MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association IllustrationIllustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: August 18, 2004

Headline: Local Players Compete at U.S. Amateur Championship; Vana Advances to Round of 32

Mamaroneck, NY– Five-time MGA Player of the Year Frank Vana, Jr. (Worcester, MA) led a crew of local players who were competing this week at the 2004 U.S. Amateur Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York.

Vana, along with Brendan Hester (Sutton, MA), David Spitz (Norwell, MA), Michael Welch (Quincy, MA), Tim Acquaviva (Andover, MA) and Doug Clapp (Walpole, MA), advanced to the Championship following local qualifying rounds held earlier this month.

All six players competed in the first two rounds of 18-hole stroke play, but only two - Vana and Hester - advanced to the Match Play portion which began on Wednesday morning. Clapp, who finished with a two-day total of 10-over par 150, found himself on the cut line and was forced to compete in a playoff for the final five match play spots. After making par on the first playoff hole, Clapp was unable to sink his birdie putt on the next hole and was eliminated from the playoff.

Meanwhile, Vana and Hester took to the difficult Winged Foot GC West course for their matches. Hester, who finished stroke play with a score of 9-over par 149, was matched up against Tyler Docking of Overland Park, Kansas. The two players remained all square until Docking took his first lead of the day courtesy of a birdie on the 515-yard, par 5 5th hole. A bogey by Hester on the ensuing hole gave Docking a commanding 2 Up lead. Docking increased his lead to 3 Up following back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th holes en route to his 3 & 2 victory.

Meanwhile, Vana was enjoying success against his young opponent, Andrew Medley from Athens, Alabama. The 22-year age difference between the competitors did not hinder Vana as he posted a 3 & 2 victory to advance to the Round of 32. Vana, who struggled on the front nine, found himself 1 Down heading into the 10th hole. A birdie on the 190-yard, par 3 10th hole by Vana, however, turned the tide as Vana cruised to victory. This year marks the second time in Vana's career that he has advanced to the second round of match play at the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Vana will next face Spencer Levin, who recently made himself a household name by capturing low amateur honors at the 2004 U.S. Open Championship. Levin defeated Mike Lane, 3 & 1, on Wednesday. Vana and Levin will tee off at 9:40 a.m. on Thursday. The winner of that match will continue on to the Round of 16, which will be held that afternoon.

U.S. Amateur Championship Results (for local competitors only):
Tim Acquaviva (Andover, MA) - 79-76--155 (+15)
- did not advance to Match Play

David Spitz (Norwell, MA) - 77-80--157 (+17)
- did not advance to Match Play

Michael Welch (Quincy, MA) - 80-77--157 (+17)
- did not advance to Match Play

Doug Clapp (Walpole, MA) - 77-73--150 (+10)
-defeated on second hole of playoff

Brendan Hester (Sutton, MA) - 75-74--149 (+9)
- defeated in Round of 32 by Tyler Docking

Frank Vana, Jr. (Worcester, MA) - 74-75--149 (+9)
- defeated Andrew Medley in Round of 32

About the U.S. Amateur Championship:
The U.S. Amateur Championship was born in 1895 and is the oldest golf championship in this country — one day older than the U.S. Open. Except for an eight-year period, from 1965-72, when it was stroke play, the Amateur has been a match-play championship. Throughout its history, the U.S. Amateur has been the most coveted of all amateur titles. Many of the great names of professional golf, such as Gene Littler, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lanny Wadkins, Craig Stadler, Jerry Pate, Mark O’Meara, Hal Sutton, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, grace the Havemeyer Cup.