IPSWICH, Massachusetts (October 21, 2024) – When the Men’s Team Matches were announced back in January, a fresh blanket of snow covered the ground. Now, 10 months later, on an unseasonably warm Monday at Ipswich Country Club, a new chapter in competitive golf unfolded with the inaugural Mass Golf Men’s Team Championship
After a summer of regional competitions held monthly across Massachusetts, 15 teams—each consisting of six players—advanced to the Men’s Team Matches, a net four-ball match play event. This competition is poised to become a staple for Mass Golf Member Clubs across the Commonwealth, with clubs eagerly competing on an annual basis.
As for Year 1, the team from Foxborough Country Club secured a permanent place in Mass Golf’s competitive history. The winning team — comprising Chad Bearce, Joe O’Malley, Mac Jacobson, Jeff Theriault, Jim Devlin, and team captain Curtis McNeil — delivered an outstanding performance, posting a net score of 16-under to win by four strokes.
“It was a fantastic first year of Men’s Team Matches,” said Kyle Sherman, Mass Golf’s Manager of Member Events & Services. “We would like to thank all of the captains and players for their engaging participation in Year 1. We especially thank the participating clubs, as Men’s Team Matches would not be possible without their support. We look forward to continuing to grow and improve the program in the years to come, and hope to see everyone back out on the course next year.”
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Leading the charge for Foxborough were Chad Bearce and Joe O’Malley, posting a dominant 10-under performance that led all duos in the field. Bearce, a scratch golfer, posted nine birdies, including six on the back nine at Ipswich, en route to a score of 4-under-par 68 on his own ball. O’Malley, a 1 Handicap, put the exclamation point on the victory with a net eagle (gross birdie) on the closing par-5 6th, the No. 1 Handicap hole at Ipswich.
Jacobson also took advantage of the par-5 6th as he eagled the hole for a net albatross, combining with Theriault to shoot 3-under. Devlin, a regular in Mass Golf’s senior championships, made a pair of net eagles on the back nine as he shot 80 (net 76) to combine with McNeil to shoot 76.
Springfield Country Club finished runner-up in the event as Jeff Robidoux & Jon Schuhlen shot 6-under, as Robidoux made birdie three times with a pair of net birdies to shoot 75 (net 73). Sam Maroney and Daniel Fanion had the squad’s best gross score with a 72. However, Maroney’s net was 71, and Fanion, a +2 Handicap, had a 74. Maroney teamed with Jarrod Goss for a net team score of 4-under, while Fanion played alongside Dave Smith.
The Renaissance team — Michael Mottola, Eric Conte, Cameron Plummer, Dan Sullivan, Leo Ryan & Phil McNulty — placed third with a score of 11-under.
Mass Golf is also excited to announce that Willowbend in Mashpee has been confirmed as the site of the 2025 Men’s Team Matches Championship. 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.
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.
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.
