News Release

For Immediate Release: August 11, 2005

Headline: Starting Times, Pairings Released for 2005 Massachusetts Public Links Championship

Norton, MA – The 2005 Massachusetts Public Links Championship will be contested next week, August 15-16, at Cranberry Valley Golf Course in Harwich. In preparation for the two-day event, the MGA released starting times and pairings for Championship Proper.

The Massachusetts Public Links Championship will consist of 18 holes at stroke play on Monday and Tuesday. The field will be repaired according to score following Monday’s first round. This event is open to amateur golfers who maintain a USGA Handicap Index at an MGA member club and are public course players. Amateur golfers holding a membership in a private club are not eligible.

One year ago, Bill Drohen (Bradford CC) of Haverhill fired a sizzling 3-under par 69 on the final day for a two-day total of 8-under par 136 to capture the 2004 Massachusetts Public Links Championship by a five-stroke margin. Last year’s event was held at Maplegate Country Club.

Drohen, who earlier this year advanced to the semifinals of the Massachusetts Amateur Championship, will be on hand next week to defend his title against the likes of other dominating players such as his older brother Andy Drohen (St. Anne CC), the 2003 Massachusetts Amateur champion and defending Massachusetts Mid-Amateur champion, and former Massachusetts Public Links champions Eric McPhail (New Sandy Burr CC), Steve St. Amand (The Meadow at Peabody GC) and Jon Fasick (New England CC).

This year’s field will consist of 13 exempt players and 86 qualifiers. Those 86 qualifiers advanced to Championship Proper following qualifying rounds which were held on July 25-26 and July 28 at six sites located across the state.