By Steve Derderian
sderderian@massgolf.org
SHARON, Massachusetts (July 8, 2025) — The title defense didn’t start in style. It started with a double bogey. But Loren and Philip le Gassick, of The Kittansett Club, didn’t panic. They’d been here before, and this time, they had the right people around them. “They made par, and we made double,” Loren said of their playing partners, MJ and Steven Wagner, of Nashawtuc Country Club & Granite Links Golf Club. “But MJ turned to us and said, ‘There are still 17 holes — you can get it back.’ That really stuck.”
From that opening stumble, the le Gassicks locked in and leaned on what works: Loren’s lag putting around the greens and Philip’s power off the tee. A smooth even-par 72 at Cape Club of Sharon gave them their second straight Mass Golf Mother Son Modified Scotch title, a two-stroke edge over Cathy and Jimmy Walmsley, of Northern Spy Country Club.
But what stuck with them most is the overwhelming positivity they received during the tournament, even from their fellow contenders. “Playing with people who are kind and hospitable is a lot of fun,” Philip said. “It makes the round more enjoyable.”
View this post on Instagram
The champs found their stride on the par-3 16th, where Philip dropped a tee shot in the middle of the green and Loren poured in a 15-footer to move to 1-over. On the 315-yard par-4 3rd, five holes later, Philip drove the green and two-putted for birdie to bring them back to even.
“It was a lot of having my mom hit the fairway,” Philip said. “And if it was in play, take the most aggressive line possible.”
That balance proved ideal in the Modified Scotch format, where both players tee off, choose the best drive, and alternate shots until the hole is complete. The Walmsleys made a strong push with six birdies, including a run of three straight on holes 7 through 9, but couldn’t close the gap.
For the le Gassicks, this event is quickly becoming something of a tradition. They first played in it last year after missing earlier chances due to scheduling conflicts, and won in their debut. This year’s return almost didn’t happen either. Philip narrowly missed qualifying for the Massachusetts Amateur, where his brother Peter is competing this week. Instead of chasing his own spot in the field, he signed up for another chance to play with his mom and added another title to the family’s growing list of wins.
Their on-course chemistry is obvious, but it’s backed by real experience. Loren was part of Wake Forest’s 1985 ACC Championship team, won back-to-back Mass Women’s Amateur titles in 1985 and 1986, and has competed in top women’s amateur events across the U.S. and U.K. Philip helped lead Old Rochester to an MIAA Division 2 state title in 2022.
The event awarded both Gross and Net prizes, using 60% of the lower handicap and 40% of the higher to calculate team handicaps. Open to mothers, grandmothers, sons, and grandsons, the Mother Son Modified Scotch continues to be one of Mass Golf’s most memorable family events.
Kathy Sheedy and Ryan Furey, of Swansea Country Club, captured the Net title in the Senior Division with a score of 5-under, highlighted by net eagles on the 10th and 12th holes.
In the Junior Division, Katie & Ben Ragosa, of Winchester Country Club, were solid throughout, finishing with a score of 6-over 78 that included a birdie on the par-5 11th coming down the stretch. That score was also good enough for a net score of par. However, Lou Morrell (Marshfield Country Club) and Hunter Bows (Plymouth Country Club) took the nod with their Net score of 6-over 78.
The remaining Mass Golf Team & Parent Child events will take place throughout the next two months. On July 21, the inaugural Family Scramble Tournament will take place at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. The Father-Daughter Modified Scotch is set for August 7 at Bayberry Hills Golf Course, followed by the Father Son Modified Scotch on August 12-13 at Foxborough Country Club.
Visit MassGolf.org and follow @PlayMassGolf on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube for the latest information on Mass Golf championships and events. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #MassGolf.
