April 21, 2003

WHEELING, WV — Eric Kaniecki professed his love for the strategically placed pins after winning his first family Tour title on Saturday at Fairway River Links.  Stan made two opening birdies Saturday to hold-off and beat his brothers, Jack, Stan and Mark at the annual Easter Wheeling event.

"Heaven forbid the field would ever play so poorly," Eric said. "I'm thinking about going out and kissing the greenskeeper for those pin placements.  It was like Carl Spackler himself was placing the holes.  Especially #16. That's really a great spot for a pin.  It's was a huge part of that hole, especially with the back left pin for someone like Mark who slices the ball. It's not even reachable for him."

Eric made putts all day starting at Hole #2 and never looked back.  None of the brothers, Jack or Marc could stop the onslaught of MELC points.  "It's been a day," Eric said. "I was very fortunate today.  I didn't play my best, but thank goodness I had my putter in the bag.  It saved me time after time."