MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association IllustrationIllustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: August 14, 2006

Headline: Bill Drohen Holds 1-Shot Lead Following Day 1 of Massachusetts Public Links Championship

Southwick, MA – Former champion Bill Drohen (Bradford CC) is making his presence felt as he jumped out to a one-stroke stroke lead over the field following the first round of play at the 2006 Massachusetts Public Links Championship, which is being held this week at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick.

Drohen, who finished the day with a score of 3-under par 69, was one shot better than Daniel Falcucci (Cyprian Keyes GC). Paired together in the final group will be Drohen and Falcucci as well as Bill's older brother Andy Drohen (St. Anne CC), who fired an even par 72 this afternoon.

The entire 99-player field will return to The Ranch Golf Club on Tuesday for a second and final round of play. That lead group of Drohen, Falcucci and Drohen is scheduled to tee off at 12:09 p.m.

Drohen, the 2004 champion of this event who when not playing amateur golf serves as a mathematics teacher in the Lawrence school system, finished his day with five birdies and one eagle. In addition to his spectacular eagle on the 540-yard, par 5 9th hole, Drohen chipped in for birdie on the 422-yard, par 4 3rd hole. On the back nine, he posted birdies on the 11th, 13th and 17th holes.

Falcucci, who was paired with Drohen this afternoon, battled with his counterpart all day long as he registered birdies on the 6th, 9th, 11th and 13th holes. He finished with a solid score of 2-under par 70 today.

Standing just two strokes off the lead with scores of even par 72 are Andy Drohen and 2003 Massachusetts Junior Champion Aaron Siekierski (Webster-Dudley GC). Drohen, the 2003 Massachusetts Amateur Champion, made the turn at 1-over par 37 before shooting 1-under par 35 on the back nine. His birdies came on the 1st, 9th, 15th and 17th holes. Siekierski, meanwhile, made birdie on the 1st, 4th and 8th holes to make up for the five bogeys he made on that side. He played flawless golf on the back nine with two birdies – on the 11th and 18th holes – and zero bogeys.

Standing alone in fifth place is Brian Jasset (Brookmeadow CC) with a score of 1-over par 73. Jasset, this year's club champion at Brookmeadow Country Club, made a strong comeback towards the latter part of his round as he finished eagle-par-birdie to save his round and finish just four strokes back of the leader.

An interesting local note came courtesy of Greg Strattner (The Ranch GC), who fired a 6-over par 78 today. The 17-year-old from Westfield is coming off a spectacular summer season of golf at his home club as he captured both the Junior and Club Championship titles at The Ranch Golf Club.