News Release

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2006

Headline: Starting Times, Pairings Released for 77th New England Amateur Championship

Norton, MA – The 77th playing of the New England Amateur Championship will be contested at The Woodlands Club in Falmouth, Maine this week on July 18-20, 2006. This tournament, hosted annually by the New England Golf Association (NEGA), is unique in that it brings together competitors from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont.

This year marks the first time in the event's 77-year history that The Woodlands Club has hosted the New England Amateur Championship. The state of Maine last hosted this event in 2000 when Jim Salinetti captured the title at Waterville Country Club.

In preparation for this week's event, the NEGA today released starting times and pairings. This year’s field consists of 162 competitors. These players will compete in 18 holes of stroke play on Tuesday and Wednesday. Following Wednesday's round, the field will be reduced to the low 40 scorers and ties, and only those individuals will return to Valley Country Club on Thursday for a final day of 36 holes of stroke play.

Among this year's field is defending champion Jim Renner (Highland CC – MA), who will begin his defense of the title on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. off the 10 th tee.

About the New England Amateur Championship:
The New England Amateur Championship is open to golfers from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont who hold an established, up-to-date handicap index of 5.4 or less. There is no qualifying held for this event. Former champions include Fred Wright, Brad Faxon, Billy Andrade and James Driscoll.

About the New England Golf Association:
The New England Golf Association (NEGA) is comprised of officers and leaders from the six New England golf associations and conducts three major amateur championships each year: New England Amateur Championship, New England Junior Invitational and the New England Senior Championship.