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The Republican Column: TEE TALK

   Another job, another great spot for Josh Hillman. The Greenfield native has landed the head golf professional job at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield. Hillman, 30, was hired during the off-season to replace Bob Meheran, now at Cobleskill (N.Y.) Golf & Country Club. Hillman spent two years as an assistant under Rick Pohle at Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown. "It was tough to leave a place like Taconic, but Rick was great about it," Hillman said. "It was a great opportunity. It all came together late (early February)."

   Hillman had interviewed at New Haven CC in Hamden, Conn., not long before. "But I love the Berkshires, my wife and I have a house in Williamstown so it's 20 minutes south for me to Pittsfield, and she's 20 minutes north working at Bennington (Vt.) College,"Hillman said. Hillman has already hired Jason Shepard of Lenox as an assistant. "It has been all new for me, owning the pro shop putting up your own money and buying everything myself," Hillman said.

   Hillman has enjoyed playing success at Berkshire Hills, as he won the Northeast New York Assistants Championship there two years ago. "It's the only A.W. Tillinghast (design) in Massachusetts, the guy who designed Winged Foot and Baltusrol," Hillman said. He is also coming off the best season of his professional career, winning the four "majors." Hillman won the National Club Pro Championship sectional qualifier, the NENY Section PGA Championship, the section's stroke play championship, and its match play tournament. And he won the section Assistants Association Championship last year. "And I won four or five other smaller tournaments," Hillman said. "And I know my tournament schedule will be limited, but the membership here has also encouraged me, too."

   Hillman starred at Greenfield High School and the University of Rhode Island, before turning pro in 2000. He spent one year playing mini-tours, he joined the PGA of America program in 2002 and holds Class A status. He also worked for four seasons at The Kittansett Club in Marion. Hillman, a member of the board of directors for the NENY PGA Section, currently holds the course record of 8-under 63 at Taconic. Berkshire Hills will host the Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship in September. COLLEGE TRY: South Hadley's Adam Rainaud, a star at the University of Louisville, carded rounds of 74, 72 and 69 and his 1-under finish earned him medalist honors at a tournament hosted by the University of South Alabama. Monson's Garrett Beyor was medalist at the Lou Flemore Invitational at Stow Acres CC in Stow. The freshman from team runner-up American International College carded an even-par 72. Senior Whitney Wolejko of Hatfield birdied the second playoff hole to help her Marshall (W. Va.) University teammates edge James Madison and win the First Market Bank Intercollegiate tournament title. TEE PARTY: Tickets and playing spots are still available for the Tee Party, set for April 24. Agawam Municipal GC golf pro and general manager Ron Dunn will be the guest of honor. Tickets for golf and dinner sell for $75, while dinner only is $30. Call Mike Be chard (583-3434) at Ludlow CC for more information, or visit ludlowcountryclub.com GOLF NOTES.

   Daril Pacinella's free golf clinic scheduled for yesterday has been moved to Saturday. The hour-long clinic starts at 10 a.m. at Longhi's Par 3 on Route 57 in Southwick. Pacinella is available for private lessons at 531-7469. Mill Valley Golf Links (323-4079) in Belchertown will run an open two-ball April 19. Chicopee CC (594-9295) will run open two-ball April 20. The Golf Center (977-8056) of Granby on Route 202 is open for the season Pole Kat Golf in East Longmeadow has moved from Ski Haus to 46B Baldwin Street. Business phone is 526-5435. A list of local golfers who record holes-in-one or aces made at local golf courses will be published each Thursday it Tee it Up. Information must be received by Tuesday night each week. Russ Held can be reached at rheld@repub.com