B.A.G.S. Bulletin Board

For those members who have had to leave the course, before the final results were  posted,  they should check either the Boston Globe or Boston Herald's scoreboard section to learn the official results. The same results are also posted on this Web site at 2007 tournament results. 

John McNeill was on the winning team at Point Judith CC in Narragansett, R.I., as the Massachusetts entry stormed to its fourth straight win in the annual Tri-State Matches with Connecticut and Rhode Island. John, the first member of a traveling tournament club to ever participate in the these matches, was joined on Team Massachusetts with Frank Vana, Brian Higgins, Jack Kearney, Phil Smith,, Brendon Ray, John Hadges, Doug Clapp, Alistair Catto, and Joe Keller.

Mark Dwyer and Phil Chassey both qualified for the Mass Mid-Amateur Tournament to be held to at Cohasset CC on September 24-26. Mark shot a 76 at Duxbury Yacht Club, and Phil was in a tie for low medallist at CC of New Bedford with a 73. They will join Jeff Mucciarone who was exempt from qualifying.

Leigh MacKay and his partner finished in a tie for second place in the Mass Senior Four-ball championship at Spring Valley CC. They vaulted up the leader board on Tuesday with a closing score of 5 under par 67. Earlier in the week, Leigh set the amateur competitive course record with a 4 under par 57 at Southers Marsh GC.

Paul Mitchell qualified for the Mass Publinks Championship with a fine 4 over par 74 at his home course George Wright. Paul will be competing in the championship to be held at New England CC August 14 & 15.

John McNeill played some outstanding golf in the 2007 Mass Amateur Championship. John made it into the match play portion of the championship by making a birdie in the playoff for one of  the final 5 spots, and then went all the way to the quarterfinals of the match play before losing 1 down to two time champion and 8 time MGA player of the year, Frank Vana. John defeated the 36 hole medalist, Adam Rainaud, who shot 3 under in the 36 hole stroke play, 1 up, and then defeated Tom Bagley 3 and 2. Jeff Mucciarone shot 76-77-153 and missed the playoff by just 5 shots.

John McNeill  finished in a tie for 19th in the Mass State Open at Kernwood CC. John moved up the leader on Wednesday with a closing round of even par 70, and was third best amateur in the event. This is by the far the best finish for a member of a traveling tournament club in the long history of this event.

Jeff Mucciarone and John McNeill both made it into the 2007 Mass State Amateur Championship to be contested at Concord CC on  July 9-13. Jeff qualified at Milton-Hoosic Club with a 74, and John shot a fine closing nine hole score of 35  for a 73 Green Hill Municipal.

Jeff Mucciarone played exceptionally well the first two days of the '06 Mass Mid-Amateur Championship held at Weston CC on September 18-20. Jeff shot 74-75-149 to easily make the 36 hole cut. Jeff played well the third day, but double bogeys on 14 and 15 pushed him to a 79 and a tie for 15th. Jeff will again be an exempt player for next year's event. Erik Okvist just missed the 36 hole cut with 79-77.

Mark Dwyer, who shot a superb 1 over par 73 at Crumpin-Fox Club to qualify for the USGA's  U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship to be held at Forest Highlands GC in Flagstaff, AZ. 15 year B.A.G.S. member, John McNeill, is first alternate for this event from the Kittansett Club qualifying site.

Jeff Mucciarone played some very consistent golf in the '06 Western Mass Amateur held at Elmcrest CC on August 10-11. Jeff shot even par 70 in the first round, and 73 the second day to finish in a tie for 6th. Earlier this summer, Jeff also finished in a tie for 6th position in the Worcester County Championship held at Wachusett CC on July 1-2.

John McNeill played a superb final 18 holes in the 36 hole qualifying round at the 2006 Mass. Open Championship at Charles River CC on Tuesday, June 20. John shot an even par 70, which was one of the top 8 scores on the day. John struggled somewhat around the greens on Monday, and shot an 82 which greatly hurt his chances of making the 36 hole cut.

Both Mark Dwyer and Jeff Mucciarone made it into the match play section of the '05 Mass Amateur Championship at Essex CC. Mark shot a superb 2 under par 68 the first day for second best score on the day. Jeff Mucciarone shot a fine 4 over 74 the first day. Mark didn't play as well the second with a 79. Jeff shot another 74 with the help of a second nine even par score of 35. The other B.A.G.S.' member competing, Tim O'Connell, missed the cut.

B.A.G.S.' members Mark Dwyer and Tim O'Connell both qualified for  the Massachusetts Amateur Championship which will commence on July 11 at Essex County Club. Mark shot a 2 over par 73 at Cape Cod CC, and Tim, a first year member of B.A.G.S., shot a 4 over par 76 at Charter Oak. Jeff Mucciarone is first alternate from Hopkinton CC, and John McNeill is second alternate from Tatnuck CC.

B.A.G.S.' member Ray Vigeant qualified to compete in the prestigious '05 Mass. Open. Ray beat many professionals in qualifying to compete at Vesper CC June 20-22. Well done, Ray!

Congratulations to John McNeill for his superb performance in the '04 Mass Publinks Championship at Maplegate CC. John finished in a tie for second place with a 3 under par score of 141. Only John and the winner Bill Drohen shot under par both days. This is now the third time John has finished second in an MGA event.

B.A.G.S.' members Jon Tirrell and Hermen Dacones at Quashnet Valley and John McNeill at Green Hill Municipal used their B.A.G.S.' tournament experience to help them make it into the "04 Mass Publinks Championship to be contested at Maplegate CC on August 16 & 17. 

B.A.G.S.' member, Mark Dwyer, shot a 1 under par 70 at Ponkapoag GC to lead all the participants at this site by a 2 stroke margin in a qualifying round for the '04 Mass Publinks Championship to be held at Maplegate CC August 16 &17.

B.A.G.S. member, Mark Dwyer, shot a fine 2 over par 73 at Cummaquid GC in Yarmouth Port to qualify for the '04 Mass. Amateur Championship to be held at Taconic GC July 12-16. Well done, Mark! 

John McNeill shot a superb final round 2 under 70 that included 4 birdies to finish in a tie for second place in the '03 Mass Mid-Amateur Tournament at Mypoia Hunt Club. Only Frank Vana, perhaps the best Amateur golfer in the state, had a lower three day tournament score than John. This was the second time that John, who always credits his experience in B.A.G.S.' tournament events for his success in MGA tournaments, has finished second in an MGA state-wide event.

Two B.A.G.S.' veterans, Steve Birnbaum and John McNeill, did extremely well in the Mass Mid-Amateur Qualifying event with both nearly winning the medallist honors at their sites. On September 10, at Segregansett CC, John McNeill shot a 1 over par 73 just 1 stroke off the lowest score of the day to make it into the Championship which will be contested at the Myopia Hunt Club on September 29-October 1. The next day, September 11, Steve Birnbaum also shot a 1 over par 73 at Indian Ridge, and also finished just 1 stroke off the lowest score of the day. Everyone in B.A.G.S. would love to see this championship decided in a playoff between Steve and John.

Three B.A.G.S.' members qualified to play in this year's Mass. Publinks Championship to be played at Crumpin-Fox Club on August 18-19. Justin Sharaf, who also participated in the Mass Amateur Championship at The Country Club, qualified with a 4 over par 73 at Hillview GC. First year B.A.G.S.' member, David Marseglia, qualified at River Bend CC with a 4 over par 75. Joe Pimental made it into the championship after surviving a playoff for the final spot at Quashnet Valley CC. Well done B.A.G.S.' members, and good luck in the finals.

First year B.A.G.S. member, Tom Sullivan, was low qualifier at his site for the 2003 Mass. Amateur Championship. Tom shot an even par 72 Framingham CC on Wednesday, June11. Tom was two strokes better than any other qualifier. Well done, Tom. Eric Cormier tied for low qualifier for the 2003 Mass Amateur at his site on Monday, June 9 at Charter Oaks CC. Erik shot a superb even par 35 on the first nine and finished with a 74. Long time B.A.G.S. member John McNeill shot a 77 to be first alternate. Justin Sharaf shot a 76 and qualified from his site at Framingham CC on Wednesday, June 11.  The Championship will be held at The Country Club July 14-18.

B.A.G.S' members Steve Birnbaum and Dean Smith both shot 4 over par 76's at Red Tail GC,  to qualified for the Mass. Mid-Amateur Championship  to be held at Walpole CC on Oct. 1 & 2. Erik Okvist shot a 78 for the second alternate's spot. Mark Dwyer shot a 4 over par 74 to make into the Championship from his qualifying site at Beverly G & T.

B.A.G.S.' member Aaron Watt had a strong finish on Tuesday, August 6, in the Mass. Publinks Championship, with a 2 over par 73, and finished in a two way tie for 8th place. Aaron's 73 was bettered by only two other players in the entire field on this windy day. Well done, Aaron! John McNeill had another strong showing in this event, and finished in a tie for 18th place with a 76-77-153. Joe Pimental came back nicely with a 76 on Tuesday after starting with an 80. Joe finished in 25th place. Larry Watts struggled in Tuesday's round, and didn't do as well as he'd hoped to do in his first State Championship event.

B.A.G.S.' members Aaron Watt, Joe Pimental, Larry Watts and John McNeill qualified for the 2002 Massachusetts Public Links Championship to be held at New England CC on August 5-6. Aaron shot a 3 over par 74 at East Mountain CC., Joe Pimental shot 74, and was second low qualifier at Lakeville CC. Larry Watts shot a 78 to make it in at Brookmeadow. John McNeill shot a 3 over par 75 at Far Corner GC. B.A.G.S. wishes these players good luck in the championship on a course (New England CC) that B.A.G.S.' members know well.

First year B.A.G.S.' member Aaron Watt qualified for '02 Massachusetts Amateur Championship on Monday, June 10th at Lexington GC. Aaron shot 4 over par 39 on the first nine, but came back nicely on the second nine with a 1 over par 36 for a 75. Aaron will be playing for the championship at Winchester CC on July 8-12.

B.A.G.S. member, Amy Dickison, qualified this past Thursday, May 23, in Connecticut, at a local 2002 Public Links Qualifier event. She will be going to the 26th U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links, a USGA Championship event, being held at Sunriver Resort (The Meadows Course), in Sunriver, Oregon on June 18-23, 2002. To qualify, Amy shot an 81 at Blue Fox Run Golf Course in Avon, CT.    Congratulations, Amy.

B.A.G.S.' members: Mark Dwyer, Blake Sabra and Hermen Dacones all qualified for the 2001 Mass. State Publinks Championship to be held at Chicopee CC on August 13-14. Mark was in a three way tie for the low medallist at his qualifying site, Franklin Park, in Dorchester,  with a 2 over 72. Blake and Hermen both shot 2 over par 72's at D.W. Field GC in Brockton.

B.A.G.S.' member John McNeill shot a one over par 71 in the first round of the medal play at the 2001 Mass Amateur Championship at the Orchards Golf Course in South Hadley. Mark Dwyer struggled and shot an 83 in his opening round.

B.A.G.S.' members Mark Dwyer and John McNeill both qualified the 2001 Massachusetts Amateur Championship, to be held at The Orchards GC on July 9-13. Mark shot a a 2 over par 72 at Hatherly CC, and John got in with a 74, at Cohasse GC, a private 9 hole course in Southbridge. John just missed qualifying for the Mass. Open earlier this year, by one stroke.

B.A.G.S.' members Steve Birnbaum and Dean Smith finished strongly with a nice 1 under par 71 at the Mass. State Four Ball Championship for 2001, played at Stow Acres - North course May 14 & 15. Steve and Dean struggled on Monday with a five over par 77, but their 71 on Tuesday was beaten by only 8 other teams in the field.

B.A.G.S. member Steve Birnbaum finished in a tie for 20th place in the Mass. mid-amateur championship played at Serling CC on Sept. 27 & 28. After a fine, one over par 72 on Wednesday, Steve was only three shots out of the lead. Steve fell back on Thursday in windy conditions. Steve Serino finished in a tie for 39th and Wayne Janian finished in a tie for 101st.

Steve Serino represented B.A.G.S. in the Globe Tournament of Club Champions. Steve shot a very respectable 81, considering the difficulty of the hole positions on the fast and undulating Brae Burn CC greens. Steve finished only 8 shots off the winning score, and finished in the top quarter of the field.

B.A.G.S. members: Steve Birnbaum at Wedgewood Pines, and Steve Serino at Far Corner, and Wayne Janian at Far Corner, qualified for the Mass. mid-amateur championship to be held at Sterling CC on Sept. 27-28.

Steve Serino finished in a tie for fifth place in the North Shore Amateur Championship played at Far Corner GC on August 29 and 30th.

B.A.G.S. members competing in the 2000 Mass. State Public Links Championship at Franklin Park finished in the following order: tied for 41st- Steve Serino at 152, tied for 60th - Rob Daigneault at 156, 90th - Peter Thompson at 163.

B.A.G.S. members Peter Thompson and Steve Serino quailfied for 2000 Mass. State Public Links Championship.  Pete qualified at Agawam, with a 3 over par round of 74. Pete made use of hot putter and went around in only 25 putts. Steve qualified at Cranberry Valley, with a 1 over par 73, after a torrid 3 under par front nine of 33. Rob Daigneault was  first alternate at Juniper Hill. The championship will be held at Franklin Park on August 14 & 15.

B.A.G.S. members Steve Serino, John McNeill and Mark Dwyer all made it through the local qualifying for the USGA publinks championship and will move on to the sectional qualifying at Bretwood.

B.A.G.S. members Steve Birmbaum and Dean Smith, represented B.A.G.S. in the Mass State Four-ball competition at Walpole CC, which concluded on May 16. After a first day struggle of 5 over 76, they came back strongly the second day with a 2 under 69 and a very respectible total of 145. Steve and Dean, as well as quite a few other B.A.G.S. members, use the B.A.G.S.' events to get ready for state and USGA events.

B.A.G.S. member Dean Smith, shot a nice one over par 72, at Gardner Municipal, to be tied for second low qualifier at his site for the Massachusetts Mid - Amateur qualifying. The finals of the championship will be held at Longmeadow CC on October 4-5. Let's wish Dean good luck in this event, after his mediocre showing in the 1999 B.A.G.S. championship.

Three B.A.G.S. members were among the players competing for the 1999 Mass. Publinks Championship at Westover GC in Ludlow. John McNeill tied for 19th place with a two day total of 78-73-151. John's second day score of 73 was bested by only two other players in the field.  Wayne Janian finished in a tie for 42nd, with a total of 80-76-156. Dean Smith finished with 80-84-164.

        B.A.G.S. member John McNeill qualified for the 1999  Mass. Open with a round of 2 over 73. This is the third time in the last four years, that John has qualified for this event, which includes top amateur players and professionals. John uses his B.A.G.S.' tournament rounds to get ready for top state and U.S.G.A. events. Obviously this has worked out quite well for him and other members as well.

        In the tournament at Braintree Municipal on May 15, both Club Champion Chris Bae and Rich Cook,  shot even par rounds of 72.. This is the second time Chris Bae has shot an even par round in a B.A.G.S.' event. Chris was 1 under par heading into the 18th hole.. Rich was playing in his first B.A.G.S.' tournament.

B.A.G.S. member John Cannatelli shot a 1 under 70 in the 1998 Mass. State Publinks, in his second round, to be one of only two other players, to shoot under par at Old Barnstable Fairgrounds. John finished in a tie for 24th overall. Other members competing were: Wayne Janian, Steve Birnbaum and Chris Bae.   Earlier this year, B.A.G.S. member Dean Smith qualified for the Mass. State Open.  In  tournament qualifying, at Pleasant Valley CC, he shot a 73 and beat many pros. John McNeill, another B.A.G.S. member,  qualified for the State Amateur at Worcester CC, with a superb 74. John, who was a runner up in the State Publinks Championship in 1996, played a very limited schedule this year, because of family responsibilities, but was still able to qualify at Worcester in only his third round of golf of the season. B.A.G.S. and the MGA are waiting to see what he could do if he started playing full time.

John Cannatelli began in B.A.G.S. as an 11 handicap. He is now  down to a 1.8 in only 3 years.  If a player is willing to work at his game, B.A.G.S. provides a setting where any player can get all the competition they could want.  No other tournament club can offer such strong fields, playing the toughest tees, for the scratch competition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

B.A.G.S. also provides competition for the average player with generally two net divisions on the more forward tees. Mike McAvoy, who begin the year as 28 handicap, now has an index of 19.4 and several others have shown similar improvement.                     

       Stableford scoring for B.A.G.S. official scorecard:

Jeff Ryder - Handicap 13 90% 12      Jeff gets strokes on handicap holes 1-12  (Marked by*)

Jeff shot a gross score of 86 on a par 72 with 12 strokes. A net 74 on a par 72 is 2 over par or 34 points.

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For those members who have had to leave the course, before the final results were  posted,  they should check either the Boston Globe or Boston Herald's scoreboard section to learn the official results. The same results are also posted on this Web site at 2001 tournament results. Please try to enter weekend events as early as possible to gain a spot, as all weekend events have filled up quickly this season.  

B.A.G.S.' members: Mark Dwyer, Blake Sabra and Hermen Dacones all qualified for the 2001 Mass. State Publinks Championship to be held at Chicopee CC on August 13-14. Mark was in a three way tie for the low medallist at his qualifying site, Franklin Park, in Dorchester,  with a 2 over 72. Blake and Hermen both shot 2 over par 72's at D.W. Field GC in Brockton.

B.A.G.S.' member John McNeill shot a one over par 71 in the first round of the medal play at the 2001 Mass Amateur Championship at the Orchards Golf Course in South Hadley. Mark Dwyer struggled and shot an 83 in his opening round.

B.A.G.S.' members Mark Dwyer and John McNeill both qualified the 2001 Massachusetts Amateur Championship, to be held at The Orchards GC on July 9-13. Mark shot a a 2 over par 72 at Hatherly CC, and John got in with a 74, at Cohasse GC, a private 9 hole course in Southbridge. John just missed qualifying for the Mass. Open earlier this year, by one stroke.

B.A.G.S.' members Steve Birnbaum and Dean Smith finished strongly with a nice 1 under par 71 at the Mass. State Four Ball Championship for 2001, played at Stow Acres - North course May 14 & 15. Steve and Dean struggled on Monday with a five over par 77, but their 71 on Tuesday was beaten by only 8 other teams in the field.

B.A.G.S. member Steve Birnbaum finished in a tie for 20th place in the Mass. mid-amateur championship played at Serling CC on Sept. 27 & 28. After a fine, one over par 72 on Wednesday, Steve was only three shots out of the lead. Steve fell back on Thursday in windy conditions. Steve Serino finished in a tie for 39th and Wayne Janian finished in a tie for 101st.

Steve Serino represented B.A.G.S. in the Globe Tournament of Club Champions. Steve shot a very respectable 81, considering the difficulty of the hole positions on the fast and undulating Brae Burn CC greens. Steve finished only 8 shots off the winning score, and finished in the top quarter of the field.

B.A.G.S. members: Steve Birnbaum at Wedgewood Pines, and Steve Serino at Far Corner, and Wayne Janian at Far Corner, qualified for the Mass. mid-amateur championship to be held at Sterling CC on Sept. 27-28.

Steve Serino finished in a tie for fifth place in the North Shore Amateur Championship played at Far Corner GC on August 29 and 30th.

B.A.G.S. members competing in the 2000 Mass. State Public Links Championship at Franklin Park finished in the following order: tied for 41st- Steve Serino at 152, tied for 60th - Rob Daigneault at 156, 90th - Peter Thompson at 163.

B.A.G.S. members Peter Thompson and Steve Serino quailfied for 2000 Mass. State Public Links Championship.  Pete qualified at Agawam, with a 3 over par round of 74. Pete made use of hot putter and went around in only 25 putts. Steve qualified at Cranberry Valley, with a 1 over par 73, after a torrid 3 under par front nine of 33. Rob Daigneault was  first alternate at Juniper Hill. The championship will be held at Franklin Park on August 14 & 15.

B.A.G.S. members Steve Serino, John McNeill and Mark Dwyer all made it through the local qualifying for the USGA publinks championship and will move on to the sectional qualifying at Bretwood.

B.A.G.S. members Steve Birmbaum and Dean Smith, represented B.A.G.S. in the Mass State Four-ball competition at Walpole CC, which concluded on May 16. After a first day struggle of 5 over 76, they came back strongly the second day with a 2 under 69 and a very respectible total of 145. Steve and Dean, as well as quite a few other B.A.G.S. members, use the B.A.G.S.' events to get ready for state and USGA events.

B.A.G.S. member Dean Smith, shot a nice one over par 72, at Gardner Municipal, to be tied for second low qualifier at his site for the Massachusetts Mid - Amateur qualifying. The finals of the championship will be held at Longmeadow CC on October 4-5. Let's wish Dean good luck in this event, after his mediocre showing in the 1999 B.A.G.S. championship.

Three B.A.G.S. members were among the players competing for the 1999 Mass. Publinks Championship at Westover GC in Ludlow. John McNeill tied for 19th place with a two day total of 78-73-151. John's second day score of 73 was bested by only two other players in the field.  Wayne Janian finished in a tie for 42nd, with a total of 80-76-156. Dean Smith finished with 80-84-164.

        B.A.G.S. member John McNeill qualified for the 1999  Mass. Open with a round of 2 over 73. This is the third time in the last four years, that John has qualified for this event, which includes top amateur players and professionals. John uses his B.A.G.S.' tournament rounds to get ready for top state and U.S.G.A. events. Obviously this has worked out quite well for him and other members as well.

        In the tournament at Braintree Municipal on May 15, both Club Champion Chris Bae and Rich Cook,  shot even par rounds of 72.. This is the second time Chris Bae has shot an even par round in a B.A.G.S.' event. Chris was 1 under par heading into the 18th hole.. Rich was playing in his first B.A.G.S.' tournament.

B.A.G.S. member John Cannatelli shot a 1 under 70 in the 1998 Mass. State Publinks, in his second round, to be one of only two other players, to shoot under par at Old Barnstable Fairgrounds. John finished in a tie for 24th overall. Other members competing were: Wayne Janian, Steve Birnbaum and Chris Bae.  Earlier this year, B.A.G.S. member Dean Smith qualified for the Mass. State Open.  In  tournament qualifying, at Pleasant Valley CC, he shot a 73 and beat many pros. John McNeill, another B.A.G.S. member,  qualified for the State Amateur at Worcester CC, with a superb 74. John, who was a runner up in the State Publinks Championship in 1996, played a very limited schedule this year, because of family responsibilities, but was still able to qualify at Worcester in only his third round of golf of the season. B.A.G.S. and the MGA are waiting to see what he could do if he started playing full time.

John Cannatelli began in B.A.G.S. as an 11 handicap. He is now  down to a 1.8 in only 3 years.  If a player is willing to work at his game, B.A.G.S. provides a setting where any player can get all the competition they could want.  No other tournament club can offer such strong fields, playing the toughest tees, for the scratch competition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

B.A.G.S. also provides competition for the average player with generally two net divisions on the more forward tees. Mike McAvoy, who begin the year as 28 handicap, now has an index of 19.4 and several others have shown similar improvement.                     

       Stableford scoring for B.A.G.S. official scorecard:

Jeff Ryder - Handicap 13 90% 12      Jeff gets strokes on handicap holes 1-12  (Marked by*)

Jeff shot a gross score of 86 on a par 72 with 12 strokes. A net 74 on a par 72 is 2 over par or 34 points.

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