Henry St. Cyr has been a dedicated Rules Official for Mass Golf for decades and has served as president at Oak Hill Country Club in Fitchburg. St. Cyr was the Official In Charge during the Mass Open at Oak Hill this past week. He has also served on the Mass Golf Championship Committee and the Mass Golf Board of Directors.
The following interview has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
Mass Golf: How did you get into Volunteering with Mass Golf?
Henry St. Cyr: About 15 years ago after I retired, I got a call from a fellow Oak Hill member, Tom Bagley, saying that he would love to get me involved with Mass Golf. For many years I watched and learned what was going on and was a part of the Central Mass team of volunteers.
MG: What is your most memorable golf shot?
HSC: I was playing in a charity event at Cranberry Valley Golf Course. We were on par-3, 13th hole playing in a scramble. I hit third, and I said to my friend Jeff, “that looks pretty good.” We got to the green and there was no ball there. We looked over the green, on the side of the green and could not find it, and we knew something was going on. There was a guy there from the prize committee observing, and he did not say anything. Finally, I looked in the hole and there was my ball. Since it was a charity event, the prize for the hole-in-one was a Chevy Tahoe. So, I picked up the keys, paid the taxes, drove it home from the Cape, and got it registered.
MG: Favorite course you have played in Massachusetts?
HSC: My favorite course — except for Oak Hill — is Eastward Ho! in Chatham. Between the phenomenal views and the condition of the course, I would have to say it is my favorite. Every time I get the chance to play there, I take it and make the drive to Cape Cod.
MG: What is your dream foursome?
HSC: I think my dream foursome would be Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer, and myself. I go back to that era, and I just remember those guys battling it out so many times. Trevino adds another element in that he can play like mad, but he is also cracking jokes the whole time.
MG: What clubhouse in Massachusetts has the best lunch?
HSC: Brae Burn Country Club has fabulous food. I play in the three-day member guest with my friend every year, for about the last 20 years, and the spreads that they put out are just spectacular.
MG: What keeps you coming back as a Mass Golf volunteer? And why would you encourage someone to volunteer for Mass Golf?
HSC: What keeps me coming back is the desire to help a wonderful organization that provides opportunities to men, women, and children in golf. You get to go to some fabulous golf courses and spend a day with what I would say are top-notch individuals consisting of Mass Golf staff and the other volunteers. There are really talented and extremely qualified individuals, and that is what keeps me coming back. I just get a real sense of enjoyment out of it. I would encourage anyone who has an interest in golf and who is able, dedicate their time to a really wonderful cause and help Mass Golf run a tournament. I just think it is very rewarding. I strongly encourage people to get involved because it is like, “come on and try it because if you do, you are going to like it.”
