MassGolf: Westover’s Zach Lebeau paces local pack at Mass Am qualifier in Springfield

Jeremy Meade of Nashawtuc Country Club shot the low round of the day to take home medalist honors in a 2024 Massachusetts Amateur Golf Championship qualifier at Veterans Memorial Golf Course in Springfield on Monday afternoon.

Meade shot 2-under-par 70 – two shots ahead of second place – in the first of two western Massachusetts qualifiers for the prestigious event. The other takes place Tuesday at Stockbridge Golf Club, where other Hampshire County players will try and qualify for next month’s Mass Am, set to be contested at Framingham Country Club (July 8-12).

Meade bounced back from a front-nine, 1-over-par 37 before firing a 33 over his next nine holes to win the event. Cole Banning (72), Peter Alminas (72), Daniel Brooks (73), Bryce Piemonte (74) and Jack Diefenderfer (74) rounded out the six that made the cut and will advance to next month’s tourney.

Five local golfers were in action on Monday as well, with Zach Lebeau of Westover Golf Course leading the charge. Lebeau was one shot off the cut line at 3-over 75, shooting a terrific 1-under 35 on the front nine before finishing his last three holes 3-over to fall just shy of a top finish. He had three birdies on the day.

Right behind Lebeau was Michael Murray, a 16-year old sophomore at Belchertown High school, who carded a 76. Similar to his fellow Westover Golf Course running mate in Lebeau, Murray found two birdies on the front nine to power a 35. He also struggled on the back nine, posting a 41 including a trio of double bogeys. Murray showed a lot of promise holding his own against a field of older competitors.

Former Northampton High School star Galen Fowles (The Ranch Golf Club) shot a 78 with three birdies while David Girourd (Orchards Golf Club) went 42-41 to post an 83 (T-55) and Paul Chmura (Orchards Golf Club) tied for 70th with an 85 to round out local competitors.