| |
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.
Order the Telegram & Gazette,
delivered daily to your home or office! www.telegram.com/homedelivery
|