Happy Friday!

It’s Masters week! Let’s gooooooooo!

With this week being the (un)official kickoff to the golf season, I hope it brings you the energy to get out and play. If you’re playing or talking with your buddies, do me a favor and share this email with them and tell them to subscribe via the button below.

Thank you for helping grow the 413 Golf community. I appreciate you!

Before we dive into today’s newsletter, I wanted to offer a quick programming update. With this edition, I’m moving to one weekly email. Frankly, keeping two going each week was watering down the content and value.

Moving forward, expect the Weekend Primer to hit your inbox on Fridays to help get you ready for play that weekend. While I’ll still be publishing midweek from time to time, this will be 413 Golf’s main content channel. Make sure you also follow us on the Instagram!

In this weekend primer, we’ve got:

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

• A spotlight on longtime Springfield golf (and sports) writer, Russ Held!

• A deep dive into The Orchards, one of the 413’s most historic clubs

• News and notes, including some upcoming 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.

• The (terrific) Wednesday Night League at The Ranch kicks off May 1. Inquire with the proshop to see if there is space available.

• 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.

• The 3rd Annual Kamari B. Williams Golf Tournament to benefit the Kamari Williams Memorial Scholarship will be held on Aug. 26 at Veterans Memorial Golf Course. The tournament’s proceeds benefit the Kamari Williams Memorial Scholarship, honoring the former Cathedral standout and Springfield Sci-Tech educator and basketball coach who passed away in 2021. Click here to learn more, register, or donate.

• Country Club of Greenfield will hold its annual Two-Man Scramble Championship Saturday, May 11. It’s open to members and non-members with gross/net divisions and prizes, skins, and a CTP. Call 413-773-7530 to register. The club has also released its tournament schedule for the season. View here

• A reminder that 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.

• 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:

Russ Held

A good friend and 413 Golf subscriber, meet Russ Held.

The longtime sportswriter and editor for The Republican, Held spent a career covering the game of golf here in Western Massachusetts. In 2022, he was the Western Mass. Tee Party honoree and last year was inducted into the Western Mass. Golf Hall of Fame.

In his 26 years covering golf for The Republican and MassLive.com, Russ saw two U.S. Opens, the 1997 PGA Championship, the 1999 Ryder Cup (!), the 2004 U.S. Women’s Open at The Orchards, eight USGA championships, and 34 different PGA Tour and LPGA Tour events.

He considers his time at the LPGA’s Friendly’s Classic at Crestview Country Club one of his career highlights.

“It was four years of working with and seeing the local golf community come together to support it as fans and volunteers,” he said. “The golfers were accessible and likable to the fans, and it drew the community together.

“Once in a while I’ll see someone with an old Friendly’s Classic shirt or hat … and it feels like a reunion to be able to talk about it again.”

Still, the local coverage was his bread and butter.

“When I covered any local golfer at a weekend or high-level tournament, I couldn’t help but root for their success,” he added. “There were many hot summer days spent walking behind in the fairway with family members and friends who were so proud of the golfer they were following.

“Most times it was a working parent, hopeful professional or aspiring junior golfer putting their heart and soul into the dream of where the game of golf might take them.”

Held, who also spent time on the airwaves, contributing or leading the Western Mass. Golf Show and the 19th Hole on WEEI, was also a regular contributor to GolfWeek and GolfMonthly.

While he may not still be roaming the fairways around the 413, Held still writes and is always promoting local success via his communications role on the marketing team at Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

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:

Orchards Golf Club

Established in 1922 and roaming across 160 acres in South Hadley – steps away from Mt. Holyoke College – “The Orchards” has a storied past that adds to its charm and allure.

Originally designed by legendary architect Donald Ross, the club has witnessed the evolution of the sport and hosted numerous prestigious tournaments over the years.

Ross was the mastermind behind the initial creation of the first nine holes in 1922. He then went on to finish designing the remaining holes five years later. With minimal use of bunkers and taking advantage of the natural terrain, Ross skillfully incorporated a creek that meanders through several fairways and runs alongside the 10th and 16th greens. The 16th hole, a delightful par 5, presents an enticing challenge for golfers to take a risk and aim for the green with their second shots.

With its picturesque setting, The Orchards has become a cherished landmark in the history of golf in Western Massachusetts.

Spanning over 6,500 yards, the layout offers a challenge to even the most seasoned golfers, including participants of the 2004 U.S. Women’s Open, which was held at the club. The club has also hosted numerous Mass. Golf Association championship events (2001 State Amateur, 2010 Senior Four-Ball, 2021 Girls Junior, 2022 Women’s Amateur) and the 2002 NCAA Women’s Division 3 championship. It’s also hosted USGA qualifiers throughout the years.

If you’re looking for a club to call home, Orchards offers a variety of membership options. Regardless of your situation, there is a membership category to suit your needs. As a member, you gain access to exclusive privileges, including preferred tee times, discounted rates on lessons and merchandise, and invitations to special events. The club also organizes regular events and tournaments, including the annual Western Mass. Open. Moreover, the club fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among its members, making it a great place to join.

Visit OrchardsGolf.com to learn more.

News & Notes

• Your boy was a recent guest on the Bay State Golf Podcast! Host Sean Melia, who runs the awesome BayStateGolf.com website and community, and 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! Give it a listen here.

• Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club has new owners! Members of the Snow family, which owns and operates Northfield Golf Course and Snow & Sons Landscaping in Greenfield executed the purchase on April 3, according to Business West. The new owners have a comprehensive 3-5 year improvement plan for the course, which will begin with immediate improvements to the grounds and clubhouse. The club is currently slated to open up play tomorrow!

• The last day to sign up for the Monday Night Men's League at the Mill Valley Golf Links is Monday, April 15th. Contact the pro shop to inquire. 413-323-4079

• Mass. Golf penned a great feature on golf writer Jim McCabe that’s worth the read. McCabe, a longtime Boston Globe golf scribe who also spent time at Golfweek, is covering the Masters on the tournament’s official website again this year. Read more.

• Western New England University hosts its annual Spring Invitational this weekend at Wilbraham CC.

• Springfield College, Williams, and Amherst are competing at the Tim Brown Invitational hosted by Skidmore College this weekend.

• AIC’s men’s golf team is at the Hartford Hawks Invitational today and tomorrow at Tumble Brook CC in Bloomfield, CT

• The UMass club team took the top spot last weekend over Providence and Brown at Easton CC behind Phil Le Gassick’s even-par 71 performance.

• The Ranch is aerating greens Monday and Tuesday and the golf course will be closed.

• Last but certainly not least: Congrats to Orchards junior standout Addie Regan for her ace, the first one of the season for the club!

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!