NYSGA News

State Days Series at Irondequoit: Recap, Results and Photographs

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:58:46 +0000

On a day with many notable scores, it was Irondequoit CC stealing the spotlight. The course, which was unanimously praised for its meticulous conditioning and challenging layout, provided a fair but stern test. Competitors who fared the best seemed to have one thing in common: when they didn’t play a shot as intended (which happens frequently, as we all know…) they left themselves in a decent scrambling position with a reasonable chance to save par or even bogey.

Marias Lombard chipping after nearly driving the green at the difficult par-4 16th.

Too often the brave golfer will attempt the heroic shot instead of playing to the percentages. The 16^th hole at Irondequoit presented a classic example. This short hole, measuring 354 from the blue tees, was the third most difficult hole of the day thanks to it's treacherous green, constructed to frustrate and infuriate golfers of all abilities. The green slopes severely from front to back, and just beyond the back fringe the hole slopes down towards the next tee box. With the day's hole location positioned on a shelf in the back right portion of the green, players would often take dead aim at the flagstick only to see their ball bound over the green into the deep rough beyond (in a position fondly referred to as 'dead'). The more studious player, knowing a well struck shot may result in a bogey or worse if played too confidently, would play to the center of the green. More often than not, the firm green would cause the ball to bound forward towards the hole, but the worst the player would have was a reasonable, uphill putt from the center of the green.

Al Belair reacts to missing his putt on the 17th hole at Irondequoit on Monday

Check out the course statistics, including each hole’s relative difficulty, here

There were many holes at Irondequoit that are defined by their strategic design, of which course architect Donald Ross is well known for. The day’s top finishers, including flight net winners Dave Ayoub (67), Jerry Byrwa (68), Stephen Poplarski (62), and Jeanne Kay (77), were able to capitalize on these design elements in order to gain an invitation to the 2012 State Days Championship. Also gaining invites for winning their respective flight’s low gross awards were Marais Lombard (72), Charlie Sharlow (80), Fred Merz (85), and Nancy Holzerland (97). The complete prize breakdown, including gift certificate amounts, can be found here.

To view the final net and gross results, click the links provided

The NYSGA’s State Days Tournament Series will take a brief hiatus until the June 4^th tournament hosted by Buffalo’s Transit Valley Country Club. In order to learn more (and to register!) about future State Days tournaments, visit the State Days homepage at www.nysga.org/statedays.

Many thanks to the staff and membership of Irondequoit CC for graciously hosting Monday's State Days Series Tournament!

Scholarship Application Deadline Fast Approaching

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:44:40 +0000

The NYSGA Scholarship Program application deadline is Tuesday, May 15th at 5:00pm. Please make sure to have your applications in on time!

The NYSGA Scholarship Program grants $1,500 Scholarships to NYS residents who are full time students either for Professional Golf Management or for Turfgrass Management. For more information, visit our Scholarship Page here.

State Days Series Off to a Running Start at Edison Club

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:47:05 +0000

A sold out field of 98 players competed this afternoon in the first State Days Series Tournament of 2012, hosted by The Edison Club. With the recent string of warm, sunny weather, Edison was able to showcase their Devereux Emmet designed golf course in mid-summer condition. The firm fairways and receptive greens, coupled with pleasant weather, presented nearly ideal scoring conditions, but the punishing rough caused many in the field to struggle.

Flight Results

Edison Club member John Vandecar capitalized on his home field advantage to win the Men’s A Flight Low Net prize with a 72. A very consistent round of 9 bogeys and 9 pars allowed Vandecar to edge out Pinehaven’s John Decatur (73) and gain 2012’s first invitation to the State Days Championship, hosted by Yahnundasis Golf Club*.

Jim Splain won both Low Net & Gross honors (Men's B Flight)

Jim Splain and Robert Neppl had themselves quite a day, winning both the Low Net and Gross titles for the Men’s B & C Flights, respectively. Not far behind these two were Tom McCord and Vincent Somaio, who placed second to Splain and Neppl in their respective flights in the net and gross categories.

Chan Lee on the par-5 12th

Mary Ellen Neppl, playing with Robert, took the Women’s Flight Low Net honors with an impressive two under score of 70, edging out Chan Lee (71) and Patricia Healey (74). Lee, who was so close to catching Nepp for the net title, ended up as the Women’s Flight Low Gross winner with a round of 82.

View the final gross and net results (click active links).

View pictures from the round here (available 5/9 at 10AM)

UPCOMING STATE DAYS SERIES TOURNAMENTS… the State Days Series moves next to Turning Stone Resort & Casino’s Shenendoah Golf Club on Friday, May 11 and then to Irondequoit Country Club on Monday, May 14 (both tournaments are sold out!). To view the complete 2012 State Days Series schedule, visit www.nysga.org/statedays.

Perry Noun reacts to missing a short birdie attempt on the difficult 9th hole

*The NYSGA State Days Series Championship is an invitation only tournament. A player may earn an invitation by winning their flight (low net or gross) in one of the 15 regular season State Days Series Tournaments.

State Four-Ball Championship Entry Set to Close

admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:02:33 +0000

The deadline to register for the NYS Four-Ball & Senior Four-Ball Amateur Championships is this Monday (May 7) at 5pm. Be sure to register before its too late!

The NYSGA Championship calendar commences with the playing of the 2nd NYS Four-Ball Championship at Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor, NY. This 36-hole event, held from May 21-22, sees two-player teams battle against a field of NY’s finest in a four-ball stroke play competition. Rochesterians Jim Scorse and J.P. Kircher claimed the inaugural title in 2011 (view final results here), and look to defend it in 2012.

New in 2012 is the addition of a senior division in the Four-Ball Championship. Players must be 55 years of age on May 21, 2012 to be considered a senior, and may not compete in both divisions (Amateur and Senior Amateur) concurrently.

View the Participant List

Portion of Dottie Pepper’s book sales “Bogey Tees Off” Benefit NYSGA Foundation

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:27:05 +0000

The NYSGA Foundation has entered into a partnership with Scooter Pines Holdings, which recently published the first in a series of children’s books about Bogey Ballton, written by Scott Fuller and former #1 world-ranked pro golfer and current NBC commentator Dottie Pepper. “I could not be more pleased that Bogey Tees Off, Vol. 1 will be helping to grow the game in NY through the NYSGA Foundation. Junior and amateur golf in New York was the foundation for all of my success in the game”, said Dottie.

Scooter Pines will donate $5 per Volume 1 of the book series sold through a special consignment to the NYSGA Foundation and $2 per autographed copy.

Other organizations to benefit from the Bogey books include the Navy SEAL Foundation, Folds of Honor Foundation and The First Tee.

Bogey offers a unique way for kids and families to be introduced to the game of golf while promoting life lessons and values that are applicable on and off the golf course. The first book in the series, “Bogey Tees Off,” is about Bogey’s ambitions to be something more than just another golf ball on the driving range. Each book is designed to teach a particular life lesson, and this story is subtitled, “A Lesson About Being Truthful.”

Purchase copies using the links below and help us grow golf in Upstate NY.

Paperback Edition - Click HERE to purchase for $9.99

Autographed Copies! - Click HERE to purchase for $19.99

Listen to former NYSGA President Dick Dorgan Interview

admin — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 04:19:54 +0000

Listen to this podcast of former NYSGA President Dick Dorgan interviewed on the Capital Area Golf Radio Show about our Golf in School Program (original air date July 2, 2011).

This conversation led to the alliance that implemented the program in Albany elementary schools this spring!

Click here to listen >>>

Prizes Available at Masters Viewing Party!

admin — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 01:58:15 +0000

As the countdown continues to the Masters Viewing Party on Friday, April 6 at Wolferts Roost Country Club, here are some of the items available for you to bid on and win between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. while we gather to watch the 2012 Masters broadcast, swing in simulators and enjoy a nice meal.

There are silent auction items and raffle prizes and some handouts just for showing up. We appreciate your support very much. For $75, you will support the new effort of The First Tee scholastic program and have fun while doing something you would normally do – watch the Masters.

Here’s the list (subject to last minute additions/changes) of silent auction items, raffle items and door gifts just for coming. We hope you do.

Click here to register and get your ticket now to the hottest golf ticket before all those charity events. Be an MVP — Masters Viewing Party!

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN WIN:

PLAY GOLF ITEMS (SILENT AUCTION)

Group of four for golf:
Airway Meadows Golf Club
Ballston Spa Country Club
Country Club of Troy
Malone Golf Club

Group of two for golf with cart:
Burden Lake Country Club

Group of four for golf with cart:
Colonie Golf & Country Club
Olde Kinderhook Golf Club
Oneonta Country Club
Rolling Hills Country Club
The Edison Club

Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club/Mid-Pines Inn & Golf Club: Two-night stay with deluxe accommodations, breakfast and dinner daily, 18-holes per day, carts, unlimited range balls, club storage (May 23-Sept. 5, 2012)

Saratoga Lake Golf Club: Group of two for golf (Monday-Thursday)

Saratoga National Golf Club: Group of two for golf and cart (Mon-Wed or after 1pm Sat-Sun, excluding 7/21-9/3/12)

Sunny Hill Golf Resort: up to two nights of accommodations, food, unlimited golf for two during 2012 season.

Thunderhart Resort & Golf Course: up to two nights of accommodations, food, unlimited golf for two during 2012 season.

Golf Galaxy: $100 gift card

The First Tee: Attaché case and golf shirt with The First Tee logo

Seneca Beverage Corporation: Cooler with Michelob Ultra logo

EVENT TICKETS (SILENT AUCTION)

2012 U.S. Open: Two weekly grounds only ticket packages, June 11-17, 2012 at Olympic Club in San Francisco, CA

Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland A’s at Fenway Park, Monday, April 30, 7:10 p.m. Two front row bleacher seats behind visitor’s bullpen (best view of Fenway Park).

Cornell University: Four season tickets to men’s basketball, general admission; Four season tickets to football, general admission

The Barclays Tournament: Four grounds tickets at Bethpage Black, valid any day, Aug. 23-26, 2012

Two tickets to the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association Awards Dinner where Tony Jacklin, Lorena Ochoa, Golf Digest chairman and editor-in-chief Jerry Tarde. June 19, 2012 at the Hilton Westchester in Rye Brook, NY

OTHER ITEMS (SILENT AUCTION)

Masters Flag autographed by 1992 Champion Fred Couples

Phil Mickelson autographed photo of the 18th hole at the National golf Links of America (donated by Dylan Muller)

Autographed Arnold Palmer book

Jim Boeheim & Carmelo Anthony photo from 2003 NCAA Men’s basketball championship season, signed by Coach Boeheim

Callaway Big Bertha Heavenwood: Ladies’ 6-hybrid, donated by Mohawk Golf Cluband PGA Pro Jeremy Kerr

RAFFLE ITEMS

12 Autographed copies of “Bogey Tees Off” by Dottie Pepper, four given away each hour from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. (every 15 minutes)

New York State Golf Association hat, shirt and pullover

1 year subscription to GolfWeek

Book: World’s Top 100 Golf Courses

Gift basket: Ithaca Coffee Company

Gift basket: CNY Healing Arts, free yoga, gift card. Value $100

Shoe Bag by Bobby Jones

Burton Golf Bag with The First Tee logo

Craig Wood book (donated by Peter Martin)

Adirondack Golf Courses – Past and Present (donated by Peter Martin)

Wilson Golf Bag with Labatt Blue Light Lime logo

DOOR GIFTS

Golf balls
$10 Golf Galaxy coupon
Surprise gift

Written by John Craig for CapitalAreaGolf.com

Welcome to the NYSGA Rules of Golf Blog

Andrew Hickey — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:09:36 +0000

The NYSGA, in addition to offering expanded Rules of Golf Seminars, will be helping to educate those interested in the Rules through the use of the new NYSGA Rules of Golf Blog. This blog will be used provide insight into the Rules and their interpretations, through posts detailing specific Rules/Decisions and interesting rulings that happen in the world of golf. In addition, the blog will be a forum to facilitate discussion on the Rules. Readers are encouraged to submit questions, which will be thoughtfully reviewed and responded to in a timely manner.

In order to submit your question, please email rules@nysga.org with Rules Question as the subject.

To learn more about the Rules of Golf, including the NYSGA’s Rules of Golf Seminars, please visit www.nysga.org/rules.

2012 Rules of Golf Seminars Announced

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:05:06 +0000

The NYSGA is proud to announce that four half-day Rules of Golf Seminars have been scheduled for 2012. These seminars, which are administered with the help the BDGA, RDGA, and USGA, are FREE of charge and open to anyone interested in brushing up on the basic Rules of Golf, as well as recent Rules changes.

Learn more about the NYSGA Rules of Golf Seminars and how to register online at www.nysga.org/Rules

Please contact the NYSGA at (315) 471-6979 with any questions.

Registration Is Open for the 2012 Tournament Season

admin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:55:58 +0000

At 9:00am on March 1, registration for all NYSGA Championships and State Days Tournaments will be open. Returning players are encouraged to log into their accounts (click here) and review their profile to ensure everything is up-to-date. Don’t worry if you can’t remember your username and password, we’ve got you covered (click here). New players must first create a profile before they can register for tournaments (click here). It is a very simple process made easier if you have your GHIN number at your disposal.

Mohawk GC will host a NYSGA State Days Tournament in 2012.

If you have any questions regarding NYSGA tournaments or the registration process, please call the NYSGA office at (315) 471-6979.