News Release

For Immediate Release: October 15, 2004

Headline: Team Massachusetts Ends Six-Year Drought; Captures Tri-State Matches with 53 ½ Points

Portsmouth, RI – Ending a six-year drought, the 10-person team from Massachusetts maintained its lead following the first round of play and captured the 71st Tri-State Matches, which were held this week at Carnegie Abbey in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Heading into this week’s contest, the last time Massachusetts was victorious in this event was 1997.

Following Thursday’s foursomes matches, Team Massachusetts held a 9 ½ point lead over defending champion Connecticut. On the final day, the Bay State team maintained its composure and displayed team depth by finishing with 53 ½ points. Rhode Island, fueled by strong singles play, leaped into second place with a final score of 42 points, while Connecticut struggled on day two to finish third with 39 ½ points.

Leading the way for Team Massachusetts this morning was Brendan Hester (Pleasant Valley CC), who posted 5 ½ of a possible six points in his single match. Hester, who yesterday paired with John Gilmartin (Renaissance GC) in the foursomes matches to earn 4 ½ points for the team, dominated his two singles opponents, George Donnell (Triggs Memorial GC –RI) and Steven Bugg (Clinton CC – CT). Also turning in strong singles performances were Doug Clapp (Walpole CC) with 5 points and Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC) with 4 ½ points.

Another key for Massachusetts was the strong play of its two senior members, Ed Fletcher (Quashnet Valley CC) and Tom Martin (TPC of Boston). The duo collected 4 points during the foursomes matches and then combined for 6 singles points today.

About the Tri-State Matches:
The history of the Tri-State Matches dates back to 1907 when the team from Massachusetts was victorious at the Agawam Hunt Club in Providence, Rhode Island. Since that time, teams from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut have come together each fall to compete for the regional title. Individual amateur golfers are selected each year by the respective state golf associations. The team from Massachusetts captured the event's first 21 Tri-State titles and still leads the way with 51 overall titles. Connecticut has been dominant in recent years with victories in three of the last five years.