Happy Friday!

One question for you before we get into this week’s edition:

Where are you playing this weekend? I’d love to know. Hit me with a quick reply!

Now, let’s get to this week’s edition, including:

• An update on the tournaments and outings recently completed and those you should get on your radar ASAP

• A deep dive into The Ranch 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

• Ouimet Memorial: See full results here.

  • Annie Dai of Longmeadow shot a red-hot 5-under 67 in the opening round and finished in 8th place — the top local finisher in the Women’s Division.

  • Springfield Country Club’s Todd Ezold finished alone in third place in the Lowery Division thanks to rounds of even-par 72 and 1-under 71 while Jack Kearney of Westover was 7th.

• Berkshire Hills Singles Championship: See full results here.

  • Aaron Nackoul blew away the field to win the 67th playing of the Singles Championship at Berkshire Hills. He went 70-70-67 to finish 9-under, clearing second-place finishers Jim Welch and Pau Gilardi by 16 shots!

  • Other flight winners included: Griffith Hunter, Chirstopher Gilbert, Bob Horne, Kevin Carrozza, Bob Massetti, Robert Cooper, and Don Richardson.

• CC of Greenfield Invitational: See full results here.

  • David Donoghue and Sam Wolanske teamed up to take home the Championship Division in a finals match versus Andy Lesenski and Chris Austin.

  • Other Division winners included: Chris Cervini and Ryan Cote, Dan Lapierre and Joe Groth, Kevin Bagge and Mike Lavelle, Joe Wilson and Ryan Ferriter, Keegan Downie and Ryan Sullivan, Brodie and Drew Conant. View the full results to see all winners.

• Amateur Pub-Links at Ledges: Westover’s Michael Murray finished 2-under to tie for second place at an extremely well-run state event at Ledges in South Hadley. In the end, though, Joseph Lenane, playing out of George Write Golf Course, nearly lapped the field shooting 64-67 to finish 13-under and win by 11 shots! Ledges GC member Cody Miller battled for a T-8 finish.

  • See full results, including a ton of Western Mass. participants here. And view a video recap of the event here.

  • Also, kudos to Ledges super Amanda Fontaine for getting the course in spectacular shape and representing the 413 extremely well in one of the summer’s best events. See photos of the course and event here.

• Western Mass. Junior Open at Cold Spring: See full results here.

  • Zach Buffone fired a 1-over 72, breezing to a nine-shot victory in the Boys 16-18 division. Henry Poissant placed second.

  • Danica Shea won the Girls 16-18 flight.

  • In the Boys 13-15 flight, Connor Henrey (77) edged out Dylan Jorgensen by a shot.

  • Claire Wahlund earned the top spot in the Girls 13-15 division.

  • Braden Fairchild won the Boys 10-12 flight by 11 shots.

  • Joslyn Sexton took home honors in the Girls 10-12 flight.

  • In the Boys 6-8 flight, Camden Coggin and Jordan Lynch tied for the top spot.

• Mass. Father Daughter: Full results and recap here.

  • Dean and Alia Godek (Agawam Municipal) finished third in the Championship Division, just one shot away from the victors, who won in a playoff at Crumpin-Fox. Paul and Meredith Chiampa of Longmeadow CC (15th) and Oak Ridge’s Robert and Lindsey Thomka (19th) also finished in the Top 20.

  • In the Forward Division, John and Anne Lasek (Southampton CC) finished solo-second.

Upcoming

• Mass. Junior Amateur: The best juniors in the state will take on Bayberry Hills and Bass River next week (Aug. 5-8) in what should be a highly-competitive championship.

  • Throughout the week, keep an eye on the 413 Golf Instagram to see progress of the following local participants: Ali Awkal (CC of Wilbraham), Michael Murray (Westover), Gunnar Moore (CC of Greenfield) and Michael McGrath (CC of Wilbraham).

  • The 413 has had a great showing in recent history at the event. Last year, Ryan Downes (GreatHorse) earned medalist honors in the stroke-play qualifying at his home course before bowing out in the match play semifinal to the eventual winner. In 2022, Galen Fowles (The Ranch) and Pieter Hartman (Orchards) made it to match play.

  • One other key note: beginning this year, the winner will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur (if age-eligible).

• Mass. Girls Junior Amateur: Also at Bayberry and Bass River, the state’s top junior girls will take aim at the top spot. Among the field are the following Western Mass. golfers:

  • Cecily Henshon (Longmeadow CC)

  • Madelyn Vetri (CC of Pittsfield)

  • Annie Dai (Longmeadow)

• Mass. Senior Amateur Qualifying: Twin Hills will host a local qualifer on Aug. 6. See full field and results here.

• Mass. Mid-Am Qualifying: Westover GC will host an Aug. 12 qualifier. See full field and results here.

• Mass. Women’s Amateur Championship: Aug. 12-16 at Taconic Golf Club

  • Following the Mass. Girls Junior Amateur, Longmeadow CC’s Henshon will also compete for the state amateur title.

  • Other local participants include:

    • Helen Wright (Cold Spring CC), Elise Almgren (CC of Pittsfield), Meredith Chiampa (Longmeadow CC), Jaelyn Deboise (Springfield CC), Annie Dai (Longmeadow), and Lauren Connor (Springfield CC)

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

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:

The Ranch Golf Club

While Western Massachusetts may not necessarily be considered a golfing destination, we do have a few courses and experiences that warrant a trip.

The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick is undoubtedly one of them.

Often ranked among New England’s best public-access golf courses, The Ranch stands out to those who’ve played it as quite the experience. Combining scoreability, challenge, pristine conditions, and a wild layout, The Ranch meanders throughout rolling flats and dramatic elevation changes, highlighted by the 9th and 16th holes — two of the most dramatic, downhill double-dog-dare-ya par-fives you’ll get the chance to play.

Officially open for business in summer 2001, The Ranch was architected by Damian Pascuzzo, who’s more well-known for his work on the West Coast. While the course blends quite nicely into the “foothills of the Berkshires,” it definitely stands out as unique amongst its peers in Western Mass. and across New England.

I’ve had the chance to play The Ranch many times and it still impresses me. The lone challenge I’ve seen is in wear and tear (ballmarks, divots, etc.) due to the consistently busy tee-sheet. Still, it’s a joy every chance I get and the pub is sneaky good/great with a number of staples and great beer on tap. In fact, it’s the host of my annual buddy event, The Covid Cup, started in (you guessed it) 2020.

All in all, The Ranch is among the 413’s best and this is your sign to book a tee time.

Visit theranchgolfclub.com to learn more and to book a tee time.

News & Notes

• Kim Nastri is holding Ladies Golf Clinics at The Ranch Thursdays throughout August. The clinics will focus on putting, chipping, pitching and bunker play, the full swing, and etiquette. The cost is $140 for all clinics and $30 per. To sign up, email [email protected] or call 802-238-4573.

• Granby’s Ryley Regan competed at the U.S. Kids World Teen Championships last week at Pine Needles in Southern Pines, N.C. She shot 83-77-75 to finish T29 in the ultra-competitive Girls 13U flight.

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!