Happy Tuesday, fam. Today is officially the first day of spring. Damn, what a feeling.

This time of year is the best. It’s a great time to dust off the winter blues and get ready for the golf season. Last week’s warmup has been replaced by seasonable temps, but don’t let that get in the way of your preparation. Next week looks good so far, and you’ve got a season ahead of you!

As we wait for the golf-friendly temperatures to return, how about diving into three can’t miss events all members of the 413 Golf community should have on their schedule? Here’s a look at the three events I’m circling on my calendar and recommend you do, too.

1. Worthington Cup: Held annually at The Links at Worthington, the Worthington Cup is a popular 36-hole two-ball event. Two-man teams from across the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley compete in Gross (Championship Division) and Gross/Net (all other divisions). Combined handicaps (attested) determine division assignment with a skins game for the weekend. Typically held the weekend after the 4th of July, keep an eye out here for 2024 applications.

2. The Ranch Open: Slated for August 9-10, The Ranch Open is a 45-hole round robin across four flights. Two-man teams battle in five separate nine-hole rounds, accumulating points. Registration isn’t open yet but we’ll be sure to share it once it’s available. Click here to see last year’s results.

3. Killington Classic: OK, so this one isn’t necessarily within the friendly confines of the 413, but it’’s certainly worth a look. Equal parts party and golf tournament, the Killington Classic at Killington Golf Course is a 27-hole four-man scramble, golf festival, concert, and brewfest. Signing up before April 1 gets additional value so be sure to grab three of your best golf buddies and register today!

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.

• Registrations are opening for some of the year’s best Mass. Golf Association events. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Registration is now open for the Mass. Four-Ball at New Seabury; Senior Four-Ball, too. Country Club of Greenfield’s Andy Lesenski and Crumpin-Fox member Cody Booksa look to follow up on on last year’s T5, the area’s best finishers.

  • The 2024 Mass. Open at Willowbend (June 10-12) is now accepting registration. All qualifiers are full except for May 16 at CC of Pittsfield! Last year, Suffield pro Jason Thresher finished solo second while Nick Maccario from Greathorse was among the top amateurs.

  • MGA Member Day lotteries are also now open to entries. This is a great way for non-members to play some of the state’s top private clubs, including Orchards and Stockbridge Golf Club.

  • The Young Golfers' Amateur Championship registration opens today. It’s scheduled for July 15, 2024 at North Hill CC. Register your youngster here.

  • The Junior Amateur Championship, Aug. 5-8 at Bayberry Hills and Bass River is also open. Register here.

  • Ledges GC in South Hadley will host the Amateur Public Links Championship July 20-31. Registration opens Thursday at 10 a.m. with only one qualifier taking place in the region (Chicopee CC). I hope to see you there! 😃 Registration Here

• Country Club of Greenfield has released its 2024 schedule. First open event is May 11 and the annual Amateur Open Championship will be Aug. 24-25. Learn more.

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

• Ladies! Northampton Country Club’s Womens’ Spring Kickoff Par-Tee is Thursday with LPGA Top 50 teacher Marissa Kulig Crow

Featured 413 Golf Course

Western Massachusetts is home to so many highly-rated private clubs, popular public courses, and countless hidden gems. In each edition of the newsletter, we’ll feature one of the many courses across the region. This week, get to know:

Amherst Golf Club

Established in 1900, Amherst Golf Club is a semi-private golf course owned by Amherst College and managed by a dedicated group of golfers from the community. The layout of the course consists of nine well-maintained holes that provide a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. The design of the course was created by Walter Hatch, who worked as an assistant to the renowned Donald Ross, and it was later renovated by Geoffrey Cornish.

With a length of 3,075 yards from the back tees and 2,983 yards from the forward tees, the par-35 course features a variety of holes ranging from 160 to 535 yards in length. It offers multiple tees, elevated tees and greens, as well as strategically placed green-side bunkers.

If you’re looking to give Amherst Golf Club a spin, the course opens for the season March 25. Visit amherstgolfclub.org to learn more!

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:

E.J. Altobello

For the game of golf to thrive, it needs dedicated caretakers at every level. It needs down-to-earth leadership with the ability to connect to the broader community. It needs boots on the ground.

In E.J. Altobello, the game’s got those intangibles and more — both literally and figuratively.

I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy this game since the 1990s and I can say without hesitation E.J. is one of those guys you remember. Currently the head pro at Springfield Country Club, E.J. is a celebrity amongst its members and extremely active in the golf community.

…And, he’s literally the only pro I’ve seen rock work boots chipping in on the grounds crew early in the morning…

Prior to his arrival at SCC in 2019, Altobello spent 20 years at Tekoa Country Club in Westfield where he often split duties between the pro and maintenance shops. He joined Springfield with the goal of broadening the scope of instruction and coaching at the club.

Throughout his career, he’s focused heavily on growing the game from the junior ranks. The 2018 CT Section PGA Youth Player Development Award recipient remains dedicated to that mission, hosting one of the area’s most well-participated PGA Junior League programs along with Assistant Pro Taylor Schmidt.

He’s not a bad player, either. Last year, E.J., who is also a founder of the Western Mass. Golf Hall of Game, notched three Top 10s in PGA Connecticut Section action.

News & Notes

• I’ll be heading to the Connecticut Golf Show on Saturday. Let me know if you’ll be there. It’ll be great to connect! Grab tix here.

• Ryan Downes, one of the nation’s top-ranked juniors, is repping the 413 at Sage Valley (!) this week for its annual Junior Invitational. This is perhaps the top junior event of the year. We’ll be keeping a close eye on Ryan’s scores and sharing them on the 413 Golf Instagram.

• The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour will host a few events in the area. If your junior is looking to good competition, learn more.

OK, you’ve made it through another one. Thanks so much for joining. 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!