MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association Illustration Illustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: October 2, 2003

On a classic New England fall afternoon, Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC) put the finishing touches on a classic story of his own. The four-time Richard D. Haskell MGA Player of the Year captured a fifth Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship title this afternoon by finishing at 2-under par 214. This year's Centennial, three-day Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship was held this week at Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.

With the victory, Vana has captured five straight Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship titles. In the 100-year history of the Massachusetts Golf Association, only Alex Ross has captured as many consecutive titles. The famed brother of Donald Ross won the Massachusetts Open Championship from 1906 to 1910.

Vana entered the final round with a slim one-shot lead over Jon Fasick (New England CC). After a shaky start, Vana righted the ship with perfect ball striking leaving himself eagle opportunities on the 6th and 8th holes, which both resulted in tap-in birdies. Meanwhile, Fasick, who is no stranger to this event as he captured the title in 1990, struggled with his putter on the front side en route to a 3-over par 36 to fall further behind the leader. Vana, who sealed the victory with a birdie on the 391-yard, par 4 17th hole, calmly tapped in an easy par putt on the final hole before acknowledging the roar of applause from the crowd.

John McNeill (B.A.G.S.) made the most aggressive jump up the scoreboard on the final day by equaling the day-low score of 2-under par 70. After sprinting out of the gates with four birdies on the front nine, McNeill faltered on the back nine by posting three bogies and only one birdie to finish at 4-over par 220 for the tournament. Despite the tough back nine, McNeill finished in a tie for second place with John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC), who posted a 1-over par 71 on the final day.

One stroke back of McNeill and Hadges was Fasick and Joe Keller (Oyster Habors Club), who turned in a 5-over par 221 for the three-day tournament. Keller was another player who moved up the scoreboard courtesy of a strong final day score of 1-under par 71.

Following the completion of the second round, the 120-player field was reduced to the low 31 scorers.

Highlights From October 1, 2003:

With only 18 holes remaining, four-time defending champion Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC) holds a one-stroke lead over the field following the second round of play at the Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship, which is being held this week at Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Vana, who finished the first round just two strokes back of the lead, inched his way to the top by shooting a consistent 1-over par 73 on Tuesday for a two-day total of even par 144. Vana leads a field of 31 qualifiers who advanced this afternoon to the third and final round of play, which will be held on Wednesday in South Hamilton. This year's cut was set at 10-over par 154.

If he is victorious this year, Vana will have captured five straight Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship titles. In the 100-year history of the Massachusetts Golf Association, only Alex Ross has captured as many consecutive titles. The famed brother of Donald Ross won the Massachusetts Open Championship from 1906 to 1910.

Vana got off to a good start this afternoon with an eagle on the 487-yard, par 5 2nd hole. Although that spectacular hole was negated by three bogies and a double bogey on the 446-yard, par 4 12th hole, Vana finished his round like a true champion - making birdie on the 17th and 18th holes to finish just 1-over par for the day.

Just one stroke back of Vana is Jon Fasick (New England CC), the 1990 champion of this event. Fasick rebounded from a 4-over par 76 first round by posting a day-low score of 3-under par 69 on Tuesday. Fasick and Vana will be the featured final pair scheduled to tee off at 10:30 a.m.

After turning in a fabulous 3-under par 69 first-round performance, John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC) dropped from atop the leader board by shooting an 6-over par 78 this afternoon. Hadges, who fell to fifth place, began his round in fine shape with a birdie on the 274-yard, par 4 1st hole but followed that up with seven bogeys over the course of his round.

Following the completion of the second round, the 120-player field was reduced to the low 30 scorers and ties or anyone within five strokes of the lead. Only those players advanced to the final round, which will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Highlights From September 29, 2003:

John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC) certainly didn't let the history and lore that surrounds Myopia Hunt Club get in the way of a good round of golf. Hadges, who hails from North Easton, turned in an impressive 3-under par 69 this afternoon to take a one shot lead following the first round of play at the Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship, which is being held this week in South Hamilton.

Hadges, who is one of 120 players who made their way to Myopia Hunt Club to compete in the three-day Centennial event, began his round on the 11th tee and found himself 1-over par as he stared down the first fairway. From that point on, however, Hadges was on fire as he made birdie on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 8th holes. The only blemish on that front side was a bogey on the 404-yard, par-4 7th hole. A 2003 Massachusetts Amateur Championship match play participant, Hadges finished today's first round with five birdies and only two bogies.

Right on Hadges' heels at 2-under par 70 is John Shields (Hyannisport Club), who also posted five birdies on the afternoon. Playing consistent golf throughout the day, Shields finished with 35s on both the front and back nine en route to his score of 70.

Sitting in a two-way tie for third place with a score of 1-under par 71 are Doug Clapp (Walpole CC) and defending champion Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC). Vana is looking to make history this year as he has won four straight Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championships (1999-2002). In the 100-year history of the MGA, no other player has won as many consecutive MGA Championship titles.

Turning in one of only two eagles on the day was Edward Fletcher (Quashnet Valley CC), who made a 3 on the 487-yard, par-5 2nd hole. That eagle came in the midst of a strong stretch of play for Fletcher, who battled back from 3-over par through his first eight holes to finish at 1-over par 73. After making bogey on the 18th hole, Fletcher sandwiched the eagle between birdies on the 1st and 3rd holes to remain in contention heading into the second round. The only other player to score an eagle on this day was Vana, who posted a 3 on 2nd hole.

Jack Kearney (Elmcrest CC) currently sits six strokes back of the leader, but his round was certainly one of note. The Delta Air Lines pilot who last week represented Massachusetts at the Tri-State Matches, posted the roller-coaster round of the day which included a 7-over par 43 on the back nine and a 4-under par 32 on the front nine.

The entire field will return to South Hamilton on Tuesday to compete in a second round of 18-hole stroke play. Following the second round of play, the low 30 scorers and ties or anyone within five strokes of the lead will continue on to the final round which will be held on Wednesday.