Mike Bechard is your man. The 12th-year head golf professional at Ludlow Country Club will be the guest of honor at the 2019 Rollie Jacobs Western Mass. Tee Party.

Bechard will be recognized for his dedication, commitment and service to golf in Western Massachusetts. “I had thought about it a little over the years,” the Longmeadow resident said of one of the region’s most prestigious recognitions. “The last few years, with guys who are friends of mine, like Kevin Piecuch (CC of Greenfield), Rick Fleury (now Ledges GC) and Tim Quirk (formerly Longmeadow CC) getting it … I wondered if it might be maybe this year or next. “It was a pleasant surprise, it’s something I’m very excited about,” Bechard said. The popular golf tournament and evening dinner takes place May 9 at Ludlow CC. The Tee Party, established in 1947, has long been tabbed the unofficial kickoff to the local golf season. Bechard will begin his 30th year in the PGA program, a career that started with a single season as an assistant at Crestview CC in Agawam in 1989 and continued with six more under Bob O’Neil at Ludlow CC. From there, he took his first head professional job at Greenock CC in Lee from 1996 to 2006. He then returned to Ludlow in the same capacity and has been on Tony Lema Drive ever since. Tee Party ticket information and details will be made available in coming weeks.