The NOVEMBERFEST and DECEMBERFEST tournaments will be Amherst Golf Club’s swan song once again.  They are popular, competitive and fun events.  Afterward, you can top off your day in the clubhouse with some of DT’s famous chili and dogs, along with your favorite adult beverage.  Note that Course Superintendent Carl Teschke indicated that the course needs to be closed again this winter due to the reseeding required to repair the fairways/rough from the drought damage.

Bob Toski visited the course on October 25th, and Carl Vigeland and Pro Dave Twohig had a couple of photo opportunities with the legendary golf professional and instructor.  Originally from Haydenville, Massachusetts, Bob now  lives in Boca Raton, Florida. Visit Bob Toski’s instructional web site Touch of Toski.

On a very windy Sunday October 23rd, Adam Lussier handled the conditions rather nicely and won the Turkey Shoot tournament.

And we have Winslow Renderer doing his best Elmer Fudd imitation during the Turkey Shoot golf event!

Terrrrific! That was Jack Shea’s response each time I walked into the Pro Shop and asked how he was doing. Terrific also describes the wonderful day that more than 50 golfers had on Sat. Oct. 15 while playing in the inaugural 2016 Jack Shea Memorial Scholarship Scramble.

Teams of all configurations – 4, 5, 6 players, members and non-members, all women, all men and mixed – challenged the course under increasingly beautiful skies. Afterward, we enjoyed a barbecue which included some of Jack’s favorite Carl Teschke dishes: coleslaw, potato salad, and of course, brownies.  Jack’s niece, Shawn Durocher, and his sister, Kathleen Weatherwax, were able to join us for the afternoon.  Kathleen drew the name of Susan Plante in the 50/50 raffle, and in the spirit of the day, Susan contributed her winnings to the scholarship fund.  In total, more than $1,000 were raised to support the mission of the Jack Shea Memorial Scholarship, i.e., provide monies to junior golfers to participate in the Golf for Kids program and junior memberships.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank everyone who helped organize and who participated in this very special event. It was our pleasure and honor to know and work with Jack and we look forward to the 2017 Jack Shea Memorial Scholarship Scramble.  I’m sure it will be terrrrific!

Thanks to all,

Jean Gowdey

Three generations in the clubhouse: Jack’s great niece, Christina Durocher, his niece Shawn Durocher, and his sister, Kathleen Weatherwax.

Scoreboard from the scramble:

Memory board created by Jack’s great nieces:

During some interesting weather conditions on Sat Oct 8 (fog early AM) and Sun Oct 9 (steady rain), Jay and Jesse Morgan won the Octoberfest tournament.

October 9, 2016	Octoberfest	Gross	Morgan Jay	61-68=129
2 Ball Scramble/	Morgan Jesse
2 Ball Best Ball
Net	Yarrows Dennis	66-66=132
Renderer Winslow
October 9, 2016	2 Ball Best Ball	Gross	Morgan Jay	68
Morgan Jesse
Net	Yarrows Dennis	66
Renderer Winslow
Kamansky Chris	69
Hassenfratz George

Surrounded by loved ones, Peter H. Bleau died peacefully Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

He was born in Ludlow to Henry R. and Elsie Ann Madden Bleau, who preceded him in death. Peter grew up and attended schools in Belchertown. He served proudly in the U.S. Army in Germany and was a lifetime member of the Three Rivers Amvets.

Following an accident in 2003, Peter lived courageously, and to the fullness of his abilities, as a quadriplegic. He was a kind, smart, caring man whose bright blue eyes, winning smile, and warm sense of humor brought him many dear friends. He was always ready to speak up for those less able.

Peter will be missed by many, but most deeply by his son Trevor Bleau (with wife Chantel and their children Bryan, Deryk and Whitney) and by Mary Weidensaul, Peter’s best friend, faithful loving partner and devoted caregiver.

Peter also leaves behind his siblings: Linda Bleau Pilsworth (and “ever-lovin’ brother-in-law” John) of Montana, Richard Bleau (Carol) of North Carolina and Michael Bleau of Connecticut.

Golf was Peter’s passion and he was a longtime member of Amherst Golf Club, where he is remembered as the “Super Sub” who helped Amherst win their first Amherst Cup. Pete Bleau’s Birthday Scramble became a popular annual event in July at the club.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the West Roxbury VA Spinal Cord Injury SCI Center, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02132. For more information please visit www.beersandstory.com.

MUST READ – THANK YOU note to all of Peter Bleau’s friends at the Amherst Golf Club – from Mary Weidensaul