News Release

For Immediate Release: October 12, 2004

Headline: Locals Compete Well on National Stage at U.S. Senior Championship

Los Angeles, CA– A host of local seniors proved that Massachusetts golfers can compete on the national stage. This past week at the U.S. Senior Championship, which was held at Bel-Air Country Club, Ed Fletcher (Mashpee, MA), Jim Ruschioni (Leominster, MA) and Joe Keller (Osterville, MA) all advanced to the Match Play portion of the event.

Fletcher, the five-time MGA Senior Player of the Year, finished tied for 14th following the first two rounds of stroke play and continued on until he was defeated in the Round of 16.

After a challenging 19 Holes first-round victory against Bob Heaton (Oakley, CA), Fletcher cruised past Roger Gunderson (Aurora, CO), 3 & 2, in the Round of 32. In his Round of 16 match, Fletcher found himself matched up against two-time USA Walker Cup member Marty West of Rockville, Maryland. Fletcher held the lead through 8 holes, but a bogey on the 338-yard, par 4 9th hole squared the match and gave new life to West. While Fletcher battled to the end, West made key birdies down the stretch to close out the match on the 17th hole with a 2 & 1 victory.

Meanwhile, Keller and Ruschioni advanced to the Round of 32 where they were defeated in close matches. The championship continues with the quarterfinal and semifinal matches Wednesday. The 18-hole championship final will be held Thursday.

The USGA Senior Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.