Scenic and severe: WMass gem GreatHorse puts golfers to the test at 117th Massachusetts Amateur

HAMPDEN — Prior to this summer, it had been a handful of years since Cody Booska teed the ball up competitively. The Turners Falls native who now lives in Boston but represents Country Club of Greenfield, earned medalist honors with a 3-under 69 at a qualifier for the Massachusetts Amateur Championship on June 18 to welcome himself back to the competitive golf scene.

Booska was back in action on Monday at GreatHorse for the 117th Mass. Am. While he struck the ball solidly enough to score well throughout the day, Booska couldn't find his rhythm with the putter — leading to a 6-over-par round of 78.

Back in 2019, Booska qualified for the Mass. Am Championship and made a run to the Round of 16. He hasn’t competed in the tournament since, but wanted to return in 2025 for one reason — its return to Western Mass.

“The biggest thing is the venue,” Booska said of GreatHorse, which is the first WMass venue to host the Mass. Am Championship since 2016. “GreatHorse is always a treat to play no matter what. Being able to come into this with no expectations after putting together a good round in the qualifier, I was excited. I feel like all in all, I played solid today — just didn’t get the putts to roll. Other than that, I’m happy with how I played.”

Ranked No. 20 in a list of ‘Best Golf Courses in Massachusetts’ by Golf Digest, GreatHorse was in phenomenal shape for Day 1 of the state’s biggest amateur golf tournament.

When pulling in through the large gate at the bottom of the course’s driveway and making the windy, scenic trip up to the parking lot, you’re immediately met with a view that represents what Western Mass. is about. From the clubhouse, a sea of trees surrounds the gorgeous green fairways and towering bunkers — providing a breathtaking view of the property.

“I love playing in the Western Mass. area,” said Booska. “This venue is awesome and some of the views are incredible. It’s so nice.”

For quite some time, Booska was a member at the Country Club of Greenfield, but following his move out east, he no longer has a membership at any golf course — not even in the Boston area. He rarely plays out that way, and the only time he really hits the golf course is at CCG when he’s back in town.

Despite not playing as much as he used to, Booska was pleased with Monday’s round. He started 1-under through five holes before bogeys on the 6th and 8th holes dropped him to 1-over as he hit the turn. He dropped shots on the 10th, 13th, 14th, 17th and 18th to finish 6-over for the day.

Despite hitting it well off the tee and tallying a green in regulation in 13 of his 18 holes, Booska’s short game was just a little bit off — leading to his stretch of bogeys on the back nine.

“I think the most noticeable thing when you’re not practicing is you lose the short game stuff,” Booska said. “Not having that out here, you’re screwed. I missed, I think, five greens all day, which is solid. I just had a million putts. I missed a lot around seven or eight feet and in. Without those I think my score would be in the mix somewhere.”

Longmeadow native Billy Walthouse, one of eight GreatHorse members competing in the field, enjoyed playing at his home course in a tournament setting. He particularly enjoyed seeing the best amateur golfers from across the Commonwealth try their hand at the par-72, 7,600-yard track that he’s been golfing at all year.

Walthouse shot a 4-over 76 with 15 pars, two bogeys and a double bogey.

“I felt right at home,” Walthouse said. “The course is zapped up pretty good. The entire year, this course has been insane. I can’t say enough about the people who work here every day. The superintendent does an awesome job. But yeah, it feels like you’re having a home game, which is kind of cool.”

A mixture of the sweltering heat — which causes some golf courses to dry out and firm up — and the grounds crew tailoring GreatHorse’s fairways and greens to play much faster than normal is among the list of things Walthouse noticed was different about the course.

If the pristine conditions of one of Western Massachusetts’ nicest golf courses wasn’t enough to host a championship event, the difficulty of it certainly adds another key element.

Only one hole — the par-4, 406-yard 1st — had an average score of under par for the day. Every other hole held an average score above par, with the par-4, 460-yard 18th playing as the most difficult on the course.

“They definitely have the fairways playing faster and the greens are a bit firmer than normal,” Walthouse said. “Sometimes you have to adjust your shots a little bit. The course was in great shape today, so A-plus to the guys who got it ready.”

GreatHorse provides a test of mental and physical fortitude, while also dishing out several beautiful sights and scenes across its flawless fairways.

The Mass. Am Championship is back in Western Mass., and there couldn’t be a better spot to host it.