The American Freedom Open (2025)

The 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, when the thirteen American colonies declared their freedom from British rule. It symbolizes the birth of the United States as a sovereign nation based on principles of liberty and self-governance. Americans celebrate with patriotic displays, fireworks, parades, and gatherings to honor the nation’s history and freedom.

The American Freedom Open is our third Major and will be played on June 29th, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Golf Course, 1059 S Branch Pkwy, Springfield, MA 01118. The green fee with a cart is $47.00, and $29.00 for walkers.

Past American Freedom Champions are:

2015 – Dave

2016 – Joe

2017 – Eric

2018 – Joe

2019 – Bryan

2020 - Cody

2021 – Tim

2022 – Cody

2023 – Alex

2024 – Matt

Updated BJG Handicaps:

As I'm sure you're aware by now, I like to make a rule and then follow it through to the end. After that, I will review and make any necessary changes to that rule.  I feel like this keeps things honest and transparent. 

At the beginning of the season, I worked with JT to establish the rules for handicaps.  Because the BJG season is only 16 rounds, it did not make sense to use a handicap rule of taking the best 10 scores out of 20 rounds.  You would not get a change in your handicap for 2 years later.

We decided to go with 5 best scores out of 10 rounds, and the Rookies would get their handicaps after they complete three BJG rounds.

Here are the BJG Handicaps for the American Freedom Open.

Points for The American Freedom Open:

This Major is worth 816 Points, 96 for First Place and 6 for Last Place.

 As for all Majors, groups are set by the Leaderboard. With Matt out this week, Adam will lead us off the first tee box.

Groups and Tee Times

Group One: 9:02

Cart 1 – Adam (7) & Joe (25)

Cart 2 – Iron Mike (9)

Group Two: 9:10

Cart 3 – Rachelle (24) & Mike J (18)

Cart 4 – Alex (35)

Group Three: 9:18

Cart 5 – Joe T (25) & JT (14)

Cart 6 – EJ (33)

Group Four:  9:26

Cart 7 – Rey (20) & Stephen (24)

Cart 8 – Rob (19) & Eric (25)

We will have BJG Drop Zones at the 7th, 9th, and 18th holes. If there is a change, I will text the group.

7th Hole – BJG Drop Zone (White Circle) will be on the other side of the water and at the bottom of the hill near the cart path.  Look for the Orange Flag.

9th Hole – The first time dealing with the Penalty Area, we will follow the PGA rule of dropping where the ball entered the water for a one-stroke penalty. 

1.      Stroke and Distance: Play the next shot from the spot where the previous shot was played. 

2.      Back on the Line: Drop the ball on a line extending back from the hole through the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the penalty area, keeping the penalty area between the player and the hole.  RED AREA, (it should have be in front of the water area)

3.      Lateral Relief (Red Penalty Areas Only): Drop the ball within two club-lengths of the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the penalty area, no closer to the hole. 

If you put a second ball into the penalty area (Water), you can move to the BJG Drop Zone (White Circle), which will be marked with an Orange Flag.

18th Hole – BJG Drop Zone (White Circle) will be on the other side of the water and at the center of the rough.  Look for the Orange Flag.

The first Closest to the Pin is on the Par 3, 7th Hole (144 yards) and is worth $40 since no one hit the first CTTP green at Edgewood. The second Closest to the Pin will be on the Par 3, 15th Hole (165 yards).  Everyone plays from the White Tee Box for the CTTP.

Since this is the American Freedom Open, everyone wearing Red, White, & Blue, OR Stars & Stripes during this event will earn ONE Camaraderie Point.

Weather Forecast: Sunday will have a low of 66F and a high of 86F, with partly sunny skies. There is a 24% chance of rain.  The wind will be from the East at 5 to 10 mph. 

After this event, there will only be three more events in the regular season.  The Time Travelers, Valhalla Match Play, and the BJG Championship.

Remember that Veterans likes to push us out early, so please be early. We will answer any questions that may come up at the golf course. It also looks like there will be some rain on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Please let me know if you are NOT playing on Sunday. I know that Matt, Joe V & James are not playing in this Major.

Respectfully,

Broken Joe

Commissioner