NORTON, Massachusetts – Following a two-year review of Mass Golf team tournament experiences, player feedback and committee and staff consideration, Mass Golf is pleased to announce several enhancements to select team tournaments ahead of the 2023 season.
The changes are designed to address aspects of eligibility, format and participation that will collectively serve to enhance the player experience and advance objectives within an organization-wide strategic plan that was launched in 2020. These updates were also carefully considered, vetted and approved by the Mass Golf Member Services Committee.
The following is a summary of the team tournament enhancements for the 2023 Mass Golf season:
Given the legacy and high level of competition for parent/child tournaments, a sudden death playoff will be held to determine the overall champions for the Father/Son Senior Division, Father/Son Junior Division, Father/Daughter Championship Division and Mother/Son tournaments. Any ties for low gross within these 4 events will be decided by sudden death playoff and all other ties will be decided by matching cards in accordance with the USGA method. For the Mother/Son Tournament, teams competing in both the Senior and Junior Divisions will be eligible for the overall championship as determined by low gross score or playoff result.
In an effort to increase participation in the Women’s Member/Junior Modified Scotch and ensure the entry fee is not a barrier to junior participation, adult entrants are encouraged to contact Mass Golf if a team requires assistance with the junior portion of the entry fee.
Following many years of declining participation, the Allen Bowl has been retired in order to focus our efforts in conducting the types of women’s events that are relevant, of greater interest to a larger segment and will ultimately generate greater participation. The Allen Bowl served an average of 46 players over the last 10 years and an average of 30 players over the last 3 years. Last year, the Allen Bowl was combined with a new event concept; a Women’s Play Day Shamble. 26 players participated in this new event, held simultaneously with the Allen Bowl and its 24 players. The dual events were designed to combine and ramp up promotion of the Allen Bowl to hopefully generate a larger overall field, which would help in finding a course willing to host the Allen Bowl. The new concept was also designed to allow players in both events to enjoy a post-round social gathering together. Both events were promoted to targeted membership segments and broadly across our digital channels to raise awareness in the hope of increasing participation. As we look to the future, we will focus our efforts on replacing the Allen Bowl with more casual and social style events that will appeal to a wide range of women; from those just learning the game to women looking for a fun and unintimidating introduction to organized events.
Events include:
· Cris Eaton Chapman
· Curtis Bowl Scotch
· Dolly Sullivan Team Best Ball
· LaBonte Four-Ball
· Sheeran Modified Scotch
· Mother/Daughter Modified Scotch
In the past, all ties for low gross were honored and co-winners declared. Any other ties were decided by a match of cards in accordance with the USGA method. In 2023, all ties, including 1st place gross will be decided by a matching of cards in accordance with USGA method.
Based on player feedback, there was a clear preference to have 1st place gross ties decided and declare a single winning team. Given the non-championship nature of these women’s team tournaments, it was decided that conducting sudden death playoffs was not consistent with the spirit of these events. Additionally, double shotgun events like the Cris Eaton and multi-day events like the Dolly Sullivan do not logistically allow for sudden death playoffs.
Mass Golf is also pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Morahan as Manager of Women’s Events. Originally from Carlisle, Massachusetts, Morahan got her start in golf administration by completing an internship with the New England PGA (NEPGA) while attending Babson College. She then spent eight years working with the charitable causes around the BankBoston Classic, a PGA Tour Champions event that took place at Concord’s Nashawtuc Country Club from 1981 to 2008. Morahan continued to work for tour event charities in New Jersey, but later moved back to Massachusetts to join the inaugural staff at Pinehills (founded in 2001) as the event director. She has since done consulting work on top of managing golf outings for Holy Cross athletic teams, while also following the athletic pursuits of her children; Chad and Lily.
In her position at Mass Golf, Morahan will oversee and guide the Women’s Tournament and Event Program, including Women’s Team Tournaments, and the Spring Teams and Fall Cup Matches. She will also play a leading role in women’s golf clinics and women’s player development.
Mass Golf looks forward to a fantastic season ahead and we look forward to seeing you on the course soon!
Date Tournament; Site (Registration)
May 8: Cris Eaton Chapman; Woodland GC (SOLD OUT)
June 13: Curtis Bowl Scotch; South Shore CC (Now – May 26)
Note: There is limited availability for the Curtis Bowl Scotch.
July 10: Mother/Daughter & Member Junior Modified Scotch; Meadow Brook GC (May 16-June 22)
July 10: Women’s Play Day* Meadow Brook GC; (May 16-June 22)
*Priority for this event will be given to registrants who have not previously participated in a Mass Golf Tournament,
July 18: Mother/Son Modified Scotch; Indian Pond CC (May 16-June 29)
August 7 & 8: Father/Son Modified Scotch; The Ranch GC (May 16–July 20)
August 21: Father/Daughter Modified Scotch; Thorny Lea GC (May 16–August 3)
August 21 & 22: Dolly Sullivan Team Best Ball; Crestwood CC (May 16-August 3)
September 26: Sheeran Modified Scotch; Salem CC (July 25-September 8)
October 23: LaBonte Four-Ball; The Ridge Club (July 25–October 5)
Tournament registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Prior to the launch of online registration going live, Mass Golf encourages golfers to take a moment to do the following:
1. MAKE SURE YOUR MASS GOLF MEMBERSHIP IS ACTIVE
Your Handicap Index® must be up-to-date and active with your current club or course in order to register online. If your index is not active, please contact your club, course or our staff and we will be happy to assist.
2. CHECK YOUR SCHEDULE
All eligibility requirements, schedules and entry close dates are posted for all events at MassGolf.org under the COMPETITION section. Women golfers should also take a moment to look under the PLAY section of MassGolf.org, which includes information about Member Days.
3. REACH OUT TO YOUR PARTNER AND REGISTER NOW!
The tournament schedule features team-oriented events. Find a partner now so that you can register for these events, which are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Need a partner? No problem, contact Jennifer Morahan Manager of Women’s Events, jmorahan@massgolf.org and we can do your best to assist.
Mass Golf is pleased to partner with Fore The Ladies is in hosting two events this season. The events are designed for:
· Those who have never played golf or have minimal experience with the game.
· Those who have been playing for a few years but would like some tips and instruction.
· Those who love golf and want to hang with others/find a new playing partner!
· Those who want to give golf a try with an open mind in a social atmosphere.
· Those who are ages 21 and older.
*Please note: Mass Golf Membership is not required to participate in Fore the Ladies Events
Date Event; Site (Registration)
June 4: Fore The Ladies with Mass Golf; KOHR Golf Center, Natick (Open Now!)
July 23: Fore The Ladies with Mass Golf; KOHR Golf Center, Natick (Open Now!)
If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact us: Jennifer Morahan, Manager of Women’s Events, jmorahan@massgolf.org Jenna Walkiewicz, Assistant Director of Member Services, jwalkiewicz@massgolf.org
Mass Golf is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing golf in Massachusetts by building an engaged community around the sport.
With a community made up of over 110,000 golf enthusiasts and over 340 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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