By Stephen Hanjack
shanjack@massgolf.org
SPRINGFIELD/LUDLOW, Massachusetts (May 20, 2025) – On Tuesday, 324 players were spread across two venues for the First Round of the 28th Massachusetts Senior Four-Ball Championship.
In the morning, which was quite brisk, defending Massachusetts Senior Amateur Champion Doug Clapp (Old Sandwich GC) and partner John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC) shot 66 (-6) at Ludlow CC. Greg Fisk (Longmeadow CC) + Jack Dombek (Twin Hills CC) were the best of the bunch at Veterans Memorial Golf Course (Springfield), shooting a bogey-free 67 (-5).
Three other teams are also within a shot of the lead after shooting opening round 67s: Jack Kearney (Westover GC) + Frank Vana (Marlborough CC), Vin Sasso (The Haven CC) + David Holmes (Blackstone National GC), and Bruce Barboza + Jason Cook (Segregansett CC).
The Senior Four-Ball is comprised of two-person teams of amateur golfers aged 55+, with a combined Handicap Index® not exceeding 12.0. The Super Senior Division is open to golfers in the field aged 65+.
Jack Kearney (Westover GC) + Frank Vana (Marlborough CC) were in the first group out at Ludlow CC, and perhaps inspired by the running of the Preakness Stakes this past weekend, played the role of pace setters quite nicely. The duo shot a bogey-free 67 (-5), capped off with a birdie on the gettable 18th hole.
“First of all, not making any bogeys is a little unusual for us,” joked Vana after the round. “We usually kind of slip one in at the wrong time, but today we were pretty steady.”
Vana also had high praise for Kearney’s birdie on the final hole. “He hit a great drive, and a great second shot, and a great putt.”
“Makes dinner taste better,” added Kearney with a chuckle.
Also in contention is the team of Andy Fisk + Michael Janiszewski (Ludlow CC). In the Western Mass golf circles, the name Fisk is a familiar one. After all, their family business is golf. Since 1940, the family has owned and operated Fenway Golf – an all-encompassing golf destination with driving range, mini-golf course, pitch-and-putt course, and 18 hole par-3 course. Fenway Golf proudly serves as a First Tee Massachusetts program location.
On Tuesday, Fisk and Janiszewski, both members of Ludlow CC, leaned on some home course knowledge to shoot 68 (-4). A couple of early birdies, followed by a string of pars, had them in contention but stuck in neutral. That was until they reached the second hole (their 12th), a par 5 that doglegs sharply to the right.
“I was just short of the green and flipped the wedge in there,” recalled Janiszewski. “Was fortunate enough to hit the pin and go in.”
The eagle brought them to a score of -4, which is where they would finish.
“I stayed in play for the day,” said Fisk about his steady round which included a clutch par on the final hole (no. 8). “I just had some really close birdies lip out, and a few of them just wouldn’t fall.”
Clearing up any confusion of relation between the Fisk’s at the top of the leaderboard, Andy laughed, saying “Greg’s my long lost cousin.” The two have no relation.
In total, 11 teams are within two strokes of the overnight lead. Part of the crowded leaderboard 4-under-par are Jim Patterson (Orchards GC) + Keith Stone (The Tour), who rocketed up the leaderboard thanks to Stone’s birdie-birdie-birdie finish at Veterans.
Defending Champions Dean Godek (Agawam Municipal GC) + Ed Garbacik (Westover GC) are loitering at 3-under-par, and will have the attention of the leaders during Wednesday’s Final Round.
The unmistakable flowing locks of Douglas Parigian (Long Meadow GC) + Brian Secia (Plymouth CC) may have turned some heads on the first tee, but it was their white-hot start that had heads turning to the leaderboard. It took just seven holes for them to get to 4-under-par, which is where they finished the day, to grab the lead within the Super Senior Division.
The 2023 winners of both the Championship & Super Senior Division Joe Walker + Kevin Carey (Denis Pines GC) sit one shot back at 3-under-par, along with Mark Dennish + Vincent Bucci (Old Sandwich GC).
Play will resume with the start of Round 2 at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning at both Ludlow and Veterans.
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The 2025 Massachusetts Senior Four-Ball Championship is setting history for both Ludlow Country Club and Veterans Memorial Golf Course. While Ludlow previously hosted the Massachusetts Women’s Senior Amateur Championship (2013), Tuesday marked the first time the club has hosted a Championship Proper on the men’s side.
Meanwhile, Veterans Memorial Golf Course is proudly hosting its first-ever Mass Golf Championship after years of investment and preparation. A major renovation that took place in 2021 at Springfield’s two municipal courses, Veterans and Franconia GC. Following the renovation, Veterans hosted USGA Qualifying (Junior & Girls’ Junior) in 2023, proving itself as a worthy site for championship golf and setting the stage for this week’s event.
Tom Bergeron, a past champion of this event (2005 & 2006), is serving as a member of the Championships Rules Committee at Ludlow CC this week.
