News Release

For Immediate Release: August 2, 2005

Headline: Andy Drohen, Frank Vana, Jr. Among Qualifiers for U.S. Amateur Championship

Amherst, MA – Following 36 holes of local qualifying, three more golfers have earned a spot at next month’s U.S. Amateur Championship. Local qualifying for this USGA-sponsored event was held today at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Capturing medalist honors with a remarkable score of 9-under par 135 was Ron Harvey, Jr (Picadilly, NB), a talented recent graduate of BYU. Harvey distanced himself from the 86-player field by posting a 7-under par 65 during the morning round and then following that score up with a 2-under par 70 during the afternoon hours.

Following behind Harvey and claiming the final two qualifying spots were former Massachusetts Amateur Champions Frank Vana, Jr. (Shrewsbury, MA) and Andy Drohen (Granville, MA). Both players finished with scores of 6-under par 138.

Vana, a six-time Richard D. Haskell MGA Player of the Year and two-time State Amateur champion (2004-05), advanced to the second round of Match Play at last year’s U.S. Amateur Championship where he was narrowly defeated by current PGA Tour player Spencer Levin. Drohen, the 2003 Massachusetts Amateur Championship, will be making his first career appearance at the U.S. Amateur Championship this year.

These three individuals will now move on to the U.S. Amateur Championship, which scheduled to take place on August 22-28 at Merion Golf Clubin Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

The MGA annually conducts qualifying rounds for the major United States Golf Association (USGA) Championships, including the U.S. Open, Senior Open, Amateur, Junior Amateur, Senior Amateur, Mid-Amateur and the Amateur Public Links.

U.S. Amateur Qualifying
Tuesday, August 2, 2005
Hickory Ridge CC – Amherst, MA
36 Holes - Par 144 (72-72)

Qualifiers
1) Ron Harvey, Jr (Picadilly, NB) 65-70--135
T2) Frank Vana, Jr. (Shrewsbury, MA) 68-70--138
T2) Andy Drohen (Granville, MA) 67-71--138

Alternates
1st Bill Drohen (Haverhill, MA) 71-68--139
2nd Keith Orlen (South Hadley, MA) 69-70--139