MARSHFIELD, Mass. – There are times when you find yourself a fascinated spectator, in awe of something that has long been part of the landscape, though greatly underappreciated. At such a moments – June 30th at Marshfield Country Club, to be specific – it is easy to be struck by the widespread desire to care, passion to share, and capacity to endear.
That was a day to fly the banner for women’s golf and against a backdrop of rich history that deserves deeper appreciation – the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship was born 131 years ago, the Massachusetts Women’s Amateur in 1900, and the LPGA at 76 years old is the oldest organized sports organization for women – a very humble but incredibly proud group of women golfers was at its altruistic best.
That the Women’s South Shore Golf League is paying homage to its 100th anniversary with a series of events in 2026 is well-deserved. That it isn’t just looking back to honor founders and past champions, but hosting days such as the June 30th “On Course Golf Clinic” at Marshfield CC for future generations is a staple to its mission.
“Honor the past. Empower the present. Grow the future.”
In the Centennial Overview that she put together, Maria Bonzagni wrote: “This historic milestone is more than a celebration – it’s a power opportunity to recognize the legacy of women in the game, spotlight a community that sustains it, and ignite a passion for golf in the next generation.”
The WSSGL has a full Centennial calendar planned for the remaining months in 2026, but this June 30 event at Marshfield CC – one of eight clubs that make up the organization with approximately 500 members – was most definitely a highlight. “We exceeded our expectations and have 125 golfers,” said Bonzagni, just one of a small army of WSSGL volunteers who made this day possible.
“Our goal was to inspire junior girls to be the next generation of WSSGL golfers.”
No matter how you might read those reports and findings from the National Golf Foundation, the news about women and girls in golf is upbeat. It’s been reported that women and girls account for 52 percent of net participation gains since 2000. Or there’s this: That the female golfer pool has increased 45 percent in six years, a rate that is four times faster than men.
Enveloped on a day when golf’s official colors were in full bloom – blue sky, green grass – the Marshfield CC leadership of GM James Antonelli and head golf professional Alec Vozzella worked with committed WSSGL volunteers to spread the glory of golf to 125 girls ages 5 to 17.
The majority of these volunteers themselves could offer testament to the benefit of this “grow the game” stuff. Karen Pitts talked about how she and her sister, Mary Lou Bohn, were passionate competitors in WSSGL matches growing up. But it didn’t start with them; fact is, their mother, Mary Lou (Fletcher) Pitts, also played in the WSSGL. And in their golf-mad family, it’s no surprise to know how their late father, then a 19-year-old assistant pro at Scituate CC, not only gave golf lessons to the woman who would be his wife for 52 years, but also to Mary Lou Fletcher’s mother.
Providing a guiding hand to young golfers is a commitment that is embraced by many in the golf community. Likely because they, too, were afforded this same assistance by past generations. Volunteer Merry Grip and Mike Prifti, an assistant intern with the Marshfield CC pro shop, do the honors with this group of children. (Mass Golf photo by Nia Friedrich)
So when Karen Pitts said this volunteer stuff and involvement with the “On Course Golf Clinic” fell under the heading of “paying it forward,” it was a sentiment widely echoed.
Debby Drain, an elementary school teacher, was introduced to the game by her mother, a legendary champion golfer named Nancy Black. “I was probably 4 or 5 but I didn’t really start playing till I was 10,” said Drain.
Though Nancy Black, a perennial golf champion of the highest order, loved to compete and gave so much of her free time to coordinating the WSSGL, her daughter found her way in golf at her own speed.
What intrigued her about the game was the absolute sense of peace. “It’s you and the ball and the sounds of nature,” she said.
On June 30 at Marshfield, the sounds of nature were likely there, only they were overmatched by 125 young girls and their pronounced sense of joy. Blessed to be guests at Marshfield CC, a club whose membership has always “gotten it,” as they say, the young golfers explored an oasis of vibrant green fairways and putting greens.
It did not matter that the young girls weren’t privy to the robust history in local golf that these adult volunteers possess, that Penny Locke, Karen Pitts, Debby Drain, Deb Annese, Kristin Emerson and so many others maintain a strong bond through the WSSGL. Or that Beth O’Kelly, a PGA professional, was guiding these young golfers over a course that was once cared for by a legendary superintendent, the late Mel O’Kelly, who passionately taught the game to his daughter.
Or even that a physical education instructor, Marcia Stevens, drove down to Marshfield from her home northwest of Boston, not because she personally had ties to the WSSGL. No, she came to volunteer because she had played junior golf in another era with these women and believed in this mission.
“Honor the past. Empower the present. Grow the future.”
A photo was circulated and the laughs were rich. It was a junior golf tournament from generations ago and Maria Bonzagnia pointed to herself and Marcia Stevens. Young girls in love with golf then, adults now still so passionate about the game.
Memories were shared of the late and great Bill Flynn, who these WSSGL volunteers remembered for being way ahead of his time, committed to opening the game to juniors and especially young girls.
That Flynn, a true legend, can smile down knowing that his beloved New England PGA is now led by his daughter Joanne Flynn, the first female president in the group’s history, was just one slice of those conversations that brought smiles to a day filled with them.
“Isn’t this a wonderful day?” asked Bonzagni.
The answer was emphatic and unanimous. The guess is, with the continued commitment of so many groups like the WSSGL, it will remain a positive scene as we go forward.
