Hey there,

You made it. It’s Friday. Here’s hoping the weather holds for a solid weekend of golf.

This week, I found myself thinking about the beauty of the muni. Municipally-owned courses are among the lifeblood of the game of golf. The Bay State, and Western Massachusetts, in particular, has some spectacular muni golf …

I grew up playing and working at Sandwich Hollows Golf Club, formerly known as Round Hill. As I reflect on my journey in this game since those late 1990s/early 2000s rounds, I think the wonderful memories of my time spent on that well-kept and well-managed muni have imprinted and allowed me to cherish the charming city- or town-owned track.

Do I love a round at an upscale public-access course like The Ranch or Crumpin-Fox? Absolutely. Can I find a way to enjoy a day at a resort course or one a gorgeous private club? I think I’ll manage.

But there’s something about a muni that intrigues and excites me. While there are undoubtedly some duds, the opportunity for value golf where you get plenty of bang for the buck is out there for anyone searching.

Here in the 413, there’s plenty of value-golf thanks to some very well-run municipal tracks. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Chicopee Country Club - a gorgeous Geoffrey Cornish layout with awesome operations and quality conditions.

2. Westover Golf Club - another great track in Ludlow offering plenty of length and awesome views of planes from the Westover Air base. It’s super walkable and a great value.

3. Agawam Municipal - great elevation changes and greens highlight Agawam’s well-run muni.

4. Veterans and Franconia - crazy cheap greens fees and solid conditions await players at Springfield’s two city-owned and maintained tracks.

5. Ledges Golf Club - perhaps the best town-owned course in the area, Ledges is a must-play. Conditions are so good, it’s hosting the Massachusetts Public-Links Championship in July!

The game of golf gets a bad wrap (often warranted) because of its financial barrier to access. When you consider the low-cost, high-value municipal courses, though, the game and many great tracks are accessible to almost anyone looking to play regularly.

***

OK, on to this week’s primer! Today, we’ve got:

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

• A spotlight on Donald Ross and his impact here in the 413

• A deep dive into Berkshire Hills Country Club, the only Tillinghast design in Mass.

• 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.

Recently Completed

• Mass. Senior Four-Ball: Ed Garabacik (Westover) and Dean Godek (Agawam Municipal) caught lightning in a bottle this past week to cruise to a four-shot victory at the 27th playing of the Senior Four-Ball at Country Club of New Bedford and Fall River Country Club. Read more here.

  • Other local competitors included: Todd Ezold of Springfield CC and Mike Trombley (T-7), Westover’s Jack Kearney (T-7), Jim Patterson of The Orchards (T-16), Springfield CC’s Steven Mihalek (T-27), and Ludlow CC’s Mark Pandolfi and GreatHorse member Michael Petrick (T-27). See the full results here.

• South Hadley native and Director of Instruction at GreatHorse Chris Tallman won medalist honors at U.S. Open Local Qualifying held at Longmeadow Country Club. He fired an impressive 6-under 64 to take the top spot in local qualifying for the second straight year — last year finishing atop the Orchards qualifier.

  • Wilbraham’s Matthew Naumec shot even-par 70 to fall just outside the alternate positions

• CC of Pittsfield hosted a Mass. Open qualifier. Longmeadow CC’s Austin Rupp shot even-par 71, missing the alternate position by a stroke. See the full results here.

• Last but certainly not least, Dan Fanion, Greg Beloin, Joe Gorneault, and Lee Albertson combined to shoot 10-under gross to win the Springfield Country Club May Member-Guest by five shots. Peter Clark, Colin Neylon, Bill Lawry, and Lou Scarfo went 20-under to take the net flight. I was fortunate enough to compete in this event and can confirm that SCC is in spectacular condition — and the greens are quite quicker than those I play at Shaker Farms. :)

• Want to get your league or outing results featured? Send them to me here!

Upcoming

• Tekoa Country Club has its annual George Paiva Memorial Two-Ball next weekend. Call the pro shop at 413-568-1064 to sign up before Wednesday, May 22.

• Waubeeka will host its 4th annual “Wow” Beeka best ball May 18-19.

• The Country Club of Greenfield will host the Lebert Memorial Day Team event May 25-26. Call 413-773-7530 to get one of the remaining spots.

• Spots also remain open for Greenfield’s Mac Sennett Two-Ball June 7-9, which features men and women divisions. Email [email protected] or call the pro shop at 413.773.7530 to inquire.

• 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.

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

• Northampton will host a Memorial Day Weekend Open 2-Ball event. Pick your own team for the chance at gross and net prizes. Inquire with the pro shop to register

• Also, a reminder that the Mass Golf Association has a number of events open for registration, including the Girls Junior Amateur, Mid-Amateur, Women’s Amateur, Women’s Senior, Senior Amateur, Super-Senior Amateur, and Women’s Mid-Amateur. See them & register here.

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

413 Golf Community 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:

Donald Ross

Donald Ross was a Scottish-born golf course architect who had a significant impact on the development of golf courses in Western Massachusetts during the early 1900s. Ross designed or redesigned several prestigious golf courses in the region.

His design style favored strategic bunkering, undulating greens, and taking advantage of natural terrain features. Many of his courses in the area are known for their challenging but fair layouts.

Beyond just designing courses, Ross helped popularize and grow interest in golf across Western Massachusetts and the country through his acclaimed course architecture during the golden age of golf course construction.

Born in 1872 in Dornoch, Scotland, Ross began his career as a professional golfer and course designer after apprenticing under Old Tom Morris. He emigrated to the United States in 1899 and quickly became one of the most influential figures in American golf.

Contribution to Western Massachusetts Golf

Ross designed several notable golf courses in Western Massachusetts, including the Wyantenuck Country Club in Great Barrington and the Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley.

The Berkshires provided an ideal canvas for Ross's design principles. His work in the area reflects his ability to harmonize with the natural terrain, creating courses that are both challenging and picturesque. Courses like Wyantenuck continue to be a testament to his enduring legacy.

Many of the Ross-designed courses in the region — like Longmeadow CC, Springfield CC, and CC of Pittsfield — are highly regarded and have been preserved as examples of his revolutionary design philosophy. Longmeadow is considered one of his finest and most authentic works. It has hosted several prestigious tournaments over the years, this past week holding a U.S. Open local qualifier.

Over his prolific career, Ross designed or redesigned more than 400 golf courses, many of which are considered masterpieces. The 2024 U.S. Open will be played next month at Pinehurst No. 2, perhaps his most infamous design.

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:

Berkshire Hills Country Club

When the Ryder Cup is battled out next year at Bethpage State Park, the Black Course will test the world’s best while putting famed architect A.W. Tillinghast’s creativity on full display.

Tillinghast put his mark on some of the game’s most iconic courses, including Winged Foot, San Francisco Golf Club, and Baltusrol. Did you know that the opportunity of experiencing Tillinghast’s design is available to you in Pittsfield?

Berkshire Hills Country Club is the only course designed by Tillinghast in Massachusetts.

Tillinghast's influence is evident in the strategic layout, challenging greens, and the course’s ability to blend naturally with the surrounding landscape. Established in 1925 and true to Tillinghast’s style, the course features thoughtful bunkering, well-placed hazards, and undulating greens that demand precision and strategic play.

While private, BHCC has a number of reasonable membership levels and hosts many events open to non-members, including the Pewter Cup and the Berkshire Hills Singles Championship.

Visit berkshirehillscc.com to learn more.

News & Notes

• Western New England University offers a class titled Introduction to Golf For Business Professionals, blending golf with professional development.

• Five legends to be inducted into the Berkshire Golf Hall of Fame tonight

• Deerfield Academy’s Gunnar Moore was the top local finisher at the Independent International Invitational last week at Crumpin-Fox. He shot 3-over through two rounds in the inaugural prep school event featuring players and teams from around the globe.

• Granby’s Ryley Regan shot a two-day 12-over at The Ranch to win the Girls 14-18 division at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Hartford Junior Open. South Hadley’s Ryan MacGregor finished solo 2nd in the Boys 16-18 flight.

• LPGA Top 50 teaching professional Marissa Kulig Crow is leading a Chip & Sip clinic tomorrow at Northampton Country Club. Learn more & register here.

• Country Club of Greenfield will host its annual Youth Camp June 24-27. Capped at 25 children, the program is taught by Kevin Piecuch, who’s a U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Teacher honorable mention. Call the pro shop at 413.733.7530 to register.

• Chicopee Country Club will hold a Ladies Clinic May 20.

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!