Happy Friday!

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Before we dive into this week’s newsletter, I wanted to hit quickly on the U.S. Open. Just a few days after The Masters, it may feel a bit early but I’ve got it on my mind. Well, local qualifying to exact. But it’s for good reason.

Local qualifying dates are set and fields are filling fast. If you’re one of the lucky ones to have a handicap so low it could gain you entry into local qualifying, you better move fast because there’s not much room left for you.

If you’re looking to sneak on one of the qualifiers in our (general) neck of the woods, you can look to snag one of the five remaining spots left at the April 24 qualifier at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. There are just four spots left at both Longmeadow Country Club (May 13) and Sacconnesset Golf Club in Falmouth, Mass. (May 7).

If you’re willing to travel further out of the region, eight spots remain at both Armonk, NY (May 2) and Darien, Conn. (May 13).

U.S. Women’s Open qualifying will be at Winchester Country Club May 1. And, U.S. Senior Open qualifying will take place at Franklin Country Club May 21 for a chance to get into the event to be held at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island.

All availability detailed above is as of yesterday, so if you’re looking for a spot and you haven’t registered, do so ASAP.

Visit usga.org to get started.

OK, on to the newsletter!

In this weekend primer, we’ve got:

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

• A spotlight on local junior star Ryley Regan

• A deep dive into The Ranch, an epic golfing experience

• News and notes, including course openings!

• 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.

With the golf season still waiting to kick into full gear, here’s a look at the tournaments currently available along with a few key events open to registration. As we get deeper into the golf season, we’ll be highlighting the upcoming weekend’s events and outings across the region.

• Registration is now open for the 2024 Western Mass. Open at Orchards. Register here for the June 24 event.

• Applications are now open for the 2024 Worthington Cup. Click here to see if you can get into one of the area’s best weekend 2-ball events.

• Take a look at the Stockbridge Classic, one of the best open events in the 413. It’ll be Friday, May 17. The one-day medal event has championship and senior flights. Email [email protected] to inquire about registration.

• Here’s a reminder of the Mass Golf Association events open for registration:

  • Amateur Pub-Links (6/18 qualifier at Chicopee CC is the only qualifier with spots remaining. Register ASAP!)

  • Ouimet Memorial

  • Mass. Four-Ball

  • Senior Four-Ball

  • 2024 Mass. Open 

  • MGA Member Day lotteries

  • Young Golfers' Amateur Championship

  • Mass. Junior Amateur

  • View the full list of open Mass. Golf registrations

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

413 Golf Community Member Spotlight

In each edition of the 413 Golf Newsletter, we’ll feature a member of the 413 Golf community making news or waves in the game. Today, get to know:

Ryley Regan

In last week’s newsletter, we dove deep into the history of The Orchards in South Hadley. When its history is complete, Granby native Ryley Regan will be a name you remember.

Currently a seventh-grader at Hopkins Academy in Hadley, Regan, who plays out of The Orchards along with her sister Addie, has made waves in the junior and local golf worlds since she was seven years old.

For two years running, Ryley has been the youngest participant in the Massachusetts Women’s Amateur Championship and recently took home the top prize at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Hartford Kickoff at Farmington (CT) Woods. She shot 78-83 while playing up in the Girls 14-18 division to win by eight shots!

ryleyregan_golf

View more on Instagram

Last summer, Ryley went on a run in Connecticut PGA Section Junior play, winning the Pequabuck Junior Classic. She took two second-place finishes and never fell outside the Top 5.

This past fall, she was a member of the Hopkins Academy varsity team, on which she was the team’s medalist in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Division 3 championship at Sterling National. Before that, she helped Hopkins to a second-place finish at the Western Mass. Regional Tournament held at Southampton Country Club.

Needless to say, Ryley is only getting started with the impact she’ll make on the golf course. And, we’ll be looking forward to seeing the great things she continues to achieve!

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.

Often ranked among New England’s best public-access golf courses, 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

• A reminder that I was a recent guest on the Bay State Golf Podcast! Give it a listen here to hear how I riffed on all things Western Mass. golf, my background and experience in the golf industry, my favorite courses in the state, and so much more!

• Birdie Train Golf Lounge, a new Trackman simulator, is soon to open in Orange. Check them out on Instagram!

• Course openings: The Ledges and Berkshire Hills are officially open for play!

• If you’re a Massachusetts Golf Association member, make sure you’re receiving their (awesome) new-and-improved Massachusetts Golfer magazine. With gorgeous photos and storytelling, it’s a must-read!

• South Hadley’s Ryan MacGregor finished third at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Hartford Kickoff tournament at Farmington (CT) Woods.

• MacGregor will join Belchertown’s Michael Murray, South Hadley’s Ryan MacGregor, Williamstown’s Jacob Hillman, and Longmeadow’s Cecily Henshon at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Massachusetts Spring Open at Chicopee Country Club. We’ll be following results on the 413 Golf Instagram and reporting final tallies next week. Good luck to the 413’s competitors!

• Western New England University’s Spring Invitational at Wilbraham CC was canceled due to rain, but the Golden Bears are at Richter Park in Danbury, CT this weekend to take on Western Connecticut and Elms College.

• Springfield College (22nd), Williams (T15), and Amherst (12th) all competed at the Tim Brown Invitational hosted by Skidmore College last weekend.

• The UMass club team won again. The Minutemen won for their second straight event behind Markus Pierre’s 72-71 (1-under) second medalist finish.

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!