News Release

For Immediate Release: April 29, 2007

Headline: Newest MassGolfer Magazine Now Available for All USGA/GHIN Handicap Holders

Norton, MA – The Spring issue of the award-winning MassGolfer magazine has been printed and mailed out to all golfers who hold an up-to-date USGA/GHIN handicap at one of the 400 MGA Member Clubs in Massachusetts.

If you have an up-to-date MGA/USGA Handicap and are not receiving your complimentary subscription to this magazine, please contact the MGA at info@mgalinks.org. Please include the your name, address and the club where you hold your MGA/GHIN Handicap.

With help from WCVB-TV5 Sportscaster Mike Dowling, the Spring issue - the first of the 2007 golf season - addresses everything you always wanted to know about your MGA Handicap... but were afraid to ask. It also takes a personal look Joe Sprague, the MGA's new executive director.

Feature Story: Everything You Wanted to Know About Your MGA Handicap ... but were afraid to ask.
Mike Dowling has been one of the most well-respected voices on the Massachusetts sports scene since joining WCVB-TV5 in Boston more than 20 years ago. Like many golfers who don't get the chance to play as much as they’'d like, Dowling knows he could use a refresher course on the MGA/GHIN Handicap System. Can you explain Automatic Reduction or Equitable Stroke Control without a cheat sheet? Or did you know you might be able to post scores online? Read on to get up to speed on your MGA Handicap.

Feature Story: Not Your Average Joe
Joe Sprague, Jr. takes over the position of executive director of the MGA this May, bringing to the post a wide array of golf experience — as a competitive player, Tour caddie, golf administrator and junior golf advocate. In short, the right person for the job.

If it is true that you can tell a lot about a person by taking a peek at his office, then it is certainly easy to learn a lot about Joe Sprague, Jr. by looking at his. Six years ago, as executive director of the Rhode Island Golf Association (RIGA), Sprague moved the organization’s headquarters from the downtown Providence location that had been its home for two decades to a new children’s golf facility located a few miles away from the usual creature comforts — the Button Hole Short Course and Teaching Center, a product of the USGA’s For the Good of the Game initiative.

State of the Game: Cape Cod Satellite
The third satellite facility of The First Tee of Massachusetts will open this summer at Hyannis Golf Club on Cape Cod. The First Tee of Massachusetts introduces children to the game of golf and its inherent values in an affordable and accessible manner. At the Cape Cod site, more than 400 children from area Boys & Girls Clubs and park & recreation departments will participate in a summer-long program.

"The Town of Barnstable is very excited about the arrival of The First Tee of Massachusetts," said David Curley, director of recreation for the Town of Barnstable. "While most programming will take place at Hyannis Golf Club, which the town just took over, we will also be able to utilize Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course for any additional programs."

Scoreboard: Make Way For a New Pace of Play
After months of research , debate, and many testimonials from golf associations around the country, the MGA has implemented a new Pace of Play Policy for our entire 2007 schedule of qualifiers and championships. Originally designed by the British Columbia Golf Association, the "Group-Based Checkpoint" policy will bring changes to the MGA Links this season and will encourage all competitors to place more emphasis on execution. All competitors a r e encouraged to familiarize themselves with the policy before the start of the MGA championship season by going to the Championship Section of the MGA web site.