NORTON, Massachusetts (September 19, 2025) – Friday morning in Norton, Massachusetts brought sun, smiles, and 100 holes of golf. Seven golfers spent their Friday at the Links at Mass Golf, walking and playing 100 holes, raising money for Youth on Course. Youth on Course, a nationwide program, allows members, anyone between 6-18, to play at participating courses for $5. Youth on Course allows access to more than a local municipal, including notable courses such as Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, and Bethpage Black. In order to play in the hike, players are given the goal to raise money before, during, and after the tournament.
While 100 holes seems like a steep ask, players finish the round in roughly five hours. The Links at Mass Golf is solely a par-3 course, and the field only plays the front nine. Although the course is dotted with bunkers and water hazards throughout, length is not the issue. The longest hole the field has to endure is only around 130 yards. The field included players from Portland, Ore., Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Long Island, and a few locals.
“It’s a really great event, obviously it helps support a great cause helping kids play affordable golf that they might not be able to do otherwise,” Kyle Sherman said. “All these funds go directly to subsidizing their rounds and supporting that program that helps them play.”
Sherman is the manager of member events and services at Mass Golf, and takes the lead each year at the 100 hole hike.
“This is the fifth year I’ve been doing it, I played in 2021, and have been running it since then,” Sherman said. “These courses that participate, they’re awesome, they know it’s to help grow the game in the future.”
With anyone willing to fundraise, the tournament is open to any, and has benefited younger golfers throughout the years.
“We had a girl last year that played in this, she’s a youth on course member and started because of it,” Sherman said. “She’s gotten all the way down to a five handicap and is playing competitively. It’s really helping kids to get out there and play as much golf as possible.”
These fundraisers happen across the country, so the field for this hike is routinely made up of locals coming out for the cause. This year, however, brought a different situation, with all types of zip codes being represented.
Along with locals who annually participate, staff members from Mass Golf will throw their hat in the ring as well. Tom Giffin, Manager of Course Ratings and Services, was the sole representative for the Mass Golf staff team this year, in his debut.
“Overall, it was a blast, I really enjoyed it. The whole process of reaching out to people and friends trying to raise some money was neat, and such a great cause,” Giffin said. “I played tons of golf when I was a kid, and being able to make this opportunity available for kids to play that might not otherwise be able to afford it, it’s pretty cool.”
Ending the day, Giffin and John Bray held up the top of the “Birdie Board,” with 10 each.
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Even after the 100 Hole Hike is complete, donations are still being accepted for each member of Team Mass Golf. Each hiker tracked their birdies on the course. If you feel inclined to donate from their performance, results are below.
For more information on becoming a Youth on Course member through Mass Golf, please visit MassGolf.org/YouthOnCourse or contact Kyle Sherman (ksherman@massgolf.org), Manager of Member Events & Services, with any questions.
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For the latest updates and news, visit MassGolf.org or follow Mass Golf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @PlayMassGolf.
