OUR NEWEST BENEFIT IS A DYNAMIC APP THAT CAN BE DOWNLOADED FOR FREE. “GHIN MOBILE” OFFERS A PERSONALIZED MOBILE EXPERIENCE THAT ALLOWS MEMBERS EASY ACCESS TO MANAGE THEIR GAMES THROUGH SCORE POSTING, AN INTERACTIVE COURSE HANDICAP CALCULATOR AND A HANDICAP INDEX LOOKUP. THOSE FEATURES JOIN NYSGA NEWS UPDATES AND LIVE FEEDS FROM FACEBOOK AND THE ABILITY TO REMEMBER USER PREFERENCES SUCH AS RECENTLY POSTED SCORES.

Downloading the app is easy and free and available for use on Androids, iPhones, iPads and the iPod touch. Use a QR reader or search “GHIN Mobile” in the Android Market or iTunes store. Then enter your GHIN number and Last Name to have the app customized for the NYSGA member experience.

The GHIN Mobile App includes:

• Score Posting
• Course Handicap Calculator
• Handicap Index Lookup
• Tournament Registration and Results
• NYSGA news, live updates and more

Edward Koslick of Cedar Lake Club was elected to be the 39th President of the New York State Golf Association at the Association’s Fall Meeting held at Wolferts Roost Country Club in Albany, NY.  Koslick will head the slate of 16 Executive Committee Members and Officers.

Koslick has been a NYSGA Committee member since 2000, joining the Executive Committee in 2005.  In 2006 he took over the role of Secretary, which he held through 2011.  In that time he has been very active in the Utica/Rome and Syracuse regions as chair of Junior Amateur qualifying and has traveled extensively across the state to work numerous championships.  Koslick is retired after 44 years with Lockheed Martin & General Electric.

“I am excited to be given the opportunity to lead the New York Golf Association for the next two years and proud of the faith my volunteer associates have in me. My predecessors have charted a future for growth and our excellent staff has taken us into the 21st century. I am confident that I can help to continue this path with our NYSGA Foundation that supports scholarship awards, the National School Program, and Kids on Course all which builds strong values such as integrity, respect, and sportsmanship. Volunteering gives me the opportunity to give back to the game that has been such a big part of my life and to continue the traditions that have made this game of golf so great.”

The NYSGA’s Executive Committee also includes four new members: Joseph Enright of Lancaster Country Club; Patrick Shatzel of Monroe Golf Club; Joseph Strykowski of Elmira Country Club; and Warren Winslow of Western Turnpike Golf Club.

The NYSGA was founded in 1923 and has over 450 member clubs statewide.  A complete list of the 2012 Officers and Executive Committee is listed below and can always be found on our website, www.nysga.org.

2012 NYSGA Officers

Ed Koslick, Cedar Lake Club – President
John Blain, Seven Oaks GC – First Vice President
John Sullivan, Skaneateles CC, Second Vice President
Richard Galvin, The Brookwoods CC, Secretary
Edward Thaney, CC of Rochester, Treasurer
Michael J. LaBue, Oak Hill CC, Counsel

2012 NYSGA Executive Committee

Robert Biviano, The Brookwoods CC
Matthew Clarke, CC of Troy
Jack Donovan, The Brookwoods CC
Joseph Enright, Lancaster CC
Sherry Heath, The Links at Hiawatha Landing
Gene Meyle, Wayne Hills CC
Thomas Reidy, Elmira CC
Patrick Shatzel, Monroe GC
Joseph Strykowski, Elmira CC
Warren Winslow, Western Turnpike GC

The 2011 Foundation Progress Report can be viewed here.

The New York State Golf Association is proud to announce the 11 recipients of this year’s Scholarship Program award.

Renewing their scholarships from last year  are Adam Baj (Buffalo), majoring in Professional Golf Management at Methodist University;  Aidan Graven (Owego), majoring in Turfgrass Science at Penn State University; Kyle Lewis (Saratoga Springs), majoring in Professional Golf Management at SUNY Delhi; and David Mastroianni (Schenectady), majoring in Professional Golf Management at Florida Gulf Coast University. The Billy Arliss Scholarship was given to Michael Wesko (Endicott), who is studying Professional Golf Management at Methodist University.

The six new students, who will be receiving scholarships this year, are Douglas Brown (Mayfield and SUNY Delhi), who is majoring in Turfgrass Science, along with Brandon Gaydorus (Endicott and Methodist University), Damon Kull (Old Forge and Florida Gulf Coast University), Kevin Mackey (Kingston and SUNY Delhi), Paul Montanaro (Brockport and Campbell University), and Greg Stavrou (Rockville and SUNY Delhi), who will all be majoring in Professional Golf Management.

Thanks to donations made to the NYSGA scholarship fund, each of these students will receive $1,500. The award is granted every year as long as the student remains in good academic standing.

The Scholarship Program is designed to help the NYSGA continue its strong commitment to New York state residents who matriculate to specific two or four-year college/university and study  Agronomy, Turf Grass Management, Professional Golf and Country Club Management or related programs. We also support New York state residents who elect to study similar programs in colleges or universities out of state.

To learn more about the NYSGA Scholarship Program or make a donation visit www.nysga.org/scholarship-program.html.

Bill Ford, a 67 year-old retired Electrical Contract Manager/Estimator & Town Supervisor, posted 240 rounds of golf between January 1 and November 16, 2011. This was the most scores posted by a member of NYSGA golf clubs. Mr. Ford is a member of Potsdam Town & Country Club. We asked him some questions about his feat of golf endurance.

NYSGA: How do you find the time to play all those rounds?
FORD: 8 months here in Northern New York & 4 months in Florida.

NYSGA: With all of those rounds, how many holes-in-one do you have?
FORD: Only 2, 1 in S. Carolina & 1 here in Potsdam, New York.

NYSGA: What course do you enjoy playing the most and why?
FORD: I enjoy our home course here in Potsdam as well as our home course in Daytona Beach, FL.

NYSGA: How many times did you play that course this year?
FORD: I play nearly every day, both here as well as in Florida. We travel to different courses about once a week, both here in NY as well as in Florida.

NYSGA: Is this the most rounds you have ever recorded in a year? If so, what was your previous high?
FORD: Last year I recorded around 270 rounds and I still have the month of December in Florida this year as well as perhaps a few more here in Northern NY. Problem is, I don’t seem to get any better. My handicap stays anywhere between 5 & 7 on our golf courses with a slope of 129.

NYSGA: What’s the most holes you’ve ever played in one day?
FORD: 54 in the past. This year, 36.

NYSGA: What are some golf courses you haven’t played yet that you would like to?
FORD: My imagination runs wild. This December 14th & 15th, while in Florida, Lorraine & I are looking forward to playing at Disney’s Magnolia and Palm golf courses, home of The Children’s Miracle Network PGA Championship. This is a gift from our 3 daughters and their families. We’ll be staying at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate. You can be sure that I won’t be playing the back tees. The white tees have the same slope as my home courses. That’s tough enough for me.

NYSGA: Do you play alone or with a group?
FORD: Very seldom do I play alone. We have our regular foresomes here in NY. In Florida, my wife & I play with other couples nearly every day. We’ve been going to Florida for the past 5 years, this being our 6th year. We’ve made many, many friends down there during that time that we play a lot of golf with and socialize with. People from all walks of life and from all parts of the country as well as Canada.

NYSGA: What’s the worst weather you have played through?
FORD: 37 degrees, high winds & rain. Obviously, here in NY. My “die-hard” friends were out there with me.

NYSGA: Whats the longest amount of time this year you’ve gone without playing a round of golf?
FORD: About 2 weeks.

NYSGA: Whats your best round of the year?
FORD: I won the Northern New York Super Senior Championship (age 65 & up) in Watertown, NY (76-72-148) {Ford is pictured above with trophy}. I’ve also been fortunate enough to win our Senior Club Championship 5 times (age 55 & up). My lowest round here in Potsdam this year was 70, par 72 & in Daytona Beach, FL was 68, par 71. The clubs that we belong to are full of great people and friends. I tell everyone that it’s easy to win because we’re all just a bunch of “Hackers” that love the game.

NYSGA: How many golf balls do you go through/lose in a year?
FORD: Fortunately, I hit the ball pretty straight and at my age, I don’t hit it far enough anymore to get into too much trouble.

NYSGA: Do you travel to play any other courses throughout the year?
FORD: Yes, about once a week on the average.

NYSGA: What do you like to do when you’re not golfing?
FORD: I love my time with my wife, our 3 daughters and their families, including 9 grandchildren which includes 1 from Russia & 1 from South Korea.

NYSGA: What are the chances of you playing more than 240 rounds next year?
FORD: I’m pretty sure, as long as I stay healthy that I’ll do it again. Golf truly is my passion.

Two-time NYSGA Amateur Champion and seven-time PGA Tour Champion Joey Sindelar took the time to record a video for the NYSGA Foundation at his practice facility.

The 2011 NYSGA Fall Newsletter is now available. It features full recaps for every one of our 2011 Championships, along with pictures, full tournament results (as well as qualifying results), a State Days summary, an update on our foundation, and much more! Check it out today and relive the highlights of an exciting season of NYSGA golf!

Jake Katz playing in the 89th NYS Amateur Championship

Port St. Lucie, FL – After recently finishing T4 in the PGA Qualifying School (or Q School) Pre-Qualifying at Lake Jovita G&CC, Jake Katz is now another step closer to his dream of playing on the PGA Tour. Katz’s placed T10 in the Q School’s First Stage at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, where the top-22 players advanced to the Second Stage.

Katz, a recent graduate of Binghamton University,  was runner-up to Western Kentucky’s Doug Kleeschulte at the 2010 NYS Amateur (Albany CC), and then again to Auburn’s Dominic Bozzelli in 2011 (Oak Hill CC).

The Second Qualifying Stage will take place at six qualifying locations, beginning in the third week of November. To follow Katz and the other PGA Tour hopefuls, visit the PGA Tour’s Q School home at pgatour.com.