Massachusetts Open tees off at GreatHorse

HAMPDEN — The 109th Massachusetts Open is returning to western Mass.

The top tournament of Mass Golf, formerly Massachusetts Golf Association, gets underway Monday at GreatHorse.

The three-day, 54-hole, stroke-play tournament is the first major tournament hosted by GreatHorse, which opened in 2016 after four years of rebuilding at the former Hampden Country Club.

“To be able to host the state open is incredible,” said Guy Antonacci, president of GreatHorse. “I think we’re going to be the youngest facility to host a state open, so that means a lot.”

Antonacci’s family, which owns USA Hauling and Recycling in Connecticut and has been in the horse business for 60 years, had been looking to purchase a golf course for 10 or 15 years.