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Butcher, Spitz Share First-Round Lead at Amica Insurance RI Open

PROVIDENCE (July 30, 2007) – Rodney Butcher and David Spitz each fired a 5-under-par 66 to share the first-round lead in the 76th annual Amica Insurance RI Open at the Green Valley Country Club.

Butcher, the 2000 Champion, birdied the first two holes and added three more birdies on the front, making the turn at 5-under. He added a birdie on the 613-yard, par 5 10th hole before giving one back with his only bogey of the day on the 342-yard, par 4 13th.

Spitz shot matching 33s on the front and back nine of the 6,830-yard, par 71 course. Starting on the back nine, Spitz bogeyed the par 3 11th but came back with back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14. He added birdies on the 548-yard, par 5 17th and the 378-yard, par 4 18th to go to 3-under. Spitz birdied the par 4 1st and the par 5 5th for his opening 66.

Westerly’s John Elliott was in third, one stroke back. Point Judith’s Jeff Martin and Alpine amateur John Drohen joined four others in a tie for fourth at 2-under 69. The group includes Hatherly Country Club’s Chip Johnson, Stockbridge’s Jim Salinetti, Mendon, VT’s Jesse Larson and Orleans pro Brent Wanner.

Reigning NEPGA Champion Frank Dully, this year’s RI Amateur runner-up Charlie Blanchard, 2004 Amateur Champion Dr. George Pirie and 1998 Amateur Champion Joey Iaciofano were among 10 golfers tied for 10th at 1-under 70. Jim Hallet, the 1984 RI Open Champion and 1999 Champion John Hickson were five shots back at even par 71.

The top 60 golfers made the cut at 3 over, and will play the final 36 holes Tuesday beginning at 7:30 a.m. The field is competing for a total of $30,000 in prize money, including a $6,500 first prize. The Tournament is free and open to the public. For information, tee times and results visit .

Amica Insurance, with headquarters in Lincoln, is the title sponsor of the tournament for the third year in a row. Amica Mutual Insurance Company, the nation’s oldest mutual insurer of automobiles, was founded in 1907 and is proudly celebrating its 100th anniversary of offering superior customer service to policyholders. The company is a national writer of automobile, homeowners, marine, and personal umbrella liability insurance. Amica Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary, offers a full range of life insurance products.

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