Headline: U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifier Brings Together State Golf Associations Ahead of New England Amateur

For Immediate Release: July 12, 2016

Collaboration among state golf associations is key to running events - including today's U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifier at Crestwood CC - hosted by New England clubs.

Rehoboth, MA — Crestwood Country Club is one of a select few clubs that have membership with multiple state golf associations.

Due to its location in Rehoboth, a small town on the border of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Crestwood falls under the jurisdiction of both the MGA and the Rhode Island Golf Association (RIGA) - and its members of the 18-hole par 71-championship golf course are eligible for tournaments run by both organizations.

On Tuesday, the Geoffrey Cornish designed Crestwood Country Club served as the host of the 2016 U.S. Amateur sectional qualifier, where the 65 competitors fought for one of the two qualifying spots up for grabs to guarantee placement at the 116th playing of the U.S. Amateur Championship, held this year at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills Michigan.

With both the MGA and the RIGA sharing Crestwood as a member course, it would only make sense that the two organizations would collaborate to run this USGA sponsored event. And that is what they did on Tuesday.

The RIGA staff – under the direction of Executive Director Bob Ward – served as the primary host of the event – responsible for all phases of event management - while the MGA provided many of the rules officials – the individuals who oversee all the course play and serve as guides if any question arises throughout the 36-hole qualifier.

For Ward, the ability to be able to work together not only makes the event run smoothly, but it also allows for each association to see first hand the best practices of other associations when it comes to a tournament.

He said, “We get to share ideas and see how each state operates and it’s great camaraderie. That’s the beauty of the New England Golf Association.”

While both state organizations have always had a great working relationship with each other, the U.S. Amateur sectional qualifier at Crestwood Country Club won’t be the only place where the MGA and RIGA will be working together.

Next week, the two golf associations, along with those of Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, will be collaborating to run the 2016 New England Amateur Championship, being held at Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, Connecticut.

There, 156 golfers with membership in one of New England’s six state golf associations will battle for the title of New England Amateur Champion. And while the golfers themselves may be looking to out due golfers from rival states, it’s a whole different mindset for the men and women behind the scenes.

“It’s great to get people from the region together,” said Ward. “All of us work crazy hours in the business and its nice to get together with one another every once and a while to run a tournament.”

The six golf associations will collaborate to provide all aspects of the tournament, including course set up, officiating, and communications, among others.

The 87th New England Amateur Championship will take place from July 19-21 at Hartford Golf Club. In each of the first two days, those 156 golfers will compete in stroke play for a combined 36 holes (18 on Tuesday and 18 on Wednesday). Following the completion of play Wednesday, the low 40 scorers and ties after 36 holes will continue play on July 21st, where an additional 36 holes of play will ensue. The lowest scorer for 72 holes will be the champion.