Gannon golfers advance in WGAM tournament

Two Gannon-based golfers, Tara Friedman and Anne Fraser, have advanced in the Women’s Golf Association of Massachusetts (WGAM) Amateur Championship and Presidents’ Cup, held this week (July 20-23) at Vesper Country Club in Tyngsboro.In Presidents’ Cup competition, No. 4-seeded Friedman will face No. 13 Cindy Fentross today at 8:16 a.m. About an hour later, in the Championship Flight, No. 10-seeded Fraser will face No. 7 Tracy Martin today at 9:40 a.m.Of Fentross, her opponent today, Friedman said, “I really don’t know much about her. I heard she’s a really good golfer ? Hopefully, I’ll stay right with her, play a good match, and see what happens.”Friedman and Fraser were part of a Gannon trio that competed in the tournament. On Monday, the first day, Friedman defeated No. 29 Kelly Dennis (Chelmsford Country Club) 1-up, while Fraser advanced against No. 23 Jenny Ceppi (Bass Rock Golf Club). Both Friedman and Fraser characterized their respective matches as neck-and-neck.Friedman’s was not decided until the 18th hole.”I hit three really good shots,” Friedman said. “(Dennis) made a couple mistakes. I made par, she hit a bogey; that’s how I won. It was a great match, a good pairing. We really encouraged each other.”Fraser, meanwhile, prevailed over Ceppi on the 16th hole.”Jenny was very nice,” Fraser said. “It was a very good match. She made some crucial putts midway through.”On the 16th hole, however, Fraser won 3 & 2.”I parred 16 and the match was over,” she said.It was a promising beginning for Fraser, who is competing in her first WGAM event. She moved to Lynn from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., about a year ago with her husband, whose name, ironically, is Stephen Gannon.”No relation,” she said when asked about any link between her husband and the golf course of the same name. “It’s a wonderful place to play. We really enjoy it. The ladies have just been wonderful. It’s been a highlight to be part of that group.”Also on Monday, Gannon’s Jane Fiste lost to No. 22 Sandy Robichaud (Juniper Hill Golf Club) in Presidents’ Cup play. Fiste lost on the 18th hole.Both Friedman and Fraser praised the Tyngsboro course, which dates back to 1875.”I think it’s a beautiful course,” Fraser said. “It’s just in great condition. It didn’t show any effect from the rain (Monday). I think it’s a fair layout ? Each hole is set up differently. You really have to play smart all the way through.””It’s a great, great golf course,” Friedman said. “A beautiful, very fair golf course. You leave there feeling pretty good about yourself. Maintenance does a great job, and the head pro, Paul Boland, used to be a Gannon member. He’s great to all of us, and everyone.”