Keeping score around New England

Tom Wecal of Woonsocket, R.I., went out in a torrid 33 before settling for a 71 and a two-stroke victory in a New England Senior Tour tournament at Townsend Ridge CC last Thursday. Chuck Frithsen of North Reading finished second, while Rick Holcomb of Johnston, R.I., was third. The tour will host a tournament today at Holden Hills, then next Thursday at Bay Pointe CC in Onset.

There was a three-way tie at 2-over 74 between Steve Mann of Wollaston GC, Michael Worroll of the Purpoodock Club, and Shawn Hester of Charles River CC in the opening event of the NEPGA Ahead Stroke-Play series at Quidnesset CC in North Kingstown, R.I. Worroll was low senior, while Paul Parajeckas of Pleasant Valley CC and Michael Dredge of Wannamoisett CC won low honors in a blind draw pro-pro.

Playing at his home course, Alpine CC in Cranston, R.I., Eddie Kirby shot 1-over 73 and edged Robert Tramonti of Crestwood by a stroke to win an NEPGA Pro-Am. Brian Owens of North Kingstown and Keith Niles of Louisquisset shared third with 75s.

Jim Burke of Leo J. Martin GC shot 68 and registered a four-stroke victory in an NEPGA Assistants' Chapter and Senior Association tournament at Brae Burn CC. Ryan Kesten of Weston GC and Anthony Maki of Franklin CC shot 73s to finish tied for second.

Shawn Warren of Windham, Maine, made his first cut in five starts on the Hooters Tour, posting rounds of 71-73-70-74 to finish tied for 14th at a tournament in South Bend, Ind. Rhode Islander Rodney Butcher also finished tied for 14th.

Justin Peters of Pembroke solidified his fifth-place position on the Gateway Tour's money list in south Florida by finishing joint ninth in last week's tournament in Lake Worth, Fla.

The race for the team title couldn't have been any closer, but in the end, Bryant prevailed by a stroke over Pace in the Northeast Regional to earn a spot in the men's Division 2 NCAA Championship tournament. With Nick Caccia leading the way with rounds of 76-76-75 -227 to finish third, Bryant finished at 916, one better than Pace, while St. Thomas Aquinas was at 920. UMass-Lowell finished sixth, Bentley seventh. Anthony Gallardo (77-75-77) of UML was tied for sixth, while Bryant also placed two golfers joint sixth (Jason Thresher and Scott Congdon) and one in a share of 12th (Eric Tankanow). Also finishing tied for 12th was Robert Leopold of Bentley. Robbie Douglas of UML was the other New Englander to finish within the top 20.

Alison Walshe of Westford, a senior at Arizona, shot 68-73-69 to share medalist honors in the women's NCAA East Regional. Her effort helped Arizona finish second and advance to the national tournament. Another local, Jaclyn Sweeney of Andover, shot 69-72-72, to finish fifth and help her team, Oklahoma State, also advance.

At the East Regional, Duke freshman Kim Donovan of Hopkinton shot 70-78-80 and was T-36. The Blue Devils finished second and easily moved on for a chance to defend their national title.

The brother-sister entry from Bedrock GC of Joe Carr and Mary Gale shot 75 to win the MGA's annual Pro-President tournament at Turner Hill in Ipswich. David Lane and Dick Straight from Hopkinton CC finished one stroke back, while James Antonelli and Leo Crowley from Marshfield CC shot 77 to finish third.

Applications are still being accepted for the Cape Cod Open, scheduled for May 28-29. The first day at Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds will include two pro-am shotgun starts, one at 8 a.m., the other at 2 p.m. The competition will move the next day to Hyannis Golf Club. Jeff Dantas is the defending champion and some proceeds will benefit the Francis Ouimet/Guy Tedesco Scholarship Fund. For information, call 508-775-1798 or refer to ccopen.com.

The Executive Women's Golf Association national tournament is scheduled for September in Oregon. The local qualifier will be held Aug. 16 at The Ledges GC in York, Maine. For more information, go to ewga.com.

Nine straight pars took him to the turn, then Jim Currier of Tewksbury made four birdies coming home to record one of the best scores in Tour of Greater Boston history, a 3-under 69, at Indian Pond CC in Kingston. Currier won by seven. At Atlantic CC in Plymouth, Lynn Briggs shot 78 to win by two.

Chris Kreilcamp of Malden shot 79 to win a Boston Amateur Golf Society tournament at Triggs Memorial GC in Providence. At Olde Scotland Links in Bridgewater, Jeff Mucciarone of Westwood shot 74 for a two-stroke victory.

When the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund hosts its 59th annual banquet Monday night, the highlight will be a presentation to Gary Player for lifetime contributions to golf. But to many in the local golf community, just as significant will be the honor given to Harry McCracken. A longtime official with the Mass. Golf Association, McCracken will be presented again the USGA's Joseph Dey Award, which honors an individual for meritorious service to the game as a volunteer. One of the USGA's most distinguished awards, it was first presented to McCracken at the group's annual meeting, but that was in San Francisco and many of his friends felt he was owed a local audience. "Harry has done so much for the game," said Ted Highberger, president of the Ouimet Fund.

Luis Tiant's "Swing For Diabetes Golf Tournament" is scheduled for Monday at Granite Links GC in Quincy. Former Red Sox players will be on hand to help Tiant raise funds for the fight against diabetes. For information, call Jessica Gurman at 617-482-4580 or e-mail her at jgurman@diabetes.org.

Bob Beach and his staff at Braintree Municipal GC will hold a free "First Swing Clinic" June 8 from 1-4 p.m. for golfers with disabilities, rehabilitation professionals, and golf professionals. Golfers of all ages and abilities are invited. For information, call 781-843-6513, Ext. 2, or e-mail golfshop@braintreegolf.com.

Officials at TPC Boston in Norton will once again put their efforts into a fund-raising tournament called Birdies for the Brave (B4B) that will funnel charitable money to six organizations assisting US troops and their families. The tournament will be held July 7. Groups of players, sponsorship opportunities, and auction items are needed. Call Amy Sullivan at 508-285-3200, Ext. 106, or refer to tpcboston.com.

Compiled by Jim McCabe