News Release

For Immediate Release: June 16, 2004

Headline: Massachusetts Amateur Qualifying Ends; 24 Qualifiers Advance to Championship

Norton, MA – Two weeks ago more than 500 competitors had hopes of advancing to the 96th State Amateur Championship. Following six days of qualifying held over a period of 10 days, however, the field has been reduced to 144. The 125 individuals who advanced at one of the 11 qualifying sites will now join the 19 exempt players at the Championship, which will be held at Taconic Golf Club on July 12-16.

A sixth and final day of qualifying was held today at Cummaquid GC and Franklin CC with 24 competitors earning a spot in the Championship field. Here are highlights from today’s qualifying rounds:

Cummaquid GC:
Rick Rainville (Olde Barnstable GC) completed his front nine at 3-under par 33 and cruised along to medalist honors with a low score of 3-under par 68. Marshall Fine (Marshfield CC) and Jason Clary (Thorny Lea GC) were the only other competitors to finish under par as they registered scores of 1-under par 70. Also qualifying at the Yarmouth Port site was Mike Dunham (The Ridge Club), who when not playing golf serves as the starting goaltender for the New York Rangers.

Franklin CC:
Ben Spitz (The Fairway Club), a University of Rhode Island standout, battled a tough golf course and emerged as medalist with a score of 2-over par 73. Spitz edged another young talent, Adam Carlucci (Maplegate CC), by one stroke. Carlucci is no stranger to this event as he advanced to the Round of 16 at last year’s State Amateur Championship. Also qualifying today was Doug Clapp (Walpole CC), who just last month advanced to U.S. Open Sectional qualifying.