MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association IllustrationIllustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2004

Headline: Zelnik Takes Early 1-Stroke Lead at the 2004 Massachusetts Open Championship

Sutton, MA – While the rest of the field battled to break par on a windy day in Sutton, Noah Zelnik (Woodridge, NY) found a way to break through the clutter as he fired a 4-under par 67 to take a one stroke lead following the first round of the 2004 Massachusetts Open Championship, which is being held this week at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

Zelnik, who plays on the Cleveland Golf Tour, started off his day strong by making birdie on the 2nd, 4th and 5th holes. Following two straight bogeys on the next two holes, Zelnik righted the ship and made his fourth birdie of the day on the 382-yard, par 4 9th hole. Later in the round, Zelnik showed finesse with the putter by draining a 75-foot putt for birdie on the 215-yard, par 3 16th hole and then finished off his day with a birdie on the final hole.

Just one stroke back of Zelnik are Paul Dickinson (Apopka, FL) and Eli Zackheim (Portland, OR), two touring professionals looking to capture their first State Open title. While Zackheim posted four bogies and one birdie on the day, Dickinson played a flawless round of golf highlighted by a 3-under par 33 score on the front nine. Three-time champion Geoffrey Sisk (Marshfield CC) and John Connelly (Perrysburg, OH) stand two strokes and one stroke back, respectively, while 16 players finished the day at even par 71.

Round 1 Highlights:
• Defending champion Brian Quinn (King of Prussia, PA) is lurking near the top of the leaderboard after shooting a 2-over par 73. Quinn, who began his round on the 10th tee, found himself 4-over 39 at the turn. A birdie on the 181-yard, par 3 1st hole, however, kick started a solid final nine holes in which he shot 2-under par 34.
• Sisk and Connelly just returned from Long Island after competing in the 2004 U.S. Open Championship. Other players in today’s field who advanced to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying include Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC), Doug Clapp (Stow Acres CC), Michael Carbone (Brewster, MA), Andy Drohen (St. Anne CC) and Tele Wightman (Chicopee, MA).

The entire field will return to Pleasant Valley Country Club on Tuesday to compete in a second round of 18-hole stroke play. Following the second round, the 40 lowest scorers and ties or anyone within seven strokes of the leader will continue play on Wednesday, June 23rd in a third and final round of play to determine the 2004 champion.