Record 12-time reigning champs Massachusetts (MGA)

For a record 12th straight year, the 12-person team from the Bay State claimed the Tri-State Match title as its own after earning a total of 72 points following two days of foursomes and singles match play at TPC Boston.

No other state has been able to accomplish such a feat since the event was formally introduced in 1928. In its more than 80-year history, no other team has been able to claim that many titles in a row.

With its most recent victory, Massachusetts now lays claim to 33 Tri-State Matches titles and is narrowing the gap with Connecticut (39), which still leads the race for overall titles.

In addition, today’s margin of victory – 23 points – marks the largest posted during the Bay State’s 12-year stronghold on the title. Team Rhode Island finished with 49 points, while Connecticut posted 41 points this week.

“We could not be prouder of these players,” said Harry McCracken, Jr., who served as captain of Team Massachusetts. “Once again they came through on the second day and we saw every single player contribute to this fine victory. We are honored to compete in such a historic event against our friends from Connecticut and Rhode Island.”

Heading into the final day, Connecticut held a three-point lead after a strong performance during Tuesday’s afternoon foursome matches. On the second and final day, however, Team Massachusetts exerted its depth on a roster that featured four senior amateur and eight mid amateur competitors.

In addition to having all 12 players score at least 2 ½ points in their Wednesday singles matches, the Bay State contingent figured into scoring in all 18 matches over the two-day period.

Spearheading the comeback during those singles matches were six-point performances delivered by four competitors – Ryan Riley (Thorny Lea GC), Herbie Aikens (Pinehills GC), Don Reycroft (LeBaron Hills CC) and John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC).

Six points is the maximum amount of points that any competitor could earn on this day since one point is available for the front nine, back nine, and overall match.

Also posting strong performances to help fuel the day-two comeback was Doug Crawford (The International) and Doug Clapp (Old Sandwich GC) with 5 ½ and 5 points, respectively. In total, Massachusetts earned 54 ½ points in the singles matches which bested Rhode Island’s 33 points and Connecticut’s 20 ½ points.

After leading the Tri-State Matches following foursome play with 20 ½ points, Connecticut fell back into third place as only five players were able to earn more than one point on day two.

Rhode Island staged its own comeback – although it fell just short – thanks to outstanding performances by Ryan Pelletier (Pawtucket CC), Jamie Lukowicz (West Warwick CC) and Bobby Leopold (Wannamoisett CC), who combined for 16 points on Wednesday.

This year also marked the first time that the Tri-State Matches were held at TPC Boston, which is home to the Deutsche Bank Championship.

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