WOODS HOLE, Massachusetts (October 8, 2024) – A crisp layer of air on Cape Cod is a sign that the final Women’s Championship of the year is here. The Endicott Cup starts a three-day event with golfers from three New England states. The two-day, 36-hole stroke play championship will lead into the Tri-State Matches on Thursday. This year headed down Cape Cod with the ferry horn in the distance, Massachusetts will play host on home turf before the rotation moves along.
The Endicott Cup & Tri-State matches make for such a special tournament. The camaraderie between the women of each state and among the state teams really increase the energy and excitement of an event so close to the end of golf season.
After the first two days, low seven players from the Endicott Cup plus one alternate will compete in two simultaneous matches against competitors from the other two associations. One (1) point is awarded for every hole won, ½ point for every hole halved and zero (0) points for any hole lost. The remaining players compete in the Eaton Cup (Net) Tri-State Matches.
Massachusetts won both the Endicott Cup and Tri-States titles last year with strong performances in the Eaton Cup finishing runner up.
Natalie Galligan of Team Mass Golf will hold the overnight lead of the Endicott Cup. After one round of stroke play, she is 6-over par, a great lead that attests to the unbalanced lies and blind shots throughout the course. Galligan proved true strength and conquered the 11th with a birdie. The only one from the entire field. With two other circles on the card, Galligan will hold a 2-stoke lead over Val Blinn of Rhode Island.
The par-5 11th is said to be the hardest hole for competitors in the field. It is the courses longest hole and underwent new changes amid recent renovations that brought new contouring to the green. The blind tee shot into a hillside then funnels play down one of the different levels of contour on the green. Woods Hole will be a true test of the states as the leaderboard is currently split amongst all representing states. Players will begin the second round of stroke play in a 10:00a.m. shotgun on Tuesday.
1- Natalie Galligan (MA): +6, 78
2- Val Blinn (RI): +8, 80
3- Diane Carter (MA): +9, 81
T4- Mercedese ‘Ellie’ Large (CT): +10, 82
T4- Julie Wheatley (CT): +10, 82
T6- Laura Pirruccello (CT): +11, 83
T6- Danielle Lee (MA): +11, 83
8- Felicia Revens (RI): +12, 84
T9- Debbie Johnson (CT): +13, 85
T9- Christine Gagner (MA): +13, 85
In 1926, the first Endicott Cup tournament was held at Hartford Golf Club (CT) as a 36-hole stroke play competition between members of the Connecticut and Massachusetts Women’s Golf Associations. The Endicott Cup was presented by Priscilla Maxwell Endicott as the winner of the competition. The plan was that the first person to win the trophy three times would retire the cup.
Edith Baker won the Cup in 1926 and 1928 and requested that the trophy be perpetual, with the winner keeping it in her possession for the year. In 1929, Massachusetts (whose membership included Rhode Island) and Connecticut played the Kittredge Cup as the third day match play competition for the nine low gross players from each team. In 1930, Rhode Island joined as a third team and the Kittredge Cup was retired and replaced with the Tri-State Trophy.
Today, Endicott Cup competitors play two rounds of stroke play over the first two days. The seven low gross and seven low net players (plus an alternate from each state for the gross and net teams) compete in the Tri-State Matches (Gross) and the Eaton Cup (Net) on the third and final day.
“The Endicott Cup is truly a fun tournament which not only provides a great format for excellent golf but good competition against one another in an effort to make the match play teams as well as keen competition with the other states,” said former Massachusetts Endicott Cup captain, Marie Butera (2000). “More importantly, it provides an excellent opportunity for camaraderie and to develop friendships with golfers from Connecticut and Rhode Island.”
Founded in 1899, Woods Hole Golf Club started as a nine-hole course designed by Thomas Winton, a Scotsman. It has always featured rolling hills, fescue-lined fairways, and today it offers one of the most scenic views of Buzzards Bay along the Cape Cod coastline. Accuracy is key on a course, as shifting winds and fast greens can make life difficult for any golfer, regardless of handicap. The original course and clubhouse are across the street from where the current clubhouse and pro shop stand now. The clubhouse side contains holes 1, 9, 10, 16, 17and 18, while the remaining holes are across the street on Quissett Ave. The old clubhouse is marked by a granite bench next to the 11th tee that has the course’s centennial logo and a sketch of the old building.
