News Release

For Immediate Release: July 25, 2007

Headline: Qualifying for 2007 Massachusetts Public Links Championship Comes to an End

Norton, MA – Qualifying for the 2007 Massachusetts Public Links Championship has come to a close as 85 golfers have earned the right to compete at next month's Championship Proper. That 36-hole competition, which brings together the state's best daily-fee players, will be held on August 14-15 at New England Country Club in Bellingham.

Qualifying rounds were held at six sites across the state this week in preparation for the Championship event. Today marked the third and final day of qualifying as more than 120 golfers attempted to qualify at two sites – George Wright Golf Course in Hyde Park and South Shore Country Club in Hingham.

Shooting 1-over par 73 to lead the field in Hingham were Gerry Squires (Presidents GC) and JimForsgard (South Shore CC). Squires was on his way to a low round as he made the turn at 2-under par 34. Although the back nine was a bit more challenging for the Quincy resident – he shot 3-over par through his final nine holes – it did not matter as he captured a share of medalist honors. Also posting that score was Forsgard, who calls South Shore Country Club his home base. He was 1-under par at the turn and held on for a 2-over par 38 on the back nine. The host site contingent represented well as three players from South Shore Country Club qualified today. Forsgard was joined by Robert Mattson (South Shore CC) and Dennis Clinton (South Shore CC). A total of 12 competitors advanced from that site.

Brian O’Leary (Ponkapoag GC) led the way in Hyde Park as he fired an even par 70. His round was highlighted by a 2-under par 33 front nine. Andrew Loconto (Heritage CC) finished in second place with a score of 3-over par 73. One remarkable round was turned in by Sean Fitzpatrick (George Wright GC), who despite making a 10 on the 9th hole, qualified with a score of 7-over par 77.