NORTON, Massachusetts (January 14, 2025) – Mass Golf continues to advance its strategic vision by creating lasting memories through play, competition, and developmental programs. This year, the association is introducing more inclusive playing opportunities, especially for golfers with higher Handicap Indexes who may not typically compete in championship-level events.
In 2025, Mass Golf is aiming to feature more event participants than ever before with the introduction of the Mass Golf Family Scramble and the Net Four-Ball Championship, plus a 20-team expansion for the Men’s Team Matches, which debuted in 2024.
“At Mass Golf, we take pride in thoughtfully organizing and running our events, and we’re thrilled to meet the growing demand for opportunities that bring golfers together in unique and meaningful ways,” said Jenna Walkiewicz, Mass Golf’s Assistant Director of Member Services. “Whether you’re here to compete or simply enjoy time with family, friends, clubmates, or colleagues, seeing golfers of all backgrounds connect and create lasting memories reflects our commitment to making golf more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.”
Mass Golf has hosted long-standing Parent/Child Tournaments throughout each summer for teams of two. Now, for the first time, a whole family of four will be eligible to compete together in the inaugural Mass Golf Family Scramble with a shotgun start on Monday, July 21, at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow.
The event emphasizes camaraderie and fun, allowing family members—immediate and extended—to put their teamwork and strategy to the test. Spouses, parents, siblings, and children, as well as extended family members like grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, stepchildren, and stepparents, are eligible to form a team together. At least one player must be 18 years or older.
Using the Florida Scramble format, players tee off on each hole, and the team selects the best shot. The player whose shot is chosen does not play the next stroke, and this pattern continues until the ball is holed. Prizes will be awarded for both Gross and Net scoring.
Twin Hills is an Al Zikorus-designed course opened in 1965 in the town of Longmeadow, just north of the Connecticut border. Under new ownership in 2010, the club underwent a $1 million renovation, with updates to the bunkering and range included. More recently, the club hosted the 2022 Senior Four-Ball Championship and the 2021 Mass Mixed Four-Ball Championship for the Stone Cup.
Registration runs from April 10-June 18. Entries will be on a first-come, first-served basis. After the field is full, a waitlist will automatically start.
As announced in last week’s championship schedule release, the inaugural Net Four-Ball Championship will take place Tuesday, September 16, at Waverly Oaks Golf Club in Plymouth.
Similar to Men’s Team Matches, the Net Four-Ball offers a competitive playing opportunity for male golfers who haven’t met the Handicap Index requirement to play in competitive Mass Golf events. Each team will consist of two male Mass Golf members with an active handicap index between 8.1 and 18.0 at the time of registration. Players will play off 85% of their 12-month low handicap index, and each must be age 21 or older by September 16.
Designed by Brian Silva, the 18-hole championship layout at Waverly Oaks first opened its doors to the golfing public in 1998. There is a wide variety of holes and green complexes, including the 17th at Waverly Oaks (par-3, 251 yards) called “The Black Hole,” which is one of the most intimidating shots on the course. If your tee shot fails to reach the bunkers or soars to the right, your ball will quickly be consumed by the steep drop in elevation and roll down into the hazard.
Entries run from May 6-August 6. Due to anticipated demand for this event, the final field (and waitlist order) will be decided by a random lottery.
The annual Women’s Team Matches (Spring Teams & Fall Cup) have been a cornerstone for the association since its founding in 1900. These social, inter-club competitions expanded to the men’s side last year, with 60 teams from every corner of the state competing in four monthly matches from June to September. Foxborough Country Club took home the first team title in October at Ipswich Country Club.
In 2025, the Men’s Team Matches will now feature 80 teams of six players, who compete in Net Four-Ball Match Play against three other teams in their region throughout the summer. The top-performing teams in each region will advance to the championship at Willowbend on October 14. The esteemed Cape Cod club hosted the 114th Massachusetts Open this past June and is also slated to host the 119th Massachusetts Amateur in 2027.
“We had a highly successful first season thanks to the enthusiastic participation from club staff, captains, and players,” said Kyle Sherman, Manager of Member Events & Services. “We’re excited to welcome new teams into the fold this season and are looking forward to being at Willowbend in October.”
Willowbend offers 27 holes of championship golf on three meticulously maintained nines (Bay, Bog, and Bend). The iconic 9th hole on the Bog course ends with the backdrop of a rustic red barn and island green surrounded by one of the property’s several cranberry bogs.
Registration opens Tuesday, February 4, and closes Monday, March 24.
For the latest updates and news, visit MassGolf.org or follow Mass Golf on Facebook, X and Instagram at @PlayMassGolf.
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 130,000 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.
