By: Stephen Hanjack
WORCESTER, Massachusetts (September 29, 2025) – There was a different buzz around the first tee of Worcester Country Club on Monday morning. It was a buzz of historical excitement for those in the field of the 65th Massachusetts Senior Amateur Championship, as just one day after the conclusion of the 45th Ryder Cup, players were set to take on the same layout that hosted the inaugural playing of the international competition.
However, unlike the barrage of birdies that were offered up over the past 3 days at Bethpage State Park, Worcester Country Club hardly offered any. Proof of that: Not one player finished under-par after Round 1.
Ironically, just like in New York on Sunday, an injury was one of the headline stories on Monday. It wasn’t a debilitating neck injury like the one Viktor Hovland suffered, but rather, an aching elbow that threatened Jim Patterson (Orchards Golf Club). Luckily for Patterson, a supportive brace and a bit of grit did the trick, allowing him to shoot an opening round 70 (E), good for the outright lead.
The Final Round will take place on Tuesday at Worcester Country Club, with tee times starting at 8 a.m. The Massachusetts Senior Amateur is open to amateur golfers aged 55+ and with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 8.0.
From the start of the day, Jim Patterson (Orchards Golf Club) was the name everyone was chasing. Perhaps a bit surprising, given the fact that Patterson was forced to withdraw from the New England Senior Amateur just two weeks ago with a nagging elbow injury.
“It’s been a good year (but) I’m in a bad spot with the elbow and to withdraw from the New England Senior (a) couple weeks ago,” said Patterson of the injured elbow. “So I took a couple weeks off, took the clubs back out of cold storage this morning to get out here. So it’s good to be swinging well.”
Swinging well would be an understatement, given Patterson didn’t miss a single green in regulation on Monday. In spite of a misbehaving putter, Patterson was able to collect three birdies on the opening nine (Nos. 3, 5, 9). The back was uneventful, which in a 36-hole Championship, at a course like Worcester, often bodes well. Eight pars and one three-putt bogey were enough to send Patterson’s name atop the leaderboard after one round of play.
“Everything was pretty on cue, except for the putting,” added Patterson. “Haven’t had a round where I didn’t miss a green in a couple years, so it was nice to have one of those out here today. Putting was a little bit of a challenge, but greens are great, course is in fantastic shape. So looking forward to tomorrow. It’s been a while since I’ve been in good contention going into round two.”
Patterson’s closest chaser is the long-hitting local, Brendan Hester (Pleasant Valley Country Club) who put together a round of 71 (+1) to join Patterson in the final group on Tuesday.
“I literally lived my high school years one mile from here, just up the hill,” said Hester. “So I love this place. I’ve got so many friends here, and it’s great to come home and play this golf course. It’s just a special place, special membership, obviously, with the history that it has started with the Ryder Cup.”
Hester’s bruit power was on display throughout the day, like on 15, when driver, hybrid was too much for the 515 yard uphill par 5. However, it was his attention to detail with approach play that seemed to be the difference on Monday.
“The biggest thing on this golf course is being on the right side of the pin,” added Hester. “And making sure that you don’t have these crazy downhill putts, because they can get away.”
One back of Hester, and two back of the lead are Bud Schultz (Black Rock CC) and Michael Mertes (Wyckoff CC).
Sitting at 3-over-par, and loaded with firepower, is the group of Andy Drohen (The Ranch GC) and Dean Godek (Agawam Municipal GC), Kevin Daly (Salem CC) and Steven Tasho (Thorny Lea GC). Drohen and Godek finished 1-2 at the 2024 New England Senior Amateur, meanwhile Kevin Daly (Salem CC) and Steven Tasho (Thorny Lea GC) finished 3, T6 respectively at last year’s playing of this event. Drohen and Godek also finished in the group at T6 in the 2024 Mass Senior Am.
Tasho will look to make a bit of history this year after already taking home the Massachusetts Super Senior Amateur Championship at The Haven CC earlier this month. No player has ever won both the Senior and Super Senior in the same year. A Final Round comeback would change all of that.
A total of 78 players made the cut (+11) and will now advance to the Final Round, which will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.
2024 – Doug Clapp (Salem CC)
2023 – Scott Copeland (Hopkinton CC)
2022 – Frank Vana, Jr. (Framingham CC)
2021 – Keith Smith (Pocasset GC)
2020 – Don Foberg (Willowbend)
2019 – Jack Kearney (Cohasset GC)
2018 – Frank Vana, Jr. (Pine Brook CC)
2017 – Keith Smith (Oakley CC)
2016 – Keith Smith (GC at Turner Hill)
2015 – Don Reycroft (Berkshire Hills CC)
The year 2025 is a special one for Worcester Country Club, with three historic anniversaries to celebrate.
98 Years – Just a day after the completion of the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park, players of the Massachusetts Senior Amateur Championship had the honor of teeing it up at the site of the Inaugural Playing of the Ryder Cup. In 1927, the American team, captained by Walter Hagen, defeated Great Britain 9 1/2 – 2 1/2.
100 Years – To honor the 100 year anniversary of the 1925 U.S. Open, this week’s Massachusetts Senior Amateur Championship is being played from the exact yardage that was used at the 1925 Open. Replica tee markers are also being used to commemorate the anniversary. Willie Macfarlane won the 1925 U.S. Open in a 36-hole playoff over Bobby Jones. (The two tied after the first 18 hole playoff, forcing a second)
125 Years – “In the heart of the Commonwealth, and often at the heart of early American golf history, stands Worcester Country Club.
Before the multi-generational tales of trophies, tournaments, and Taft could be written, the club’s forward-thinking membership looked toward a hill in the northeast corner of the bustling city and envisioned something far greater than the modest course they were leaving behind.”
Continue reading Mass Golf’s story on Worcester CC’s 125 year anniversary: Read More
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