MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association IllustrationIllustration

News Release

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Bill Drohen

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2004

Headline: Bill Drohen Represents United States Well at British Amateur Championship; Advances to First Round of Match Play

Fresh off last month's victory at the Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship with brother Andy, Bill Drohen (Haverhill CC) is making waves across the great blue seas. The younger Drohen brother competed this week in the British Amateur Championship, which is being held in St Andrews on the Old and Jubilee Courses.

Drohen secured his spot in the match play portion of the event courtesy of two strong rounds of stroke play. He began his title quest with a 68 on Day 1 and followed that up with a 74 for a two-day score of 142. A total of 288 golfers competed in the two rounds of stroke play, but only the top 64 finishers including ties advanced to match play.

In the first round of match play, Drohen faced off against fellow American Korey Mahoney. The two battled through 18 holes and found themselves all square. On the second playoff hole, it looked like Drohen would advance to the second round as he drained a 50-foot putt. Minutes later, however, Mahoney met the challenge face on by sinking a 45-foot putt of his own to continue the match. Drohen eventually lost his battle against Mahoney on the 22nd hole.

This event marks the second time that Drohen has competed in match play at a major Amateur Championship. Last year Drohen advanced to the match play portion of the U.S. Amateur Championship only to fall to 2003 Walker Cup Team Member Casey Wittenberg in the first round.

Drohen will next be in action on June 21 when he competes in the Massachusetts Open Championship at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

About the British Amateur Championship:
The secretary of Royal Liverpool Golf Club came up with the idea of an amateur event in 1885 to which leading clubs were invited to send entrants. A total of 44 players from 12 clubs took part and the winner was Allan Macfie. After the initial success a championship open to all amateurs was held the following year at St Andrews when 24 clubs subscribed to a handsome trophy. Yet it was not until 1922, in a Championship Committee meeting in the R&A clubhouse that it was decided to recognise the 1885 event as the first true Amateur Championship and Allan Macfie's name was added to the trophy.

The photo featured above is courtesy of David Colt.