|
Winter 2006 Departments
Exchange
Prerequisite
Extended Family
Foundation News
Alumni Association News
Zip 01003
Books Received
Alumni Photos
Features
Why You Should Love Polymers
Where There's Spark
Falling for Shelburne Falls
Where Are They Now?
Lessons in the Sand
|
 |
Alumni Association News
|
From Milk Cans to Golf Clubs
|
PHIL HALL ’51, OR "FARMER PHIL" AS family and friends affectionately call him, still enjoys riding a tractor over the land that his family had farmed for some 85 years. Until 1997, Hall was a third-generation dairy farmer managing 300 cows for the wholesale production of milk on his farm in Southwick, Massachusetts. Today there are no cows roaming pastures; instead, golf carts zip along fairways. As it became too expensive to maintain his agricultural business, Farmer Phil evolved from dairy farmer into golf course owner.
Hall entered into a partnership with additional investors to open The Ranch Golf Club in the spring of 2000. Since that time The Ranch has received a number of accolades as a premiere public golf course. It was ranked third in the nation for upscale public courses by Golf Digest magazine. It has become a destination for the true golf lover.
Hall attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst. He credits the program with providing the latest technology and best practices in each industry. “I learned a lot about advances in milk production, crop development, and housing systems for the herd,” says Hall. “It was a wonderful experience to be at UMass Amherst. Attending such a large university after living on a farm all my life was a real thrill.” The Stockbridge School has also been a resource for Hall’s venture into the golf industry. Many of the course’s maintenance personnel are graduates of the turfgrass management program, including Hall’s grandson, Chad Hall ’03.
Hall hopes to return to campus this June for a special degree-awarding ceremony through the Stockbridge School. Prior to 1961, graduates received only certificates upon completion of the program. Chancellor John V. Lombardi will retroactively bestow associate’s degrees to all Stockbridge School alumni who graduated prior to 1961. “I think it’s a very nice gesture,” says Hall. “I really enjoy staying connected to the university. It is a great school, and I have wonderful memories of my time there.” |
|
|
[top of page]
|
|
|
|
A Volunteer's View
Discover the Alumni Association
Lights, Camera, Action!
Alumni Active Throughout Nation
Memories of UMass Amherst Span 58 Years
From Milk Cans to Golf Clubs
Social Networking:
|
