News Release

For Immediate Release: August 24, 2004

Headline: John & Jim Renner Dominate Field to Win 2004 Massachusetts Father & Son Championship

Plymouth, MA –On a day when the course caused headaches for many a player, the team of John & Jim Renner (Foxborough CC) displayed perfect teamwork en route to capturing the 2004 Massachusetts Father & Son Championship, which was held at Plymouth Country Club. The duo from Foxborough Country Club fired a blistering 5-under par 64 which was four shots better than the second-place team.

This year marks the first time that the Renners have won this event. Jim, a junior at Johnson & Wales University, burst onto the local amateur golf scene in 2001 when he finished as runner-up at the Massachusetts Amateur Championship. Since that time, Jim has blossomed into one of the premier collegiate standouts in the Northeast region. This time around in Plymouth, Jim partnered with his father and the two proceeded to make a statement early by posting five birdies – three of them coming on the first three holes – and only one bogey on the front nine. The team did not relent down the stretch as they made three birdies and two bogeys on the back nine. John sank a lengthy birdie putt on the final hole to cap off the outstanding round.

Claiming sole possession of second place at 1-under par 68 were Tony & Frank Messina (Cohasset GC). The Messina team made the turn at 1-under par 33 and looked poised to challenge the eventual champions until they posted two straight bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes. In the end, the Messina team finished with four birdies and three bogeys on the day.

Laying claim to third place with a score of even par 69 was Dean & Frank Godek (Agawam Municipal Golf Course). The duo registered two bogies and two birdies on the day, but perhaps the most important shot came on the 210-yard, par 3 18th hole. After making bogey on the 17th hole, Dean drained a 20-foot downhill putt for par on the final hole to secure the team’s even par 69 score.

Championship Notes:
- Last year’s champions – Frank Vana, Sr, & Frank Vana, Jr. from Marlboro Country Club did not compete in this year’s tournament as they were defeated by the team of Carl & Chris Bates in the 2004 Marlboro CC Father & Son Championship held earlier this season. The Bates team finished today with a score of 14-over par 83.
- The Massachusetts Father & Son Championship is an annual event sponsored by the Massachusetts Golf Association. The format for this event, which includes a field of father & son champions from MGA member clubs, is selected drive, alternate shot.