Headline: Amateurs Steal the Show Once Again... Michael Arter Captures Co-Medalist Honors at Day 3 of State Open Qualifying
For Immediate Release: May 26, 2009
Brewster, MA — Michael Arter (MGA Links at Mamantapett) found himself facing a challenging up-and-down on the first hole at The Captains Golf Course this afternoon. The 53-year-old from Lakeville calmly hit his third shot out of a greenside bunker to four feet and putted in for par.
That would be the only trouble Arter would find himself in all day as he fired a day-low score of 2-under par 70 to lead a field of 16 qualifiers at Massachusetts Open Qualifying held in Brewster.
The only other player to equal that exceptional mark today was traveling professional Tyler Brewington (Orangeville, PA), who claimed co-medalist honors after posting a 2-under par 70. John Connelly (Haskins, OH) and Gregory Sampson (Cranston, RI) finished one stroke back and in a tie for third place with scores of 1-under par 71. All 16 qualifiers must now prepare their games to compete in the 100th playing of the Massachusetts Open Championship, which will be held at Belmont Country Club on June 22-24.
This day, however, belonged to Arter, one of eight amateur players to qualify at The Captains Golf Course.
"Belmont should fit my game very well," explained Arter, who entered today's qualifying round having never played The Captain's Port Course . "I hit the ball relatively short but straight. Belmont is a perfect venue for me. It’s not too long and I putt pretty well on fast greens."
Putting and solid driving were the keys for Arter today, who made the turn at even par 36 and went on to make two birdies – on the 12th and 18th holes – on the back nine to cap off his stellar 2-under par round.
This year will mark the third time in his amateur career that Arter has advanced to Championship Proper of the Massachusetts Open Championship – he qualified in 1984, 2007 and now in 2009 – and the second time that he has tested his skills on the Belmont layout.
"In 1971 when I was a freshman at Lexington High School we played Belmont and my high school coach put me in as the fourth player," explained Arter. "My other guy killed me and I didn’t play the rest of the year."
Although Arter tells the story with a laugh, his recent history at Belmont is much more promising as he finished in the top 10 in a Boston Globe Tournament of Champions event held there in recent years. The 2009 season has also been bright for Arter as he is coming off a victory in the Lambert Division at the Cronin Memorial tournament and a 14th-place finish at the Norfolk County Classic. He is also a two-time champion of the Taunton City Open Golf Championship.
At Belmont next month, Arter will represent MGA Links at Mamantapett, the MGA-operated 18-hole course in Norton which serves as the home of The First Tee of Massachusetts. Arter became a member for the 2009 season and enjoys frequent outings at the course with his two sons.
2009 Massachusetts Open Qualifying
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Captains Golf Course (Port Course) – Brewster, MA
Par 72 (36-36)
Qualifiers
T1) a-Michael Arter (MGA Links) 36-34--70
T1) Tyler Brewington (Orangeville, PA) 36-34--70
T3) John Connelly (Haskins, OH) 36-35--71
T3) Gregory Sampson (Cranston, RI) 37-34--71
T5) Brian Lamberti (Granite Spring, NY) 37-35--72
T5) Chad Keohane (Needham GC) 36-36--72
T7) a-Pat Hurrie (Falmouth CC) 37-37--74
T7) Matthew Donovan (CC of Pittsfield) 38-36--74
T7) a-David Holmes (Blackstone National GC) 35-39--74
10) Bill Kay (Somerset, MA) 40-35--75
T11) a-Connor Murphy (The Captains GC) 39-37--76
T11) David Cummings (Portland, ME) 39-37--76
T11) a-John Shields (Hyannisport Club) 39-37--76
T11) a-Michael Pyne (Foxborough CC) 42-34--76
T11) a-Tim Brennan, Jr. (Pinehills GC) 38-38--76
T11) a-Joe Walker (Dennis Pines GC) 39-37--76
Alternates
1st) Allan Menne (Hyannis GC) 38-39--77
2nd) a-Erik Robinson (Sandwich Hollows CC) 37-40--77
