News Release

For Immediate Release: September 2, 2003

Jack Kearney (Peachtree City, GA) calmly shot a 3-under par 68 to capture medalist honors at U.S. Mid-Amateur local qualifying held today at Wahconah Country Club, but once again it was the Drohen brothers who stole the amateur golf spotlight.

With younger brother Bill Drohen (Haverhill, MA) waiting in the clubhouse after finishing his qualifying round with a score of even par 71, older brother Andy Drohen (Granville, MA) was out on the course knowing that he had to make birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff with his younger brother for the second and final qualifying spot. Andy, who displayed similar poise while winning this year’s Massachusetts Amateur Championship, came through with a birdie on the 18th hole to turn in an identical score of even par 71.

Andy then went on to make birdie on the second playoff hole to claim the final qualifying spot and earn a trip to the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, which will be held on October 11-16 at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware. Although Bill fell short of his goal to qualify for this event, he will still travel to Wilmington to serve as caddie for Andy - much like he did during Andy’s successful Massachusetts Amateur Championship run.

After battling rain throughout the morning hours, the large field at Foxborough Country Club managed to finish its round of qualifying. Three players - Timothy Donovan (Taunton, MA), Brendan Hester (Sutton, MA) and John Auclair (Cumberland, RI) - shot even par 72 to earn a share of medalist honors.

A total of seven qualifiers – including six from Massachusetts – advanced to the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship from the Foxborough Country Club site.

U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying - Foxborough CC
Tuesday, September 02, 2003
Par 72 (36-36)

Qualifiers:
T1) Timothy Donovan (Taunton, MA) 36-36--72
T1) Brendan Hester (Sutton, MA) 34-38--72
T1) John Auclair (Cumberland, RI) 38-34--72
T4) Kevin Quinn (Needham, MA) 36-37--73
T4) Frank Vana Jr (Shrewsbury, MA) 36-37--73
T4) Mike Prendergast (Hingham, MA) 37-36--73
T4) Paul Murphy (Arlington, MA) 38-35--73

Alternates:
1) Philip Pleat (Nashua, NH) 37-37--74
2) Charlie Blanchard (Tiverton, RI) 38-36--74
3) Shawn Gepfert (Topsham, ME) 35-39--74
4) John Geraci (West Roxbury, MA) 36-38--74

U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying - Wahconah CC – Dalton, MA
Tuesday, September 02, 2003
Par 71 (35-36)

Qualifiers:
1) Jack Kearney (Peachtree City, GA) 33-35--68
2) Andy Drohen (Granville, MA) 33-38--71

Alternates:
1) Bill Drohen (Haverhill, MA) 35-36--71
2) David Laravee (Springfield, MA) 37-36--73
3) Rick Leal (Feeding Hills, MA) 35-38--73
4) Daniel Arvanitis (Manchester, NH) 34-40--74

©2004 Massachusetts Golf Association.