Headline: Keith Gagnon Joins the MGA Full-Time Staff as the New Manager of Course Rating

For Immediate Release: March 21, 2017

Keith Gagnon (shown front in green shirt) is excited to join the MGA full-time staff this season.

Norton, MA — The Massachusetts Golf Association has added a new member to their staff ahead of the 2017 competitive season, hiring Keith Gagnon to fill the vacant position of Manager of Course Rating. The announcement was made by MGA Executive Director Jesse Menachem. Gagnon’s position became effective on Monday, March 20.

“I am pleased to inform the Massachusetts Golf community that after a thorough process, Keith Gagnon, PGA, will be joining our staff as Manager of Course Rating,” said Menachem. “Keith is excited to join our team and become an ambassador of the MGA and his deep experience in the industry will benefit volunteers and member club representatives alike as he helps lead an important service provided by the MGA.”

A graduate of Boston College, Gagnon has ample experience in the golf industry, including serving the last 14 years as a PGA Professional in different roles at several MGA Member Clubs, including Eastward Ho!, Club of New Seabury, Blue Hill CC and his most recent stint as PGA first assistant golf professional at Willowbend in Mashpee.

“I’m thoroughly honored to be a member of the Massachusetts Golf Association team” said Gagnon. “To be a part of the fabric of the game of golf through the MGA is a thrill and a tremendous responsibility and it will be a privilege to work with so many people throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that love and support the game.”

With the MGA, Gagnon will be tasked with overseeing the course rating and marking program while also managing and working directly with the MGA’s regional course rating teams. Both services are part of the MGA’s Member Services department and are integral to the services provided by the MGA to its member clubs.

As part of its member services package, the MGA rates Member Club courses in accordance with the United States Golf Association (USGA) Course and Slope Rating System. The USGA requires that all new golf courses be re-rated within five years of the initial rating and ten years thereafter.

On working with the many member clubs, Gagnon said, “It will be very enjoyable to travel to the many member clubs all over Massachusetts and assist them with their Course Rating needs.  I look forward to the 2017 season and beyond with the MGA!”

With over 90 trained Course Raters, all volunteers, making up four regional teams throughout the Commonwealth, the MGA rates approximately 40 to 50 courses annually during the rating season, which generally runs from early May to late October. Precise course and slope ratings are provided for each set of tees so that all golfers can enjoy the benefits of an accurate and equitable handicap system. A Course Rating and Slope Rating Calendar detailing the ratings and slope for each Member Club is also distributed annually.

Gagnon’s role will include serving as the contact person for clubs seeking updated ratings for the course while also working with the captains and many volunteers to meet the needs of each respective club.

In addition to his various service as a PGA professional, Gagnon has also served on staff for the The Masters Tournament for the last two years.

Keith and MGA Director of Member Services Mark Gagne will also be attending the USGA Course Rating Calibration Seminar on March 27-28 in Florida. Both will be overseeing two local USGA Course Rating Calibration Seminars, which will be led by Eric Lahman of the USGA, on April 10 at Andover CC and on April 11 at Hickory Ridge CC.

Keith can be reached at kgagnon@mgalinks.org or by calling 774-430-9108.

To learn more about the Course Rating, Marking & Measuring Service, click here.