Happy Friday!

With yesterday’s weather, it may not quite feel like it, but did you know that it’s officially active score posting season? After a nearly five month offseason, active score posting season officially started this week here in Massachusetts.

So, what does this mean?

It means that Mass. Golf Association members with active GHIN numbers can begin posting scores to the GHIN website or mobile app.

Now is also a great time to, if you haven’t already, get or renew your GHIN profile. You can do this through your club, the massgolf.org website, or via GHIN.com. If you’re new to golf and aren’t quite sure what a Handicap Index is, here’s a good explanation.

The USGA and many state organizations are pushing hard for more golfers to maintain a handicap index and have recently revised the world handicap system to make it more player-friendly.

They’ve also empowered alternative groups (just like our very own, wonderful 413 Golf community) to establish themselves as Mass. Golf Affiliate Member Clubs. Affiliate clubs can issue its members Handicap Indexes, run events, and otherwise operate as a course-less organization. If you’re interested in joining the 413 Golf Affiliate Club, complete the form linked below!

In this weekend primer, we’ve got:

• The tournaments and outings you should get on your calendar ASAP

• A spotlight on legendary architect Geoffrey Cornish

• News and notes, including some upcoming course openings!

Hit ‘em long. Hit ‘em straight.

Tournaments & Outings

A look at the tournaments 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 tournament schedules 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.

• The Berkshire County Allied Golf Association has released its 2024 schedule with the Allied Fourball at Wyantenuck kicking off the slate. Click here to learn more and register.

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

• The schedule of events is available for the U.S. Am Tour’s New England series with The Ranch hosting on July 27. See the full schedule here.

• The Western Mass. Tee Party, honoring this year the Downes family, will be on May 9 at CC of Wilbraham. Learn more here.

• 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

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:

Geoffrey Cornish

Geoffrey S. Cornish, a world-renowned golf course architect who made a home in Amherst, passed away in 2012 at the age of 97, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in course architecture and design in Western Massachusetts — and beyond.

Cornish's journey into golf course architecture began with a spark of interest in 1935 when he was hired to evaluate soils and find topsoil for the construction of the Capilano Golf Club in West Vancouver, under Canadian architect Stanley Thompson. This experience paved the way for Cornish to train for four years under Thompson before becoming Head Greenkeeper at St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg. He eventually made his way to Amherst where he received a master’s degree in agronomy at UMass.

Design philosophy

Cornish's design philosophy centered around creating affordable, playable courses that could be enjoyed by the general public, rather than elite, high-end designs. He worked closely with local landowners and farmers to develop courses within their budgets, often leaving trees in the middle of fairways to prioritize playability and maintainability over pure aesthetics. Cornish's designs frequently had to be built in phases due to financial constraints, with the front nine opening years before the back nine could be completed.

While not considered a master architect like Donald Ross or A.W. Tillinghast, Cornish was skilled at facilitating the development of golf courses that may not have been built otherwise, guiding projects to completion over long timelines.

Notable courses

Cornish's golf course designs have left an indelible mark on the golfing landscape of Western Massachusetts and beyond. Some of his notable creations in the region include:

• Crestview Country Club (1957) in Agawam

• Veterans Memorial Golf Course in Springfield

• Chicopee Country Club

• Tekoa Country Club in Westfield

• Shaker Farms Country Club in Westfield

• Franconia Golf Course in Springfield

Cornish's approach centered around creating affordable, playable courses accessible to the general public. His courses were known for being profitable and standing the test of time, introducing perhaps over a million golfers to the game.

In addition to his original designs, Cornish also expanded and remodeled several famous 'Golden Age' golf courses, including Donald Ross' Warwick Country Club in Rhode Island. His impact extended beyond Western Massachusetts, with notable designs like:

• The Pines Course (1956) at The International Golf Club & Resort in Bolton, recognized as the world's longest course at 8,325 yards for decades

• Marlboro Country Club

• Juniper Hill's Riverside Course

Cornish's prolific career spanned over 200 golf courses in New England, mostly public courses, and around 500 golf facilities through designs, redesigns, and renovations. He was inducted into the Western Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame in 2009 and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in golf course architecture.

News & Notes

• Mill Valley Golf Links is welcoming new players to its Tuesday evening women’s golf league. Email Margaret Reidy at [email protected] to join.

• Marissa’s Golf Movement, run by highly-touted LPGA Top 50 professional Marissa Kulig Crow is offering a 30% discount on lessons through April 18. Visit marissasgolfmovement.as.me and use the code HOT30 for the discount!

• The LPGA Girls Golf schedule of events at The Ranch is set. Events are $20 per event and will be held 2:30-4 on May 11/25, June 8/15, July 8/20, Aug. 17/31, Sept. 7/21, Oct. TBD. Visit girlsgolf.org to register!

• Amherst College golfer Kaia Wu was featured in a recent D3 Golf Guys podcast. Listen here.

• College Golf Experience is hosting an exposure camp at Keney Park in Hartford. Coaches from Amherst, Trinity, NYU, Rochester, Wellesley, and Washington & Lee will be in attendance. Visit collegegolfx.com to learn more.

• Williams, Springfield, and Western New England are participating in the Bill Detrick Invitational this weekend hosted by Trinity at Keney Park. Results will be available 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!