News Release

For Immediate Release: August 1, 2007

Headline: Antonio Grillo Wins Second Straight Massachusetts Junior Championship Title

Bernardston, MA – Although the path to the end was different, the result was the same. For the second straight year, Antonio Grillo (Farm Neck GC) displayed experience and poise beyond his years as the 17-year-old captured the 2007 Massachusetts Junior Championship today at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston.

Grillo, who won this event last year by a 10-stroke margin, fired an even par 72 to edge Josh Salah (Bass Rocks GC) by one shot. He finished with a score of even par 216.

With the victory, Grillo becomes the first golfer to capture two straight Massachusetts Junior Championship titles since Rick Karbowski posted back-top-back victories in 1971 and 1972. In the event’s 89-year history, only six golfers – Grillo (2006-07), Karbowski (1971-72), Arthur Burke, III (1968-69), Robert Barclay (1961-62), Ed Lowery (1919-20) and Frederick Wright (1914-15) – have equaled that impressive feat.

On this day, Grillo followed up his Round 2 score of 4-under par 68 with a solid even par round that featured four birdies, on the 9th, 12th, 13th and 18th holes. Today's victory was no surprise as Grillo has been taking his game to new levels this summer. He advanced to Match Play at last month's Massachusetts Amateur Championship and competed in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

The path to Massachusetts Junior Championship victory was certainly more challenging this time around as Grillo faced fierce competition in Salah, the Gloucester High School junior who has been playing some of the best golf of his young career. Just last week he made Bass Rock Golf Club history by becoming the youngest golfer to win the club championship. Salah entered today's final round in a dead heat with Grillo after firing scores of 1-under par 71 and 1-over par 73 on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. On the final day, Salah nipped at Grillo's heels throughout the day and managed to pull even with him with a par on the 17th hole. Unfortunately for Salah, he could not match Grillo’s triumphant birdie on the final hole and fell to second place overall.

Finishing in third place following a day-low score of 3-under par 69 was Taylor Fontaine (Pleasant Valley CC), who – like Grillo – advanced to this year's U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. Fontaine's round featured three birdies and two eagles – on the 501-yard, par 5 5th and 506-yard, par 5 14th holes.

Pre-Junior Division:
Entering the final round with a comfortable eight-shot lead, Richard Werenski (The Orchards GC) did not let up as he posted a 4-over par 76 to capture the title by an impressive 13 strokes. Finishing in second place following a final round score of 9-over par 81 was Sean Gaudette (Hickory Ridge CC). Moving up the leaderboard courtesy of a division-low score of 3-over par 75 was Noah Walker (The Harmon Club), who finished in fourth place overall.

Boys Division:
Peter French (Maplegate CC) successfully preserved his six-shot lead by posting a 2-under par 70 on the final day to capture the 2007 Boys Division title. French’s performance was matched only by second-place finisher, Nick McLaughlin (Far Corner GC), who capped off his championship with a 2-under par 70 third round performance.