1. The weather was ideal for the Women’s Open that was held on Saturday July 30th.  A field of 44 women played a 2 ball scramble, participated in 3 skills contests and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Check https://amherstgolfclub.org/2016-agcwa-2-ball-scramble-open/ for tournament results.  We thank Kate H. and Edith H. for the many hours they put into planning this event, as well as all our members who played on Sat. and/or assisted in many other ways: helping with the skills events; creating and printing the flyers and posters; distributing flyers at Western Mass matches; providing fresh picked Hadley corn; selling raffle tickets; taking pictures; setting up and cleaning up; and…. THANK YOU ALL! Also, a special shout out to our talented chefs – Cathy and Carl Teschke.  I’m sure everyone will agree that it’s quite an undertaking but well worth it judging by the positive feedback.
2. Our last 18 hole tournament this year is the President’s Cup on Sunday morning Aug. 21. To date, we have no volunteers to plan this event. If nobody signs up, Dave will organize the golf for us, though there will be no snacks/food provided. If you’re interested in taking this on, please contact me so I can give you the (in)famous folder!!
3. Our Twilight League putt money collector, Susan P., asked that I remind you there are only a couple weeks left to contribute. It would be great if we could surpass last year’s total.
4. Please save Sun. afternoon Sept 11 for our Over 50 Tournament. More details later.
5. Some photo galleries of various women’s events can be seen here.

The Amherst Open was played Sunday August 7th with Dennis Yarrows taking the victory with a par 70 gross score, edging out Nick Stern (with 4 birdies) and Jathan Molta who both shot 71.  Congratulations on the win Dennis!

John E. Shea, or Jack as he was affectionately known, passed away on July 30, 2016, in Northampton, Ma. He was born in Holyoke, Ma. in 1935, the son of John H. Shea and Mary Winifred Maher Shea. He was a graduate of Au Sable Forks High School, in Au Sable Forks, N.Y. and St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt. in 1956. Upon graduation he served in the US Army for two years. He then worked construction on the missile bases in the Adirondacks.  He was employed at Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, Ct. for 24 years.  After his retirement from Hamilton Standard he began working at the Amherst Golf Club in the Pro Shop in 1990. He was still employed there at the time of his death.

He led a very full life, spending time between the Adirondacks (Au Sable Forks, N.Y.) and Amherst, Massachusetts. Living in the Adirondacks instilled in him a love of winter sports, particularly bobsledding. He spent many weekends bobsledding at the Olympic run in Lake Placid. As a young boy living in Amherst he learned the game of golf playing with his dad at the Amherst Golf Club. He became quite an accomplished golfer, amassing many trophies though the years.   In later years he wrote a history of the Amherst Golf Club for their centennial celebration in 2000 (see Amherst Golf Club:  The First 100 Years, 1900-2000, Amherst, Massachusetts).  As a result of this, he developed a keen interest in researching and writing about many of the activities associated with his life in the Adirondacks, including research into local bobsledders, history of the Indole Golf Club, where he had also been a member, and the Fireman’s Softball league.

He is survived by his sisters, Jane Chalmers and husband Tom, of Lady Lake, Fl. and Kathleen Weatherwax and husband Don of Amherst. Also surviving are his nieces Karen Carey–Agustin and husband Lorenzo of Amherst, Shawn Durocher and her husband Richard of Princeton, Ma. One nephew Brian Chalmers of Carlisle, Pa. Predeceasing him was his nephew Thomas Chalmers also of Amherst. In addition, he is survived by 5 great nieces and nephews, Justin Carey, Jameson Carey, Ava Carey-Agustin, Olivia Durocher and Christina Durocher.

Calling hours are at the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst from 5p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday Aug. 4. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday Aug. 5, at the Newman Center 472 North Pleasant St. in Amherst followed by burial in the South Amherst Cemetery.  Note that a reception will follow at the Amherst Golf Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to St. Michael’s College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 1 Winooski Park Colchester, Vt. 05439 or Amherst Golf Club, C/O Members’ Court, 365 So. Pleasant St. Amherst, Ma. 01002

Post-funeral reception for Jack at the Amherst Golf Club.

Jack’s niece Shawn Chalmers Durocher, with her daughters Olivia and Christina, and husband Richard Durocher, accompanied by Pro Dave Twohig

From L to R: Sue Everden, Camille Richmond, Laurie Shannon, and Caitlyn Richmond, comprising the co-winners with a gross score of 35.

The AGCWA 2-Ball Scramble Open had a field of 22 teams entered in the Saturday July 20th event.  Congratulations to the co-winners, the team of Laurie Shannon and Sue Everden, and the young team of Caitlyn and Camille Richmond (sisters), with a gross score of 35 for the 9-hole event.  The Richmond sisters almost came away with a 34 and a solo win, but they had a bogie on the par 3 No. 9.  Members know all too well that hearts can be broken on the famously fast No. 9 green!

There were several skills competitions played beforehand.  Post-round, a fabulous buffet was served by the multi-talented Carl and Cathy Teschke family, consisting of marinated chicken breasts, Hadley corn, potato salad, and other sides.  Jean Gowdey, organizer for the event, reported that about 30 of the 44 women entered were non-members, which allowed a lot of “new-to-AGC” players get a good look at the course. Congratulations to the AGCWA for putting on such a successful open event.

The Amherst Golf Club Women’s Association is having a 2-Ball 9-Hole Scramble that is open to all . . . but the field is limited, so hurry!  Registration starts at 8:00 AM.  Lunch, lots of prizes and contests are included with the $30 fee.  Call Pro Dave Twohig at 256-6894.

Complete results:

Link to photo gallery of the Women’s Championship