Novemberfest V results . . . Two different Cronin teams win Gross and Net! The last tournament of the year with winter conditions upon us . . . see you in 2025!

Mike Lentner & Nate Mercer take home the low Gross win for the 2-Ball Scramble Novemberfest IV, shooting a -7 =63. Megan Donnelly & Leslie Lyness won Net. Great conditions this weekend!

After a very thorough and competitive interview process, we are extremely happy and excited to name Shawn Durocher PGA as our new Head Golf Professional starting in March 2025!

Shawn comes to us from Cyprian Keyes Golf Club where she served as the Head Golf Professional for the last 7 years. Prior to being the Head Golf Pro, she served as the Assistant Golf Professional for 4 years. Shawn has worked in every aspect of golf and thoroughly enjoys teaching and coaching. She has served as a tournament coordinator, worked in the pro shop managing merchandise and inventory, and oversaw all the daily golf operations at Cyprian Keyes. In addition, Shawn was instrumental in organizing and growing the Junior Golf School and Golf Summer Camps at Cyprian Keyes. She enjoys giving lessons and running clinics.

Prior to her time at Cyprian Keyes, Shawn was Head Golf Coach at Mount Holyoke College from 2001 to 2010, where she was named the NGCA Division 3 “Coach of the Year” for the 2004-2005 season. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from UMass-Amherst in 1993 graduating Cum Laude. She became a PGA member in 1998.

Throughout her career, she has managed to keep playing and has developed an impressive record finishing 3rd in the 2000 Massachusetts Women’s Open, 4th place in the 2001 PGA Women’s Stroke Play, and winning the NEPGA Women’s Sectional Championship twice (2021 and 2022). Most recently, she was the 2023 NEPGA Women’s Sectional Championship runner-up. Shawn was inducted into the Western Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame in the 2016 class.

As some of you may know, Shawn grew up in the area and worked at the Amherst Golf Club as a teenager, a daughter of the late Tom and Jane Chalmers. She discovered her love of golf and played many rounds at AGC. As the niece of Jack Shea, the tournament in his name is one of her favorite events to play and it was great to hear her honor her uncle after this year’s event. Shawn and her family are excited to be “returning home”.

After 46 years of Dave’s leadership, and following a fantastic retirement party celebrating his career, we are very excited to start Amherst Golf Club’s next journey with Shawn Durocher as our sixth Head Golf Professional, as we enter our 125th year!

Novemberfest II winner is the team of Dennis Yarrows, Mike Lentner, Aaron Punska & Nate Mercer, who shot -2=138 for low gross. Fred Bogin, Jordan Haskell, Gene & Ryan Cetto won low Net. On to Novemberfest III next weekend – a 2-Ball, scramble front and best ball back, format.

“AN EVENING HONORING OUR PRO DAVE TWOHIG”
5:30 PM, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23rd, 2024
DELANEY HOUSE RESTAURANT – HOLYOKE

The program consisted of the following:

• Greeting and Overview, AGC Past-President Steve Elkins
• Recognition by Dave’s Family, with Ed Twohig, Jr.
• Remarks by AGC Superintendent Carl Teschke
• Comedic Tribute by Ron Moyer
• Presentation of Gifts by AGC President George Oulundsen and AGCWA President Kathryn Mahony
• Guest of Honor, Pro Dave Twohig
• Closing Remarks by Steve Elkins

The following photos are credited to Steve Derderian, writer at Mass Golf.  See his article on Dave and the event at massgolf.org HERE

The Twohig Family

Dave with his wife Sandy, enjoying an appetizer early in the program.

One of the toasts to Dave!

The pictorial postmark for Dave Twohig Station

Approximately 200 members, family and friends in attendance.

Ed Twohig, Jr. at the podium

Dave receives an apron from his brother John Twohig, in anticipation of his post-retirement life to include helping in the kitchen. It reads “Retired Golf Pros Belong in the Kitchen”

Remarks by Superintendent Carl Teschke

Dave thanks Superintendent Carl Teschke

Ron Moyer provided a gentle roast of Dave, but Dave needed to stand up to clarify one of Ron’s punch lines.

Newly-elected AGC President George Oulundsen and AGC Women’s Association Kathryn Mahony present Pro Dave with a lifetime membership award.

Dave holding the Lifetime Membership Award

Dave holding the portrait painted by member Edith Hunsberger.

Dave with past-president Steve Elkins after the program

Dave with his wife Sandy.

We have five weekends of Novemberfest Open Tournaments scheduled . . . sign up at the Pro Shop and be sure to say Happy Retirement to Pro Dave!!

Novemberfest I, an 18-hole scramble/18-hole best ball tournament, had a tie for low gross. The team of Chris Ferriter and Ed Garbacik tied the team of Kevin Bagge and Tim McKenna for low Gross. They both had a 63–69=132. On the net side, the team of Baggie and McKenna tied the team of Bill Chase and Andrew Richards with the low net total of 129. We saw some great fall golf on a chilly and windy weekend!