News Release

Highlights: Event Preview Kernwood CC Feature Media Notes (PDF) Geoff Sisk Feature Starting Times: Round 1 Round 2 Qualifying Highlights: May 22 May 24 May 29 May 30 May 31 Qualifying Results: Maplegate CC Salem CC Wahconah CC Black Rock CC Foxborough CC Ballymeade CC Related Links: Open Home Page Exemption List Past Champions

For Immediate Release: June 11, 2007

Headline: Countdown to the 98th Massachusetts Open Championship Begins; Event Set for June 18-20

Norton, MA – With less than a week remaining before the start of the 98th Massachusetts Open Championship, the queston of who will take home this prestigious prize is posed. Will Geoff Sisk -- the five-time and defending champion and reigning money winner on the New England Pro Golf Tour -- be victorious or will a new champion be crowned at Kernwood Country Club?

Event Preview:
This year marks the 98th playing of the Massachusetts Open Championship. The event debuted in 1905 when Donald Ross captured the inaugural title at Vesper Country Club. Since that time, some of the greatest golfers in the history of the game have earned this prestigious Championship including Walter Hagen, Jesse Guilford, Francis Ouimet, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson and Paul Harney.

The State Open represents the only event on the MGA Championship schedule that is open to both amateur and professional golfers. Amateur competitors for this year’s event must have an up-to-date MGA/USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4. Championship Proper will consist of 54 holes of stroke play. A total of 150 competitors, including 38 exemptions, are scheduled to compete in this year’s event.

The Clarence G. Cochrane Memorial Trophy will be presented to the Champion. A professional purse of $75,000 will be distributed to the low forty (40) finishers and ties. The Commonwealth Cup will be presented to the low amateur. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will also be awarded.

Schedule of Events:
Championship Proper will consist of 54 holes of stroke play.

Monday, June 18
First Round, 18 Holes.

Tuesday, June 19
Second Round, 18 Holes.
The forty (40) lowest scorers and ties or anyone within 7 strokes of the leader for the first 36 holes will continue play on June 20.

Wednesday, June 20
Final Round, 18 Holes.
Any tie for first place (including tie for low amateur) will be decided immediately by a three-hole aggregate playoff. In the event there is still a tie after three holes, a hole-by-hole playoff will determine the champion.

A Look Back at 2006:
After capturing his fifth Massachusetts Open Championship title at Charles River Country Club last year, Geoff Sisk (Marshfield, MA) finds himself in impressive company. Sisk, who played exceptional golf en route to his three-stroke victory in Newton Centre, joins Alex Ross and Paul Harney as the only three players to win five Massachusetts Open titles since the event’s inception in 1905. Sisk has now won this event in 1995, 1997, 2002, 2004 and 2006. Sisk was the only player in the field to finish under par for the event.

 

©2004 Massachusetts Golf Association.