News Release

For Immediate Release: May 24, 2007

Headline: Marc Spencer Shoots Even Par; Leads All at State Open Qualifying at Salem CC

Salem, MA – Local golf professional Marc Spencer (Groveland, MA) fired an even par 72 this afternoon at Salem Country Club to capture medalist honors at Massachusetts Open Qualifying. Today marked the second of five days of qualifying that will be held as a prelude to Championship Proper, which will be held on June 18-20 at Kernwood Country Club.

Spencer, who has served as assistant golf professional at Atkinson Resort & Country Club (NH) for the past year, is no stranger to this event as he finished tied for 23rd one year ago at the Massachusetts Open Championship. On this day, Spencer made sure that he would be competing at next month’s event as he was the only golfer in the 90-player field to shoot even par on the day. He fired identical even par 36s on the front and back nines.

One back of Spencer with a score of 1-over par 73 was amateur Michael Miele (Oakley CC). Miele was one of 13 amateurs to advance this afternoon.

Other notable qualifiers from today’s round were Tim Acquaviva (Andover, MA) and Glendon Sutton (MGA Links at Mamantapett), who posted scores of 3-over par 75 and 5-over par 77 respectively. Just two years ago, Acquaviva, a former local amateur who turned professional last season, earned the Commonwealth Cup, which is an award given to the low amateur at the Massachusetts Open Championship.

Sutton, who serves as the MGA's director of handicapping and GHIN, made history as he became the first member of MGA Links at Mamantapett to advance to Championship Proper. MGA Links at Mamantapett is the 18-hole, par 3 course that serves as the home of The First Tee of Massachusetts, the MGA’s junior development program.

The Massachusetts Open represents the only event on the MGA Championship schedule that is open to both amateur and professional golfers. Competitors for this year’s event must have an up-to-date MGA/USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4.