News Release

For Immediate Release: October 12, 2006

Headline: Team Massachusetts Holds 4 ½ Point Lead Over Connecticut at 73rd Tri-State Matches

Bolton, MA – The 10-person team from Massachusetts jumped out to a lead following the first round of play at the 73rd Tri-State Matches, which is being held this week at The International in Bolton . Team Massachusetts scored a total of 19 points this afternoon following today's foursomes matches. The team from Connecticut stands in second place with 14 ½ points, while Rhode Island is in third place with 11 ½ points.

Leading the charge for Massachusetts was the duo of Andy Drohen (St. Anne CC) and Phil Miceli (Sagamore Springs GC), who notched 5.5 points in their matches. Also turning in a solid performance for the host team was the Thorny Lea Golf Club team of Steve Tasho (Thorny Lea GC) and John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC). They collected 4.5 points out of a maximum total of six points.

Leading the way for Team Connecticut was the top mid-amateur team of Bill Hermanson (Black Hall Club) and Dave Szewczul (Tunxis Plantation GC), who dominated their matches by finishing with 5.5 points. The team made birdie on five of their first 11 holes to propel themselves past the tough duos from Massachusetts – Frank Vana , Jr. (Marlborough CC) and Kevin Quinn (Charles River CC) – and Rhode Island – Charlie Blanchard (Wannamoisett CC) and Jim Colucci (Wannamoisett CC).

The bright spot for Rhode Island was the play of its seniors, George Pirie (Valley CC) and Tom Goryl (Wannamoisett CC), and from Tom McCormick (Kirkbrae CC) and E.J. Wholey (Triggs Memorial GC). Pirie and Goryl scored 3.5 points in their matches, while McCormick and Wholey posted a total of five points.

The players will return to The International on Friday to compete in a second round of singles play, scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m.

About the Tri-State Matches:
The history of the Tri-State Matches dates back to 1907 when the team from Massachusetts was victorious at the Agawam Hunt Club in Providence , Rhode Island . Since that time, teams from Massachusetts , Rhode Island and Connecticut have come together each fall to compete for the regional title. Individual amateur golfers are selected each year by the respective state golf associations.