earned the second spot by winning a 3-hole playoff over Colby Hart (Brookline, MA).

The playoff started on the par-4 10th, went to the par-3 16th hole and ended on the par-4 17th. After tying the first two holes, an errant drive into the left trees by Hart left him with only a pitch out. So, after two solid shots by Harker, only a two putt from 18 feet was needed by Harker to capture the last spot.

There were three players who shared the lead with 1-over 73s after the morning round. Zolotas, Hart and Dan Chamberlain (South Dennis, MA). With seven players within two shots, a solid afternoon round was essential for two of these players to capture a spot.

"I wanted to go for the 11th in two again, but my caddie (his brother Nick) reminded me of my favorite movie "Tin Cup" and told me to hit an iron," said Zolotas, who finished third at the 2002 Massachusetts Junior Championship. "So, I decided just to play it safe."

It turned out that was probably a wise decision because he finished one shot ahead of Harker and Hart. Both players avoided big numbers all day and made little mistakes.

"I putted well all day," said Harker. "Besides one drive I hit out of bounds, I kept it in play off the tee. It was a long, but rewarding day."

Today's qualifiers have now earned the right to move on to the U.S Junior Amateur Championship, which will take place on July 21-26 at Columbia Country Club (Chevy Chase, Maryland).

The MGA annually conducts qualifying rounds for the major USGA Championships, including the U.S. Open, Senior Open, Amateur, Junior Amateur, Senior Amateur, Mid-Amateur and the Amateur Public Links. The U.S. Junior Amateur Championship was launched in 1948 by the USGA to determine the best junior golfer in the United States and also to help junior golfers learn how to realize the most from the game, win or lose.

Complete coverage of the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship can be found at www.junioram.org.

U.S. Junior Qualifying - Halifax
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
CC of Halifax
Par 144 (72-72) - 36 Holes

Qualifiers:
1) George Zolotas (Peabody, MA) 73-72--145
2) Drew Harker (Barrington, RI) 74-72--146

Alternates:
1) Colby Hart (Chestnut Hill, MA) 73-73--146
2) Dan Chamberlain (South Dennis, MA) 73-74--147
3) Brian Dorney (Norwell, MA) 79-69--148
4) Matt Hanlon (Hingham, MA) 76-72--148

U.S. Junior Qualifying - Kettle Brook
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Kettle Brook GC
Par 144 (72-72) - 36 Holes

Qualifiers:
1) Jon Curran (Hopkinton, MA) 75-66--141
2) Jesse Speirs (Bangor, ME) 73-76--149

Alternates:
1) Adrian Cushwa (Sheffield, MA) 75-74--149
2) Matt Scytkowski (South Hadley, MA) 74-77--151
3) Michael Saari (Lilburn, GA) 77-75--152
4) Garrett Wentzell (Worcester, MA) 76-76--152

©2004 Massachusetts Golf Association.