NORTON, Massachusetts – Following the launch of online registration for Championships and Women’s Championships, Mass Golf has created a road map for those who are looking to get more involved with golf this season. In 2019, Mass Golf will be hosting nearly 20 championship-level events, 15 individual, team and partner tournaments and more than 20 Member Day events.
The association will also be running more than 40 qualifying events for select Championships and overseeing all of the USGA local and sectional qualifiers here in the Bay State.
In order to help golfers – new and avid – find the events that are best for them, Mass Golf has created a road map for golfers (see below). It is also important to note the following key dates:
Thursday, February 7 @ 10:00 a.m. – online registration for all Championships and Women’s Championships – those found under the COMPETITION tab – went live.
Thursday, March 7 @ 10:00 a.m. – online registration for all Women’s Team Tournaments, Mixed Team Tournaments, Parent/Child Tournaments and Member Days – those found under the PLAY tab – go live.
In order to provide the most focused resources for those competitors who are looking for a high-level of competition, we have created the COMPETITION tab. Events included in this section are primarily for those individuals who have a handicap index of 12.0 or less and are looking to compete in the statewide, regional or national championships.
Championships: Many have asked why this section is not called “men’s championships”. The answer is simple. All Championships are open to men or women. There has never been a gender eligibility requirement for these pure gross-style events. Any individual who meets the stated handicap and age eligibility requirements is welcome to register and compete. Included under this section are the following:
Four-Ball Championship
Senior Four-Ball Championship
Open Championship
Amateur Championship
Young Golfers’ Amateur Championship
Ouimet Memorial Tournament
Amateur Public Links Championship
Junior Amateur Championship
Senior Amateur Championship
Mid-Amateur Championship
Super Senior Amateur Championship
Women’s Championships: These events are open to women only who meet the handicap index eligibility, which includes opportunity for those with indices of 36.0 and under. These events are the most competitive Mass Golf events contested for female golfers each season. Included in this section are the following:
Edith Noblit Baker Trophy *
NEWGA Championship*
B, C, D, & E
Ouimet Memorial Tournament
Women’s Amateur Championship *
Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship
Women’s Senior Amateur Championship
Endicott Cup & Tri-States *
Grace Keyes Cup *
Payment Process: It is important to note that payment will be required at the time of registration for all events where entry is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Payment will not be required at the time of registration for events noted with an asterisk above. For those championships, competitors will not be charged until they are “accepted” into the event.
Other tabs of interest in this section include:
Player of the Year: The Player of the Year system has a dedicated section with the Point System available for view. Updated point standings will be posted following the conclusion of each event.
USGA: Although registration for any USGA Championship must be done at USGA.org, we provide a complete listing of local and sectional qualifying sites.
Tri-States: This tab includes links for the Tri-States (which is similar to the Championships in that it has no gender eligibility criteria) and the Griscom Cup as well as the Junior Tri-State Team Matches and the Junior Inter-City Team Matches.
The Play section is where you can find resources and links to events that are open to those looking for slightly less competitive events, want to play with a partner or are interested in trying a unique format or style of play.
Women’s Team Tournaments: These team tournaments bring together and connect women who share a passion for golf through friendly and competitive team tournaments held at sites across the state. A variety of formats including best ball, better ball and even nine-hole Round Robin matches are featured in these women’s team tournaments that are open to golfers of a wide range of ages and skill levels throughout the season. Women who hold a handicap index that is 36.0 and under can enjoy competing in the following events:
Curtis Bowl
Mildred Prunaret Cup (match play team event)
Cris Eaton Foursomes
Hannah D. Townshend Cup
Eleanor W. Allen Bowl
Dolly Sullivan (four-person team event)
Eleanor I. Labonte
Parent/Child Tournaments: These two-person events are a great opportunity to allow kids to have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and encourage family interaction that builds lasting memories. The Mass Golf Parent/Child Tournaments feature mothers, sons, grandmothers, fathers and even clubmates who team up as a junior and senior team.
Father & Son
Father & Daughter
Mother & Daughter / Member & Junior
Mother & Son
Mixed Team Tournaments: Mass Golf allows mixed pairs as well as legally married partners to compete in two marquee Mixed Team Tournaments. The Stone Cup is held in the spring and features mixed-paired teams, who compete in spirited match play over two days. The Sheeran Trophy makes it a true family affair where legally married partners (one partner must be a female) are able to compete against other couples in a selected drive, alternate shot format where 40% of combined handicaps are used.
Payment Process: It is important to note that payment will be required at the time of registration for all tournaments noted above where entry is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Other tabs of interest in this section include:
Member Days: These one-day events are open to anyone who holds a current Mass Golf/USGA GHIN Handicap index with a Member Club. There are no handicap, age or gender eligibility requirements for Member Days. These events offer golfers a unique opportunity to play private courses. Participants are able to select one of three divisions (Women’s, Men’s & Member). The entry fee for all Member Days is not required or collected until a participant is accepted into the event.
Women’s Cup Matches: These two popular programs are statewide tournaments that feature teams of female golfers representing Mass Golf Member Clubs. The Spring Team matches include head-to-head match play using full handicaps played on Thursdays in April and May. The Fall Cup Matches consist of three matches played in September between Member Club teams with the winning team from each Cup advancing to a season-ending Championship held in October.
For all events – whether it be a championship, tournament or Member Day – you will find complete information on the right side of each respective landing page.
1 – Event Details: At the top of each page you will find the event name, site and competition dates. The entry fee (which is due via online payment at the time of registration) and entry close date is directly below. If you want more information about the event, you can click on the “Registration” note in red. That is an active link that will take you to the Conditions & Regulations page.
2 – Eligibility: This is where you can find the official eligibility criteria including specific registration details such as whether entries are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. For any events under the PLAY tab, you will also find an “About” section which will provide a brief overview of the event to make it easier for those who might be new to these types of events.
3 – Mass Golf Noteworthy: This is an area for breaking news or alerts. And if you ever forget our social media handle (@PlayMassGolf), you can find it here.
4 – Championship Links: Participants can find links to critical event information here. Prior the event date, participants can access general event documents (Pace of Play, Conditions & Regulations, Hotel Blocks, etc). As the event date approaches, the Player Information Sheet (the document that tells you everything about your site including practice round information, format, schedule, etc) and Starting Times will be linked here.
5 – Archives & Host Site: Quick links to the host site web site and past champions will be found under this section. There is also a contact name listed here for every Mass Golf event in case you have any questions.
