Greater Enfield Golf League Celebrates Golden Anniversary

When the first players teed off in the Greater Enfield Golf League in late April, a milestone was reached.

The league was founded in 1963, and this season marks the 50th consecutive year of play for one of the oldest continuously-operated leagues in the country.

The loop began with six teams at the old Tobacco Valley course in East Windsor, site of the present East Windsor Industrial Park. For many years, the league has played at St. Anne's Country Club in Agawam, MA.

League member Pete Cherpak has been involved since the beginning; last year, his team featured three generations, as his son John and grandson Mike joined him.

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"It's a generational thing," former league president Jeff Underwood said. "Many of our dads were in it before us."

Thom Semanie, who serves as both secretary and handicap chairman, has been in the league for 27 years, following in the footsteps of his dad, Fred.

"My dad used to do these jobs," Semanie said. "We have 10 players who have been in the league for more than 30 years. We've had a few former mayors, including Joe O'Connor, and we currently have 108 players."

There are 12 teams in the league, with nine players per team. Four players compete per week, and handicaps are used in a match play format. Players' ages range from early twenties to 80, Semanie said.

"It's a good league with a great bunch of guys," president Jeff Dion said. "That's why it's lasted so long."