Valois, Forcier Advance in R.I. Amateur Championship

July 8, 2008

Click here for more information on the 103rd R.I. State Amateur Championship

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Brad Valois finished the opening two rounds of stroke play qualifying at the 103rd Rhode Island Amateur Championship in a tie for fifth place overall. The tournament is being held at Agawam Hunt C.C.

Valois, the two-time defending champion in the event, shot a second round 72 (+2). He opened his round with three consecutive bogeys, before carding birdies at the 4th and 8th holes. He went out in 36. On the back nine, Valois again carded two birdies and three bogeys for another 36.

On day one, Valois went out in 35 (E), carding pars on holes 1-7, bogeying the par three 8th hole and notching a birdie on the par four 9th. The Warwick, R.I. native carded two birdies on the back nine - on the 12th and 15th holes - to close out in 34 (-1).

His total for the two days of stroke play is 141 (+1), tying him with two others. David McAndrew was the medalist, with a total of 138 (69-69).

Rhody teammate Bill Forcier finished up the stroke play rounds in a tie for 20th place overall, with a total of 147 (74-73). He opened with a 74 on day one, beginning with a strong 34 for the front nine, thanks to birdies on the 3rd and 4th holes. He closed with a 40 (+5) on the back nine, carding three bogeys and a double-bogey on 18.

In the second round on Tuesday, Forcier went out in 35 (E) - with a birdie on the 3rd - and closed in 38 (+3).

The top 32 in the stroke play field advance into a match play format, with the first two rounds being contested on Wednesday, July 9. The quarter and semifinal matches will be played on Thursday, July 10 with the 36-hole final match teeing off on Friday, July 11.

Forcier will tee off in his first round match at 8:400 a.m., while Valois will tee off at 9:50 a.m.