News Release

For Immediate Release: July 13, 2005

Headline: Quarterfinal Matches Set for the 2005 Massachusetts Amateur Championship

Manchester, MA – Experience seems to be the name of the game at the 97 th Massachusetts Amateur Championship as a host of seasoned amateur veterans lead the charge heading into Wednesday’s quarterfinal matches, which are scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. at Essex County Club in Manchester .

Former MGA Players of the Year Jack Kearney (Elmcrest CC) and Joe Keller (Hyannisport Club), who won that prestigious honor in 1992 and 1993 respectively, all advanced to the quarterfinals today following today’s matches. In addition, former State Amateur champion Flynt Lincoln (Longmeadow CC) advanced following two decisive victories today. Lincoln won the State Amateur title in 1993, the last year the event was held at Essex County Club.

Also earning a spot in the next round was six-time MGA Player of the Year and defending State Amateur champion Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC), who avenged a loss earlier this year to John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC) in a playoffat the 2005 Norfolk County Classic, by defeating Hadges in the Round of 16 by a score of 2 Up.

In the same bracket as Vana is 2004 Massachusetts Public Links Championship Bill Drohen (Bradford CC) , who prevailed against a tough opponent in Darren Bolton (Larry Gannon Municipal GC), 2 & 1. In that match, Drohen registered five birdies to Bolton ’s four birdies en route to victory.

Kearney , Keller, Lincoln, Drohen and Vana as well as the other three victors from today – Amos Nissenbaum (Scottish Meadows GC), Ben Spitz (Fairway Club) and Ray Richard(Thorny Lea GC) – will return to Manchester tomorrow morning to take part in the quarterfinals. The winners from the morning matches will then compete in the semifinals later in the afternoon. The final 36-hole match will be contested on Friday.

Highlights from the Round of 32:
- Jeffrey Stewart (Marshfield CC) may not have advanced past the Round of 32, but he sure put his stamp on the 2005 Massachusetts Amateur Championship by posting a hole in one on the 175-yard, par 3 11th hole. Stewart, who fell to Drohen, 2 & 1, used a 6 iron to register what was his fourth career hole in one. All four career holes in one have come in competition.
- Brendan Monahan (Winchester CC) posted his best finish at the State Amateur after defeating two-time George M. Cohen MGA Senior Player of the Year Jim Ruschioni (Oak Hill CC), 1 Up. Ruschioni, who never led in this match, narrowed the gap heading into the final few holes but eventually ran out of time as he was defeated on the 18 th hole.
- Hopes of a rematch between the 2004 finalists Mike Cole (Larry Gannon Municipal GC) and Vana came crashing down when Richard, 2 & 1. In addition to his gutsy victory against Cole, Richard earlier in the day knocked off 2002 New England Amateur Champion Kevin Quinn (Charles River CC) by a score of 3 & 2.
- In total four former champions advanced to Match Play this year. While Lincoln and Vana were victorious, David Brilliant (Belmont CC) and Steve Tasho (Thorny Lea GC) were unable to advance past the first round of matches. Brilliant was downed by a red hot Arthur Fitzgerald (Whitinsville GC), who at one point in the match held a 7 Up lead through nine holes. Tasho, meanwhile, could not overcome Vana and eventually fell by a score of 4 & 2.