News Release
For Immediate Release: March 29, 2003
A major gala celebrating 100 years of golf in the Commonwealth, sponsored
by the Massachusetts Golf Association (MGA), was held today at The Fairmont
Copley Plaza. Bringing together golf legend Bill Mallon and four-time Richard
D. Haskell MGA Player of the Year Frank Vana, Jr., the Centennial of Massachusetts
Golf Gala was the first-ever tribute to golf in the state.
Hosted by WCVB-TV's sports reporter Mike Dowling, the event also featured surprise call ins by golf legends Byron Nelson and Ben Crenshaw. With photos of the golf icons featured on two oversized screens, the two legends spoke about their experiences playing golf in the Commonwealth. Through one-of-a-kind video vignettes produced by Norwood-based Cramer Productions, the event also highlighted the people and moments - both past and present - that have contributed to the state's rich golf heritage.
In a separate announcement, the MGA unveiled its plans to form a partnership with The First Tee, a national initiative of the World Golf Foundation to grow the game of golf. The special announcement was made by MGA President, Michael Reilly, and The First Tee Executive Director, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr, who was on hand for the event.
"Massachusetts played a pioneering role in the sport," said MGA Executive Director Tom Landry. "Our goal was to bring all segments of the golfing community together to celebrate the significant contributions of so many individuals and many exciting golf moments we have all experienced."
The event featured a tour of golf through the decades hosted by local golf legends who discussed their experiences and insights on the game, as well as video footage of some of the most dramatic moments of golf in the Commonwealth over the past 100 years. The Centennial of Massachusetts Golf Gala also honored the many individuals who have contributed greatly to the game in Massachusetts. Past Champions representing more than 100 MGA Championship titles as well as numerous amateur golf organizations and golf clubs from throughout the Commonwealth were in attendance.
To mark the Centennial, the MGA also recently established the first-ever Massachusetts Golf Museum & Hall of Fame in Norton and published a 280-page book, "A Commonwealth of Golfers," which captured the Bay State's unique golf heritage.