NORTON, Mass – First Tee of Massachusetts held its inaugural Chapter Championship tournament on Saturday, Aug. 3, as 54 junior golfers from program locations around the state gathered to compete at The Links at Mass Golf. Taunton’s Alex Dias captured the Boys Championship title, defeating Foxboro’s Jack Yucatonis in a playoff, while Springfield’s Briana Rodriguez won the Girls Championship. The team title was won by the squad from The Links.
With more than 100 players, parents, staff and volunteers gathered around the No. 1 tee box, Dias and Yucatonis went to a sudden-death playoff after each shooting a 4-over 58 in the Boys division on the 18-hole par-3 golf course. Trailing by one shot going into his 18th hole, Dias knocked in a 15-foot putt to record his first birdie of the day, ultimately forcing the playoff. Yucatonis had recorded three birdies on the day but a bogey on his final hole dropped him back into a tie. After winning the coin toss, Dias knocked his tee shot on the first playoff hole to about 20 feet, leaving himself an uphill putt. Yucatonis missed the green long and despite a well-played recovery shot, was not able to get up-and-down to save his par. Dias calmly lagged his first putt to inside of two feet, then tapped in to claim the victory.
In the Girls division, Rodriguez bested a field of 17 girls as she made a pair of birdies and didn’t card anything worse than a bogey on her way to a 4-over 58, posting a four-shot victory over runner-up Jenna Saini of Wayland.
In the team competition, nine of First Tee – Massachusetts’ 11 program locations were represented. Each team was made of six individuals who attend First Tee classes at that location, including at least two boys and two girls. The teams were selected by the Lead Coach of each respective location. The top five out of six scores on each hole were counted toward the team score. The Links at Mass Golf posted an overall team score of +61 for the team victory. The winning squad featured Dias, Yucatonis, Sam Goodman (Boston), David Jope (Freetown), Caroline Ullucci (Norfolk) and Emiliana Zamora (Boston). They were coached by Drew Chapman, the head PGA golf professional at The Links.
“This was an incredible inaugural event,” said Kyle Harris, Director of Operations for First Tee – Massachusetts. “Not only did we see some great golf, but the kids got to meet and engage with other participants from all over the state. I am so proud of all of our kids who came out to compete, and so thankful to all of the coaches, volunteers, staff, and parents who helped make it happen. This will definitely be an annual event moving forward.”
The tournament marked the first of its kind for the chapter, as it brought First Tee participants from around the state together. For some, it was a chance to prove their mettle on the course, while for others it was a light introduction to competitive golf but still within a learning environment.
Full individual and team results can be found HERE.
First Tee – Massachusetts is a non-profit organization that teaches kids and teens life skills and character values through the game of golf. Our programs enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, we create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. First Tee – Massachusetts is operated by Mass Golf.
The chapter is currently comprised of 11 program locations around the state:
- Boston (William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park)
- Boston (Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center)
- Boylston (Cyprian Keyes GC)
- Brockton (DW Field GC)
- Harwich (Cranberry Valley GC)
- Hyannis (Hyannis GC)
- Lynnfield (Sagamore Spring GC)
- Natick (KOHR Golf)
- Norton (The Links at Mass Golf)
- Southwick (The Ranch GC)
- Springfield (Fenway Golf)