Headline: MGA Announces 2010 USGA Qualifying Dates and Sites: 10 MGA Member Clubs Will Host the Prestigious Events Beginning in May
For Immediate Release: January 24, 2010
Norton, MA — In addition to the local championship opportunites available in the Bay State, many competitors dream of taking their game to the national stage.
Photo Right: Thorny Lea Golf Club will serve as host of the 2010 U.S. Senior Open Qualifier on June 30.
As a prelude to the United States Golf Association (USGA) Championships, qualifiers are held throughout New England during the summer months.
Competitors who are able to qualify on those days earn the right to compete at the USGA Championships which are held at some of the nation's most prestigious courses.
A total of 10 MGA Member Clubs will be opening their doors to competitors and will be hosting a USGA qualifier in 2010.
Click here to visit the USGA Qualifying home page for registration information.
Here is a complete list of USGA qualifying sites.
U.S. Open Local Qualifying
May 10 – Twin Hills Country Club, Longmeadow
May 11 – Metacomet Country Club, E. Providence, RI
May 12 – Pinehills Golf Club, Plymouth
U.S. Amateur Public Links Qualifying
June 22 – Juniper Hill Golf Course, Northboro
June 23 – Bretwood Golf Course, Keene, NH
U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifying
June 23 – Atkinson Resort & Country Club, Atkinson, NH
U.S. Senior Open Qualifying
June 30 – Thorny Lea Golf Club, Brockton
U.S. Amateur Qualifying
July 27 – Boston Golf Club, Hingham
July 27 – Potowomut Golf Club, Warwick, RI
August 10 – Andover Country Club. Andover
August 10 – Crestview Country Club, Agawam
U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying
August 23 – Framingham Country Club, Framingham
September 7 – Longmeadow Country Club, Longmeadow
U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying
September 7 – The International, Bolton
The MGA Championship program – including the hosting of all USGA qualifiers – would not be possible without the support of its Member Clubs that donate the courses for championship and qualifying play. Here is more information about the host facilities and the many benefits that they are able to offer members and the general public.
Pinehills Golf Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Open Local Qualifier
54 Clubhouse Drive
Plymouth, MA 02360
508-209-3000
www.pinehillsgolf.com
Pinehills Golf Club is home to two, 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Rees Jones and Nicklaus Design. Highly acclaimed, both are among Massachusetts’ most popular public golf courses, attracting golfers from Plymouth, Cape Cod, Boston, and throughout New England. The Jones course is characterized by Rees Jones’ signature style – challenging to play, enjoyable for experts and novices alike, and respectful of the land, with built in subtleties that offer a new playing experience every time. Four sets of tees allow this public Massachusetts daily fee golf course to play from 5,388 yards to 7,175 yards.
The Nicklaus Design course at Pinehills Golf Club offers a totally different and unique experience. The Nicklaus course is an exceptional course bordered by stately trees and highlighted by challenging green complexes, gently rolling fairways, and a classic variety of holes . Four sets of tees allow this public Massachusetts daily fee golf course to play from 5,185 yards to 7,243 yards.
Pinehills was the host for the 2009 MGA Pro-President Tournament, and has been the host of the 2005, 2006, & 2007 US Open Qualifiers, as well as host of the 2009 US Mid-Amateur Qualifier.
Twin Hills Country Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Open Local Qualifier
700 Wolf Swamp Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
413-567-0321
https://twinhillscc.memberstatements.com/login/login.cfm?destination=%2Fhome%2Fhome.cfm
Twin Hills Country Club offers a fun and playable course on tree-lined fairways with incredible views of the surrounding landscape. This par-71 course, built in 1965, is treated with the utmost care and attention resulting in near perfect tee boxes, fairways and greens.
The 18-hole "Twin Hills" course at the Twin Hills Country Club facility in Longmeadow features 6,640 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course rating is 72.0 and it has a slope rating of 126 on Bent grass. Designed by Al Zikorus, the Twin Hills golf course opened in 1965. Twin Hills CC was the site of the 2006 USGA Open Qualifier.
Juniper Hill Golf Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur Public Links Qualifier
202 Brigham Street
Northboro, MA 01532
508-393-2444
www.juniperhillgc.com
Like many golf courses in New England, Juniper Hill was once a dairy farm. The 300-year-old Brigham Farm was bought by Homer C. Darling in 1928 with the intention of building a golf course that could be played by the general public. Nine holes were opened on Memorial Day 1931, followed by the second nine in 1954. Over the years, the holes have been improved and beautified. During the 1960's and 1970's, adjacent land was purchased. Homer C.'s son, Homer D. Darling, did preliminary work on an additional 18 holes and during the late 1980's, began construction on the new course. The Lakeside Course opened with nine holes on Memorial Day 1991 and the additional nine holes in August 1991.
The courses have two distinctive personalities. The Riverside Course is a traditional New England style course with tree-lined fairways that wind through the rolling countryside, and share marshland with the Assabet River. The Lakeside Course is a Carolina style course with mounding that kicks errant shots in or out. The Lakeside demands a higher level of concentration than the Riverside. The narrow fairways put a premium on accuracy over distance. Juniper Hills GC was the site of the 2006 USGA Public Links Qualifier.
Bretwood Golf Course
Host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur Public Links Qualifier
East Surry Road
Keene, NH 03431
603-352-7626
http://www.bretwoodgolf.com/
Our lush, superbly maintained 36 holes play along the picturesque Ashuelot River, which lazily meanders its way through the two courses. Four sets of tees, large Penncross bentgrass greens protected by strategic bunkering and mounds, generous and gently rolling fairways, many elevation changes, lots of water and the ever-present wind combine to make Bretwood a favorite of recreational and competitive golfers alike.
The club has two 18-hole courses. The North Course has an island green on hole #13, a 145-yard, par 3. The fairways are wide and tree lined. "Golf Digest" rated the North Course as the 4th and the South Course the 10th "Best Public Course" in the state for 1996. They also rated the North Course as the 4th "Best in State" for 1995-96, and the 8th best for 1997-98. The South Course features narrow fairways and large greens. Water hazards come into play on three holes.
Atkinson Country Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier
202 Brigham Street
85 Country Club Drive
Atkinson, NH 03811
603-362-8700
http://www.atkinsonresort.com/index.htm
The 18-hole "Atkinson" course at the Atkinson Country Club & Resort facility in Atkinson, New Hampshire features 6,534 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 72.7 and it has a slope rating of 140. Designed by Philip A. Wogan, ASGCA, the Atkinson golf course opened in 1996.
Thorny Lea Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Senior Open Qualifier
159 Torrey Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-583-7060
www.thornyleagc.com
The 18-hole "Thorny Lea" course at the Thorny Lea Golf Club facility in Brockton features 6,456 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70. The course rating is 71.6 and it has a slope rating of 129 on Bent grass. Designed by Wayne E. Stiles, ASGCA/John Van Kleek, the Thorny Lea golf course opened in 1900.
The club has enjoyed a wonderful history that can be found by clicking here.
Andover Country Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur Qualifier
60 Canterbury Street
Andover, MA 01810
978-475-1263
www.andovercountryclub.com
In 1925, William Madison Wood founded the Andover Country Club to provide an atmosphere of camaraderie among his employees and their families. As president of the American Woolen Company he spared no expense, and renowned architect Donald Ross designed one of New England's finest golf courses.
The 18-hole course at the Andover Country Club facility in Andover features 6,691 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 71.5 and it has a slope rating of 130 on Bent grass. Andover Country Club was host to the 2007 Massachusetts Father & Son Championship.
Crestview Country Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur Qualifier
281 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
413-786-2593
www.crestviewcc.org
The 18-hole "Crestview" course at the Crestview Country Club facility in Agawam features 6,902 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 73.4 and it has a slope rating of 128 on Bent grass. Designed by Geoffrey S. Cornish, ASGCA, the Crestview golf course opened in 1958.
Crestview CC was the host of the 2001 Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship, as well as the host of the 2008 Massachusetts Senior Four-Ball Championship.
Boston Golf Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur Qualifier
19 Old Country Road
Hingham, MA 02043
781-741-5123
The 18-hole "Boston" course at the Boston Golf Club facility in Hingham features 7,020 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course rating is 75.0 and it has a slope rating of 141 on Bent grass. Designed by Gilbert Hanse, ASGCA, the Boston golf course opened in 2005.
The International Golf Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier
159 Ballville Road
Bolton, MA 01740
978-779-6911
www.theinternational.com
The Pines has the distinction of being the first Geoffrey Cornish original design, augmented by a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. re-design. This course was named The Pines, to pay homage to the century old evergreens lining the course, stretching halfway to heaven. Like them, this course is majestic, breathtaking, and awe-inspiring. The Pines is the world’s longest golf course, boasting almost 8,400 yards from the legendary Tiger Tees and consistently ranked as the toughest course in the continental US.
The Oaks Course is a superb Tom Fazio masterpiece, built in 2001. It is a natural wonder that literally envelops the Pines course and provides a unique experience that celebrates the ebb and flow of the geography. Fazio is perhaps the most highly regarded and sought after golf course architect in the history of the game.
Voted into the Top Ten of America’s Best New Private Courses in 2002 by Golf Digest, the Oaks offers a most unforgettable experience for golfers of all levels. The International GC was host to the 2001 Massachusetts Pro-President Tournament as well as the 2002 Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship.
Framingham Country Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier
16 Gates Street
Framingham, MA 01702
508-872-9790
www.framinghamcc.com
The 18-hole "Framingham" course at the Framingham Country Club facility in Framingham features 6,580 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 72.5 and it has a slope rating of 136 on Bent grass. Designed by Orrin E. Smith, the Framingham golf course opened in 1902.
Framingham CC was the host of the 2009 Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship, and was also the host site of 2007 USGA Senior Amateur Qualifier.
Longmeadow Country Club
Host of the 2010 U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier
400 Shaker Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
413-567-3381
www.longmeadowcc.net
Established in 1922, Longmeadow Country Club is one of the most prestigious and oldest clubs in western Massachusetts. Located in the suburbs of Springfield, the Club offers our members various facilities and amenities from casual and formal dining rooms that rival the best restaurants anywhere in the country, to banquet facilities and meeting rooms.
The Club also boasts an 18-hole Donald Ross championship golf course that is nationally renowned as well as a driving range, fairway bunker, chipping and putting greens and various other athletic facilities.
In 2005, Longmeadow Country Club was selected as the site for the U.S Junior Amateur Championship, the most prestigious tournament reserved for the most gifted junior players in the country. The Club also served as host of the 1995 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship and it is the 10th club in the US to host both the U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls' Junior.
In addition, LCC has been the host to the U.S. Women's Open Qualifying, Massachusetts Golf Association Championships and Connecticut Section PGA Championships.