MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association Illustration Illustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: July 2, 2002

The Massachusetts Golf Association (MGA) today announced that the Massachusetts Golf House & Museum, which is currently under construction at the new TPC of Boston facility in Norton, MA., will be named in honor and memory of the late William F. Connell - a long-time friend and proponent of the game of golf in Massachusetts.

Two years ago, William F. Connell helped facilitate the donation of a 4-acre parcel of land at the TPC of Boston facility, thereby allowing the MGA to create a first-ever Golf House, Museum & Hall of Fame and a true "home for golf" in Massachusetts. Mr. Connell passed away last August after a battle with cancer.

"In honor and in tribute to Mr. Connell's generosity and unique love for the game of golf, we are honored and humbled to name our wonderful facility after such a great man," said Thomas E. Landry, MGA executive director. "Mr. Connell embodied the many virtues of the game that we universally respect and admire."

The William F. Connell Golf House & Museum will bring together 12 non-profit, Massachusetts-based golf organizations and serve as a new, permanent home for golf in the Commonwealth. Just as important, it will be a true home for the golfing public. Within Golf House, which is located adjacent to the 9th fairway of the TPC of Boston course, there will be a Golf Museum & Hall of Fame that will be open throughout the year for the golfing public to enjoy free of charge. This forum will pay tribute to the many individuals, clubs and moments that have made Massachusetts' golf legacy so rich and storied.

"Bill has been incredibly generous to many friends and organizations over the years and now we have a unique opportunity to create a permanent legacy for Bill and honor his unparalleled stature within the Boston business community," said Peter Manning, Vice-Chairman of FleetBoston Financial Corporation. "The unveiling of the William F. Connell Golf House & Museum is a most appropriate tribute."

The MGA embarked on a $6 million capital campaign in October 2001 to jointly fund the construction of the Golf House and a Permanent Junior Golf Education Center at the Crossroads for Kids site in Duxbury, MA. The development of the two facilities speaks to Connell's passion both for the game of golf and his unwavering desire to introduce inner-city kids to golf and to impart his love of the game through the MGA ForeKids Program.

William C. Van Faasen, Chairman & CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts, was instrumental in bringing the local business community together to help raise $1.0 million to name the Golf House & Museum in the memory of Bill Connell.

"Bill was a friend to all in the business community and everyone stepped to the plate when the opportunity to name Golf House in his memory was presented," said Van Faasen. "The unquestioned generosity from the business leaders speaks volumes about Bill's character and integrity."

Many of the 12 non-profit, Massachusetts-based golf organizations are scheduled to move into the William F. Connell Golf House & Museum on August 29th. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and naming ceremony will take place in September 2002 at the Norton facility.