Happy Friday!

Ahh. It finally feels like true spring. Here’s your reminder to get out and play this weekend!

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Before we dive into this week’s edition, I want to talk a bit about about volunteerism and community in and around the game of golf — and offer up a few ways you can get involved with the game and give back.

We all love golf, right? That’s why we’re here.

One thing I especially love about it is the way in which it offers organizations of all kinds the ability to drive forward their missions through the game. Whether it’s through fundraising scrambles or pro-am tournaments, free access or grow-the-game clinics, or some other form of altruism, opportunities abound for those looking to do good and build up community.

Did you know that it’s super easy to get involved and put your muscle and energy into some great causes? There are plenty of ways to get involved here in the 413.

Looking for ways to get involved? Consider:

LPGA-USGA Girls Golf

Led by the amazing Kim Nastri, the growing Girls Golf program at The Ranch Golf Club is calling for volunteers. Open to girls ages 6-17 and currently at capacity for the entire season (!), the program has a waitlist requiring more female volunteers to help more junior girls get into the game.

My daughter has been a participant in the program since 2022 and I can confirm first-hand its incredible impact. Kim and team’s ability to create a fun platform for learning the game in a non-intimidating atmosphere has fostered a passion for the game for my own daughter and so many others.

The program is seeking enthusiastic women to volunteer as caring and positive role models for young girls. By volunteering, you can help make a direct impact on the lives of girls in our community. Golf experience helps, yet it is not required. You can support our program off the golf course as well. Assistance with fundraising events, monetary donations, gifts of golf merchandise, and donations of golf equipment are also always appreciated!

Volunteers are needed between 1:30 and 4:30 on clinic dates, including May 11, May 25, June 8, June 15, July 8, July 20, Aug. 17, Aug. 31, Sept. 7, and Sept. 21.

To learn more and contribute, contact Kim Nastri at (802) 238-4573 or via email at [email protected].

girlsgolfattheranch

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Wounded Warrior Project

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Put your passion for the game to good use and fundraise with golf to empower a warrior's next mission.

Whether you turn your casual Saturday game into one that gives back or organize a tournament — your golf game can help change the lives of wounded warriors and their families.

Hosting a golf event and fundraising for our nation's bravest supports WWP's mission to honor and empower wounded warriors. Learn more here about getting involved with the Wounded Warrior Project.

PGA Jr. League

Bringing together friends and family through fun, team golf experiences, the PGA Jr. League has a solid footprint here in Western Massachusetts.

Throughout the 2024 golf season, Jr. League activities are taking place at East Mountain Country Club, Springfield Country Club, GreatHorse, and Cold Spring Country Club.

Consider volunteering at one of these sites to help expert PGA and LPGA coaches learn and enjoy the game of golf. Find program and contact information here.

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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 junior star Ryan Downes

• A deep dive into Ledges Golf Club

• 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

• Longmeadow junior standout Ryan Downes is moving on in U.S. Open qualifying. He shot 69 to finish second at the TPC River Highlands Local Qualifier in Cromwell, Conn., advancing to the final stage of qualifying for the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

• Kelly Sullivan (Crumpin-Fox) joined Patrick Sullivan at the Mass. Golf Mixed Four-Ball Championship at Granite Links this past week and took T7, the top finisher representing Western Massachusetts. Other local competitors included Dave Smith and Marie Regan (Springfield Country Club), Brianna (Franconia) and Ryan Lawless (GreatHorse), Michelle and Jesse Morgan (Amherst Golf Club), and Mace and Curtis Foehl (Taconic).

• Amherst Golf Club kicked off its tournament season with the ABCD Tournament. The team of Pat Kelley, Colin Dowd, Wally Kielb, and David Lithgow won the gross flight while Don Hodgkins, Jason Carlson, John Nelson, and David Farnham won net honors. On the womens’ side, Megan Donnelly won gross while Donna Meisse took home net.

• At Tekoa Country Club, Evan Moorhouse and Brett Dooley won a tiebreaker for first place in Thursday night play. The pair shot 5-under in 2-ball play to edge Ryan Towle and Colin Dunn.

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

Upcoming

• Speaking of Tekoa, it will host a Member-Guest event May 4.

• Country Club of Greenfield’s Two-Man Scramble Championship is Saturday, May 11. Call the proshop at 413.733.7530 to register.

• A reminder that registration is now open for the 2024 Western Mass. Open at Orchards. Register here for the June 24 event.

• Also, 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.

• Baystate Health is hosting its annual fundraising event to benefit Baystate Children’s Hospital June 10. Learn more here.

• The Mo Mahar Memorial Tournament will be June 8 at Northampton Country Club.

• Another reminder of the Mass Golf Association events open for registration:

  • 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:

Ryan Downes

We featured him in our first ever edition, but with a resume that’s growing more impressive by the day, it’s worth spotlighting again highly-touted Longmeadow junior star Ryan Downes.

Ryan, a Longmeadow High School senior, is one of the nation’s top-ranked junior golfers. If you’ve paid any attention to Massachusetts or junior amateur golf, you know his name — and impressive resume.

Ryan is the reigning Massachusetts Amateur champion (the youngest ever to claim the title) and has won two straight Ouimet Memorial titles. Other impressive finishes included: 3rd at the Mass. Junior, 9th at the Jones Cup Junior Invitational, 1st at the Justin Thomas Junior Championship, and two straight Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) individual titles.

More recently, he competed in the Sage Valley Invitational — perhaps the most prestigious event in all of junior golf — and this week advanced to the final stage of qualifying for the U.S. Open (more on that below)

The son of GreatHorse head professional Billy Downes, Ryan is committed to attend and play at Vanderbilt University this fall. Needless to say, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Ryan’s competitive rounds throughout the rest of the season and beyond.

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:

Ledges Golf Club

With spectacular views of Mount Tom, the Ledges Golf Club offers a truly exciting experience. Designed by architect Howard Maurer (Miacomet, Wentworth Hills), this 18-hole championship course is known for its challenging layout and stunning views of the Connecticut River Valley.

The Ledges has quite a bit of charm. Each hole plays tightly with three drivable par-4s for most --- plus a few others for the big dogs out there. But for what Ledges lacks in distance, it more than makes up for it in quirkiness. Each hole presents a different challenge that just begs golfers to take risks. More often than not, players with local knowledge are the ones who see their risks pay off.

Longer players not only have the chance to drive a handful of par 4s at Ledges but should also have some success on the short par 5s. One par 5 in particular is the 489-yard fifth. With a blind tee shot to an elevated fairway, the fifth hole it is played in the shadow of the course's best view of nearby Mount Tom. After finding your tee shot, a quick glimpse back towards the tee area shows the Pioneer Valley in all its glory. Turn around and you're in good shape to reach this par 5 in two with a shot at eagle! What could be better?

The restaurant offers appetizers, sandwiches and entrees and a full-service bar. The kicker, though, are the awesome views of Mount Tom and the Connecticut River Valley. At any time of year, the views are amazing.

Ledges will host the Massachusetts Public Links Championship this summer and I can’t wait to see how some of the state’s best players will attack the course.

Visit www.ledgesgc.com to book your tee time!

News & Notes

• 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.

• South Hadley’s Ryan MacGregor finished solo second in the Boys 16-18 Division at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Massachusetts Spring Junior Open at Chicopee Country Club. Michael Murray, from Belchertown, finished fifth. Longmeadow’s Cecily Henshon was the top female finisher from the area, taking solo third in the girls 14-18 flight.

• Western New England’s Jeremy Burke shot 77 to tie for medalist honors last weekend at the Albertus Magnus Tri-Match. The Bears head to The Ranch Saturday for the Elms College Invitational.

• Amherst College’s Jessica Huang won the individual title at The Jack Leaman Invitational at The Orchards with a 69-75 (even par) performance. Amherst finished second in the team competition.

• The Williams College mens team won the Williams Spring Invitational at Taconic. Phillip Clifton (Williams) and Steven Chen (Amherst) were the top 413 finishers, placing 3rd and 4th, respectively.

• Amherst and Williams also competed in the Little 3 Championship with Williams topping Amherst and Wesleyan at Taconic.

• Markus Pierre, who plays on the UMass club team finished solo 2nd at the Pitt-Johnstown Bedford Springs Invitational, carding 72-74 (2-over). Pierre and his teammates are also taking aim at the National Collegiate Club Golf Association National Championship this weekend at WinStar in Oklahoma.

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!