News Release

For Immediate Release: May 8, 2008

Headline: Kirk Hanefeld, Steve Alminas Headline U.S. Open Local Qualifying in Longmeadow

Longmeadow, MA – Three local professionals represented their state well today as they posted impressive qualifying scores at Longmeadow Country Club during U.S. Open Local Qualifying. Today was the first of two days of local qualifying that is being held in Massachusetts.

Leading the charge was a mix of experience and youth as long-time member club professional turned Champions Tour competitor Kirk Hanefeld (Acton, MA) and newly-turned-professional Steve Alminas (East Longmeadow, MA) registered scores of 1-under par 69 to earn medalist honors.

Capturing the third and final qualifying spot was another Bay Stater – Rick Fleurry (West Springfield, MA) – who finished with a score of 1-over par 71.

By virtue of qualifying today, these three competitors have earned the right to advance to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying, which will be held the week of June 2 at sites across the nation. A second and final round of local qualifying will take place on May 12th at TPC of Boston in Norton. This year’s U.S. Open Championship is scheduled for June 12-15 at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, CA.

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.