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  June 02. 2006 12:00AM

How to find a little romance on the fairways and also avoid the hazards
Making new friends on the links through the American Singles Golf Assn.


By Art Simas SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

You love golf. Now, add about 60 other people who are like you (single, divorced, legally separated or widowed) who also love golf.

That’s the Central Mass. Chapter of the American Singles Golf Association, the only one in Massachusetts.

Now, you can take your passion for the game and meet other like-minded singles on the links at biweekly friendly tournaments during the spring, summer and early fall.

But the social aspect of the group doesn’t end at the 19th hole. Central Mass. has conducted theater outings (Foothills Theater for “The Full Monty”) bowling and billiards nights, restaurant outings, brunches, Super Bowl parties, monthly mingles, and Christmas parties.

And, on “off-weeks” from tournaments, the group gets together for “Nine and Wines” at local golf courses on Saturdays or Sundays, usually around 2 pm.

The Worcester Chapter of the American Singles Golf Association, founded in 2002, is always looking to build membership, but it’s really more about having fun, according to president Ron Pichette.

Golfers of all abilities are welcome. Most tournaments are held in scramble formats, and teams are comprised of A,B,C and D players. So, if a player has a 45 handicap (a D player), he or she can still enjoy the game because it’s not a high-pressure competition and win prizes and “ASGA bucks” (discounts to future tournaments).

The best way to see if you’d like to join is take a test “drive” and play in a tournament, attend a monthly mingle or sign up for a social activity. Tournaments, mingles and social schedules are all posted on the Web site: http://www.centralmass-asga.com

The group plays at a different course for all of the tournaments. Courses this year include: Highfields in Grafton, Green Hill in Worcester, Heritage in Charlton, Wayland Country Club, Blissful Meadows in Uxbridge, Green Meadow in Hudson, N.H., Ellinwood in Athol, New England Country Club in Bellingham and Kettle Brook in Paxton, to name a few.

Since it’s also affiliated with the national American Singles Golf Association, based in North Carolina, members of any chapter are welcome at other chapters around the country. So, if a Central Mass. member is on vacation in Phoenix in December, he or she may hook up with the local chapter there and play in their tournaments or participate in their social activities.

The national chapter also sponsors events that draw hundreds, such as a four-day outing at Pinehurst Country Club in N.C., or New Years Eve parties in Orlando, Fla.

“It really is an ideal way of meeting people. And the best part is, everyone automatically has a common interest,” said Lori A. Odell of Shrewsbury, a Central Mass. member for three years.

Last year, two members surprised the group by getting married at the annual meeting. Another member of the group acted as a justice of the peace and performed the legal ceremony after dessert, to the shock of everyone.

This year, another couple is scheduled to marry after the season. Once they are married, couples can no longer be an official member of the singles golf group.

Give it a try – there’s nothing to lose but a few golf balls – and you’ll have a lot of fun doing it.


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