MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association IllustrationIllustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: September 7, 2005

Headline: 2005 Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship Field Set Following Day 4 of Qualifying

Norton, MA – The 120-player field is now set for the 2005 Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship following a fourth and final day of qualifying which was held today at two sites: Duxbury Yacht Club and Larry Gannon Municipal Golf Course.

A total of 33 competitors advanced at those two sites and have now earned the right to compete at the Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship, which will take place on September 20-22 at Oak Hill Country Club in Fitchburg. The field for this year’s Championship will be 120 golfers, which includes 99 qualifiers and 21 exempt players.

Topping the field in Duxbury with a score of even par 72 was Arthur Fitzgerald (Whitinsville GC). Fitzgerald, who bested second-place finishers Andrew Boggini (Framingham CC) and Dave Tasho (Thorny Lea GC) by one stroke, made the turn at 2-under par 34 before finishing off his round with a 2-over par 38 on the back nine. Fitzgerald was one of 22 qualifiers from that site. Also qualifying in Duxbury were former Massachusetts Mid-Amateur champions Paul Murphy (Charles River CC), Jon Fasick (New England CC) and Robert Bradley (Ponkapoag GC).

In Lynn, the first and last qualifier were separated by only three strokes as 11 players advanced at that site. Five competitors -- Tony Blood (Olde Salem Greens GC), Randy Granara (Sagamore Spring GC), Steven Swedberg (Beverly G&TC), Kevin Murphy (Bradford CC) and Craig Stevens (Worcester CC) – posted medalist scores of 2-over par 72. North Shore products Charlie Johnson (Ferncroft CC) and Jay Fiste (Larry Gannon Municipal GC) prevailed in a five-for-two playoff to capture the final two qualifying spots.

Qualifying Notes & Highlights:
-- More than 450 applications were received for this year’s Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship. A total of 99 qualifiers will join the 21 exempt players, which includes defending champion Andy Drohen (St. AnneCountry Club), at Championship Proper beginning on September 20 th at Oak Hill Country Club.
-- Qualifying for this event has been held at various sites over the past week. Qualifying sites for the 2005 season included: The Captains Golf Course, Oak Ridge Country Club, Fresh Pond Golf Course, Wedgewood Pines Country Club, Duxbury Yacht Club and Larry Gannon Municipal Golf Course.