For love of the game

Like many 501(c)(3) organizations, the MGA is governed by a Board of Directors. We refer to these individuals as our officers. Our president serves a two-year term, and individuals who served a term as MGA President have come from all over the state. Our current president, Clarence Bennett, was elected last fall, replacing Dr. Paul Burke of Vesper Country Club.

Clarence Bennett

Clarence comes from Springfield and is a member of Longmeadow Country Club - a great spot out in the Springfield area that hosted the 2013 MGA Amateur Championship. I could go off on a tangent about how Longmeadow is the prettiest town ever...but I won't.

Clarence has quite an interesting life story - read an article written by Springfield Republican sportswriter Russ Held.

What all of our officers and committee members have in common is that they are volunteers...and without them as well as our more than 100 additional rules, course rating, and junior golf volunteers, it is quite certain that we wouldn't be able to do much of anything. Our volunteers are men and women from all over Massachusetts that love the game of golf and give their time to the MGA throughout the year. Whether it be helping Scott Whitcomb out with course rating, serving as a rules official at an MGA qualifier or championship, or volunteering at a First Tee clinic, our volunteers are really the lifeblood of the MGA. Can you imagine running the Amateur Championship - a weeklong event that begins with a field of 150 golfers - without rules officials? Or going through the Course Rating process for our more than 360 Member Clubs without the assistance of volunteers? I mean, Scott Whitcomb is good, but he's not THAT good.

Top: braving the rain last season
Bottom: L: volunteers at a The First Tee clinic R: rules officials at the MGA Amateur Championship

And while being on a different course every week sounds like a dream life, it's not all fun and games. These guys and gals are out there regardless of the weather...which could be anything here in New England! Heat, cold, rain, fog, humidity - they take it all in stride. As another golf season begins, we look forward to seeing all of our dedicated volunteers. From the MGA, a heartfelt THANK YOU!