News Release

For Immediate Release: May 14, 2007

Headline: Former Massachusetts Open Champion Parker, Hillman Shine at U.S. Open Qualifying

Bernardston, MA – The 2001 Massachusetts Open Champion Richard Parker (Lebanon, NH) and former University of Rhode Island standout Josh Hillman (Williamstown, MA) fired identical scores of 2-over par 74 to capture medalist honors at U.S. Open Local Qualifying, which was held today at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston.

Parker, who added his name to the MGA championship annals when he scored a come-from-behind victory at the 2001 Massachusetts Open Championship, was on fire during the early part of his round as he made the turn at 1-under par 35. The back nine proved to be more challenging, but his score of 3-over par 39 was good enough for a share of first place.

Equaling Parker's score today was Hillman, who has been a competitive golf mainstay in the western part of the state since his days at Greenfield High School. Hillman found himself 3-over par at the turn but quickly found his rhythm to register a 1-under par 35 on the back nine.

Claiming the third and final qualifying spot with a score of 3-over par 75 was local amateur Ronald Laverdiere (Amherst, MA). Laverdiere beat out Travis Russell (Essex Junction, VT) in a two-for-one playoff to earn a spot at next month's U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying. To date, Laverdiere is the only Massachusetts amateur to advance to the next stage of qualifying.

By virtue of qualifying today, these three competitors have earned the right to advance to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying, which will be held on June 4-5. This year's U.S. Open Championship is scheduled for June 14-17 at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, PA.

The MGA annually conducts qualifying rounds for the major United States Golf Association (USGA) Championships, including the U.S. Open, Senior Open, Amateur, Junior Amateur, Senior Amateur, Mid-Amateur and the Amateur Public Links. For more information about the U.S. Open Championship, please visit the USGA’s web site at www.usga.org.