One thing in particular remains true even in retirement: You would know her voice anywhere.
NORTON, Massachusetts (January 30, 2025) – The familiar sound of Linda Tisevich’s voice — warm, confident, and tinged with her unmistakable Boston accent — has been a fixture at Mass Golf for nearly two decades.
Whether fielding phone calls with members, club representatives, or volunteers, sharing achievements and laughter with each and every member of the staff, or reacting to the latest Patriots game, her warm and dynamic presence has defined the culture and spirit of Mass Golf’s headquarters in Norton.
For 18 years, she has been more than a colleague—she’s been a mentor, a friend, and the heart of Golf House in Norton. As Linda steps into retirement this month, her absence will undoubtedly be felt by everyone who has had the privilege of working with her.
“Everybody here, this entire organization is a class act,” Linda said. “People work hard and put their blood, sweat, and tears into their work. That’s what I’ll remember most.”
Linda joined Mass Golf in January 2007, initially as a part-time employee. Prior to that, she was working at Briggs Nursery when a chance encounter with her friend Ann O’Donnell, then the Controller for Mass Golf, led to an invitation to lend a hand at the organization. Then-president Richard Osborne hired her in a part-time role as an administrative assistant, but she quickly transitioned to a full-time position.
“When I first started, everything was paper and snail mail,” Linda recalls. “We only had eight people on staff, and when everyone was out of the office, it was just Ann and me answering calls all day, one after the other. Sometimes, it was connecting players to Rules Officials or making sure their registration was processed.
“I’ve gotten to know so many people over the phone that I’ve never met in person. And now, everything’s online. We’ve grown so much, and the events are on a completely different level. I’ve loved seeing it all evolve.”
During her time at Mass Golf, Linda saw a drastic overall increase in Mass Golf’s operations, most notably over 45,000 new Mass Golf members and a full-time staff that has tripled. There’s also been expanded marketing and awareness around events, plus the historic merger that united two historic golf associations into today’s Mass Golf. Through it all, she’s been the steady presence behind the scenes, keeping the office running smoothly while, as she admits, being a maternal figure to staff, interns, and volunteers alike.
“The breadth of work she’s done, it touches all that we do, from each and every department or program,” said Jesse Menachem, Executive Director/CEO of Mass Golf. “Linda has been reliable, trustworthy, and willing to change and evolve. Without her, we’d have been in a much different place.”
While Linda has been an integral part of Mass Golf’s success, she is quick to deflect the spotlight toward her colleagues. She speaks fondly of the people she’s worked with, especially her late friend and coworker, Harry McCracken, whom she describes as “one of the greatest people I’ve ever known.” Harry, the longtime Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the New England Golf Association, was inducted into the Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.
“Linda spent a lot of time with Harry, supporting and assisting him, and really was an extension of Harry,” Menachem said. “Linda should be commended for that. She was right there beside him every step of the way. That helped all of us collectively.”
Linda also cherishes memories of staff outings, her surprise 50th birthday celebration, and the many meaningful interactions with colleagues, both big and small.
Now, Linda is looking forward to new adventures. She plans to spend more time with her husband, John, who recently retired, as well as their grandson. Retirement also means more golf, though she admits it took some prodding to get there.
“[Head golf professional] Drew Chapman guilted me into joining the women’s league at The Links at Mass Golf two years ago, and I’ve enjoyed playing in it ever since,” she said.
She’ll also have more time to enjoy the things she loves most: hiking Blue Hills, traveling to the Cape, enjoying dinner on Providence’s Federal Hill, and, of course, watching the Patriots on autumn Sundays with something delicious simmering in the kitchen.
As Linda steps away from Mass Golf, she leaves behind more than a welcoming office and an administrative staff that continues to keep the association operating at a high level. She leaves behind fond memories and a legacy of kindness that stays with people long after their work here is done.
One thing in particular remains true even in retirement: You would know her voice anywhere.
