MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association IllustrationIllustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: June 22, 2004

Headline: Zackheim, Sisk Lead Field Heading Into Final Round of State Open Championship

Sutton, MA – Eli Zackheim (Portland, OR) traveled all the way from Oregon to compete in the 2004 Massachusetts State Open Championship. Following the second round of play, he’s glad he made the trip. Zackheim fired a second-day score of 3-under par 69 for a two-day total of 5-under par 137 and finds himself in a tie for the lead with Geoff Sisk (Marshfield CC) heading into Wednesday’s third and final round. The 96th State Open Championship is being held this week at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, Massachusetts.

Zackheim, who has never played in this event before, struggled on his first nine holes and made the turn at 2-over par 37. The young professional who was an all-league golfer at Colgate University quickly turned things around by posting five birdies and one bogey to finish off his round. Meanwhile, Sisk – a three-time champion of this event – continued his stellar play by posting a second-round score of 3-under par 68. Sisk, who last week finished 40th at the U.S. Open Championship, registered a flawless round that included three birdies and zero bogeys.

One stroke back of the leaders is Noah Zelnick (Woodridge, NY), who started on the back nine and posted four birdies, one bogey and one double bogey to put him at even par 35 at the turn. He rebounded well after the double bogey on the 16th hole by making birdie on the next two holes. He finished off his round with five straight pars.

Following the first two rounds of play, the top 46 players, which represent the 40 lowest scorers and ties or anyone within seven strokes of the leader, will now return to Pleasant Valley Country Club tomorrow morning to compete in a final round of 18-hole stroke play to determine the 2004 champion. This year’s cut was set at 5-over par 147. The final round groups will be twosomes with the leaders scheduled to tee off at 10: 40 a.m.

Round 2 Highlights:
• Leading the charge in the category of low amateur is Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC), who followed up his first-round score of even par 71 with a 1-under par 70 for a two-day total of 1-under par 141. The closest amateur to Vana is Doug Clapp (Walpole CC), who finished at 2-over par 144.
• Defending champion Brian Quinn (King of Prussia, PA) made the cut by one stroke as he posted a 4-over par 146. Quinn will be paired tomorrow with Jim Renner (Foxborough CC).