By: Steve Derderian
sderderian@massgolf.org
FALMOUTH, Massachusetts (June 11, 2025) – After Tuesday’s downpours brought play to a standstill, Sacconnesset Golf Club was reborn Wednesday under clear skies and a cozy Cape Cod sun. The fairways remained soft underfoot, and the air carried the rhythmic drone of freshly emerged cicadas — a natural soundtrack to a jam-packed day of golf.
By evening, the clubhouse porch buzzed as members and a few players lounged in Adirondack chairs, sharing meals, conversation, and, in some cases, a refreshing cold libation. Hopeful cheers of “go… go… go!” echoed as putts rolled toward the cup, with phones out to capture the fescue-framed view of the final three holes at sunset. It was another reminder that when Cape Cod golf lives up to its postcard reputation, it’s a scene worth savoring.
The 115th Massachusetts Open clearly had settled into its stride, and no one looked more comfortable in that rhythm than Xavier Marcoux.
The 24-year-old Concord native backed up an opening 66 with an even-par 72 on Wednesday, giving him the solo overnight lead at 6-under. A member at Nashawtuc Country Club and the 2019 New England Amateur champion, Marcoux has played his share of strong rounds in this event, most recently a T3 finish last year, but he’s still chasing that elusive breakthrough as a professional.
Between his rounds, Marcoux knocked down 10 birdies. His formula for success so far? Simplicity and smart positioning of approaches to the front of greens.
“Just kind of left myself putting in really good spots,” said Marcoux, who is aiming to become the first Massachusetts pro to win the event in a decade. “I felt like, out here, it’s really important to putt up the hill. I was leaving myself, like 8 to 15 feet up the hill almost on like every hole, and I was able to capitalize on a lot of them.”
An opening round 66 and the solo lead for Xavier Marcoux here at the #MassOpen. His second round will get started later this afternoon. #MassGolf
Leaderboard: https://t.co/tNrhveR0QY pic.twitter.com/nufxc75srE
— Mass Golf (@PlayMassGolf) June 11, 2025
After last year’s Mass Open, Marcoux earned tour status with five PGA Tour Americas appearances. While he made three of those cuts, early returns still leave more to be desired, something Marcoux has embraced with honesty and perspective.
“Playing golf up there [in Canada] was a really great learning experience, just learning how to travel and be a pro,” he said. “And honestly, I haven’t been very good at being a pro recently. Playing for money is a lot different than playing for fun, so just everything’s a learning experience. It’s always great to come back and play Massachusetts. These are the best experiences ever.”
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Play was suspended at 8:04 p.m. Wednesday, with 64 players still needing to finish their rounds to determine the cutline of 50 and ties for the final 18 holes. By dusk, 11 players were below par or better. While Marcoux has the lead, Owen Quinn (Worcester Country Club) and Will Frodigh (Dedham Country and Polo Club) are nipping at his heels at 4-under with 13 holes left in the round.
Among those who will be playing extra holes on Thursdays is 2019 Mass Amateur champion Steven DiLisio (Salem Country Club), who is one shot back of the lead. DiLisio made two birdies, getting in eight holes of his twilight second round. He’s aiming to become the eighth person to have won the Mass Amateur and Mass Open, the most recent being Rob Oppenheim.
Hakala, meanwhile, is looking to become the first amateur since Kevin Quinn in 1999 to win the Mass Open. His first round was arguably the best among the field, a bogey-free 68 with a near hole-out for eagle on the 18th that spun right at the cup. Last year, fellow past Mass Junior Amateur winner James Imai (KOHR Golf) held the lead on the 18th and was edged out by a stroke.
An early birdie for Steven DiLisio pulls him within two of the lead. He is looking to become just the 8th player ever to win both the #MassAm and #MassOpen.
Leaderboard: https://t.co/tNrhveR0QY pic.twitter.com/UmWipRybYa
— Mass Golf (@PlayMassGolf) June 11, 2025
Ben Balter (Weston Golf Club) knows the unpredictable roller coaster of professional golf. But this week, he brought something few others in the field can claim: deep familiarity with Sacconnesset Golf Club. A full-time member from 2018 through 2024, Balter has since regained his amateur status and is making the most of his return to competitive golf in Massachusetts.
On Wednesday, he posted rounds of 72–69—141 (-3) and shares the lead for low amateur with Mass Junior Amateur winner Josiah Hakala (Northern Spy Country Club) through 36 holes, highlighted by birdies on the final two holes of the day. His final approach on the 18th hole was a perfect summation of the day. With a wedge in hand and a gallery of familiar faces behind the green, Balter stepped up from 75 yards and nearly jarred it.
“Really good number, really nice lie, a little wet, but just perfect,” Balter said. “I kind of flighted one down, and right when I hit it, I knew it was pretty good. And then it landed, and someone said, ‘Get in.’ So I thought it was pretty close, and it was nice to have a stress-free birdie to finish the long day.”
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Balter didn’t have his best stuff early but held steady with an even-par 72 in the first round. After regrouping between rounds, he came out firing in the afternoon. “My dad and I just talked about being a little bit sharper on the next round, and I got off to a really good start,” said Balter, who made six birdies in his second round.
Coming off a dramatic win at the Mass Four-Ball last month—thanks to a near hole-out with a 9-iron at Marlborough—Balter said he’s still building momentum with his swing. But through it all, he has kept his focus on the process over the outcome.
Sacconnesset, of course, only adds to his comfort zone.
“One of my favorite courses to play,” he said. “I think the best course on Cape Cod. The greens are so fast right now. If you put it above the hole, you’re just trying to knock it within three feet. But everything’s awesome. The greens crew did a great job getting everything ready for today.”
Sunday is Father’s Day, the traditional conclusion of the U.S. Open. With the special day approaching, Max McPherson and his father, Mike, are teaming up on the grounds crew at Sacconnesset. Max, part of the dedicated 27-person crew helping to tend to the course nearly around the clock during the 115th Massachusetts Open, is working side by side with his father, Mike, a volunteer. Mike, a member at Eastward Ho! who also works at Cape Cod National, joined the team this week to support Max and pitch in during one of the club’s milestone events.
If anyone understands the value of family ties in this business, it’s Sacconnesset’s golf course superintendent Brady Klein. A third-generation super, Klein has been working on golf courses since he could walk—but it wasn’t always a father-son partnership.
“He never let me work for him,” Klein said. “He didn’t want to feel like he was playing favorites. I learned through talking with him and sharing stories.”
June is a particularly busy month for Klein and his squad. In addition to the Mass Open, the club is preparing for a large Member-Member Tournament in just a few short weeks. Though the weather has thrown them a few curveballs this week, Klein said his team has stepped up to meet the challenge.
“I couldn’t say enough nice things about them, honestly. They’re working 4 a.m.-8 p.m. and come back here, and they adjusted yesterday and were able to do things on the fly,” Klein said. “Tonight we’re going to go out in the dark, and we’re gonna mow, we’re gonna get bunkers raked and things like that. The superintendent is only as good as his team, and I’ve got as good as it gets.”
Mike and Max McPherson are among the team keeping Sacconnesset Golf Club in top condition this week. (Teddy Doggett)
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For complete coverage of the Massachusetts Open Championship, visit MassGolf.org or follow Mass Golf on Facebook, X, and Instagram at @PlayMassGolf and by using the hashtag, #MassOpen
