NORTON, Massachusetts (July 19, 2024) – With a distinguished tenure steering the course of Mass Golf, Catherine Carmignani is now set to bring her passion for the game to sunlit fairways out West, having been named the new executive director of the Arizona Golf Association (AZ GOLF).
Carmignani, a native of Dudley, Massachusetts, joined Mass Golf in 2019 as the Director of Communications & Marketing and was promoted to Assistant Executive Director in 2022. During her five-plus years with Mass Golf, she has been both a friendly face and leader within the state’s golf Community and has generated initiatives that make the game part of an active lifestyle.
In that spirit, she has overseen the transformation of the Mass Golf brand, focusing on Community engagement. In addition to expanding growth on existing popular platforms, new mediums were added, such as video, live streaming, and a TV show on NESN. She helped craft the organization’s mission statement: “Advancing the game of golf in Massachusetts by building an engaged and inclusive Community around the sport.”
“The Mass Golf brand is what it is because of how passionate and golf-obsessed you all are,” Carmignani said. “You share in one another’s successes, and you take great pride in honoring the rich history while celebrating the future of the game. The relationships I’ve built over these past five years are so important to me, and I hope always to remain a part of this special Community.”
In addition to overseeing the operation of First Tee Massachusetts and the Marketing & Communications Department, Carmignani has been focused on external relations and development and fundraising activities to support the organization’s charitable efforts. She has led several committees and initiatives, including Mass Golf’s Equity Change Team, the Investment in the Game Award, and organizing Hall of Fame celebratory efforts. She has also expanded longstanding partnerships with Titleist and FootJoy — both Patrons of Mass Golf — and introduced member benefits through new partnerships with Sponsors of Mass Golf, such as Delta Air Lines, KOHR Golf, and Arbella Insurance Group.
“Catherine has been a key leader of the team, taking us to new levels and heights of growth and getting our Community more engaged across the board,” said Jesse Menachem, Executive Director/CEO of Mass Golf. “We were able to strategically share responsibilities within the organization and play to our respective strengths, and she’s quickly become a leader in the industry and golf association space.”
“I can’t express enough how appreciative I am for all the opportunities that Jesse has afforded me over the years,” Carmignani added. “ The Board of Directors, both past and present, has been so supportive and encouraged us every step of the way. There was a lot of trust built, and they believed in our vision. What more could you ask for? I am leaving at a time when there is still a lot of opportunity for growth and advancement for Mass Golf, and while I wish I could stay and be a part of it, I am proud to watch from afar as the staff continues to do incredible things for this Community.”
Carmignani now joins an exclusive group of women who have served as executive directors of Allied Golf Associations nationwide. Current leaders include Stacy Dennis of Texas, Allison Brown of Tennessee, and Ann Sunstrum at the Southern Nevada Golf Association.
“I think she’s earned it and deserved it,” Menachem said. “We are all proud of her taking on this next chapter in her career, and we have a Mass Golf member who is continuing to advance golf.”
The Arizona Golf Association recently underwent a rebrand, and now Carmignani said she plans to work closely with the Executive Committee and staff to further establish the mission, vision, and values in the future. She will begin her new role in August.
“They’ve taken a tremendous step forward with a strong rebrand, and I’m excited to start talking through strategic planning for the future. But before we head down that road, if I can do one thing right in these next few months, it is to “listen to understand.” There is a talented team already in place, and I will learn as much as I can from each of them so that we can create a shared vision for the future.”
Mass Golf is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing golf in Massachusetts by building an engaged and inclusive Community around the sport.
With a Community made up of over 120,000 golf enthusiasts and over 360 member clubs, Mass Golf is one of the largest state golf associations in the country. Members enjoy the benefits of handicapping, engaging golf content, course rating and scoring services along with the opportunity to compete in an array of events for golfers of all ages and abilities.
At the forefront of junior development, Mass Golf is proud to offer programming to youth in the state through First Tee Massachusetts and subsidized rounds of golf by way of Youth on Course.
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