News Release

For Immediate Release: May 24, 2004

Headline: Brian Crawford of Granby Leads Pack of 15 at Massachusetts Open Qualifying

Longmeadow, MA – Brian Crawford (Granby, MA) finished with a 3-under par 69 this afternoon to lead a full field of competitors during the first day of Massachusetts Open qualifying, which was held at Springfield Country Club. Crawford’s low score was fueled by an outstanding back nine score of 4-under par 33. A total of 15 golfers advanced to the Championship event, which will be held on June 21-23 at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

Turning in scores of 1-under par 71 for a share of second place were Noah Zelnik (Woodridge, NY), Michael Devlin Jr. (Elmcrest CC) and Eric Egloff (Sandy Spring, MD). Also qualifying this afternoon was amateur Billy Drohen (Bradford CC), who is coming off a recent victory at the 2004 Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship with older brother Andy. Drohen was the low scoring amateur for the Springfield CC site, finishing at even par 72. Other local amateurs moving onto the Championship event were Andrew Boggini (Framingham CC), Alistair Catto (The Orchards GC) and Adam Rainaud (The Ledges GC).

The Massachusetts Open Championship debuted in 1905 when Donald Ross captured the inaugural title. Since that time, some of the greatest golfers in the history of the game have earned this prestigious Championship including Walter Hagen, Jesse Guilford, Francis Ouimet, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson and Paul Harney.

The Massachusetts Open represents the only event on the MGA Championship schedule that is open to both amateur and professional golfers. Competitors for this year’s event must have an up-to-date MGA/USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4.

Massachusetts Open Qualifying - Day 1 Notes:
• Three more days of Massachusetts Open qualifying will take place on the following days: May 25 (Black Rock GC); May 26 (Ballymeade CC, Red Tail GC); June 1 (Poquoy Brook GC, The Georgetown Club).
• More than 400 applications, including 45 exemptions, were received for this year’s Massachusetts Open. Following the qualifying rounds, 150 golfers will compete at the Championship, which will be held at Pleasant Valley Country Club on June 21-23. Championship pairings and tee times will be posted online prior to the event.