Wellesley Country Club's Dan Head Makes His Mark

They are not names folks toss around like Tiger and Phil, but among amateur golfers in this state, they are some of the biggies: Ryan Riley, a three-time Massachusetts Golf Association champion; Kevin Quinn, a former Mass. Open and New England Amateur champ; John Hadges, now twice a winner of the Mass. Amateur.

One name that doesn't make the list is that of Wellesley Country Club's Dan Head. Yet at the 102nd Massachusetts Amateur Championship this week, the man from whom local residents more likely seek insurance advice than swing tips (he's an associate at 21st Century Benefit Advisors on Worcester Street) beat every headliner but Hadges, finishing second Friday, after five days and 139 holes of stroke and match play.

According to MGAlinks.org, "I am perfectly happy with second place," Head said. "This is my first time in match play, so the whole week has been surreal. Every single match I played in was a bonus. To make it to the finals and go deep with John is an added bonus."

The tournament, hosted by Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, culminated with a 36-hole duel between Head, 29, and Hadges, 49, who also won the event in 2008.