On Friday, July 6, 1923, at Vesper Country Club in Tyngsboro, Marshall W. Forrest Jr. was applauded when he won the inaugural Lowell City Golf Tournament.
The three-day tournament began with rounds at two Lowell clubs, Mt. Pleasant first and then Long Meadow, before Vesper hosted the finale.
Forrest, a member at Mt. Pleasant, won by 11 shots over clubmate Charles Mills. Things seemed to have gone well.
But the question wasn’t really who would win. The major question hanging over the tournament was a simple one: Would it have staying power?
The answer is a resounding yes, of course, and when golfers from Vesper, Mt. Pleasant, Long Meadow and Nabnasset Lake tee it up over three rounds next week, it will mark the 100th playing of the Cities.
Reaching 100 years is an impressive accomplishment.
This year’s tournament figures to add another fascinating chapter to its long history. Let’s take a lot at some subplots before rounds are hosted at Vesper (Wednesday, beginning at noon), Long Meadow (Friday, beginning at noon) and Mt. Pleasant (Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m.).
The tournament has been held every year since 1923 except for 1943, 1944 and 1945 due to World War II. In 1946, when the tournament resumed, 16 of the players in the field had served in the war in some capacity.
The Smiths
No, it’s not true that the Lowell City Golf Tournament is changing its name this year to the Smith Family Tournament, but it does kind of have that feel.
In the field of 48 (each club sends 12 golfers), the famous Smith family from Westford will account for four spots.
Phil Smith is an eight-time winner of the event. He captured the title in 1994. After regaining his amateur status, Smith did something unlikely to be accomplished again – he rattled off seven straight victories, winning every year from 2006-12.
He has three daughters and all are accomplished golfers. Morgan Smith became the first female to play in the tournament in 2019 and she’s consistently been in the top 10 in recent years. She is currently a member of the University of Georgia golf team.
Morgan Smith, center, poses with her family after winning the 2023 New England Women’s Am title. From left, sister, Molly, who finished one shot back, sister, Maddie, father, Phil, and mother, Lynn. (Teddy Doggett photo)
Younger sister Molly is starring at the University of Central Florida and last year she came oh so close to making history when she tied for the tournament’s lead after 54 holes. On the second playoff hole, however, Long Meadow’s Trevor Drew defeated her.
Joining the fun this year is the youngest Smith, Maddie, a junior at Westford Academy.
Phil, Morgan and Madison Smith will represent Long Meadow, while Molly Smith will represent Mt. Pleasant.
Champion pedigree
Smith isn’t the only former champion in the field.
Drew will be back to defend his title, joining ex-champions Chris Herrick of Vesper (2022), Chris Gentle of Mt. Pleasant (2015, 2016) and Dan Brown of Vesper (2004). But one of the cool things about the Cities is seeing new blood enter the field and several first-time players will showcase their skills next week.
Good vibes
Some entrants are playing tons of rounds and avoiding this spring’s rain drops. Others have played more sporadically.
Perhaps no player is enjoying the game right now more than Kevin McLaughlin, the City Tournament champion. He carded his first career hole-in-one a couple of days ago on the second hole at Nabnasset Lake in Westford, his home course. Kudos to him.
McLaughlin is paired with Tommy McKiernan of Mt. Pleasant and Bernie Nangle of Long Meadow in Wednesday’s opening round.
Star power
On Saturday, one of the top athletes in the world played a round at Long Meadow.
Yes, that was Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck showing off a smooth swing in Lowell and Tewksbury. Hellebuyck, who played two seasons at UMass Lowell before turning professional, made headlines around the world this week when he picked up two major awards.
He was named the National Hockey League’s top goaltender (Vezina Trophy) for the third time. He also became a rare double winner as he also was voted the NHL’s MVP (Hart Trophy). Hellebuyck became the first Hockey East player to ever receive the Hart Trophy.
Perhaps Hellebuyck’s greatness will rub off on this year’s field.
Round 1 tee times
12:00 p.m.: Dan Brown (V), Robb Burndrett (N), Eric Roy (MP)
12:10 p.m.: Dan Ahern (N), Ryan Lally (MP), Dave D’Entremont (LM)
12:20 p.m.: Chris Osborn (MP), Madison Smith (LM), Jason Fischer (V)
12:30 p.m.: Kyle Dunn (LM), Justin Adams (V), Tom Ervin (N)
12:40 p.m.: Derek Wayman (V), Dave Walshe (N), Liam Gleason (MP)
12:50 p.m.: Travis Kellegrew (N), Andrew Mierzwa (MP), Reed Bourgeois (LM)
1:00 p.m.: Matt Asselin (MP), Bret Edwards (LM), Daniel Myers (V)
1:10 p.m.: George Vergados (LM), Chris Hogan (V), Nick Wilder (N)
1:20 p.m.: Ryan Brogan (V), Chris Lerra (N), Trevor Green (MP)
1:30 p.m.: Kevin McLaughlin (N), Tommy McKiernan (MP), Bernie Nangle (LM)
1:40 p.m.: Jason Howarth (MP), Phil Smith (LM), William Adie (V)
1:50 p.m.: Nate Crowley (LM), Ryan Friel (V), Jack Ryan (N)
2:00 p.m.: Jeff Monahan (V), Rick Moreau (N), Chris Gentle (MP)
2:10 p.m.: Eric Young (N), Molly Smith (MP), Matt Tramonte (LM)
2:20 p.m.: Brian Corbett (MP), Morgan Smith (LM), Chris Herrick (V)
2:30 p.m.: Trevor Drew (LM), Andrew Conway (V), Mike Schnyer (N)
