News Release

For Immediate Release: May 11, 2004

Headline: State Four-Ball Round 2 Highlights

Stow, MA -- The year 2003 was called the year of the Drohens…and it looks like 2004 will be much of the same. The brother tandem of Andy Drohen (St. Anne CC) and Bill Drohen (Bradford CC) turned in a remarkable 7-under par 65 final round on Tuesday afternoon at Stow Acres Country Club en route to capturing the 2004 Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship. The Drohens finished the tournament with a score of 13-under par 131, four shots better than the four teams that finished in a tie for second place. This year marks the first time that the pair has competed in this event together.

Last year, the Drohen family made a name for themselves when Andy captured the Massachusetts Amateur Championship, Billy qualified for match play at the U.S. Amateur Championship and father James Drohen, who also competed in this year’s Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship, was victorious at the Massachusetts Senior Championship. This year marks the first time that a pair of Drohens teamed up for the State Four-Ball and the result was continued familial success.

After making par on the first two holes, Andy spearheaded a strong front nine by making birdies on the 3rd, 5th and 8th holes. Billy chipped in a birdie of his own on the 377-yard par 4 7th hole to push them to 4-under par 32. On the back nine, Andy and Billy registered a birdie and eagle on the 10th and 12th holes, respectively, and cruised to victory by making par on the final six holes.

The pair entered the final round two shots back of Dean Godek (Agawam Municipal GC) and Alistair Catto (The Orchards GC). Godek and Catto started the day strong as they made the turn at 2-under par for the day but they couldn’t find the magic down the stretch as they shot even par 36 for the side to finish the event at 6-under par 135. Meanwhile, first-round leaders Michael Fecteau (Rowley CC) and Steve St. Amand (The Meadow at Peabody GC) couldn’t repeat their first-round performance as they shot 2-under par 72 for a two day total of 8-under par 136.

Also finishing in a tie for second place along with Godek and Catto were the teams of Michael O’Brien (Indian Ridge CC) and Kurt Flionis (Lexington GC, Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC) and Kevin Carey (Dennis Pines GC) and Marc Chandonnet (Long Meadow GC) and Chris Courtney (Long Meadow GC).

The Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship debuted in 1981 and has become one of the most popular events on the MGA Championship schedule. The event is open to two-person teams of amateur golfers who hold membership in an MGA member club and have an up-to-date combined MGA/USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 6.0.