13th MGA title for Vana.

• Position: SPORTS

FRAMINGHAM - It had been five years since Frank Vana Jr.'s last MGA championship, and he could be forgiven if he began doubting whether he'd win another one.

"I was wondering when it would come," the veteran Marlboro CC amateur said, "because I have been hitting the ball well and coming up short. I have tried to remain positive, and I think that it finally paid off this week."

Vana rolled in a 3-foot par putt on the 18th hole to seal a one-shot victory yesterday in the Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship at Framingham CC.

It was Vana's record eighth Mass. Mid-Amateur title, and his 13th MGA championship, tying Jim Ruschioni of Oak Hill in Fitchburg for the most ever. His last MGA victory came in the 2007 Mass. Mid-Am.

"It feels great," said Vana, who underwent shoulder and knee surgery this past winter. "It has been a long time since I won this, but I was happy that I was able to stay calm and remain focused through the rain delays and then today when I knew that it was going to be close."

After two straight days of heavy rain, which shortened the event from 54 to 36 holes, Vana followed up his opening-round 71 - the only...