Happy Friday people!

This past week, the golf world celebrated Women’s Golf Day. It’s a week-long event celebrating girls and women playing golf and learning skills that can last a lifetime.

Powered by local celebrations at clubs across the world, Women’s Golf Day has grown since its early days. While the 413 didn’t have any official events as part of the organization’s celebration, I’m here to report that the women’s game is strong and thriving here in Western Massachusetts.

From the junior ranks through senior circuit, opportunities abound for girls and women of all skill levels. Below, learn a bit about three professionals doing their part to grow the game for girls and women in the region:

Kim Nastri, The Ranch Golf Club

Nastri, LPGA Teaching Professional and US Kids/First Tee certified lead coach, is the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf site director at The Ranch, which offers a “girl-friendly” program to learn the game. She’s also a First Tee coach at The Ranch and Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club in Clearwater, Fla.

She’s also a great player, having won many club championships at The Ranch Golf Club and The Vinoy Golf Club in Florida. She’s also won the Women’s Baker Cup with the Women’s Mass Golf Association.

Marissa Kulig Crow, Northampton Country Club

Originally from Granby and now a Westfield resident, Marissa previously taught at Lyman Orchards where she was named one 2023’s Top 50 LPGA Teachers, which recognizes the best LPGA instructors from more than 1,900 LPGA certified professionals worldwide. In 2022, she was the LPGA’s Professional of the Year!

Back in the 413, Marissa is now instructing at Northampton Country Club, teaching yoga to golfers and offering private lessons. She also teaches at Ledges Golf Club.

Taylor Schmidt, Springfield Country Club

A West Springfield native, Schmidt is the assistant professional at Springfield Country Club where she teaches full-time and runs numerous clinics for junior golfers, including the PGA Junior League installment at SCC.

Schmidt played her high school golf at Westfield High and found even more success collegiately at Franklin Pierce

In her sixth season at Springfield Country Club, Schmidt offers lessons for golfers of all ages and skill levels.

Today, we’ve got:

• An update on the tournaments and outings you should get on your radar ASAP

• A deep dive into the 413’s only Golfweek top public course for 2024!

• News and notes from the 413 Golf community

• And more!

Hit ‘em long. Hit ‘em straight.

Tournaments & Outings

A look at the tournaments and outings important to the 413 Golf community this week.

Upcoming:

413 Golf Events: Would you be interested in a mix of fun and competitive events across the region later this fall and next season? Let me know by replying!

• Pairings are out for the June 17 Mass. Am qualifier at Veterans; June 18 at Stockbridge, too.

• Crestview has an open two-ball tournament tomorrow. Learn more here.

• The Berkshire Hills’ 67th Singles Championship will be July 29-30. This is a great event with a number of flights and games. Learn more here.

  • Also at Berkshire Hills:

    • Registration is underway for the 42nd Annual Pewter Cup Classic, and only a few spots remain available! This 54 hole event is GROSS ONLY by divisions and preference is given to last years field followed by member apps. Don't wait, grab a partner, and sign up today! The event is set for June 21-22-23. Register here.

    • BHCC’s popular 9-hole match play event is also open for registration. Sign up here using the login code: berkshire2024

• The Greenfield Senior Open Championship will be June 21 at CC of Greenfield. Inquire with the pro shop for entry.

• Also at CC of Greenfield will be the 79th Invitational July 25-28. Register with the pro shop by June 14!

• The Links at Worthington host the Worthington Cup July 13-14. Submit your application here.

• Also, a reminder that the Mass Golf Association has a number of events open for registration. See them & register here.

• Other MGA items to keep an eye on:

  • Mass. Open (June 12) at Willowbend

  • Mass. Am qualifiers at Veterans (June 17) and Stockbridge (June 18)

  • Pub-Links qualifier at Chicopee CC on June 18

Completed

• GreatHorse’s Nick Maccario (T-11) and Longmeadow’s Billy Walthouse (T-14) were the region’s top finishers at last week’s Hornblower Memorial at Plymouth Country Club.

• Wahconah CC had its Spring Open 4-Ball last weekend. Chris King and Michael McKenna teamed up to win the Black Tees Flight in a card-off with Andy Dastoli (Orchards) nad Thane Schinabeck (Ludlow CC). John Dabrowski (Waubeeka Links) and John Bradbury (Links at Worthington) won the Blue Tees Flight. Wahconah members Joanne Warren and Pam Turner took top honors in the Women’s Flight.

• Matt Scarafoni and Aaron Nackoul took top honors last weekend at the Stockbridge Trophy.

  Got an event or outing you want to see here? Let me know by simply replying to this email!

Featured 413 Golf Course

Western Massachusetts is home to so many highly-rated private clubs, popular public courses, and countless hidden gems. Each week, we’ll feature one of the many courses across the region. This week, get to know:

The Ranch Golf Club

While Western Massachusetts may not necessarily be considered a golfing destination, we do have a few courses and experiences that warrant a trip.

The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick is undoubtedly one of them.

Newly-ranked by Golfweek as one of the best public-access golf courses in Massachusetts for 2024, The Ranch stands out to those who’ve played it as quite the experience. Combining scoreability, challenge, pristine conditions, and a wild layout, The Ranch meanders throughout rolling flats and dramatic elevation changes, highlighted by the 9th and 16th holes — two of the most dramatic, downhill double-dog-dare-ya par-fives you’ll get the chance to play.

Officially open for business in summer 2001, The Ranch was architected by Damian Pascuzzo, who’s more well-known for his work on the West Coast. While the course blends quite nicely into the “foothills of the Berkshires,” it definitely stands out as unique amongst its peers in Western Mass. and across New England.

I’ve had the chance to play The Ranch many times and it still impresses me. The lone challenge I’ve seen is in wear and tear (ballmarks, divots, etc.) due to the consistently busy tee-sheet. Still, it’s a joy every chance I get and the pub is sneaky good/great with a number of staples and great beer on tap. In fact, it’s the host of my annual buddy event, The Covid Cup, started in (you guessed it) 2020.

All in all, The Ranch is among the 413’s best and this is your sign to book a tee time.

Visit theranchgolfclub.com to learn more and to book a tee time.

News & Notes

• Longmeadow’s Cecily Henshon was the top local finisher at the MIAA Girls Championship at The Ledges, firing a 79.

• Longmeadow’s Ryan Downes was the top local finisher in U.S. Open final qualifying — known as "golf’s longest day” — this past week, missing the cut at Canoe Brook (N.J.) by three shots

• CC of Greenfield has a Women’s Clinic June 19 led by Assistant Pro Sean Doyle. Inquire with the pro shop for details.

• The Ranch will host a Ladies Golf 101 clinic June 11

• Crestview is hosting a Chip & Sip event June 12. Learn more here.

Thanks so much for reading. If you like what you see, please consider giving this a share. Send it to all your golfing buddies and help grow the 413 Golf community!