Headline: Longtime Staffer Scott Whitcomb Says Goodbye to the MGA; Takes on New Role With Lancaster-Based New England Specialty Soils

For Immediate Release: January 18, 2017

Scott Whitcomb will bid adieu to the MGA at the end of this month.

Norton, MA — After nearly two decades of service, Scott Whitcomb will say his final good byes to the MGA at the end of the month.

The longtime staff member who served numerous departments over the course of his 19-year tenure, announced that he will be leaving the organization to pursue a new professional opportunity with New England Specialty Soils out of Lancaster, Massachusetts

“We are sad to see Scott depart our full-time staff as he has been a mainstay and a core part of the MGA for so many years,” said Jesse Menachem, the MGA’s executive director. “His impact on our organization and on Bay State golf has been immeasurable, and we can’t thank him enough for all that he has done for us over the years.”

Whitcomb joined the MGA full-time staff in 1997 and was the longest tenured employee at the organization. He worked under three of the seven executive directors who have held that post since the organization’s founding in 1903.

During that time, Whitcomb served in many different capacities assisting with all MGA-related services including course rating, handicapping, rules officiating and event administration. His most recent position – director of field operations – saw Whitcomb manage nearly 50 volunteers comprising five regional teams that were responsible for conducting course ratings at the MGA’s 360 Member Clubs.

He was also a rules official who helped to manage scores of MGA, New England Golf Association (NEGA) and USGA events. In addition to those local and regional competitions, Whitcomb also served as an on-site official at numerous national events conducted by the USGA including and most recently the 2016 U.S. Senior Women's Amateur Championship at Wellesley Country Club and the 2015. U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in Colleton River Plantation Club in Bluffton, South Carolina.

“My new position with New England Specialty Soils is a great opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” said Whitcomb. “It’s not going to be easy from an emotion standpoint due to the connection and the admiration that I have for the MGA, but I am looking forward to this next chapter of my professional career.”

While his resume of work was matched by few over the years, it was Whitcomb’s unique personality and connections with the Bay State golf community that made him truly invaluable.

Through his time with the MGA as well as his previous years serving as an assistant golf professional and working in the turfgrass industry, Whitcomb developed relationships with personnel at nearly every golf course across the state and was often casually called the “face of the MGA” by those who knew him best.

“We always said that Scotty was the unofficial face of the MGA because everyone knew him but most importantly knew that he was there to help them,” said Menachem. “His innate people skills are what set him apart from others. The younger employees have learned so much from him, so we are grateful that his legacy of customer service will hopefully continue for years to come.”
                                                                                                                                   
One crowning jewel for Whitcomb is no doubt his success as captain of Team Massachusetts, which annually represented the Bay State at the New England Junior Invitational. Whitcomb was responsible for selecting and managing a team of seven junior amateurs, who competed at the Championship Proper which featured teams from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Under Whitcomb’s watch, Team Massachusetts captured its 14th overall title in 2016 and its third in the last four years. The latest victory – which took place at Cochecho Country Club in Dover, New Hampshire – was record breaking as the team won by a 35-stroke margin of victory – the largest in the history of the tournament. 

“Scott was such an important part of our organization,” said Harry McCracken, the executive secretary/treasurer of the NEGA. “I could always count on Scott to help at our events, and what he did with those junior boys was just outstanding. Not only were they true champions, but they always conducted themselves in the most professional and mature manner which is a testament to Scott and how he put those teams together.”

One moment that McCracken recalls fondly came at the 2014 MGA Salute to Champions Dinner when Team Massachusetts was recognized for its victory at the 2013 New England Junior Amateur Invitational.

Speaking on behalf of his team, Jake Shuman – who is now a sophomore and golf team member at Duke University – explained that with nine holes to play on the second day of competition the team learned that Whitcomb had been told that his mother had passed away and had left the course to attend to his family matters.

In front of nearly 200 attendees, Shuman explained that when they heard the news they knew that they needed to come together and win not just for themselves and for their state for but “for Scotty and his mom.”

“It was one of those moments that you don’t forget,” said Menachem. “He made an impact on those kids and taught them lessons that go well beyond golf.”

Although his time as an MGA staff member will come to an end this month, Whitcomb has promised to stay in touch with the New England golf community as a volunteer official.

“You’ll all see me on a fairly regular basis this year and hopefully for years to come,” said Whitcomb. “I may be moving on to a new organization, but I will continue to be a part of this great group.”