Headline: 108th Massachusetts Amateur Championship Qualifying Kicks Off on June 1; 29 Competitors Advance at Blackstone National GC and Wollaston GC

For Immediate Release: June 1, 2016

Blackstone National GC and Wollaston GC served as hosts of 2016 MGA Amateur Championship on June 2.

Norton, MA — The first two of 10 qualifying rounds for the 108th Massachusetts Amateur Championship were completed Wednesday at Blackstone National Golf Club and Wollaston Golf Club. The qualifiers from each site will help comprise the final Championship Proper field of 144 competitors who will compete on July 11-15 Taconic Golf Club.

MGA Amateur Day 1 Quick Links:

In Sutton, Jeff Bastien (Blackstone National GC) shot a 3-under par 69 on his home course to lead the field and earn medalist honors by a four-stroke margin. Bastien led a field of 12 competitors from Blackstone’s qualifying round to advance. He finished with four birdies, including two on the opening two holes and another on the 18th, to earn that top medalist spot.

A trio of golfers - Owen Elliott (Sandy Burr CC), Marty McDonald (Worcester CC) and Kolby Simmons (Crestwood CC) - finished T2 with scores of 1-over par 73. Brian Fitzgerald (Longmeadow CC) was fifth after firing a score of 2-over par 74, and seven others posted a 3-over par 75 on the par-72 layout to complete Wednesday’s first qualifier.

At Wollaston GC, Brendan Ridge (Harmon GC) finished the day with a score of 1-over par 73 to lead the group of 17 qualifiers. Ridge opened his round with back-to-back birdies and closed out his afternoon with his fourth birdie on the 18th hole. Benedict Hoeller (Brookline GC), David Rogers (Needham GC) and Samuel Procter (Dedham C & PC) tied for second place, each recording scores of 5-over par 77. Fellow Harmon GC golfer Kevin Gately secured a fifth place finish, completing the afternoon with a score of 6-over par 78.

Two pairs of competitors registered scores of 79 and 80, respectively, while eight others tied for 10th place with scores of 81 to cap off qualifying at Wollaston GC.

Qualifying Facts & Figures:

  • Bastien resides in Sutton and was a 2006 graduate of Bryant University and attended Marion High School.
  • Ridge just completed his senior season at Boston College High School. He was part of Team Massachusetts which competed at the 2015 New England Junior Amateur Invitational.
  • A total of 29 golfers secured spots in Championship Proper at Blackstone National GC & Wollaston GC.
  • Five competitors from Wednesday’s qualifying rounds secured alternate spots in accordance with the MGA's Alternate Policy.
  • Eight additional qualifying events are scheduled throughout the month of June to finalize the Championship Proper field. The schedule is as follows: Norton CC - June 2; CC of Pittsfield - June 6; Wianno Club - June 6; Bay Club at Mattapoisett - June 7; Glen Ellen CC - June 7; Haverhill CC - June 9; Ipswich CC - June 16; and CC of Wilbraham - June 21.
  • Jake Ratti (Harmon GC) is off to a hot start this season. Last month, the rising sophomore from Bryant University captured the Norfolk County Classic title. He was one of eight competitors who posted a score of 9-over par 81 to secure the final qualifying spots in Milton.
  • Paul Mitchell (George Wright GC) - a qualifier at Wollaston GC - partnered with Sean Fitzpatrick to finish as co-winners of the 2009 Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship.

Qualifiers & Alternates:

2016 Massachusetts Amateur Qualifying
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Wollaston GC (Milton, MA)
Par 72 (36-36)

Qualifiers:
1) Brendan Ridge (Harmon GC) 37-36--73
T2) Benedict Hoeller (Brookline GC) 38-39--77
T2) Samuel Procter (Dedham C & PC) 35-42--77
T2) David Rogers (Needham GC) 37-40--77
5) Kevin Gately (Harmon GC) 37-41--78
T6) Nathan Ingram (Pembroke CC) 39-40--79
T6) Shuvam Bhaumik (Thorny Lea GC) 41-38--79
T8) Kyle Kelly (Franklin CC) 41-39--80
T8) Mike Michel (TPC Boston) 38-42--80
T10) Glendon Sutton (Belmont CC) 38-43--81
T10) Andrew Boyle (Black Rock CC) 39-42--81
T10) Charlie May (Ferncroft CC) 41-40--81
T10) Paul Mitchell (George Wright GC) 39-42--81
T10) Jake Ratti (Harmon GC) 40-41--81
T10) Eric Daniel (Presidents GC) 43-38--81
T10) Ross Negele vSpring Valley CC) 42-39--81
T10) Christopher Tarallo (Thorny Lea GC) 41-40--81

Alternate:
Alt) John Wajda, Jr. (Blue Hill CC) 42-40--82

2016 Massachusetts Amateur Qualifying
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Blackstone National GC (Sutton, MA)
Par 72 (36-36)

Qualifiers:
1) Jeff Bastien (Blackstone GC) 35-34--69
T2) Kolby Simmons (Crestwood CC) 40-33--73
T2) Owen Elliott (Sandy Burr CC) 39 34--73
T2) Marty McDonald (Worcester CC) 35-38--73
5) Brian Fitzgerald (Longmeadow CC) 38-36--74
T6) Marc Francis (Allendale CC) 36-39--75
T6) Chris Healy (Dudley Hill GC) 35-40--75
T6) David Fontaine, Jr. (Longmeadow CC) 37-38--75
T6) Andrew Warfield (Marlborough CC) 36-39--75
T6) Jackson Lang (Nashawtuc CC) 39-36--75
T6) Jeff Johnson (Pleasant Valley CC) 38-37--75
T6) Zach Camarra (Worcester CC) 37-38--75

Alternates:
Alt) David Holmes (Blackstone GC) 38-38 76
Alt) Daniel Choquette (Boston GC) 36-40 76
Alt) Kevin Bilo (Cape Ann GC) 37-39--76
Alt) Jack Boulger (Walpole CC) 38-38--76
Alt) Brandon Parker (Worcester CC) 39-37--76