Headline: Haverhill Country Club and Renaissance Prepared to Host 37th Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship on May 9-10
For Immediate Release: May 8, 2017
 |
Matt Parziale (left) and Herbie Aikens will look to make it three in a row at the MGA Four-Ball Championship this week at Haverhill CC & Renaissance. |
|
 |
Haverhill, MA — The 2017 MGA Championship season kicks off on Tuesday as the first of its 12 Championships Proper take place in Haverhill, the site of the 37th playing of the Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship. The two-day tournament, which will feature 171 pairs competing over 36 holes, will take place at both Haverhill Country Club and Renaissance Golf Club with each group playing 18-holes at each venue.
As in past years, entries are open to two-person teams of amateur golfers who have an active MGA/GHIN Handicap Index at any public, private, semi-private, municipal or non-real estate MGA member course/club with a combined Handicap Index not exceeding 6.0 (as determined by the April 1, 2017 Handicap Revision) or have completed their handicap certification.
Looking to defend their title will be the duo of Matt Parziale (Thorny Lea GC) and Herbie Aikens (Pinehills GC), who carded a two-day score of 9-under par 134 at Framingham Country Club and Hopkinton Country Club at the 2016 Championship Proper.
The pair, who have garnered many accolades on the MGA circuit in year’s past, will look to become only the fifth team to repeat in back-to-back years as Four-Ball Champions since the Championship’s inauguration in 1981.
Aikens previously won three straight MGA Four Ball Championships from 2009-2011 with teammate Ryan Riley, while the teams of Frank Vana, Jr. & Michael McCarthy (2002-03), Jon & Carter Fasisk (1997-98) and James Hallet & Rick Edwards (1982-83) also had MGA Four-Ball victories in consecutive years.
A victory for Aikens next week would also be the 35-year old’s fifth MGA Four-Ball Championship, which would break a current tie with both Jon and Carter Fasick for most victories all-time in the MGA Four-Ball. Most recently, Aikens won the Seagulls Memorial Four-Ball Championship with Brian Secia (Miacomet GC) on Sunday, April 30.
Amongst the challengers to Parziale and Aikens will be collegiate golfers and Connecticut teammates Jimmy Hervol & Timothy Umphrey, who recently helped their Huskies place sixth at the AAC Conference Championships last week, and a pair of up and coming golfers in Jack Boulger and Andrew McInerney.
Hervol is a former MGA Junior Amateur Champion who qualified for the 2017 U.S. Four-Ball at the end of May while Boulger and McInerney both competed for Team Massachusetts at the 2016 New England Junior Invitational Tournament.
J.C. Guthrie and Matthew Leger - 2015 winners of this event - will look to bring back the hardware to their home course, Oak Hill Country Club, while Billy Van Stratum, another 2017 U.S. Four-Ball qualifier, will team up with reigning MGA Senior Player of the Year Kevin Carey as the pair seek what would be the first MGA Four Ball Championship for either player.
Other team notables include former MGA Champions Andy Drohen and Doug Clapp, 9-time MGA Player of the Year Frank Vana, Jr. and Doug Huber and the pair of John Kelly and Ryan Riley.
All competitors will play both clubs over the two days, with each group either switching playing the opposite of their day one site on the second day of competition.
Starting times and results will be available online throughout the two-day event. Nine-hole splits and final scores for all teams will be posted.
Haverhill CC: The following excerpt was taken directly from the Haverhill CC website, which can be found at http://www.haverhillcc.com/
Established in 1925 and nestled in the heart of the Merrimack Valley, Haverhill Country Club promises an unparalleled private club experience for members and guests. Whether you're working on your handicap, networking among other professionals, or enjoying a Sunday brunch with family, HCC is a place to relax and enjoy the camaraderie of friends.
HCC stands out as a special place where families, couples and individuals can enjoy premium recreation and social amenities at a great value. Play golf on one of New England’s most challenging and beautiful golf courses. Compete in club and local golf tournaments for both men and women. Swim in our Olympic size pool, play horseshoes, Volleyball, or relax poolside while your children enjoy our new kids program. Dine in the picturesque clubhouse on delectable food prepared by the club's chef, or host business or social functions in one of the club's private function rooms.
Haverhill Country Club offers you a place to enjoy friends and family, as well making new acquaintances.
Haverhill is first and foremost a club of members. Most enjoy golf as their primary activity, with the quality of social activities serving to enhance the total country club experience formal and informal. It goes without saying that a day at HCC is a very special.
Haverhill Country Club is a community rather than simply a location. The interaction of members, their families and guests enrich the total experience. The opportunities for member’s families and guests to enjoy HCC abound. Guests are a major part of why Haverhill is so special. We look forward to you being part of our tradition.
Haverhill Country Club is synonymous with gracious hospitality. This image is preserved and enhanced by HCC members who make the effort to expand their circle of friends and welcome visitors to our Club.
Renaissance: The following excerpt was taken directly from the Renaissance website, which can be found at http://renaissancema.com/
As you would expect, our 18-hole golf course is impeccably maintained to deliver perfect course conditions week-in and week-out. But the “expected” ends there. Every hole at Renaissance, by design, offers up a series of strategic challenges that will test the best and delight the rest. How you score will depend on your skill, your strategy, your creativity—and your tolerance for risk. The Renaissance course is renowned for its classic design features, straight from golf’s Golden Age of Architecture. It’s also well known for being a ton of fun to play.
Recent Champions:
Youngest Competitor: Ryan Daly (Salem Country Club), 17
Oldest Competitor: Jim Ruschicni (Wachusett Country Club), 69
Most Represented MGA Member Club: Salem Country Club, 12 competitors
Most Towns Represented: Boston, 17 competitors
Geographic Breakdown: Greater Boston – 104; North Shore – 96; Worcester – 49; South Shore – 38; Springfield – 33; Cape Cod – 14; Non-Real Estate – 4; Berkshires - 2
Complete coverage of the 2017 MGA Four-Ball Championship will be available online (MGAlinks.org) and via social media. Join the conversation and share your photos, memories and thoughts by following us on Twitter (@mgalinks #MassFourBall), Facebook (@ Massachusetts-Golf-Association) and Instagram @mgalinks #MassFourBall).
