ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Worcester Country Club
President's Annual Report - Jim Collins
Fellow Members,
This past year was very exciting as we all got to enjoy the fruits of Gil Hanse’s restoration of Worcester Country Club. By all accounts, the “finished product” was a smashing success. It has been a treat to both members and guests alike to experience the original flavor of what Donald Ross first crafted at WCC. The integration of all of the new features such as expanded greens, fairway bunkers, tees, restoration of the 11th green etc. were aided tremendously by the tireless work of our Course Superintendent, Adam Moore and his staff to achieve first rate golf course conditions so soon after the construction project – a huge thanks of appreciation goes out to Adam and his Team for a job very well done!
As testimony to the success of the Hanse Plan, WCC also surpassed a milestone by recording the highest number of golf rounds ever played in one season. That could not have happened so seamlessly without our Head Professional, Andy Lane, and his Team clicking on all cylinders. Between the introduction of a pace-of-play initiative as well as the strategic use of our entire 18 holes when the 1st tee got busy, Andy and his Team were on their game and performed at an extremely high level during a very busy golf season in order to deliver maximum enjoyment for Members. Thank you, Andy and keep up the good work!
While we did experience some unusual transition and gaps in our House management staff this past year, we are happy to welcome Ryan Perkins as our newly installed Food & Beverage Manager. Our General Manager, Troy Sprister, should be commended for stepping into the management front lines on many occasions in order to maintain service levels and a seamless operation during some trying periods this past season. Thank you, Troy for going above and beyond!
We are happy to report financial results for operating income and net income at or near record highs for the Club! We are on firm financial footing made especially stronger by the continued support of our loyal and robust Membership. Thankfully, we are also the beneficiaries of an active pipeline and waiting list for new prospective members. These are all healthy signs as we begin the Hanse Plan loan repayment this coming year.
The Hanse Plan results illustrated how important it is to invest in our future and our most important asset – our golf course. That said, the current Board of Governors led by the Planning & Facilities Committee recognized a related need where the Club has fallen behind in recent times in maintaining its other important assets highlighted by our Clubhouse and facilities. Our Board has begun a renewed commitment to increasing capital expenditures specifically to make up for lost ground and not fall further behind. This past year and coming year reflect Board decisions to allocate additional funds from Club reserves to achieve desired results of maintaining and improving where possible Clubhouse and related facilities. This problem of under-funding necessary capital expenditures occurred over the long term and it will be critical
for this and future Boards to commit to staying the course for the long haul in order to maintain all assets of the Club.
As we know, the long-term success of WCC is largely attributed to members giving back and giving of their time through their service to the Club. I would like to recognize the outgoing members of the Board of Governors. Tim Lahey, Chair of the Golf Committee, who has presided over a robust golf calendar of events second to none while also growing the game and member participation to achieve record high numbers of rounds – well done, Tim! Sean Reynolds, Chair of Planning & Facilities, has beaten the drum continuously to spearhead our Club’s recommitment to maintaining and improving all of our Club assets over the long term. Dave Gow, Chair of the Grounds Committee, faced no small task in overseeing and teaming with Adam to deliver results from the Hanse Plan that were literally ground-breaking and will be enjoyed for years to come every time we step onto our cherished Donald Ross golf course. The Club thanks you all for your invaluable contributions!
Lastly, as I step away from my duties as President, I want to express my sincerest gratitude at the opportunity to have served and hopefully improved a place that I consider special beyond belief. It was truly an honor and I am so proud to have been able to help maintain the traditions of WCC while looking to the future and continuing to improve our collective experience. Thank you.
Respectfully,
James F. Collins
Treasurer Report- Peter Stevens
Dear Fellow Members,
Enclosed you will find a copy of the Club’s unaudited Statements of Financial Position and Statements of Activities for the years ended February 28, 2025 and 2024. The Club agreed again this year to an audit schedule with its auditors Bollus Lynch whereby the audited financial statements may not be completed prior to the Annual Meeting and as such the financials presented are not in standard statement format. We hope to have a draft posted to the Club’s website for viewing prior to the meeting and you will be notified when the final audited statements are available.
FY 2025 was a strong year for the club from an operating income perspective as with the completion of the Hanse plan and membership levels at recent highs total operating revenue came in at $7,791K, $95K over budget and $1,054K over the prior year (when excluding $807K of ERTC Credit received in prior year). Operating expenses came in $36K under budget, yielding an overall Operating Income before Depreciation of $230K (excluding interest expense), vs a $246K apple-to-apples Operating Loss the previous year when the Hanse construction closed down the course in the late summer and fall. Additionally, the club had another strong year for Initiation Fees and actually earned more in interest income than we spent on interest expense, with the bottom-line Net Income coming in at $478K. In the prior year, our net income was $897K, but that was driven by $807K in government ERTC credits, without which it would have been $90K.
The club’s balance sheet remains fairly strong, though we still have $2.5M outstanding on the bank loan taken out in 2024 to finance the Hanse plan. On February 28, the Club had $2.5M in cash in its accounts, of which $886K is FY ’26 dues paid in advance and $332K is reserved for capital expense projects previously approved but not yet spent. As such, the club’s true cash reserve at the start of the FY ’26 year is approximately $1.3M.
The budget for FY ’26 projects another strong year for the club with Operating Income before Depreciation of $127K and Net Income of $318K. As discussed in the Treasurer’s letter that went out with the FY’26 dues announcement, the board engaged a third party to conduct a study of our capital assets that showed a significant, multi-million-dollar investment needed to maintain our club to the level we’ve all come to expect. Over the past 5 years, the club has spent $5.9M on investment in capital assets, but $3.6M of that was on the Hanse plan, leaving only $2.3M, or $465K per year, on investments in the clubhouse, grounds, pool and equipment. Given our strong results from this past year, our current cash position and the need to “catch up” on capital spending, the board has approved a capital budget of $1.1M for FY’26 (plus the $332K of carry over for a total of $1.4M).
I would like to thank Troy Sprister and Lynne Westerlind for all of their hard work and support during the past year. I would also like to thank Greg Galeaz and the members of the Finance Committee for the outstanding work they put in as well.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Stevens Treasurer
Worcester Country Club Statements of Financial Position February 28, 2025 and 2024
Liabilities and Net Assets
Worcester Country Club Statements of Activities
Years Ended February 28, 2025 and 2024
Worcester Country Club Operating Budget FY2026
Finance Committee Report - Greg Galeaz
Dear Fellow Members,
Fiscal 2025 was a strong year for Worcester Country Club. Our revenue exceeded our budget by $95k and grew over the prior year by over $1.05m. Dues revenue was strong throughout the year as our membership grew. The star of the show was the golf course as play increased significantly as people and guests wanted to see Gil Hanse’s brilliant restoration of our Donald Ross gem. As a result, golf and golf related revenues exceeded plan.
Restaurant and Beverage revenue did not meet our optimistic expectations. This was due in part to a conscious decision to continue to offer affordable options to our membership. Despite not meeting the budget, Food and Beverage remains profitable, which is rare for a private club. Hats off to the chef and his team.
Operating Income was $220k favorable to budget by $131k and $476k better than prior year when the club was slow during the restoration project.
Non-operating income also exceeded plan by $30.9k due primarily to an increase in interest income due to elevated interest rates throughout the year. Our banking partner offered us an attractive investment yield which allowed us to take advantage of rate arbitrage throughout the year.
Net income for the year was $478k versus a plan of $317k.
Our balance sheet remains strong. Our cash balance at year end was $2.5m. This amount includes $886k of annual dues paid in advance of the club’s invoicing for FY26.
Our loan for the Hanse Plan was interest only for all of this year allowing us to take advantage of the rate arbitrage. The loan becomes amortizing in FY26. Our equity grew to $8.7 million from $8.3 million in the prior year. The strong financial results are providing us with the opportunity to increase our CapEx spending. This increase will allow us to perform necessary deferred maintenance identified in a recently completed Club Asset Evaluation. The increase allows us to take CapEx up to a level to catch up from years we did not have the luxury of spending enough capital to maintain the club to the standard our members expect.
Overall FY25 was an outstanding year thanks to the membership enjoying the course, the pool, and all of our facilities. The course is our most important asset, and we are well positioned with a strong membership level and balance sheet to operate it at a very high standard.
I want to thank Troy and his entire management team for all their efforts in delivering outstanding financial results. Please take the time to show each of them your appreciation individually.
Respectfully,
Gregory R Galeaz, Chairman Committee: Club Treasurer Peter Stevens, Ryan Stowe, Steve Scannell, Todd Mills
Dear Fellow Members,
ROUNDS OF GOLF
-2024, with a slow start out of the gates due to the limited number of holes open following construction, still saw a record number of rounds. 2024 concluded with 22,267 rounds. This was 3% more rounds than the previous record setting 2020 Covid year which saw 1st tee delays. To have a record number of rounds and very limited issues with delays, I am proud of the innovative systems we have implemented, the training of staff and the talent to handle this new demand at Worcester Country Club.
-Creatively navigated our major events through adverse weather conditions. Several clubs have copied Worcester CC with how the first tee is managed with our software.
-Revenue far exceeded expectation and expenses came in slightly under budget.
1ST TEE ACCESS
-Successfully manage access to the 1st tee with a consistent starter presence. Managed slightly different in 2024, every day a different Professional was solely responsible for the 1st tee. In addition, Pat Keefe would have a day where he is the captain. Andy would take Saturday mornings and will continue in 2025. This structure made a big impact on staff visibility, member engagement, and a balanced work schedule where the Assistant Professionals had plenty of time to get their work done.
-Very limited days where we had a significant delay. The one day that was the worst all season with almost two-hour delays and no open holes was Juneteenth. It fell on a Wednesday in 2024, and it falls on a Thursday in 2025 which should help.
-Utilized the Member Text software on the few days where we had a delay of more than an hour to alert members of the increased activity levels, which we received good feedback as an added measure of communication about 1st tee access throughout the season.
-Andy handled 150+ member requests for Pre-Approved Advanced Guest Windows. Groups are arranged throughout the week, and a 30-minute window is honored. The reason for not as many complaints about 1st tee access is because of how these requests are handled, scheduled and managed. All requests go directly through Andy due to the sensitivity of 1st tee access.
-Successfully trained staff to utilize open holes when the 1st tee is backed up when the golf course schedule and usage allows it happen. This typically requires two to three knowledgeable staff to find these appropriate spots on the golf course.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
-Successfully coordinate and managed over 130+ events, leagues, and tournaments during the golfing season. This does not include any clinics, sweeps that my staff also conducts. There are 17 days with no events on the calendar between Memorial Day and Labor Day (not including open Mondays). Several days have more than one event.
-Worcester CC had 9,000 rounds setup through our tournament software. 41% of our rounds are through tournaments, leagues and outings. This puts Worcester CC as one of the top 5 or 6 private clubs in MA in terms of number of events that are coordinated throughout the season by the Professional Staff.
-The first ever collegiate golf tournament was held at Worcester Country Club after several years of planning. The Crusader Invitational was a tremendous success for players, the golf course, and the nice publicity the club got as a result of the two-day event which was held on a Monday and Tuesday in late fall. In 2025 the event will feature Men’s teams as 2024 was Ladies teams.
-Rave reviews came from the Mass Golf Tri States, the premier event for the top players in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island which was held in mid-October.
COMMUNICATION
-Continued the implementation of a consistent, weekly schedule of events creating greater awareness of the impact on 1st tee access and facility usage throughout the season.
-Member Text Platform continues a strong pillar at the club for fluid communication throughout the golfing season. Feedback from the Golf Committee has been to continue to use this over communication is a good thing at Worcester Country Club.
-The W has been well established as the premier golfing communication at the club. The W will receive up to 1,000 “clicks” during a given publication. Important to note that this publication can take up to 6-8 hours of time to produce. It has brought a lot of attention to the reality of how much goes on at Worcester CC for the membership.
C
ADDIE PROGRAM
-Worcester Country Club had the greatest number of Ouimet Scholarship Applicants in club history.
-Attend the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Annual Banquet in April in Boston. Our Worcester table was only ½ full, hoping for better club representation at the 2025 Banquet.
-Saw a record number of caddies in the 2024 season. We had up to 150 young men and women in the program with for the first time ever, a wait list had to be formed.
-Scheduled and carried out 14, 9-Hole Caddie Training sessions where new interested caddies were required to attend at least 2 sessions before being approved for the season.
-For the 4th season in a row, had 64 (every team) caddies partake in the Invitational.
-Pat Keefe handled the weekly communication to the caddies each week to communicate our schedule, and introduced the 3-wave arrival system, so wait times went down leading to better experience and retention.
-For the first time, every group each week in Twilite included a caddie.
-The Caddie Banquet was a huge success, highlighted by our award winners, Steven Li Caddie of the Year, Nick Shola Most Improved & Noel Prifti Rookie of the Year. New for 2024 the Staff communicated to the memberships 3 finalists for each award, which members voted on. Nice exposure for the caddies, and for those who don’t win the award a nice resume builder.
-The Professional Staff is revamping the standards for all caddies in 2025 due to the demand of the program. A wait list is already in place for the 2025 caddie program.
-The Professional Staff joined by a few members and Ouimet Scholar Caddies, successfully played 162 holes in one hour supporting the Ouimet Sprint Initiative for Worcester Country Club. This effort helped the cause to raise a few extra thousand dollars for the Ouimet Fund from Worcester Country Club.
GOLF DIGEST & GOLF WEEK PANELISTS
-Andy coordinated 60+ different rounds of golf strategically throughout the season for Golf Digest raters and Golf Week raters. This is an important practice to put Worcester CC in the best light for potential advancement in course rankings which will be released later this Spring. Andy’s staff is trained for these days and the communication also loops in Adam Moore and his team.
STAFFING
-Head Professional Andy Lane was recently recognized as the 2025 Massachusetts PGA Professional of the Year for the Youth Player Development Award.
-Mentored Assistant Golf Professional Aaron Walker across the finish line to obtain his class A status as an official member of the PGA of America.
-Thomas Fernandes was celebrated at the 2024 New England PGA Awards Banquet for his incredible accomplishment as the 2024 NEPGA Assistant Professional of the Year.
-Added the talented and respected Golf Professional Bob Bruso, PGA as the staff’s Teaching Professional. Bob is a welcome addition for our staff and the membership. With the high volume of events at the club, Bob’s addition allowed the Professional Staff to significantly offer more instructional offerings and never have to say no to a member looking for help on their game. In 2024 Bob also qualified for the PGA Professional National Championship which will be held in the Spring of 2025. The top 20 finishers of this event will advance to the PGA Championship.
-Implemented a “Time Par” for monitoring pace of play. Groups were expected to be in a certain position on the golf course which the Professional Staff were able to log using the Whoosh First Tee Software. This practice made it very apparent when groups were behind, but also reminding groups complaining of perceived groups playing slow, when often times they were not, you just had groups wishing to fly around the golf course. Any groups that violated the Pace of Play expectation were notified to the General Manager.
-For 4th season in a row, attract, recruit, and hire two PGA interns to assist the Professional Staff from SUNY Delhi in New York and University of Nebraska. Continue partnership with Worcester State for employee housing, from which without this relationship, attracting talent would be a monumental task.
-Golf Operations and Caddie Manager Pat Keefe enrolled in the PGA of America Associate program at the end of the 2024 season. Pat will return in his role for 2025, with aspirations to continue to advance in his career in golf.
-All of the Assistant Professionals represented Worcester CC in the NEPGA Birdies 2 Benefit Fundraiser raising over $200,000 for Boston Children’s Hospital, Special Olympics Massachusetts and PGA REACH New England.
JUNIOR GOLF
-Carry on our dynamic and progressive Junior Program through a golf calendar that is not conducive to programing with the high volume of member tournaments, leagues, mini outings and large outing schedule.
-Continue to prioritize and elevate our junior program to be in the conversation as the most premier junior golf program in the state. Making WCC the only choice when it comes for which club for families to join.
-Team Worcester won several matches in the Boston Junior Interclub, our second year of involvement with some of the most premier junior programs in the Boston area.
-Worcester kids also had the opportunity to participate in the Donald Ross Junior Interclub
which was held at Worcester this past year which included Winchester, Pocasset & Wannamoisett.
-Several WCC junior golfers were a part of St. John’s High School Boys and Wachusett Regional High School Girls State Championship winning teams
-Several WCC Junior Golf alum’s saw success away from WCC. One qualified for the US Junior Am, another won several collegiate tournaments, with several other victors on the NEPGA Jr. Circuit.
Sincerely,
Tim Lahey
Membership Development - Steve DeMartino
To the Membership:
I am pleased to report that Worcester Country Club continues to have a strong membership. The Hanse Plan and renovation to the golf course appears to have driven interest in joining WCC over the past year, which resulted in an increase in total membership compared to the previous year.
Our Pool and Dining experience also contributed to people's interest in joining WCC. The Club's waitlist grew to a record level during the past fiscal year.
We welcomed 35 new members over the course of the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025. We started the year with 484 members and ended the year with 494 members. Additionally, we welcomed 11 new members on March 1, 2025 to begin our new fiscal year which essentially covered our normal year end resignations. The Club's resignations to start the new fiscal year is in line with the past, which is great news for the health of the membership. Due to a continued increase in demand for membership, for the second year in a row, we successfully voted to increase initiation fees across all categories.
Our waiting list is at a healthy level to begin our new year, but we continue to ask all existing members to invite potential new members to the Club. Lori Cook, the Club's Director of Membership Development, has great marketing materials to provide prospective new members. We will send correspondence on membership information and initiatives through our member texting program and our weekly newsletters which may include prospective new member golf days, cocktail parties, and other initiatives.
We should continue to promote our historic Donald Ross golf course and the Hanse Plan renovation, our family resort-like pool, and children’s activities which include very successful and growing junior golf and swimming programs.
Lori continues to do an excellent job with this very important role that helps us sustain our excellence as a club. Lori is an invaluable member of the WCC family. We are not immune to the uncertainties of the marketplace and economy. So please continue to advocate WCC and bring forward prospective new members to Lori. The Club has capacity to admit new members throughout the fiscal year and we must continue grow our waitlist to build a good bench for future membership.
Our committee would like to take this opportunity to again welcome all new members and their families who joined WCC this past year:
Timothy Umphrey
Steven and Michele Thebodo
Keith Cross and Nicole
John Herlihy
Jonathan Chin and Mary Guzek
Lenny and Patricia Vairo
Timothy Whittredge and Katherine Johnston
Timothy and Laura Gleason
Jonah Glickman
Derek and Stacey Happy
Christopher Pinkowski and Felicity Janczewski
Ryan and Jillian Daly
Spencer and Kerry Fields
Christopher and Molly Lauring
Connor Brown and Emily Capstick
Jaime DeSanti and Lauren Neilan
Oscar Mendoza and Keslee Diiorio
Daniel Hartnett
Jonathan and Laura Nickerson
Darline Thorp
Marie and Anthony Paturzo
Andrew and Grayson Crowley
Hailey Reed and Matthew Paze
Richard and Amanda Duffy
Brian and Christine Hughes
Eddie Carbone
Michael and Alicia Lasch
Matthew Wetherbee
Kevin and Kathryn Parvin
Mark Angelo Kazanjian
Flavia McCaughey
Charles and Susan Stevens
Elaine and Najib Saliba
Respectfully,
Stephen J. DeMartino, Chair
Committee Members: Thomas Prokop, Peter Staiti, Ellen Conte, Eric Walker, Mark Rue
Staff Consultants: Troy Sprister, Lori Cook
Planning & Facilities - Sean T. Reynolds
Dear Members,
Throughout the course of the year, the Planning and Facilities Committee met monthly with Troy Sprister, Adam Moore and Nick Bonasoro to review preventive maintenance projects and planned renovations to existing club assets.
Mr. Moore and Mr. Bonasoro have continued their track record of providing WCC with a high level of knowledge and skill that is supported by a can-do attitude. These factors continue to provide successful outcomes in an environment of ever-changing circumstances.
Members continue to realize the benefits that come with WCC’s in-house team addressing situations via self-performed execution and/or enabling a good-sense approach of when to bring in outside consultants/contractors as needed to realize the best outcome and results.
In the coming year, among other projects, the committee is most notably looking forward to a larger emphasis on proactive repairs and preventative service to club assets.
Respectfully,
Sean T. Reynolds, Chair
Committee Members: Peter Palmer, Mark Herlihy, Bob Seiple, Mark Langevin
Grounds Report - David Gow
Dear Fellow Members,
On behalf of Adam Moore and his team, we are delighted to welcome all members back to Worcester Country Club for the 2025 golf season and to reflect on the resounding success of our newly restored golf course, which opened in 2024 to rave reviews and showcased its brilliance during the 90th Tri-State Matches this past year.
The 2024 season presented extraordinary challenges, as Worcester endured its hottest year on record since 1892. From May through December, rainfall fell consistently below average, resulting in a Level 3 critical drought and water restrictions by fall. By November, we faced an 11-inch precipitation deficit, with September to November delivering just 1.67 inches of rain far below the typical 10.5 inches. Adding to the difficulty, a humid summer made July the most humid on record in nearby Boston, with an average dew point of 65 degrees. These extreme conditions tested our course, especially with nearly 30 acres of new or relocated turf grass still establishing itself after the 2023 restoration. Yet, Adam Moore and his team rose to the occasion, maintaining the course to an exceptional standard that not only withstood the elements but earned widespread praise.
Adam’s leadership and systematic approach honed through years of implementing spring/fall aerations, topdressing, and precise chemical/fertilizer applications—proved essential in preserving turf health amid such adversity. His team’s resourcefulness and efficient budget management ensured that our course remained a standout, even under pressure. The continuity of our skilled maintenance staff, many of whom return annually, reflects their pride in our club and has fueled our success. Their expertise continues to be recognized industry-wide, with several team members advancing to higher roles at other prestigious clubs in recent years.
The restoration, led by Gil Hanse and his team from July 31, 2023, to mid-December 2023, transformed our course with a restored 11th green, renovated and new bunkers, expanded greens and fairways, and fresh tee construction. When it reopened in 2024, the course featuring newly sodded areas and crisp bunker sand was hailed as a masterpiece.
This acclaim reached new heights when we hosted the 90th Tri-State Matches, pitting Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut against one another. Mass Golf emerged victorious with 80½ points, followed by CSGA (75½) and RIGA (36), but all 48 players marveled at the course’s condition and historical resonance. Jonathan Pannone of Team Rhode Island called it “a joy to hit a golf ball here,” praising the bunkers and green complexes that kept players engaged for all 18 holes. Tim Murray added, “This golf course is second-to-none… an experience of a lifetime,” highlighting the spectacular conditions despite the tough weather, along with the club’s rich history and warm hospitality.
That history rooted in Donald Ross’s timeless design and milestones like the 1925 U.S. Open and the inaugural 1927 Ryder Cup came alive during the event. Players soaked in the plaques, photos and memorabilia honoring legends like Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, with many noting the course’s 1920s charm. Club general manager Troy Sprister, golf pro Andy Lane, superintendent Adam Moore and our entire staff went above and beyond to make the Tri-State Matches unforgettable, earning accolades for both the course and the experience.
As we look to 2025, we ask all members to remain stewards of this remarkable layout. Please enter and exit bunkers from low areas, avoid bunker faces, repair divots (yours and others) with turf or sand, rake all disturbed bunker areas thoroughly and fix as many ball marks as possible on the greens. These efforts will ensure our course continues to shine.
Our Committee extends profound gratitude to Adam, First Assistant Scott Strong, Second Assistant Brian Boulette and the entire Grounds Staff for their unwavering dedication. Their work through the restoration and the grueling 2024 season delivered a course that exceeded expectations and garnered rave reviews from members and visitors alike. I would personally like to thank the Executive Committee, Board of Governors and my fellow Committee members for their steadfast support and passion for our storied Club. Together, we’ve elevated Worcester Country Club to new heights and the 2025 season promises to build on this extraordinary legacy.
Respectfully submitted,
David G. Gow, Chairman J Committee Members: Joe Bafaro Jr., Dr. Phil Lahey Jr., Dr. Stan Shustak, Robert Blute
House & Activities Report - AJ Andreoli
Dear Fellow Members,
The House and Activities Committee met on a monthly basis with the General Manager and COO Troy Sprister as well as his team to work towards making Worcester Country Club the best possible experience for the entire Membership
The year 2024 saw record numbers of Members and guests using the Pool. Kudos to John Beahn and his entire staff for the various activities, camps, concerts, DJ’s, Pizza Nights and that made the Pool such a fun and festive place. We are looking forward to making this summer bigger and better than ever!
In the Food and Beverage operation we saw increased restaurant covers and excellent attendance and participation in the various special event offerings put on by Troy, Chef Craig, Angela and their amazing and talented staff. The Caddy Shack Pub continues to be a well-received offering for Members and their families during the off-season months. Please continue to read the WCC Newsletter to keep apprised of the various events and goings on at the Club.
Having said that, I would like to formally recognize and thank Troy Sprister, Executive Chef Craig Cobb, Events and Dining Room Manager Angela Stockdale, Director of Food and Beverage Ryan Perkins, Aquatics Director John Beahn and their entire staffs for their diligence, creativity, commitment to excellence and passion in making Worcester Country Club the special place that it is.
As we look into 2025, we are excited to expand and improve upon the service and offerings available to the Membership. We are well underway in the planning of a festive weekend to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the US Open to be held the weekend of June 7-8. I would encourage the Membership to reach out to our committee with any feedback, ideas or concerns. This is your Club and our goal is to make it the best it can be.
Finally, I would like to thank the individuals who make up the H&A Committee. Their dedication, input, advice and commitment to improving the social aspect of the Club has been invaluable:
Ray Knox, Katie Lahey, Jen Beaton, Jim Capuano, Dave Griffin, Martha Kelleher, Leah Zilla
Respectfully Submitted,
A.J. Andreoli, Chair
Committee: Kate Lahey, Jen Beaton, Leah Zilla, David Griffin, James Capuano, Ray Knox, Martha Kelleher
18 & 9 Ladies Golf - Sherri Cotter
Dear Fellow Members,
The Worcester Country Club Women’s Golf Association offers competitive and social golf with weekly leagues, tournaments and casual play. The purpose of the Worcester Women’s Golf Association (WWGA) is to promote Ladies Golf and friendship among the Worcester Country Club members. We foster a positive and respectful atmosphere where our members can participate in the game of golf, improve their play, learn and abide by USGA and local rules and observe proper etiquette. The WWGA is open to all WCC women age 18 and older.
Opportunities to play and what we offer:
We offer a wide range of playing opportunities for all skill levels and styles- from competitive tournaments to social. Through the diverse options we have found all members can find a place to play.
Tuesday morning League- 18-hole and 9-hole golf/
Organized games and competitions for handicaps of 54 or less.
Thursday twilight- Novice to experienced golfer; casual 9-hole team competition
Saturday mornings- Informal play on a week-to-week basis
Mixed Golf- Couples tournament played once a month, followed by cocktails or dinner
Mixed Match Play Championship- A season long bracket style match play format where teams are comprised of married couples or significant others
Annual Events-
Ladies Member Guest- invitational/18 hole match held on the regular ladies Tuesday league Wholeheim (USA vs. Europe)- 18 hole tournament against the Haven Country Club. It was held at WCC Country club for 2024. The Haven will host for 2025.
Daniel’s Bowl- Team of 2/ season long match
Weekend tournamentsMemorial Day, The Firecracker Open (4th of July), Labor Day and Women’s Club Championship.
Mass Golf Association matches-
Worcester Country Club Ladies participate in the Spring and Fall Cup tournaments, which are state-wide matches organized through the Mass Golf Association.
Regional/Travel tournaments-
CHOW league- (Concord, Hopkinton, Oak Hill and Worcester)
Mixing Bowl- (Worcester, Pleasant Valley, Tatnuck, The Haven and International Golf Club)
Bassett Bowl- (Worcester CC vs Tatnuck)
Donald Ross Interclub- (Worcester, Pocasset, Winchester, Wannamoisett)
Recruiting
Our direct contact to new members from the ladies’ golf committee has been very successful. Once the new members have gone through orientation the club provides us with personal contact information. Myself and Margaret McKenna personally call the new members to welcome them to the club and offer any assistance. We offer thoughts for how to get involved and encourage participation. We have found this to be a great way to recruit by giving them a point of contact within the membership and golf community.
Community Outreach
We are committed to our outreach program and will continue to work on growing this in the community and within the club:
In 2021, the women established “The Worcester Ladies’ Golf Incorporated, WLGI” as a charitable organization, to encourage and support the growth of junior women’s golf. We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity. Our mission is to foster interest in the game of golf and to provide opportunities for young women of limited means to play the game of golf. This is accomplished by providing equipment, clothing, educational clinics and lessons and mentoring, as well as supporting other events that benefit young players. It is our hope and belief that ultimately these activities will encourage positive character development of each young person through the game of golf.
New Initiatives for 2025:
Communication-
The committee is committed to strong Communication and marketing for our Association to include the updated Pink Book, Facebook, Instagram, event flyers, postings and our new monthly WCC Ladies Newsletter.
New Golfer Day-
Created to encourage any new golfer-to include a short clinic followed by course play; offered: June 5, July 3, August 7
Women’s Golf Day-We will celebrate this global event on a regular Tuesday to help bring awareness and grow the sport of golf for all Women and girls.
Along with our many options for play, the Thursday League and the new Golfer day concept are areas we believe will attract new members and new golfers.
We will continue the effort to expand the Ladies league through a welcoming culture, enhancing our visibility, creative events to include all skill levels and casual social events.
Along with the committee, I am looking forward to a successful 2025 season at Worcester Country Club.
Respectfully,
Sherri Cotter, Chair
Committee Members: Robin Hellinger, Mary Knox, Julie Kozlowski, Patricia Maher, Margaret McKenna, Carol Shustak and Lisa Staiti
Ouimet Scholarship Fund Report
Peter J. DiCarlo, Paul T. DiCarlo
Dear Fellow Members,
Please see 2024 financials below:
- Bag Tag Program + WCC Monthly Member /Guest 50/50 Raffle: $48,480.00
- WCC Ouimet Scholarship Fund Sprint: $7,475
Total WCC Program OSF Contribution: $55,955
This year there are currently 12 WCC Financial Scholars and 5 more receiving Honorary Scholarship Awards valued at $750 per year. The Ouimet team cannot thank all of you enough for your efforts supporting the bag tag program.
The 2025 tags will be arriving at the club at the end of April.
As a club, we are proud to continue to support the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund Bag Tag Program. This annual program not only helps the young men and women working here at the club, but young people all over the state to pursue their goals of higher education. These scholarships, given to 505 students for 2024 (New record), help make their college and professional dreams a reality. Worcester can proudly say that we are part of the success of more than 6,500 Alumni from across the state.
The Ouimet Scholarship is a needs-based, four-year renewable award that helps many students significantly lighten the burden of college tuition. Without this help, many students would unfortunately not be able to stay enrolled in college. Ouimet stats below show that they are not taking our investment in their future lightly:
• Ouimet Scholars graduate within four years at a > 90% rate (compared to 5% nationally)
• Ouimet Scholars maintain a 3.5 GPA Average
This year, you will see a $100 Bag Tag Donation on your member billing statement which supports approximately 475 kids who have worked in the golf industry across the state.
Additional information about the Ouimet Fund & Bag Tag Program below:
• Ouimet Fund designates 100% of Bag Tag Program donations directly to scholarships.
• This year Ouimet Scholars will receive $3.5 Million in awards (Another new yearly record!)
• Total Annual Scholars across the state have grown to > 475.
Every year we hear how the membership at Worcester has left a positive impact on the young men and women working at the club. They demonstrate the skills they have learned from all of you and what it takes to be a successful individual.
WCC Fund Facts:
- WCC OCF total scholarship awards for 2024: $138,000 – Another new record for WCC!
- New Applicants for 2024-2025: 24 – This is a new record for WCC!
- WCC OSF Scholars have received an average award of $9,100/yr over the last four years. Thank you for your continued support on behalf of all these hard-working young people.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the Ouimet programs, I encourage you to contact Pete or Paul DiCarlo directly.
Sincerely,
Peter J. DiCarlo – WCC Co-Chair
Paul T. DiCarlo – WCC Co-Chair
Please see below- It is a great reminder of why we make our annual contributions and the difference that we are making for young people across the state and from WCC.
This Year’s Harrison G. Taylor, Jr WCC Scholarship recipients:
Comings and Goings
New Members over the past Fiscal Year:
Timothy Umphrey
Steven and Michele Thebodo
Keith and Nicole Cross
Marie and Anthony Paturzo
Andrew and Grayson Crowley
John Herlihy
Jonathan Chin and Mary Guzek
Lenny and Patricia Vairo
Timothy Whittredge and Katherine Johnston
Timothy and Laura Gleason
Jonah Glickman
Derek and Stacey Happy
Christopher Pinkowski and Felicity Janczewski
Ryan and Jillian Daly
Spencer and Kerry Fields
Christopher and Molly Lauring
Connor Brown and Emily Capstick
Kevin and Kathryn Parvin
Matthew Wetherbee
Michael and Alicia Lasch
Eddie Carbone
Brian and Christine Hughes
Elaine and Najib Saliba
Charles and Susan Stevens
Flavia McCaughey
Mark Angelo Kazanjian
Richard and Amanda Duffy
Hailey Reed and Matthew Paze
Darline Thorp
Jonathan and Laura Nickerson
Daniel Hartnett
Oscar Mendoza and Keslee Diiorio
Jaime DeSanti and Lauren Neilan
Dave Greblick
Spencer Sawicki
Michael Landine
Bryan Acuto
Kathy Cunningham
Darline Thorp
Ryan Foley
Eric Pawlowski
Jake Bastarache
Dan Ekberg
Zach Camarra
Fred Curtis
Brian Foley
Mark Murray
Mark Shapiro
Jamie Alano
Kevin O'Brien
Aaron Tringuk
Farewell and Good Health:
David Crowley
Samuel Hokkanen
Debra Hokkanen
Joseph Lacroix
Gerald Jones
Janice Donahue