This marks the first time in the event's history - which dates back to 1905 - that Walpole Country Club will serve as host to the Massachusetts Open Championship, the only MGA event open to both amateurs and professional competitors.

"We are honored to bring our Massachusetts Open Championship to Walpole Country Club next season," said Joe Sprague, the MGA's executive director. "The course will provide a stern test of golf for the players and will no doubt continue the tradition of excellence of this historic championship."

Founded in 1927, Walpole Country Club was originally a 9-hole golf course. Forty-seven years later, the club purchased 213 acres from the heirs of the Allen family and relocated to the site of the Allen family's Spring Brook Farm on Baker Street. Golf course architect Al Zikorus provided a new design and completed the 18-hole layout in August of 1975. In 1994, the club retained golf course architect Ron Forse to develop a golf course master plan, and many improvements have been made since then.

"The members are looking forward to having the region's best professionals and amateurs play this course that provides such a great challenge day in and day out," said Walpole Country Club Head Golf Professional Tom Giffin. "The subtle doglegs, elevation changes and fast greens will test every part of their game."

While the players will enjoy the challenging course layout, the many spectators who come to watch the region's top competitors will enjoy the expansive clubhouse that was renovated in 2000 and features views of the 18th green, fairway and pond.

The 2012 Massachusetts Open Championship will be the fourth MGA Championship to be hosted by the club. Walpole Country Club was the site of the 1997 Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship, 2000 Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship and 2002 Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship.

The club has also hosted the New England Women's Golf Association Championship and the NEPGA's New England Open and is the home course for the Walpole High School golf team.