NORTON, Massachusetts – Over the past four years, Mass Golf Members have excelled on the national stage among the 17 events organized by the United States Golf Association®. Last year alone, Mass Golf Members earned nearly 40 qualifying spots, and two players — Shannon Johnson and Nick Maccario — advanced all the way to the semifinals in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur, respectively.
This season, Massachusetts takes center stage as the U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Amateur will take place in the Bay State. The U.S. Open returns to The Country Club in Brookline for a fourth time (1913, 1963, 1986, 2022), while the Senior Amateur comes to The Kittansett Club in Marion for the first time.
In addition to the two championships, Mass Golf will host 19 qualifiers in 2022, many of which have been highly sought-after since registration opened. In fact, the two U.S. Open local qualifiers and the U.S. Senior Open qualifier in Massachusetts sold out in less than 24 hours.
“We have a really good slate of venues, and we’re really appreciative of all the clubs that were willing to host us,” said Greg Howell, Manager of NEGA Operations & USGA Qualifying. “Obviously The Country Club and The Kittansett Club are no stranger to hosting big events. It’s a good opportunity to showcase their clubs. For the qualifying sites, I think it adds a little extra excitement and a chance for them to feel pretty good about about what they’re hosting, and obviously, it’s going to bring some extra talent.”
View this post on Instagram
With competitive season beginning Monday, let’s take a deep dive into the USGA qualifying events in Massachusetts and what to look forward to this year.
Note: Participants must register for USGA events at www.usga.org, and requests for withdrawals and refunds must be done through the USGA. Questions about a specific local/final qualifier can be directed to Greg Howell, ghowell@massgolf.org or 774-430-9016.
Local Qualifier: May 2, Foxborough Country Club (Foxborough)
Local Qualifier: May 17, Taconic Golf Club (Williamstown)
Registration Closed
Requirements: Any amateur or professional whose Handicap Index® does not exceed 1.4.
Final Qualifying: Multiple Locations
Championship Proper: June 16-19, The Country Club (Brookline, Massachusetts)
Past Winners From Massachusetts: Joe Lloyd (1897), Alex Ross (1907), Francis Ouimet (1913)
Past US Open Winners At The Country Club: Francis Ouimet (1913), Julius Boros (1963), Curtis Strange (1988)
2021 Championship Appearances: Jimmy Hervol, a professional who grew up in Hopkinton, advanced to the U.S. Open through Final Qualifying. He was one of 66 out of 9,069 entrants to advance via qualifying.
Notes: Foxborough, a frequent host of Mass Golf events and USGA Qualifiers, leads off the qualifying slate this year. … Foxborough hosted U.S. Amateur Four-Ball qualifying in 2019 … Taconic hosted U.S. Amateur qualifying in 2018 and has been the site for the 1956 U.S. Junior Amateur, 1963 U.S. Women’s Amateur and 1996 U.S. Senior Amateur. … According to the U.S. Open website, 8,880 players worldwide will compete for 530 spots to get into Final Qualifying.
Event Home: usopen.com
Qualifier: May 23, Hatherly Country Club (Scituate)
Registration Closed
Requirements: Any amateur or professional with a Handicap Index not exceeding 3.4 and has turned 50 years of age or older by June 23, 2022.
Championship Proper: June 23-26, Saucon Valley Country Club (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
Past Winners From Massachusetts: Allen Doyle (2005, 2006)
2021 Championship Appearances: Jim Patterson and Doug Clapp, both amateurs, advanced to the Championship Proper last year through qualifying. Worcester-area pro Fran Quinn also competed and finished T17.
Quoting: “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime as a golfer to get to participate in a [senior] major with other tour players.” — Jim Patterson
Notes: The 18-hole links-style course hosted the 2020 Mass Girls’ Junior Amateur. … Hatherly’s Head Golf Professional Chip Johnson played in the 1988 U.S. Open.
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–senior-open
Qualifier: June 27, Oak Hill Country Club (Fitchburg)
Entries Close: May 25
Requirements: Any male amateur who has not reached his 19th birthday by July 30, 2022, and whose Handicap Index does not exceed 4.4.
Championship Proper: July 25-30, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort – Dunes & Trails (Bandon, Oregon)
Past Winners From Massachusetts: Michael Thorbjornsen (2018)
2021 Championship Appearances: John Broderick, Aidan Emmerich, Weston Jones, Alex Landry, Joseph Lenane, Nolan Skaggs, Colin Spencer, and Ethan Whitney all made it to the Championship Proper at Pinehurst. Broderick advanced to the Round of 32 in match play.
Quoting: “They’re the best players in the world for juniors.” — Weston Jones
Notes: Oak Hill hosted U.S. Junior Amateur qualifying back in 2017. … Oak Hill hosted the Mass Open last year where Broderick made the cut and finished T33. … Oak Hill will also host the U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur qualifier.
Event Home: www.usga.org/2022/u-s–junior-amateur
Qualifier: June 30, Berkshire Hills Country Club (Pittsfield)
Qualifier: July 6, Winchester Country Club (Winchester)
Entries Close: June 22
Requirements: Any amateur with a Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4.
Championship Proper: August 15-21, Ridgewood Country Club (Paramus, N.J.)
Stroke-Play Co-Host Venue: Arcola Country Club (Paramus, N.J.)
Past Winners From Massachusetts: Francis Ouimet (1914, 1931), Jesse Guilford (1921), Ted Bishop (1946), Peter Uihlein (2010)
2021 Championship Appearances: Michael Thorbjornsen, Andrew DiRamio, James Imai, Weston Jones, Liam Gill, and Xavier Marcoux represented Mass Golf at the U.S. Amateur. Thorbjornsen finished third overall in stroke play (6-under, 134) and made it to the Round of 32 in match play.
Quoting: “This was one of the toughest golf courses I’ve played, and definitely one of the most fun just because of how tough it is. Hopefully get to come back here in a few years to play the [2025] U.S. Open.” — Michael Thorbjornsen on last year’s championship at Oakmont Country Club.
Notes: Berkshire Hills hosted 2021 & 2020 U.S. Amateur Four Ball Qualifying, 2019 U.S. Open Local Qualifying and 2017 U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying. … Berkshire Hills is the lone course in Massachusetts designed by A.W. Tillinghast; Ridgewood is also a Tillinghast design. Winchester held the 2014 New England Amateur Championship; 2010 winner Peter Uihlein competes frequently on the PGA Tour.
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–amateur
Qualifier: July 18, The Captains Golf Course – Starboard Course (Brewster)
Qualifier: July 25, Charles River Country Club (Newton)
Entries Close: July 6
Requirements: Any amateur whose Handicap Index does not exceed 7.4 and has turned 55 years of age by August 27, 2022.
Championship Proper: August 27-September 1, The Kittansett Club (Marion)
Past Winners From Massachusetts: Fred Wright (1956)
2021 Championship Appearances: Darin Eddy, Dean Godek, Daniel Harding, Mike McKenna, Keith Smith, and Frank Vana, Jr. advanced through qualifying. Smith, the 2021 Mass Golf George M. Cohen Senior Player of the Year, made it to the Round of 32.
Quoting: “It’s a different challenge because most of the senior events that we play around the state are going to be more in the 6,400 to 6,500-yard range. They really make you bring your A-game if you’re going to compete.” — Keith Smith
Notes: Kittansett, which is celebrating its centennial this year, is hosting its first USGA-sponsored event since the 1953 Walker Cup. … With the championship being held in-state, Mass Golf has earned an extra qualifier for this event. Captains hosted the Mass Four-Ball in 2018. … Charles River, which celebrated its centennial last year, hosted U.S. Mid-Amateur and U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Qualifying in 2018.
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–senior-amateur
Qualifier: August 16, Crumpin-Fox Club (Bernardston)
Qualifier: August 24, Walpole Country Club (Walpole)
Entries Close: July 20
Requirements: Any amateur whose Handicap Index does not exceed 3.4 and has turned 25 years of age by September 10, 2022.
Championship Proper: September 10-15, Erin Hills (Erin, Wisconsin)
Past Winners From Massachusetts: Matt Parziale (2017)
2021 Championship Appearances: A group of 10 individuals — Matt Parziale, Nick Maccario, Glendon Sutton, Kyle Vincze Doug Clapp, Arthur Zelmati, Joe Harney, Sam Russell, Robert Henley and Cam Moniz — earned a spot in the championships held on Nantucket Island at Sankaty Head Golf Club and Miacomet Golf Club. Maccario made the semifinals last year and earned exemption into this year’s event. Matt Parziale is also exempt for his 2017 victory.
Quoting: “The support from everybody was phenomenal all week. Being able to be the last Massachusetts and New England guy to be standing was a lot of fun.” — Nick Maccario
Notes: Crumpin-Fox has hosted seven different USGA Qualifiers in the past 11 years, including U.S. Open Local Qualifying in 2015, 2017, and 2021. … Walpole co-hosted the 2021 Mass Senior Four-Ball with Foxborough Country Club. … Walpole is also a frequent Member Day host.
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–mid-amateur
Qualifier: August 25, GreatHorse (Hampden)
Qualifier: September 12, Waubeeka Golf Links (Williamstown)
Entries Close: August 10
Requirements: Each member of the side cannot have a Handicap Index exceeding 5.4.
2022 Qualifiers: Four Mass Golf tandems — Joseph Lenane and Aidan O’Donovan; Mike Calef and Nick Maccario; Daniel Koerner and Michael Mottola; and Brandon Parker and Kyle Tibbetts — will compete beginning May 14 at Country Club of Birmingham (AL). Patrick O’Leary, Liam Gill and Kevin Gately will also compete with out-of-state partners.
Championship Proper: May 20-24, 2023, Kiawah Island Club (Kiawah Island, SC)
Quoting: “To be one of teams that made it [through qualifying] and walk away with a medal, we’re stoked. I can’t wait to do it.”” — Kyle Tibbetts
Notes: GreatHorse has been a popular venue in recent years, hosting U.S. Four-Ball qualifying last year and the Mass Mid-Amateur the year prior. … This year, GreatHorse will host the first two days of the Ouimet Memorial Tournament. … Waubeeka hosted U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifying in 2018. … 2,468 sides (4,936 players) were accepted for the 2022 Championship
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–amateur-four-ball
Qualifier: May 12, (Worcester)
Entries Closed
Requirements: Female professionals and amateurs whose Handicap Index does not exceed 2.4.
Championship Proper: June 2-5, Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club (Southern Pines, North Carolina)
Past Winners From Massachusetts: Pat Bradley (1981)
2021 Championship Appearances: No amateurs from Massachusetts, but Rockland native Megan Khang finished T4 and the year before was 5th overall. Brittany Altomare (Shrewsbury) has also competed in the last 4 playings of the U.S. Women’s Open.
Notes: Worcester hosted the 2016 Mass Open. … Worcester has also hosted a Ryder Cup, U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open in the past. Both Worcester and Pine Needles are Donald Ross-designed courses.
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–womens-open
Qualifier: June 27, Oak Hill Country Club (Fitchburg)
Entries Close: May 18
Requirements: Any female amateur who has not reached her 19th birthday by July 23, 2022, and whose Handicap Index does not exceed 9.4.
Championship Proper: July 18-23, The Club at Olde Stone (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
2021 Championship Appearances: Sisters Morgan and Molly Smith each earned a spot by qualifying at George Wright Golf Course last year.
Quoting: “To have Morgan there, too, that was extra. It would have been less exciting if I was going alone or if she was going without me. It’s nice that we experienced it together.” — Molly Smith
Notes: This will be the sixth straight year Mass Golf has scheduled qualifiers for the U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur on the same date and same course. … This will be the first U.S. Girls’ Junior ever conducted in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–girls–junior
Qualifier: June 28, Acoaxet Club (Westport, MA)
Entries Close: June 8
Requirements: Any female amateur who has turned 50 years or old by July 30, 2022, and whose Handicap Index does not exceed 14.4.
Championship Proper: July 30-August 4, Anchorage Golf Course (Anchorage, AK)
2021 Championship Appearances: Five players — Pam Kuong, Sue Curtin, Kristen Henderson, Danielle Lee, and Tracy Welch — played last year. Curtin and Welch made it to match play, as did Kuong, who was exempt into the event. Welch and Curtin both made it to the Round of 16.
Quoting: “Your heart definitely is racing a lot when you play in these events and it’s very overwhelming because it’s just a level above anything that I’ve ever played in before. The level of competition, these women are just incredible.” — Kristen Henderson
Notes: Acoaxet has hosted a Mass Golf Member Day each year since 2012. … The nine-hole course hosted the Mass Young Golfers’ Amateur in 2016.
Event Home: https://www.usga.org/2022/u-s–senior-women-s-amateur
Qualifier: July 11, Nashawtuc Country Club (Concord)
Entries Close: June 15
Requirements: Any female amateur whose Handicap Index does not exceed 5.4.
Championship Proper: August 8-14, Chambers Bay (University Place, Washington)
Past Winners From Massachusetts: Pauline McKay (1905), Harriot Curtis (1906), Margaret Curtis (1907, 1911, 1912), Katherine Harley (1908-1914).
2021 Championship Appearances: Molly Smith was the lone Massachusetts representative in the field last year.
Quoting: “Obviously you want to go in and play against the best girls in the country and the best women in the country and things like that, but the hospitality they had was just beyond great. It makes things outside of the golf that much greater and that much better.” — Molly Smith
Notes: This is Nashawtuc’s first USGA qualifier within the past 10 years. … This will be the first USGA qualifier for women held at the course. Chambers Bay hosted the U.S. Amateur in 2010 and U.S. Open in 2015.
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–women-s-amateur
Qualifier: July 25, Charles River Country Club (Newton)
Entries Close: July 6
Requirements: Female professionals and amateurs whose Handicap Index does not exceed 7.4 and have reached age 50 by August 25, 2022.
Championship Proper: August 22-25, NCR Country Club (Kettering, Ohio)
2021 Championship Appearances: Sue Curtin and Danielle Lee earned their spot in the Bass Rocks Golf Club qualifier.
Quoting: “You see Annika Sorenstam’s name and Julie Inkster’s name in the same tee sheet with yours. It’s just a continuous series of unbelievable experiences.” — Danielle Lee
Notes: Charles River, which celebrated its centennial last year, hosted U.S. Mid-Amateur and U.S Women’s Mid-Amateur Qualifying in 2018. … Charles River is also hosting U.S. Senior Amateur qualifying. … Mass Golf Hall of Famer Allen Doyle won his first of two U.S. Senior Open titles at NCR in 2005.
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–senior-women-s-open
Qualifier: August 24, Walpole Country Club (Walpole)
Entries Close: July 27
Requirements: Any female amateur who has turned 25 as of September 17, 2022, and whose Handicap Index does not exceed 9.4.
Championship Proper: September 17-22, Fiddlesticks Country Club (Fort Myers, FL)
Past Winners From Massachusetts: Marion Maney-McInerney (1992), Shannon Johnson (2018).
2021 Championship Appearances: Megan Buck, Sue Curtin, Pam Kuong, and Mary Mulcahy earned a spot in the championship at Berkeley Hall Club (SC).
Quoting: “I came up a little bit short of another national championship, but it was a great season nonetheless.” — Shannon Johnson
Notes: Walpole is also hosting U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifying. … Shannon Johnson is still exempt following her 2018 victory. … Tara Joy Connelly, who was living in Florida at the time, played in the Championship Proper and weeks later was officially inducted into the Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame. … Event to be held on the “Long Mean Course” at Fiddlesticks.
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–women-s-mid-amateur
Qualifier: October 3, Bear Hill Golf Club (Stoneham)
Entries Close: August 25
Requirements: Each member of the side cannot have a Handicap Index that exceeds 14.4.
Championship Proper: May 13-17, The Home Course (Dupont, WA)
2022 Championship Appearances: Sue Curtin and Chelsea Curtis competed as a team last week at Grand Reserve Golf Club, the first-ever USGA event held in Puerto Rico.
Quoting: “We played well in both qualifiers [2019 and 2021] and balanced each other out when we needed to the most. That’s what you need in this format.” — Sue Curtin
Notes: This will be Bear Hills’ first USGA qualifier in the past decade. …. The 9-hole course opened in 1900 and is one of the oldest continuously operating private clubs in Massachusetts.
Event Home: usga.org/2022/u-s–women-s-amateur-four-ball
