By Steve Derderian
sderderian@massgolf.org
NORTON, Massachusetts (November 6, 2025) – The rural backroads of Western Massachusetts eventually rise to the stone, flame-lit gates of GreatHorse, a threshold that feels like crossing into somewhere entirely its own. The sign says it plainly: “Now leaving Western Massachusetts | Welcome to GreatHorse.” And with a growing legacy of statewide championships and more on the way, the club is becoming, unmistakably, championship territory.
After its native son Ryan Downes won the 117th Massachusetts Amateur, his second such title at his home track earlier this summer, GreatHorse has committed to further hosting these high-level, competitive events.
With the recent addition of nine Mass Golf, New England Golf Association, and regional interstate championships scheduled through 2033 —including the previously announced 97th New England Amateur in 2026 and the 117th Massachusetts Open in 2027 — GreatHorse’s extended slate of events marks the largest future championship commitment in Mass Golf history
“This is a monumental step forward, not just for GreatHorse but for competitive amateur golf in New England,” said Jesse Menachem, Executive Director/CEO of Mass Golf. “GreatHorse has been extremely successful with establishing itself as a championship-caliber venue in every sense, including course setup, hospitality, and its facilities. Our decision reflects the strength of our partnership and belief in their long-term vision. Their dedication to hosting premier amateur competitions is top-notch, and this agreement allows us to not only continue delivering high-quality championships but also elevate the presence of amateur golf in Western Massachusetts for years to come.”
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With its bold Brian Silva redesign and elevated clubhouse views of the Pioneer Valley, GreatHorse has quickly become one of the region’s most complete championship tests. The layout features 207 bunkers and over 200 feet of elevation change and is listed as one of GolfWeek’s Top 200 Modern Courses.
These future events represent all levels, featuring junior amateur competitions for boys and girls, mid-amateurs, senior amateurs, and professionals, culminating in the Massachusetts Open, previously held here in 2018.
After years of hosting U.S. Amateur Four-Ball qualifying, GreatHorse will host the 2028 Mass Four-Ball Championship in the spring, followed by the New England Senior Amateur in the fall. This leads into the 2029 Mass Mid-Amateur, an event GreatHorse first hosted in 2020.
As for signature events, the Massachusetts Amateur will return in 2030, marking the 122nd playing of the event. Three years later the Massachusetts Open will take place there for the third time, following the 2018 and the upcoming 2027 event. In 2018, Jason Thresher became the fifth person to win the event for three consecutive years, joining Dana Quigley (1982-84); Paul Harney (1967-1970); Harold McSpaden (1936-38) and 2025 Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame inductee Alex Ross (1906-10).
With over two centuries of history combined, the Massachusetts Junior Amateur and Massachusetts Girls’ Junior Amateur (both powered by KOHR Golf) will take place in 2031 and 2032, respectively. GreatHorse held the Junior Amateur in 2023.
GreatHorse will also open its gates for teams outside of Massachusetts. First, teams of standout mid-amateurs and seniors from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island will compete in the 96th playing of the Tri-State Matches in the fall of 2030. The next year, standout competitors from Massachusetts, the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association (NY), and the Women’s Golf Association of Philadelphia (PA) will meet out west for the 127th playing of the Griscom Cup.
“We’re honored to continue to be the place where so many golfers gather for these competitive events in the years ahead,” said Guy Antonacci, President of GreatHorse, who qualified for match play in this year’s Mass Amateur. “This commitment allows us to not only show off the course, but also our entire team and staff, who work hard every day to make GreatHorse a welcoming, memorable place that players, officials, and spectators want to return to.”
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Future Mass Golf/NEGA Championships at GreatHorse
*Previously announced in 2023
Previous Mass Golf/NEGA Championships at GreatHorse
Mass Golf is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing golf in Massachusetts by building an engaged and inclusive community.
With a community made up of over 140,000 golf enthusiasts and over 360 member clubs, Mass Golf is one of the largest state golf associations in the country. Members enjoy the benefits of handicapping, engaging golf content, course rating and scoring services along with the opportunity to compete in an array of events for golfers of all ages and abilities.
At the forefront of junior development, Mass Golf is proud to offer programming to youth in the state through First Tee Massachusetts and subsidized rounds of golf by way of Youth on Course.
