Photo by Kyle Coburn/NAPGT :: Story By Stacia Golem/NAPGTSeptember 18, 2007 (Lakeville, MA)—Teaming up again with LeBaron Hills Country Club and the TOUR of Greater Boston, the NAPGT hosted a Pro-Am today to benefit Driving 4 Life, a charity that supports research for Lou Gehrig’s disease. For the Pros, amateurs and charity alike, it was a success for all involved.
For several years the NAPGT has hosted a Pro-Am at this club, building a great relationship, as well as an event that the members look forward to.
“I’ve done this every year since they started. The first year I was a little reluctant to do it,” said Bob Mather, member at LeBaron Hills. “Figuring me with a 16 handicap, I don’t want to play with a pro. But it was great. I’ve actually developed several friendships.”
Mather golfs with NAPGT member Todd Westfall every year and also has him and other players stay at his house while they participate in the LeBaron Hills tournament.
Also making up some of the field of amateurs today were players from the TOUR of Greater Boston, a club of over 300 amateurs who play in 50 tournaments each season all over Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Having also teamed up with the NAPGT in the past, they too look forward to this event each year.
“Our guys have always liked the ability to play with a pro in a format like this,” said Mark Stinehour, one of the directors of the TOUR of Greater Boston. “Our lower handicap guys like to be able to tee it up with the pro and match their skills. Some of our higher handicap guys like to be able to see just how good and smooth these [pros] are.”
Aside from watching their skills, the amateurs just enjoy golfing with the pros. “They’re just nice people to play with and have a good day with,” said Stinehour.
And it was a great day. Twenty-eight groups joined the festivities for the fun, the competition and of course, the cause.
The tournament kicks off tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.
