Final week to buy tickets for Western Mass. Tee Party, which will honor Francis Kringle
After spending nearly half his life in one place, Rick Fleury figured it wouldn’t be easy to make a change.
Then along came Crestview and with it wiped away any off-season uncertainty that hovered over the 48-year-old golf professional.
Fleury has taken over as pro at Crestview Country Club in Agawam, bringing with him a great reputation as one of the classiest in his business.
The West Springfield resident left behind a run of 23 seasons, including the last 16 as head pro, at Hickory Ridge CC in Amherst. The future of the course, which was sold at a foreclosure auction last month, made it difficult on Fleury.
“My whole winter, everything was up in the air with everything going on at Hickory Ridge,” Fleury said. “I’d hear things, but I was never sure what would happen. I have so many great memories of Hickory, but I put my name out there and then this opportunity presented itself.”
Crestview underwent its own ownership change, when a partnership led by Agawam native David Fleury (no relation) purchased the club last month.
“Luckily, it all worked out,” Rick Fleury said.
Fleury has landed at one of the region’s most prized courses, which had operated as a private facility from its opening in 1958 until the end of last season.
“We are really working on letting people know that Crestview is now open to the public,” Rick Fleury said. “Being semiprivate now means making the public (golfer) feel like a member for the day and it means us making sure the members know that nothing has changed – that this is still their club and that we will still run a high-service model for them.”
Fleury, with school-aged children, said he does not miss 45 minutes of the daily commute to Amherst.
“It all worked, this is a great opportunity and it’s a great place to be,” Rick Fleury said.
Greens fees (18 holes) for daily fee golfers at Crestview are set at $55 (walking) and $73 (with cart) on weekdays and $65 and $83 on weekends.
“We will have senior rates, junior, twilight, all of that . . . and we have a $50 special through the end of April,” Rick Fleury said. “There is a lot to take care of, still. But we are making good progress.”
TEE PARTY: Tickets and playing spots are still available for the 66th Western Mass. Tee Party on May 3.
The Blandford Club head professional Francis Kringle of West Springfield will be the guest of honor at Tekoa CC in Westfield.
The Tee Party includes golf and an evening banquet. For more information, click here.
LOCAL TOURNEYS: Edgewood GC will hold an open two-man scramble May 6. Call the pro shop at (413) 569-6826 . .. The Low-Am Invitational takes place May 6 at Ludlow CC. Call (413) 583-3434 . . . The Massachusetts Senior Games golf championship (18 holes) is set for The Ranch GC in Southwick on June 19. Age minimum is 40 (for state competition) and 50 for national qualifiers. For more information, visit
GOLF NOTES: Steve Lefebvre of Westfield made a double-eagle 2 at the 14th hole at Tekoa CC in Westfield on April 14. He holed out from 178 yards with a 5-iron. The double eagle was the third of his career . . . Cold Spring CC in Belchertown officially opens to member play on Tuesday. Daily-fee access begins June 1. Call (413) 323-4888 for more information . . . When John “Bub” McCarthy of Holyoke aced the ninth hole at Wyckoff CC late last fall, he joined his father John and grandfather Jack as having made aces there . . . Joe Larrivee of West Springfield had a notable witness for a hole-in-one he made at Classic Club in LaQuinta, Calif., in February. He made his ace playing with Gene Reopel and former AL MVP Vida Blue . . . Dave DiRico’s Golf Shop (413-734-4444) on Myron Street in West Springfield is open for business, with a plan for a Grand Opening weekend May 4-6.
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