NORTON, Massachusetts (December 6, 2024) – Mass Golf has once again teamed up with Delta Air Lines to offer a challenge to members to lower their Handicap Index®. Over the course of the season, the goal was to see who dedicated the most to their game. The challenge was open to all Mass Golf members to measure their progress throughout the season. Today we unveil those golfers who made the greatest improvement, and where they plan on flying via Delta Air Lines in celebration of their achievements.
“As the official airline of Mass Golf and Boston’s number one airline, we are honored to celebrate the winners of the 2024 Most Improved Golfer Challenge” said Candice Stover, New England Regional Sales Manager at Delta. “Their accomplishments and dedication truly align with our goal to ‘keep climbing.’ We look forward to showcasing Delta’s best-in-class service and award- winning hospitality as we welcome them onboard one of our first-class cabins to over 70 nonstop destinations from Boston.””
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Jodi Comeau (Cape Ann CC) won the women’s division by diving back into the game with her husband. Someone who hadn’t played in over 20 years, she still can’t believe that she won.
“I was excited to get started, so we brought our brand new clubs to the simulator. I hit everything but the screen!” said Comeau. “But in the back of my head I knew I still had 90 days to return the clubs.”
While many can relate to Jodi’s experience, it’s her determination to keep going that was the difference. The help of her golf friends and new acquaintances at the Tuesday Night Ladies League were the key to it all.
“Try as I might, I wasn’t getting much better. But there’s those one or two good shots that keep you coming back. My husband and friends encouraged me to take some lessons so I signed up with Erik Sorensen a.k.a. The Miracle Worker of Newbury Golf Center. Late winter into spring I was taking weekly lessons and practicing/playing a TON. If it wasn’t for Erik I would have returned the clubs, he helped me improve my game and build my confidence. I jokingly told a friend that I was going to be the clubs most improved player!
“We became members at Cape Ann Golf Club and it is our favorite place to play. The people there have become a second family and the ocean views are spectacular.”
Whether it was a joke or a manifestation, Comeau’s personal advancements in her golf game are worth rewarding.
With the tickets Jodi and her husband have plans to travel to Scottsdale, AZ to take in the sites and play a little golf.
MEN’S DIVISION
Tim Henderson (Juniper Hill GC) picked the game back up after thinking he never would swing a club again. “One of my best friends Jeff wanted to check out Top Golf in the beginning of April, and I was hesitant, but ultimately went,” said Henderson. “I instantly became hooked again, but my swing was rusty and needed a lot of work.”
A majority of the golfing population can agree that sometimes it’s like riding a bike and you just can’t get enough. To dive back in, Tim took the proper steps for his game, by starting with a professional.
“I reached out to Juniper Hill and started getting lessons from one of their instructors, Eric, almost every week. It started off slow but I was finding some consistency with my swing as the season progressed. I was also going to the range about four to five days a week spending a couple hours each time working on my swing and short game.”
Not only is Tim’s overall dedication reflected in his Handicap Index improvements, but working with a professional and being disciplined enough to spend time working on the game each week is something to applaud.
“I still have days where I struggle with consistency, and my drives, but overall I’ve seen a lot of improvements, and probably wouldn’t have seen them without taking those lessons. The golf courses I played the most were Juniper Hill and Green Hill, which I really enjoyed. I also enjoyed playing Wachusett and Kettlebrook, but didn’t play those as much as I would have liked.”
Playing alongside some friends and co-workers, Tim was able to receive friendly advice that also helped different areas of his game, and continue to step out of his comfort zone, hone in on his game, and join a couple leagues.
In terms of the honor of winning and receiving two first-class tickets, Henderson is excited to share the travel with his wife.
“I have no immediate plans on where to go, but My wife loves to travel, so I’m sure she’s going to be exited to find somewhere warm!”
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 135,000 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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