Good morning and happy Friday!

The prolific writer and essayist Mark Twain is credited with saying, “golf is a good walk, spoiled.” While there has been a lot of online doubt about the true source of this often-repeated quote, I can, without prejudice or question, confirm it’s 100 percent bullshit.

Golf, particularly while walking, is the absolute best.

This has been imprinted in my psyche since my junior tour days and September and October weekday afternoons playing in high school. And, despite varying levels of participation in the game since then, it’s something I’ve been reminded of early this season.

Fresh off an annoyingly long winter and mentally yearning for a spring awakening of sorts myself, long walks on the golf course have helped reframe an appreciation for quiet, contours, and clearing of the mind.

This is not to say golf in the alternate form is wrong. I, too, love a day with the boys; yacht rock playing from the cart and frequent visits from the beverage trolly. That’s fun, too. And it offers its own form of therapy.

Walking, for me anyways, just feels better. I love the cadence, the pace. I love seeing the angle or the line while approaching my next shot.

Another prolific creative, William Wordsworth, has a well-sourced line I believe perfectly sums up the game of golf. He said: “Golf is a day spent in a round of strenuous idleness.”

In a time where notifications buzz constantly on our phones and responsibilities pile up by the minute, “…a spent in a round of strenuous idleness,” can challenge you both physically and mentally in the best of ways.

So, I guess what this is all meant to say is: get out and golf, you guys. And if your body and time allows it, slow down a bit and enjoy a very unspoiled walk.

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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 LPGA/USGA Girls Golf program director Kim Nastri!

• A deep dive into Shaker Farms, a misunderstood and charming layout

• 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

• At Amherst Golf Club, Aaron Dowd, Kelly Dapprich, Steve Worthley, and John Nelson teamed up to win the gross flight of the club’s 4 Ball Odd & Even tournament. Jack Arena, Sam Lussier, James Worthley, and Jack Jemsek took net honors.

• Also at Amherst GC, Christine Graves, Claire Christopherson, Ginnie Daniels, and Mina Safizadeh won the Opening Women’s Scramble.

• Lee Albertson and G. Stratner combined to shoot 63 to win the top gross flight at Edgewood’s Open Two-Person Scramble.

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

Upcoming

• The annual Western Mass. Tee Party event is Thursday, May 9 at Wilbraham Country Club. Apply to register here for the (awesome) event honoring the Downes family this year.

• 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. Northampton Country Club will host a Cinco de Mayo Scramble on Sunday.

• Registration is underway for the 42nd Annual Pewter Cup Classic! 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 Berkshired Allied Association’s Four-Ball is Saturday at Wyantenuck.

• The 44th Mac Sennett Two Ball at Country Club of Greenfield is accepting applications. It’ll have men’s and women’s divisions, skins game, and a closest to the pin. Call the proshop at 413.773.7530 to inquire.

• Ludlow Country Club has a Senior Open Two-Ball on May 13. Inquire with the proshop.

• Register now for the May 17 Stockbridge Classic — a one-day event with Championship and Senior divisions.

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

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:

Kim Nastri

Perhaps the best part about the game of golf is the people you meet. Kim Nastri, LPGA Teaching Professional and US Kids/First Tee certified lead coach is one of those people that make the sentiment true.

A former restaurant operations executive and proven leader, Kim 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.

From Instagram

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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:

Shaker Farms Country Club

Once the place to be if you were a golfer in the area, Shaker Farms has endured through some harrowing years. In the last few, though, some TLC has started bringing her back into form. (In full transparency, I’m among its faithful membership.)

No matter the playing conditions, though, you can’t deny her layout. It’s among my favorite in the area.

The Geoffrey Cornish design is of extremely high-quality with most holes forcing a fair bit of course management. False fronts are everywhere and the pins are often unfair. I’m a huge fan of the men’s league, which is always a blast. The small menu hasn’t missed yet, and the beer is always cold.

If you’re ever in my neck of the woods, I’d love to take you out. Check out a gallery of photos originally shared via the 413 Golf Instagram (might as well give us a follow, too)

News & Notes

• Registration is open for the June 20 Drive, Chip, and Putt qualifier at The Ranch. Learn more here.

• Miguel Pearce shot even-par 72 to win medalist honors by three shots at the Elms College Invitational last weekend at The Ranch. Dom Terzi (Westfield State) and Western New England’s Jeremy Burke finished second and third, respectively. Team-wise, Westfield State and Western New England tied for second behind New England College while Elms placed fourth.

• Markus Pierre led all UMass players with a 1-over T-14 individual finish at the National Collegiate Club Golf Association National Championship last weekend at WinStar in Oklahoma. Chris Pickreign shot 2-over for T-17.

• 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 6, 13, and 20.

Recommended Reading

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