WESTFIELD, Mass. – After rescheduling due to inclement weather, clear and sunny skies awaited 30 foursomes of alumni, sponsors, family, and friends as part of the 20^th Annual Owl Club Golf Tournament hosted by Westfield State Owls Athletics on Monday, July 13 at the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, Mass.

The tournament was rescheduled from the original date of June 22 due to rainy conditions and returned to its original 18-hole format after last year's tournament was shortened to nine holes due to record-setting temperatures.

Westfield Bank served as the lead sponsor of the event.

Tom Flaherty, Sr., the General Manager for Westfield Gas and Electric, was celebrated as the guest of honor for the tournament. A lifelong resident of Western Massachusetts, Tom has built up nearly 30 years of experience in the utility industry. In 2021, he transitioned from his role as a commissioner on the Westfield Gas + Electric Municipal Light Board (MLP) to serve as the General Manager. His extensive MLP experience and expertise in energy commodities and sales to commercial and industrial markets in New England have positioned him well to lead this community-owned utility, which provides natural gas, electric, and gigabit internet services.

Tom and Westfield Gas and Electric and Whip City Fiber have been strong advocates for both Westfield State Athletics and youth athletics at all levels within the Westfield Community.  Most recently, Westfield G&E sponsored the development of the new astroturf field projects at Westfield High School, and for several years have been the sponsor of Westfield State's Kick-Off and Tip-Off Tournaments. Tom's daughter Kaitlyn has served as a student assistant with both the WSU women's soccer and men's basketball programs.

Also speaking during the post-tournament ceremony was Westfield State President Dr. Linda Thompson who commemorated and thanked members of the tournament while signifying their importance in contributions to an Owls athletic program that has now won six consecutive Smith Cups for a record-setting 20^th time overall as the MASCAC's top athletic institution.

Several members of senior administration, board of trustees, and Westfield Mayor Mike McCabe along with other local officials were on the course and in attendance for the ceremony.

On the course, Owls men's basketball and men's golf head coach Rich Sutter along with former MASCAC golf champions Matteo Godek and Mike Sarkis blazed through the 18-hole course by firing an 18 under, 54 score to win the open division for back-to-back Owl Club Golf Tournaments. The trio was joined by Ed Danek to lock down the top spot.

Cheryl Lee-Scecina, Michelle Lee-Scecina, Kerri Smith, and Deb Taddey checked in with a score of 65 and seven under par to secure the lowest score in the co-ed division.

In the senior division, the quartet of Bill Devine, Floyd Field, Bill Hynes, and Robb Levine earned the low round, finishing with a score of 60. 

Seven groups fired sub-60 scores as part of the scramble format with Mark Lindsay, Matt Earnhardt, and Jack Seabolt finishing as the tournament runner-up with a 57.

There were four closest to the pin winners and a pair of long drives recipients for men and women. Bobby Allen stuck his tee shot four feet and two inches from the pin to claim the closest shot of the day from all the par threes on the 12^th hole. Other winners for closest to the pin were Kyle Murphy (11'9") on five, Rob Atkocaitis (4'4") on eight, and Mike Silverio (6'2") on 17.

For the longest drive competition, on the first tee, Kerri Smith secured the top drive on the women's side along with Mike Holl for the men. On the tenth hole, Sam Lash was the long drive winner for the men with Cheryl Lee-Scecina delivering the top distance for the women.

The tournament raised around $25,000 with the proceeds supporting the Owls' athletics program, helping to fund uniforms, team travel, technology and instruction to help all the Owls teams be at their best.

We hope to see you all again next year for the 21^st Annual Owl Club Golf Tournament on Monday, June 21, 2027 at the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, Mass.

TOURNAMENT SUMMARY:
COMPLETE SCORING
TOURNAMENT PROGRAM AND SPONSORS
PHOTO GALLERIES (Select Groups): ACTION PHOTOS / GROUP PHOTOS

Additional photos will be available on the Westfield State University SmugMug website.  

Tom Flaherty Sr.,  General Manager for Westfield Gas and Electric, speaks as guest of honor