Erin O’Hara Last year, she acknowledged her shock by winning the Worcester County Women’s Amateur at Tatonac Country Club, and she ranked her victory as her biggest achievement in golf.
A few weeks later, she climbed it up and qualified for her first competition with senior female amateurs in the US.
Boyleston residents hope to do the same this year.
O’Hara will defend her title at the 3rd Worcester County Women’s Amateur, held at Tatonac CC next Friday and Saturday. She will then tee off in the US Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifier at a Ranch in Southwick on July 21st.
Last year, O’Hara shot 74-72 at Tatonac, with an even 146, three shots ahead of the defending champion. Vincenza “Vinnie” (75-74-149) and four before Morgan McLeod (73-77-150).
Last year, O’Hara, 58, was old enough to be the grandmother of 15-year-old Foster’s dad.
“You’re never old enough to do this, and that’s certainly true,” she said.
Then on July 31, O’Hara shot a 76, finishing second in Pyne Hills GC in Pyromore, and qualified for playing as a senior US women’s amateur at Seattle’s Broadmoor GC. She shot 86-83 and missed the cut there, but thought it was a lifelong experience.
“You felt like a professional golfer,” she recalled. “You were roped and there was an area for players and caddies only. In range, they asked if you wanted a Pro V1 or Pro Vs when you got there.
Her two daughters popped out to see her and her important others, Marty McDonaldskipped the skip to compete for caddy for her at the Senior Club Championship at Worcester CC. He also read and read Green for her at Tatonak.
By defeating many golfers much younger than her in Tatonak, O’Hara has inspired older golfers.
“I was lucky to win that last year,” she said. “The repetition is going to be really tough for all these young, talented women, even talented older people.
O’Hara receives congratulations on her victory at Tatonak last year.
“Until after the fact, I didn’t realize how big it was,” she said of the victory.
Last weekend, O’Hara formed a team You have to handcuff Finished second with Tatnuck Ladies Invitational. Last year they won the event.
At Worcester CC, O’Hara has won the past seven women’s club championships and nine overall titles, winning the final five senior women’s club championships. At Lakewood National Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, she has also won two women’s club championships, three senior women’s club championships and two couples club championships with McDonald’s.
O’Hara rated 2024 as the “craziest and most successful” year of golf.
“I felt very fortunate to be able to play so well and participate in so many tournaments,” she said.
O’Hara was also qualified to play at the 2025 Wymmet Memorial at Auburndale’s Milton and Woodland GC on July 23-25 by competing in the US Senior Women’s Amateur.
She will also play in Massachusetts at the Cape Club in East Falmouth from September 2-3.
McLeod, a North Attleboro resident who came in second in 2023, will be a senior on the Merrimack golf team this fall. Neither Dad nor McLeod have registered this year, but there have been a total of 23 women so far. Last year, 19 women participated.
“We’re excited about this year’s contestant field,” he said. Bob SpernChair of Tatonak’s Golf Committee and Member of the Board of Directors. “They represent the best of high schools, colleges, incumbent club champions and past club champions in Central Massachusetts.”
“Very happy” Tatonac Head Pro PJ Breton I said. “I want to see it grow. There are so many different players this year. It seems like a pretty strong field.”
Spell Credits Rick and Mary Shieldsthe host committee chair. The number of volunteers on weekends is almost doubled.
Wachusett CC has been hosting the Worcester County Amateur for Men since 1986, and according to Sperane, Tatnuck has launched the tournament to offer women a similar opportunity.
“It’s really great that Tatonak is doing it for women’s golf,” O’Hara said.
O’Hara grew up in a golf family. Her late father, TerryHe was a skilled golfer at Pleasant Valley CC. Her brother, TerryHe was the director of golf for Cyprus Keys for 12 years before taking the same job at the resort of Longboat Key Club in Florida in 2009. Her brother John A male college golf coach and her brother Michael He will play for Haven CC in Boyleston.
“I’m very happy that my dad gave us this golf gift,” she said.
O’Hara didn’t regularly feature golf until 15 years ago.
“It’s an incredible lifelong sport,” she said.
O’Hara pointed out that her brother John shared a first-round lead in the Worcester County Amateur Senior Division last weekend, where he cheered for him to capture the division, but he finished third.
Dad shot 69-73-146 and scored his first WCWA in 2023 with four shots at Whitney. Dad and Whitney set a competitive course record by shooting a 5-under 69 in the opening round in 2023.
Grace Farland He came back to the field after finishing fourth in 2023 and 10th last year. A recent graduate of the Hartford University golf team lives in Sturbridge and is the daughter of Cohasse CC Head Pro. Greg Farland. Release PasterWachusett area alumni will be on-site attending Hartford in the fall. She works in Tatonak’s bag room and is the daughter of Worcester CC General Manager. Troyspster.
Also included in the field Brian PessBob’s wife and Tatonak’s women’s club champion last two years Sophie Kamilas a freshman at Westborough High, who finished fourth last year, he was 2023 T&G Hometeam Girls ‘Golfer of the Year. Mary Gale and Christine winsboth Rutland’s bedrock CG are also registered. Gale won the Massachusetts female amateur in 1996 and the Massachusetts female senior amateur in 2010 and 2012. Gagner was a senior amateur in Massachusetts in 2016.
The tournament is open to amateur females with handicaps below 12.0. The $135 registration fee includes two rounds of medal play, Friday lunch, tea gifts and prizes. Golfers have tee time on Friday mornings and Saturday afternoons, playing 9 holes twice daily from red and yellow tee markers at 5,500-5,700 yards.
Superlen said entries will be accepted until 5pm on Monday by calling the pro shop at (508) 757-0231.
Many locals seeking Mass. Amateur title
last year, Matthew Naumek He became the first golfer to win a mass in 52 years. Amateur on his home course. Naumek was defeated Ricky Slity Set Worcester CC, 1 Up in the 36-hole final at Framingham CC.
This week, Naumec tries to repeat himself as a champion on another course he is well-known to him. Naumec will be tee-off at the 117th Massachusetts amateur on Monday at Greathorse in Hampden. Naumec has been a member of Greathorse for many years and is from nearby Wilbraham.
In 2023, Naumek lost in the amateur final of a 36-hole Mass at the Essex County Club Ryan DownsHe became the youngest Mass at the age of 17. Amateur winner.
Downes is a member of Greathorse and is Mass this week. Competition at Amateur. He lives in Longmeadow.
Stimes is scheduled to play again this week. So do many other Worcester area golfers. They try to become the first mass. Brendan Hunter Harvard University’s Red Tail GC won the Taconic GC in 2016.
Story ideas welcome
You can contact me by email listed below and suggest story ideas for this golf column. Comments are also welcome.
– Connect Bill Doyle to bcdoyle15@charter.net.
