News Release

For Immediate Release: August 16, 2004

Headline: Bill Drohen, Adam Rainaud Fire Course Record at Day 1 of State Public Links Championship

Bellingham, MA – On a dark and misty day, Adam Rainaud (The Ledges GC) and Bill Drohen (Bradford CC) played outstanding, and not to mention record breaking, golf during the first round of the 2004 Massachusetts Public Links Championship, which is being held this week at Maplegate Country Club.

Rainaud and Drohen shot identical scores of 5-under par 67, which represents the competitive course record for Maplegate Country Club, a public facility located in Bellingham, Massachusetts. The former record of 3-under par 69 was held by Jon Fasick (New England CC), who currently sits in fifth place overall at this week’s tournament with a score of 1-under par 71.

Success at MGA Championship events is becoming a common occurrence for Drohen, who earlier this year captured the 2004 Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship title with older brother Andy and who most recently advanced to the semifinals of the 2004 Massachusetts Amateur Championship where he was defeated by eventual champion Frank Vana, Jr. This time around, Drohen made sure that his lead would be secure heading into the final round of play. He made the turn at 3-under par 33 and then cruised home with a back nine split of 2-under par 34. Meanwhile, Rainaud, who lives in South Hadley, is a young face making waves locally. The 18 year old posted splits of 33 and 34 en route to his record-setting 67. Rainaud will be making his golfing debut this coming fall as a freshman at the University of Louisville.

Three shots back of the leaders are Ronald Dobosz (Cedar Hill GC) and John McNeill (B.A.G.S). While Dobosz shot a pair of 35s on the day, McNeil made the turn at even par 36 and then dropped under par on the back nine courtesy of a 2-under par 34 split. Last year, McNeil made a name for himself by finishing in second place at the Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship.

Fasick, along with Derek Nickerson (Furnace Brook GC), are currently in a two-way tie for fifth place with a score of 1-under par 71. Another Furnace Brook Golf Course member who posted a solid and memorable round was Daniel Sullivan (Furnace Brook GC), who registered a hole in one on the 157-yard, par 3 3rd hole. He finished with a round one score of 1-over par 73.

The entire 99-player field will return to Maplegate CC on Tuesday for a second and final round of 18-hole stroke play. In the event of a tie, a sudden-death playoff will be used to determine the 2004 champion. Drohen, Rainaud and Dobosz will be paired together and are scheduled to tee off at 11:48 a.m.