Team Massachusetts posted 30 points during the singles matches to finish with 49 total points for a 2 ½ point victory over Rhode Island and 9 ½ point win over Connecticut. This marks not only the third straight year that Massachusetts has won this prestigious event, which debuted in 1907, but the 24th title it has earned since the event switched to an annual format back in 1928.

Leading the charge today was seven-time Richard D. Haskell MGA Player of the Year Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC) who posted the maximum number of six points in his singles matches against Jim Gentile (Wampanoag GC) and Charlie Blanchard (Wannamoisett CC). One day earlier, Vana paired with Kevin Quinn (Charles River CC) in the foursome matches to collect three points.

Also helping Team Massachusetts today was senior Paul Murphy (Charles River CC) as he collected five points in his matches. Murphy – who earlier this year won the 2006 New England Senior Championship – and Phil Miceli (Sagamore Springs GC) were the two Bay State golfers who earned five points today. With his 10 ½ points earned through the two rounds, Miceli finished as the top point winner for the event. Also posting strong performances were Quinn and Burgess Houston (Segregansett CC), who carded four and 3 ½ points, respectively, in their singles matches.

The headliner from today's action, however, was the team from Rhode Island as its 10-man team made a valiant jump up the leaderboard this afternoon with 35 points earned during singles play. Trailing Massachusetts by 7 ½ points heading into Friday's round, Rhode Island had seven out of its ten players collect four or more points. The top point getter for Rhode Island was Tom McCormick (Kirkbrae CC), whose finished with nine points for the event. McCormick's foursome partner, E.J. Wholey (Triggs Memorial GC), was also strong throughout as he posted eight points.

Connecticut, a team that has dominated this event over the years with 39 titles, was unable to gain ground on the leaders today. Although Dave Szewczul (Tunxis Plantation GC) and Jeff Hedden (Fox Hopyard GC) registered four and 4 ½ points, respectively, the team as a whole could not get anything going today as it fell to third place after earning just 25 points during the singles matches.

Massachusetts will look to capture its fourth straight Tri-State Matches title next year on October 4-5 at Point Judith Country Club in Narragansett, Rhode, Island.

NOTE: To view complete results, click on the name of the tournament next to "see also" at the top of this page and follow the "results" tab.

©2004 Massachusetts Golf Association.