News Release

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2006

Headline: Geoff Sisk Leads Way Heading Into Final Round of Massachusetts Open Championship

Newton Centre, MA – Inclement weather tried to play a role in this year's 2006 Massachusetts Open Championship, but in the end the players won out. With darkness falling over Charles River Country Club, the last of the afternoon groups tapped in their final putts to put an end to the second round of play… a round that was delayed for 95 minutes earlier in the day due to thunder and lightening in the Newton area.

Following that second round, the 150-player field was reduced to the low 45 scorers.

Leading the way following a second-round score of 3-under par 67 is four-time champion of this event, Geoff Sisk (Marshfield, MA). Sisk, who captured this title in 1995,1997, 2002 and 2004, currently sits atop the leaderboard with a two-day tournament score of 2-under par 138. Sisk did most of his damage on the front nine as he posted a day-low front nine score of 3-under par 32.

Sitting just one stroke back of Sisk are amateur Doug Clapp (Walpole CC) and out-of-state professional Michael Harris (Shorewood, WI), who posted two-round scores of 1-under par 139. Clapp followed up his 2-under par 68 with a 1-over par 71, while Harris played even par golf this afternoon. Sitting in fourth place overall after posting two rounds of even par 70 is the 1998 champion of this event, Rodney Butcher (NewPortRichey, FL).

Finishing in a tie for fifth place with scores of 1-over par 141 are two amateurs – Jason Parajeckas (Woburn CC) and Frank Vana Jr. (Marlborough CC) – and two-time New England Amateur champion Michael Welch (Quincy, MA). Welch was the leader after the first round, but was unable to match his fantastic 3-under par 67 Monday score as he posted a 4-over par 74 on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Vana, the seven-time MGA Player of the Year and two-time, defending Massachusetts Amateur champion, was the biggest shaker and mover up the leaderboard as he followed up a Day 1 score of 3-over par 73 with a 2-under par 68 performance on Tuesday.

A total of 11 amateur players advanced to the final round. One notable amateur qualifier is Kevin Quinn (CharlesRiver CC), who with his 1999 Massachusetts Open victory stands as the last amateur to capture this title.

Massachusetts Open Championship – Round 2 Notes:
• Play was suspended at 2:55 p.m. due to lightening in the Newton Centre area. The players were immediately taken off the course. Play resumed approximately 95 minutes at 4:30 p.m.
• An interesting note from the day came courtesy of Mike Dunham (Nashawtuc CC), Jim Burke (Leo J. Martin GC) and Gary Young (Pleasant Valley CC). Although only Burke only made the cut out of the threesome, they made sure today’s round was memorable. On the 17 th hole, Dunham sunk a 100-foot birdie putt, which was quickly followed by a 90-foot Burke birdie putt. Young, the longtime head golf professional at Pleasant Valley Country Club, was not to outdone as he proceeded to sink an 80-foot birdie putt of his own!