Daily Hampshire Gazette article written by Garrett Cote, published October 1, 2024

AMHERST — Throughout the 125 year history of Amherst Golf Club, a member of the Twohig family has been the head golf professional for 65 percent of the time.

After Ed Twohig Sr., who began his tenure in 1944, stepped down following 35 years, Dave Twohig took over and is still there to this day.

But the latter months of this golf season will be Dave Twohig’s last, as he rides off – perhaps on a golf cart – into the beautiful sunset that is retirement. The decision was as difficult as one gets, but the 71-year old felt it was simply time for the next chapter in his life.

Next year, for the first time in 81 years, the head golf professional at AGC won’t own the Twohig surname. A decision has yet to be made on who’s stepping into the role, but it won’t be a third generation of the family.

“It’s time,” Dave Twohig said of his retirement. “I’ve been here for 46 years, and before that my dad was the pro. One of the things I always think about is, if you’re here for a long period of time, it gets stale. And I don’t want it to get stale. We’ve done a good job of keeping up with the membership and what we’re trying to promote, but it’s just time.”

According to Twohig, the golf shop is to remain open up until Christmas, and even through rain, snow or whatever Mother Nature brings for weather, the course is open through Thanksgiving – including AGC’s annual “Novermberfest,” where each weekend there are fun tournament formats.

So while he can see light at the end of the tunnel, Twohig is still focused on ensuring everything goes smoothly over the next three months.

“The golf shop still operates, ever since I’ve been here and my dad before me, through Christmas,” Twohig said. “We have golfers that will play even through Thanksgiving. We’re still active right up through the end.”

Working almost every day at the same place for nearly half a century, Twohig met and built relationships with countless people. He described the membership group at Amherst Golf Club as “loyal and friendly,” and said it’s because of them that makes stepping away such a heavy choice.

Some of his fondest memories are simply conversing with the locals, because, as he says, it’s a credit to them for making AGC what it is today. And when other notables came to play at Amherst, it put things into perspective for Twohig. Whether it’s former Amherst College men’s basketball coach and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023 inductee Dave Hixon, knights to the Queen of England or successful admirals and colonels from the military, they’re just another person who’s out there playing golf when they come to AGC.

“We’ve met a lot of, in their own right, prominent people who have come through and played here,” Twohig said. “Being exposed to all of those people has been great, and then getting them on the golf course and seeing that they’re just another guy or lady with a bag of clubs.”

Ironically enough, even though Twohig works on a golf course, he hasn’t played half as much golf as he would have liked to over the past decade.

That won’t be the case next year. He’ll have plenty of time to do that now.

Between golfing – still at Amherst Golf Club – and spending time adventuring with his wife, Twohig is going to soak up unemployment like it’s his new job.

And he can’t wait.

“One of the things I’ve neglected to do, is I haven’t played enough golf,” Twohig said. “So playing golf, and enjoying time with my wife. We’re going to be doing a lot of different things and spend more time together. I’m looking forward to that.”

The Amherst Fall 2-Ball Open is in the books with the team of Deron Estes & Jim Battistoni shooting a sterling 6 under =64 Gross for the win, while Adam Lussier & Jim Serhant brought home low Net.

Congrats to Don Hodgkins on winning the Men’s Singles Match Play Championship last weekend. The format was 3 x 9-hole matches on Saturday with the winners of the two divisions playing a 18 hole match on Sunday.

This past weekend, 8 women from AGC competed against 8 women from Northampton Country Club in what is being dubbed as the first annual Battle of the Bridge. Although Amherst came out a little short in a 7 1/2 to 3 1/2 win by Northampton, a good time was had by all, with a delicious lunch provided by @northamptoncountryclub afterward!

Jordan Haskell does the unimaginable – bags his career 4th ace yesterday – congratulations Jordan!!

Kathy Horrigan won the Women’s Over 50 event with a Net 31 for the 9-hole event.

Hadley Open 2-Ball results from the weekend of September 14/15, 2024. Deron Estes and Don Hodgkins won Gross with a 2 under =68 score, with 3 teams finishing 1 stroke behind, and Brad Worthley and George Hassenfratz won Net in convincing fashion. In the Individual Stroke Play, Jeff Edwards won Gross and Todd Cromack won Net.