News Release

For Immediate Release: August 11, 2008

Headline: Daniel Falcucci Holds 3-Stroke Lead at Massachusetts Public Links Championship

Uxbridge, MA – One month after advancing to the semifinals of the state’s biggest amateur competition, Daniel Falcucci (Cyprian Keyes GC) jumped out to a commanding lead at the 2008 Massachusetts Public Links Championship. Falcucci posted a 5-under par 67 to take a three-stroke lead at the annual MGA Championship, which being held this week at Blissful Meadows Golf Course in Uxbridge.

Falcucci, the 25-year-old from Northborough, was on fire from the start as he made a spectacular eagle on the 540-yard, par 5 3rd hole and a birdie on the 363-yard, par 4 4th hole to find himself 3-under par through his first four holes. He went on to make two birdies and one bogey to make the turn at 4-under par 32. He kept his poise on the back nine by making two birdies – on the 13th and 16th holes – and one bogey to cap off his 5-under par 67.

Falcucci's round typifies what has been a strong summer of golf for the Cyprian Keyes Golf Club employee (he manages the newly-opened Callaway Performance Center). Earlier this summer, Falcucci made a huge splash in his Massachusetts Amateur Championship Match Play debut as he made it all the way to the semifinals where he was defeated by runner-up Matt Parziale.

Three strokes back of Falcucci with a score of 2-under par 70 is Jim Whitney (Sagamore Spring GC). Whitney, who was one of the first off the tee this morning, did not take long to find his rhythm as he made two birdies and seven pars on the front nine to make the turn at 2-under par 34. Whitney dropped to 3-under par on the day following a birdie on the 186-yard, par 3 15th hole but a bogey on the 18th hole pushed him to 2-under par for the day.

Phil Miceli (Sagamore Spring GC), the 2005 champion of this event, and Todd Ezold (Westover GC) find themselves tied for third place after firing identical scores of 1-under par 71. One year ago, Miceli finished tied for eighth and Ezold in 15 th place at this event. Falcucci, Miceli and Ezold were the only players in the field to break par on the day.

Two-time and defending champion Bill Drohen (Bradford CC) will have to score a come-from-behind victory in order to capture his third title as he finished the day with a 1-over par 73. Drohen, who won this event in 2004, 2006 and 2007, has been battling a shoulder injury this season but posted two birides, one bogey and one double bogey on this day.

The entire 99-player field will return to Blissful Meadows Golf Course on Tuesday to take part in a second and final round of play.