News Release

For Immediate Release: July 20, 2004

Headline: 75th New England Amateur Championship Begins at Race Brook Country Club

Orange, CT – The 75th playing of the New England Amateur Championship will be contested this week at Race Brook Country Club in Orange, Connecticut from July 20-22, 2004. This tournament, hosted annually by the New England Golf Association (NEGA), is unique in that it brings together competitors from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont.

This year marks the first time in the event’s 75-year history that Race Brook Country Club has hosted the New England Amateur Championship. The state of Connecticut last hosted this event in 1998 when J.J. Henry captured the title at New Haven Country Club.

In preparation for next week’s event, the NEGA today released starting times and pairings. This year’s field consists of 162 competitors. These players will compete in 18 holes of stroke play on Tuesday and Wednesday. Following Wednesday’s round, the field will be reduced to the low 40 scorers and ties, and only those individuals will return to Race Brook CC on Thursday for a final day of 36 holes of stroke play.

Among this year’s field is 2003 champion Mike Welch (Furnace Brook GC – MA), who will begin his defense of the title on Tuesday at 8:36 a.m. on the 10th tee.

About the New England Amateur Championship:
The New England Amateur Championship is open to golfers from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont who hold an established, up-to-date handicap index of 5.4 or less. There is no qualifying held for this event. Former champions include Fred Wright, Brad Faxon, Billy Andrade and James Driscoll.

Schedule of Events:
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
First Round, 18 Holes Stroke Play
- Morning Tee Times Begin at 7:15 a.m.
- Afternoon Tee Times Begin at 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Second Round, 18 Holes Stroke Play
- Morning Tee Times Begin at 7:15 a.m.
- Afternoon Tee Times Begin at 12:00 p.m.
(The low 40 scorers and ties will continue on to play on Thursday.)
Thursday, July 14, 2004
Final Round, 36 Holes Stroke Play

Location:
Race Brook Country Club
246 Derby Avenue, Orange, CT 06477
Phone: 203-389-9521

Club/Course History:
Race Brook Country Club was founded in 1912. It is named for a small brook that runs through the course. The 18-hole course was designed by Robert D. Pryde, a former secretary treasurer of the Connecticut State Golf Association. His former home is still on Race Brook Road behind the third hole. In 1926 Race Brook Country Club opened a second 18-hole course making it one of the first clubs to have thirty-six holes in New England. During World War II one 18-hole course was closed. Nine holes of the second 18-hole course were reopened in 1951. Race Brook Country Club currently has 27 holes and a new club house that was completed in October 2002. Race Brook Country Club has hosted five Connecticut State Golf Association Open Championships. The late Jimmy Demaret, a PGA Hall of Famer and three time Masters Champion, won the 1941 CSGA Open Championship at Race Brook Country Club. Also, hosted at the Club were five Connecticut State Golf Association Amateur Championships. Richard Chapman won in 1938 at Race Brook Country Club.

Race Brook Country Club & the NEGA:
This year marks the first time in the event’s 75-year history that Race Brook Country Club has hosted the New England Amateur Championship. In 1934, Race Brook Country Club member Charles C. Clare won the New England Amateur Championship at the Country Club of Waterbury.

A Look Back at the 2003 Championship:
Despite inclement weather that hovered over the North Shore all week long, Mike Welch (Furnace Brook GC) raised the New England Amateur Championship trophy in victory at Salem Country Club after posting a 6-under par 204 for the event. Welch, who also advanced to the first round of Match Play at the 2003 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, defeated his closest competitors by six strokes. Welch shot identical scores of 3-under par 67 during his first two 18-hole rounds to gain a share of the lead with four other players heading into day 3. He was then consistent down the stretch by registering an even par 70 that included two birdies on the front nine. That performance was good enough to best the three players - Kevin Silva (CC of New Bedford), Billy Auger (Crestwood CC) and Charlie Blanchard (Wannamoisett CC), who finished in a tie for second place at even par 210.

Schedule of Results Posting on www.MGAlinks.org:
Throughout the three-day New England Amateur Championship, the MGA will be posting 9-hole splits and final results on its official web site at www.MGAlinks.org.