FORECAST
Met PGA Foreword Spring has arrived and with it the start of what promises to be an exciting 2021 season. How wonderful to see all of the pictures being shared on social media from opening day events at our clubs, and the start the Met PGA tournament schedule. The turnout for the TaylorMade ProAssistant Championships as well as Long Island and Westchester PGA Championships have been strong and are a testament to our love of playing the game and camaraderie in the section. Throughout the 2020 season, golf took on a new meaning for many players in the New York Metropolitan area. The game of golf became an escape from the challenging times that we all faced together, and you, the Met PGA Professional, proved to have solutions to challenges that were ever changing, putting on a friendly face all the while during these challenging times. We all had to think outside of the box, be a bit more creative and flexible, and develop new ways to conduct our business’ and engage with our members. These are all things that we can continue to benefit from as we grow the enjoyment of the game of golf in 2021. It is an exciting time to be a PGA Professional and we know that each of you are excited for the opportunity to have a positive impact on the game of golf this year. As we begin to see the softening of restrictions, we look forward to the return of larger gathering sizes, shotgun starts, junior golf camps, and interclub matches, just to name a few. We also look forward to the return of PGA Junior League, Met PGA HOPE, and Drive, Chip and Putt programs, as well as returning to a full schedule for the Met PGA Junior Tour. These programs are key initiatives for our Met PGA Foundation and help to grow the enjoyment of the game, both at your facility, as well as in the greater golf community. We hope that you will have an opportunity to get involved. This past winter was extremely productive for the Met PGA Board of Directors and Staff. During the course of several meetings, and a productive planning session, we established goals for the season ahead as well as for future years. A new focus on section communications, club relations, education and the future of employment are all key objectives, with you, the Met PGA Professional, as the focus. We are excited for key staff positions that were filled and welcome the promotion of Steve Guasco as our new Tournament Director, and the hiring of Chris Chao as the Assistant Tournament Director. We are further encouraged and appreciative of the response from our Partners and Sponsors and their commitment to supporting the Section and its members. The notion of “partnership” has perhaps never more evident as we continue to work through tumultuous cycles with our companies resulting in even more meaningful relationships and appreciation along the way. We wish everyone an enjoyable and successful start to the season and as always welcome your comments, observations, and suggestions. Best Regards, Chris Kenney Met PGA President Jeff Voorheis Met PGA Executive Director
NEW HEAD PROFESSIONALS The Met Section would like to announce and congratulate the following Met PGA members who have received new Head Professional positions in our section coming into the 2021 season:
Kyle Baehler
Rye Golf Club
Kevin Breen
Salem Golf Club
Anthony Casalino Scarsdale Golf Club Tom Cooper
The Creek Club
Brian Crowell
Trump Golf Links At Ferry Point
Jay Himelberger
Village Club of Sands Point
Colin Igoe
The Summit Club at Armonk
Ryan Kalista
Tamarack Country Club
Gary Nye
Silo Ridge Field Club
Nate Oberhofer
Knollwood Country Club
Joe Raitano
Mohansic Golf Course
CONTENTS 3 4 5-6 7 8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15-16 17-18
Met PGA Board 2021 Partners and Sponsors Education/Winter Ed Series 2021 Virtual Educational Forum Evening With Daniel Berger Players of the Decade Spring Meeting Highlights Updated COVID-19 Guidelines Morell Studios Member Milestones Tournament Schedule
19-20 21-22 23-24 25-26 27-28 29 30 31-32 33 34
TaylorMade Pro-Assistant Recap 2021 PGA Championship Qualifiers PGA Player of Year Jason Caron PGA Winter Tournament Recap Assistants Corner Foundation Junior Tour National Drive Chip and Putt Recap Masters: Lee Elder Historic Moment Met PGA HOPE League/Class Dates
Meet the 2021 Met PGA Board OFFICERS
Chris Kenney
Andrew Gruss
Theron Harvey
James Ondo
President
Secretary
Treasurer
1 Vice President
patterson
greenwich
hudson national
apawamis
st
Rich Jones 2nd Vice President pine ridge
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jack Druga
John Guyton
Cory Muller
Shaun Powers
shinnecock hills
cc of darien
rockville links
fairview
Chris Marinaro
Nick Maselli
John Schmoll
Stuart Waack
trump westchester
ASSISTANTS’ PRESIDENT
burning tree
old oaks
silvermine
NEW TO THE BOARD NOVEMBER 2020
Carl Alexander HONORARY PRESIDENT
purchase
John Hobbins greenside golf
Jim McCann spook rock
John Pillar
DISTRICT DIRECTOR
woodloch springs
2021 CURRENT PARTNERS AND SPONSORS CORPORATE/TOURNAMENT SPONSORS
AWARDS
ESSENTIALS
HARD GOODS
SOFT GOODS
TECHNOLOGY
GOLF CARTS
TRAVEL
E d u c at i o n CORY MULLER
EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
This year we had the opportunity to present the winter education seminars virtually, which allowed us to offer more seminars, a wider range of topics, and made it easily accessible for our members to attend whether they were in Florida for the winter or snowed in from the storms in the North. We saw an increase in participation and engagement and could not be more thrilled with all the work the Education Committee put into planning and moderating all the seminars.
The 58th Met PGA Educational Forum yet again offered an exciting lineup of presentations! Four prominent instructors joined us for stimulating conversations focused on increasing speed and distance. Lee Cox of The Shire London is a premier long-driving coach in Europe, having taught several World Long Drive participants including European #1, Martin Borgmeier. Lucas Wald, former touring professional turned instructor, joined us and shared his groundbreaking research on the golf swing and his student case studies with juniors, amateurs, and tour professionals that show drastic improvement in power and ball striking abilities. John Novosel Jr. has worked and consulted with golfers from all levels including PGA and LPGA Tour players, top amateurs, and beginner golfers. He shared his Tour Tempo concepts and maximizing clubhead speed at impact using training tools and optimal biomechanics. Bernie Najar of Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland, recognized as one of the top instructors in the nation concluded our presentation. He has experience working with current long drive champion, Kyle Berkshire, for most of his life and shared their journey of chasing speed and distance as well as Kyle’s recent devotion to playing competitive golf. Our Education Series concluded with An Evening with Daniel Berger presented by Adidas. Valued Met Section partner, Adidas, allowed our PGA Professionals to gain an hour of insight, advice, and playing techniques from a prominent PGA Tour Professional. For those who might not have been able to attend, the seminars were recorded and can be found on the Met PGA website. I want to thank John Hobbins, Mike Ballo, Carina Capobianco, Andrew Gruss, Kevin Sprecher, and Sam Wiley for their hard work organizing and moderating these seminars and for their dedication to the program. We have had record numbers and some engaging topics, and I am excited for things to come! Tune in for more educational offerings over the summer and into the fall.
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WINTER EDUCATION RECORDINGS PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO VIEW THE WINTER EDUCATION RECORDINGS
spring educational forum
The 2021 Spring Educational Forum’s focus was all about speed and distance. In order to understand how the world’s best competitors are trained and coached to create Speed and Distance we played host to those who are the best in the business. The forum was presented in three individual segments. Included in these segments were two instructors/ coaches to the current Men’s World Long Drive Champion and a two-time former Men’s World long Drive Champion. We also had the instructor/coach to the longest hitter on the PGA Tour who is the current United States Open Champion and the Arnold Palmer Invitational Champion.
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An Evening with daniel berger
Thanks to ADIDAS, Daniel Berger joined us for a zoom side chat with Cory Muller about everyday life on tour. They touch on Daniel’s experiences growing up playing golf, to his life on the PGA Tour. Cory even finished with a rapid-fire question and answer session to close out the evening and Daniel did not disappoint! Without ADIDAS and their support of the Section over the years this would not be possible! Click below to watch the recording.
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PLAYERS OF MATT DOBYNS 39,047.83 POINTS 2019 Met Open Champion 2016 Lincoln Met PGA Champion 2015 Met PGA player of the Year 2015 Met Professional Champion 2015 Lincoln Met PGA Champion 2015 PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPION
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ROB LABRITZ 37,343.76 POINTS
GREG BISCONTI 24,692.07 POINTS
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3
DANNY BALIN 32,139 POINTS
JAMES ONDO 18,593.83 POINTS
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4
2014 Polo Head Pro Champion 2013 Long Island Open Champion 2012 Treiber Memorial Champion 2012 PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPION 2011 Long Island Open Champion
FRANK BENSEL 29,591.3 POINTS
JASON CARON 18,568.8 POINTS
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5
SCOTT FORD 17,510.67 POINTS
MARK BROWN 26,787.44 POINTS
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JOHN GUYTON 16,520.9 POINTS
THE DECADE JESSICA DICKSON 7,876 POINTS 2020 player of the year 2020 Match play champion 2019 player of the year 2019 Match play champion 2018 player of the year
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3
CJ REEVES 5,321.68 POINTS
MARJORIE JONES
2,773.8 POINTS
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SARA DICKSON 3,794 POINTS
SARAH STONE 2,607.38 POINTS
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4
2017 player of the year 2017 Match play champion 2016 Match play champion 2016 stroke play champion
WENDY MODIC 3,232 POINTS
KAMMY MAXFELDT
1,715.42 POINTS
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MONIQUE THORESZ
1,704.5 POINTS
LORETTA GIOVANNETTONE
3,107.55 POINTS
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TERI HJELTE 1,573 POINTS
2021 Spring Meeting HIGHLIGHTS *CLICK LINKS BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION* Request your PGA Lesson Book PGA of America Dues Deadline is August 31st
COMMUNICATIONS Social Media Hub Weekly Newsletters I would like to recieve a copy of the Caddie Program or Club Operations Survey results
TOURNAMENTS 2021 Tournament Dues Tournament Schedule Atlantic City Pro-Am Las Vegas Pro-Am: Reserve your team now! Pro Am Schedule
PARTNER & SPONSORS May 24th Partner & Sponsor Day List of 2021 Partners & Sponsors Directory
FOUNDATION Fundraising Ideas and How to Get Involved Interested in hosting a Met PGA Junior Tour Event? Email: dfrankel@pgahq.com
THE BEST L ENS ON E ARTH
Updated covid-19 Guidelines INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
click here for full nys coalition article
When you have read this document, you can affirm at the bottom. As of March 25, 2021
Purpose This Interim Guidance for Sports and Recreation during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Sports and Recreation”) was created to provide owners/operators of sports and recreation businesses/leagues/organizations and their employees, as well as patrons/players/spectators, with precautions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19. This guidance is effective immediately for the statewide permitted outdoor, low-risk recreational activities, as determined by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESD): • tennis; • non-motorized boat use and rentals, such as row boats, kayaks, canoes; • golf and driving ranges, except miniature (mini) golf, with food and retail services subject to the restrictions that are currently in effect within the region; • racket games, such as badminton, racquetball; • toss/bowl games, such horseshoes, bocce, bean bag toss, croquet; • flying disc games, such as disc golf and frisbee; • shuffleboard; • zip lining; • rope courses, including aerial rope courses; • batting cages; • shooting ranges; and • swim classes and swim instruction. For all other sports and recreational activities described herein, this guidance is effective on July 6, 2020 in regions that have reached or surpassed Phase 3 of the State’s reopening. Regions that have not yet reached Phase 3 by July 6, 2020 are limited to only the statewide permitted outdoor, low-risk recreational activities, as determined by ESD, until such date that the region reaches Phase 3. These guidelines apply to non-professional and non-collegiate sports and recreation activities (e.g. youth sports), inclusive of indoor and outdoor sports and recreation, as well as organized and non-organized sports and recreation. These guidelines also apply to outdoor sports and recreational activities conducted by gyms, fitness centers, training facilities, and other related facilities. However, gyms, fitness centers, and other such facilities are limited to no more participants than is allowed under the non-essential gathering restriction that is in effect for their region; and gyms, fitness centers, and other facilities are prohibited from conducting indoor activities at this time. Additional guidance on gyms and fitness centers is forthcoming to supplement these guidelines.
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click here for full nys sports/ recreation covid guidelines pdf click here for CT state covid guidelines website
March 25, 2021 To our constituents in New York’s golf communities, The coalition of New York State Golf Associations first wishes to thank Empire State Development and the New York State Department of Health for its unwavering support of New Yorkers and our health and safety over the past twelve months. On top of the global pandemic and the volume of issues it presented, they were tasked with handling the innumerable inquiries from stakeholders and the development of reopening plans for businesses. Throughout that process they have been incredibly friendly to golf and golfers across the Empire State and we could not be more appreciative for the opportunity for our sport and industry to be a beacon of recreation and entertainment for people who struggled through the past year. As the new season approaches, we plan to continue offering a haven for New York residents under the continued responsible approach that they’ve empowered us to employ. With extensive assistance from Steve Malito and Nick Antenucci of Davidoff, Hutcher and Citron, we requested the State’s consideration for updates and modifications to the current Sports and Recreational Guidelines for Golf in New York State, and we’re pleased to announce the following has been adopted: For golf courses and driving ranges, Responsible Parties should ensure players adhere to the following additional safety measures, in addition to social distancing and face coverings when such distancing cannot be maintained: (The guidelines can also be viewed by clicking here) •
•
• • •
• • • • • •
Restrict use of golf carts to no more than two persons per cart; provided, however, that a person may request their own cart if they would otherwise be sharing with another individual who is not a member of their same family/household; o Responsible Parties must require face coverings be worn while cart is occupied with two persons and may consider installation of physical barriers between riders so long as they do not impede visibility or operation of the cart. o Responsible Parties must clean and disinfect carts in between each party’s use. Keep golf bag in possession (e.g., walking or push cart), when possible, or use an assigned caddie who is required to wear a face covering and perform regular hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing or sanitizing) when in close contact with players and handling player equipment; o Responsible Parties may offer player equipment storage so long as caddies or handlers wear a face covering and perform regular hand hygiene when handling player equipment. Consider using remote check-in, with advance tee time reservations (by internet or telephone); Process payment of greens fee in a contact-free manner at the time of play by credit and debit card only (e.g. no cash) to the extent possible; courses should make efforts to take phone payments in advance; Allow the use of bunker rakes, ball washers, flagsticks, water coolers, and shared on-course equipment or amenities so long as they are cleaned and disinfected between each party’s use or on a frequent, set schedule throughout the day when the course or range is open for play; Permit golf pros on the course, provided they do not touch players and keep six feet of distance at all times, unless wearing a face covering or are separated by a physical barrier; Encourage single-use of items, such as tees/scorecards/pencils/ball markers, and discourage sharing of such items among non-household members, unless such items are cleaned and disinfected between use; Only allow club and equipment rentals if it is cleaned and disinfected before and after player use; All retail and food services shall adhere to the State-issued guidance for such activities; All on-premises gatherings are subject to the social gathering limits set forth by the State; and Post messaging and facility signage to reflect interim rules of use.
Respectfully and gratefully submitted, Coalition of New York State Golf Associations
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MET PGA MEMBER MILESTONES
2020 Quarter Century Lynn Bernstein Metropolis CC
James Fatsi Brooklawn CC
Michael Laudien Phillip J Rotella
Michael Reilly Peninsula GC
David Brotemarkle PING
Steve Feder Poxabogue GC
Angelo Lopiano Retired Member
Kevin Rodine Met PGA
Mark Brown Tam O’Shanter CC
Tony Gill Life Member
Janice Metzler Seawane Club
Christopher Toulson Sunningdale CC
Michael Caporale North Hills CC
Paul Glut Woodside Club
Renee Murphy Milbrook Club
Timothy Townsend GC of Chelsea Piers
Elizabeth Certo Willow Ridge CC
Bob Greenstein Heartland Golf Park
Karl Obermeyer Village Club of Sands Point
William Van Orman Meadow Brook GC
William Daggett Life Member
Anne Heuschneider Farmingdale State College
Robert Posillico Eisenhower Park GC
Howard Weiss Sunken Meadow
Sean Farren The Creek
Dean Johnson Leewood GC
2020 Half Century Michael Hebron Smithtown Landing CC
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2021 New Members Jordan Bobb Summit Golf Brands
Matthew Galindo The Vineyards GC
Christopher Paulino Brae Burn CC
Samuel Sicard The Ford Field & River Club
Brendan Bond Shinnecock Hills GC
Tristin Goodwin Rockaway Hunting Club
Casey Pyne The Stanwich Club
Lucas Spahl The Patterson Club
Richard Burns Brookville CC
Corey Kruger Fresh Mzadow CC
Alexander Ruxer Tamarack CC
Nicole Triano Wee Burn CC
Elizabeth Caron Mill River Club
Vincent Malonso Manhattan Woods GC
Oren Shake Wykagyl CC
Kurtis Tisch Sebonack GC
William Dantone Sunningdale CC
Stephanie Molloy The Golf Performance Center
Jack Shipman Scarsdale GC
Jacinth Thomas II Five Iron Golf - New York
2021 Quarter Century Grant Turner Siwanoy CC
Rick Hartmann Atlantic GC
Gerald Mackedon Jr. Port Jefferson CC
Timothy Garvin South Fork CC
Cynthia Reeves Century CC
Andrew Pohalski Nassau CC
James Bergholtz Life Member
Carl Alexander GC of Purchase
Michael Rapisarda Life Member
Pamela Cunningham Life Member
Frank Bensel Jr. Century CC
Ray Ford Rolling Hills CC
Robert Fraioli Rockland Lake State Park
Eric Colchamiro Life Member
Wendy Modic Fenway GC
Scott Gileta Mill Pond GC
Chris Kenney The Patterson Club
David Renzulli CC of Fairfield
2021 Half Century Martin Bohen Life Member Thomas Lupinacci Life Member
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2021 met pga Tournaments LI PGA CHampionship
w pga championship
may 3-6
may 3-6
INFO
INFO
senior junior
pro-president
may 13
may 19
REGISTER
REGISTER
cold spring CC
timber point gc
cc of new canaan
glen oaks club
Met PGA STROKE PLAY brae burn cc
may 24 REGISTER 17
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polo head pro
women’s champ
rockaway hunting club
rockaway hunting club
june 1-2
june 1-2
REGISTER
REGISTER
MET pro championship
huntington crescent/tam o’shanter
june 21-23 REGISTER
Lincoln w Met open
NYSO Qualifiers
July 5-6
jun 10-jul 6
REGISTER
REGISTER
the apawamis club
ny courses
New York State Open Bethpage black
JUly 13-15 REGISTER www.met.pga.com || 2021 First Edition ||
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Pro-Assistant Championships
Congratulations to the Long Island ProAssistant Champions, Matt Dobyns and David Abolt of The Meadow Brook Club who finished -10 at Colonial Springs Golf Club. Meadow Brook Club as a whole finished strong with four teams in the top eight and ties for the tournament!
Congratulations to the Westchester ProAssistant Champions, Andrew Gruss and Peter Basso of Greenwich Country Club who finished -11 at Hollow Brook Golf Club. Basso made a hole-in-one on the third hole and the duo kept the momentum going with eight birdies to finish strong!
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The Met Section is thankful for its longstanding sponsorship with TaylorMade Golf. The true partnership that has grown between the Section and TaylorMade is one of great camaraderie. We share a common goal: to serve our Met Section Professionals and give back to the game of golf in any way that we can, all while promoting each other’s efforts in the process.
This is Evolve Golf’s fourth year Partnering with us for the TaylorMade Pro-Assistant Tournament. Evolve supplies the Met Section with Tees for every event, and has provided us with several tee/parting gifts throughout our partnership.
CLICK BELOW TO WATCH RECAP VIDEO
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FIVE Met PGA Professionals qualify for 2021 pga chAMPIONSHIP The Met Section is extremely proud of our five Club Professionals for qualifying for the 2021 PGA Championship at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, South Carolina on May 20-23!
frank bensel century cC
3rd PGA Championship Appearance
DANNY BALIN fresh meadow cC 7th PGA Championship Appearance
Alex beach weschester cC 3rd PGA Championship Appearance
PETE BALLO Silvemine GC
1st PGA Championship Appearance
ROB LABRITZ Glenarbor GC
7th PGA Championship Appearance
JASON CARON EARNS PGA PROFESSIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR 2020 BY PGA OF AMERICA Caron, the PGA Head Professional at Mill River Club, Inc. in Oyster Bay, began his year in strong fashion, emerging from a three-player playoff to win the 2020 PGA Stroke Play Championship. Caron authored two other wins in Metropolitan PGA Section play, winning the Section’s PGA Professional Championship in September, also in a playoff, before claiming a wire-to-wire, two-stroke victory in the 96th Long Island Open in October. He was subsequently named Metropolitan PGA Section Player of the Year. Caron, 48, collected 625.000 total points, while Rod Perry of Port Orange, Florida, was runner-up with 590.350. Scott Berliner of Lake Luzerne, New York (565.000), was third and Ryan Vermeer of Omaha, Nebraska (548.750) the 2018 and ‘19 PGA Professional Player of the Year finished fourth.
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“I’ve been playing well for about two and a half years now, but I feel like I really broke through in 2020,” said Caron, who was a member of the PGA Tour in 2000 and ‘03 and finished T-30 in the 2002 U.S. Open. “To earn the PGA Professional Player of the Year award means a ton. Just to have this on my playing resume, it’s a special accomplishment. It’s an honor to represent my fellow 29,000 PGA Professionals, the Met Section and Mill River, all who have encouraged me to play this game. My hats off to them.”
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BY CRAIG DOLCH | SPECIAL TO PGA OF AMERICA DYLAN NEWMAN | EVENT #3 | 68-69=137 Dylan Newman had three birdies in a five-hole stretch Tuesday and held on to win Event No. 3 of the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club. Newman shot a 3-under 69 on the Wanamaker Course to charge from seventh place to a one-shot victory over Joe Summerhays of (73) Syracuse, Utah and Frank Bensel of Jupiter (72) at 7-under 137. It was Newman’s third PGA Tournament Series win in nine starts and earned him $5,000. He opened last year’s PGA Tournament Series by winning the first two events. “The conditions were tough,” Newman said. “It was windy and the greens were slicker with harder pin positions. I didn’t hit it that great. I was 1-under on the front and only hit four greens in regulation. Then I was able to make those birdies.” Not bad for a PGA Professional who had his appendix removed eight weeks ago. Newman tied for 11th in his two starts last week. Newman thought he lost the tournament when he three-putted the 18th hole from 30 feet for a bogey, dropping him into a tie with Summerhays and Bensel. But Summerhays and Bensel also bogeyed the difficult par-4 18th that was playing into the wind. “I wasn’t real happy when I walked off 18,” Newman said. “But I’m happy now. I’m playing well. I’m just a click away from playing really well. “I like these courses out here. I know where to hit it, where not to hit it. What holes to take advantage of, where to play safe.”
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DANNY BALIN | EVENT #5 | 69-68=137 Danny Balin of Great Neck, N.Y., birdied the last two holes Tuesday to make a playoff, then birdied the second extra hole to win Event No. 5 of the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club. Balin hit a 7-iron from 171 yards to 3 feet for birdie on the second hole on the Dye Course to defeat Ben Kern of Georgetown, Texas and Kyle Donovan of Chicago. The three had finished at 7-under 137. Balin hit it to 10 feet on No. 17 and 18 inches on the closing hole.
the win or this case to get into the playoff.”
“That’s why we play the game, to get the juices flowing in the competitive nature of golf,” said Balin, the PGA Head Professional at Fresh Meadow Golf Club. “I’ve been in this situation before. You just want to give yourself a chance for
Balin’s late heroics enabled him to overcome a four-shot deficit to Donovan on the back nine. Balin shot 68, Kern a 67 and Donovan a 69. All three players hit it inside 8 feet on the first playoff hole, but each missed. “I was patient all day,” said Balin, who made news earlier this summer when he had actor Mike O’Keefe – who played Danny Noonan in the movie “Caddyshack” – caddie for him during practice rounds at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. “I haven’t played a lot of golf in the last month and a half. It was good to come down here and get some rust off.”
ROB LABRITZ | EVENT #6 | 71-69=140 After a series of close calls, Rob Labritz of Pound Ridge, N.Y. faced the defining moment Friday on the final hole of Event No. 6 in the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club. Labritz was leading by a stroke – not that he knew – when he hooked his tee shot into the trees on the 18th hole of the Wanamaker Course. “My playing partner, Rob Corcoran, told me that Jason Caron got up-down from here to win the PGA Stroke Play Championship,” Labritz said. “I said, ‘OK, let me see if I can do that.’ I took aim over the water and hit a shot that never left the flag. That’s what I’m most proud of.” Labritz’s shot landed 30 feet away and he two-putted for par to win Event No. 6 by a shot over Danny Balin (69) of Great Neck, N.Y., Zac Oakley (72) of Lewes, Del., and Brett Walker (72) of Jupiter. Labritz shot 69 to finish 4-under 140. “Your heart races, you get excited, when you get in that moment even though I wasn’t exactly sure where I stood,” said Labritz, the PGA Director of Golf at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills, N.Y. “Sometimes you fail. Sometimes you don’t. You try to draw on those moment when you succeed. “I finally got it done. I had a lot of close calls. It’s great to win. I’m 49 and I’m trying to get ready for the PGA Tour Champions.”
ASSISTANTS CORNER FROM THE ASSISTANT’S BOARD PRESIDENT: Welcome to the 2021 golf season! Thank you to those who filled out our Assistant’s Survey back in December, many of the answers given helped shape our programs for this year. We are thankful to have 14 events scheduled for 2021 on the Assistant’s Tour. Skins and the supplemental purse will be back and run through BlueGolf. Players will have an opportunity to sign up for both when registering for the event. Playoffs will return to break any ties during shotgun tournaments. It was great to see so many of our assistants active in the Section Educational offerings over the past few months, both behind the camera and in the audience. Mike Ballo has done a tremendous job as Assistant’s Education liaison and moderator for multiple events. PRESIDENT The Assistant’s Association welcomes Chris Marinaro as our Assistant’s Liaison for JOHN SCHMOLL 2021. Chris will be instrumental in helping our mentor program, along with Peter Burning Tree Procops, a former liaison himself. If you would like to participate in the program, please reach out and we will be happy to put you in contact with someone who can help you achieve your goals. Our Assistant’s Board is also helping the Met PGA Foundation and Junior Tour with a series of Rules Videos. Be on the look-out for the finished product in the coming weeks! Thank you to the Met PGA Staff for all you do to help the success of our association and to Kevin Rodine for his dedication to the assistant golf professionals. Special thanks to TJ Paulino who stepped down earlier this year for his tenure on the Assistant’s Board. Finally, congratulations and welcome to Carly Peters who was elected to the Assistant’s Board as 2nd Vice President at our April 12th Spring Meeting. Have a great season and thank you for your part in growing the game! John Schmoll, PGA
2020 ASSISTANT’S BOARD
SECRETARY TYLER LOWER Bridge Golf Learning Ctr
TREASURER JOHN DIPILATO Old Oaks CC
1st VICE PRESIDENT MIKE BALLO Westchester CC
2nd VICE PRESIDENT CARLY PETERS Quaker Ridge GC
2021 SCHEDuLE May 10, 2021
AT Opening Day @ Hamlet G&CC 10:00 ShotGun w/Lunch
May 17, 2021
AT Spring Major @ St.Andrew’s 12:30 ShotGun
May 24, 2021
Met PGA Stroke Play @ Brae burn cc
May 28 - October 6, 2021 Assistant/Assistant Match Play June 1, 2021
AT VC of Sands Point 11:00 Tee Times
June 7, 2021
AT Redding CC 12:00 ShotGun
June 28, 2021
AT Nissequogue GC 12:00 ShotGun
July 5, 2021
AT Westchester Hills GC 1:00 ShotGun
July 19, 2021
AT St. George’s G&CC 12:00 ShotGun
July 26, 2021
AT Hollow Brook GC 12:00 ShotGun
August 9, 2021
AT Spook Rock GC 9:00 ShotGun
August 16, 2021
AT Tamarack CC 1:00 ShotGun
August 23, 2021
AT Woodway CC 11:00 ShotGun
August 30, 2021
AT Summer Major @ Mill River 12:00 ShotGun
September 7-8, 2021
National Car Rental Met Assistant Champ
September 13, 2021
AT Major Tour Championship @ Fairview CC
quick Links Schedule PAt Schedule raffle matchplay squire cup william a mitchell get involved
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FOUNDATION We would like to thank all of our PGA Professionals, Associates, and their clubs for their continued support of the Met Section PGA Foundation. The success of the Foundation is a direct reflection of the dedication of all of you to changing the lives of others through the game of golf. The Metropolitan Section PGA Foundation is YOUR Foundation and you should use it to tell of the good work you and your fellow Professionals are doing in our local community. If you are growing the game through your own initiatives under one of our pillars of Youth, Military, or Inclusion please share your stories with you so we can promote it for you! We look forward to a more normal 2021 where we can get back to having our Junior programs serve over 5,000 area junior golfers a year and our PGA HOPE Program graduating our 1,000th veteran. The continued growth of the Junior Tour, Junior League, and Drive, Chip & Putt is testament to our Professionals investing their time in growing the game at their clubs. Our PGA HOPE Program continues to flourish and serve as an amazing outlet for our nations veterans and our Professionals to connect to the game of golf that in its purest form is simply fun. We hope that if you were not involved with our Foundation activities this year that you will add it to your to do list for 2021. There are so many ways to engage with the Foundation and we encourage you to get involved!
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED THIS YEAR
CHAIRMAN Charlie Robson
BOARD Brian Crowell, PGA Rich Jones, PGA Heath Wassem, PGA Ed Fitzmaurice Augie Hoerrner Dave Scialabba
• Host a Junior Tour event • Become a PSAL instructor • Host a fundraiser at your club • Mentor a junior golfer • Participate in the 100 hole • Become certified PGA HOPE challenge instructor • Play in the Augie Pro-Am • Volunteer for PGA HOPE • Donate a foursome • Mentor a PGA HOPE veteran • Host a junior golfer at your club • Hire a veteran at your club through Fairways to Success through VETWORKS • Encourage your junior golfers to • Host a PGA HOPE play day participate in junior golf • Create awareness and promote programs Foundation activities • Become a PGA Junior League Captain
CLICK HERE TO GET INVOLVED 29
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2021 Junior Tour Membership Options FUTURE SERIES (ADVANCED LEVEL COMPETITION) Entry Fees: $215 per event Divisions: Boys 12-18 (scoring average of 85 or below), Girls 12-18 (scoring average of 90 or below) Format: Two Day, 36 Hole, Nationally Ranked tournaments throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Open to advanced players looking to gain exposure and take the next step toward collegiate level golf. PLAYERS TOUR (INTERMEDIATE LEVEL COMPETITION) Entry Fees: $65 per event Age Divisions: Boys 12-14, Boys 15-18, Girls 12-18 (scoring average of 110 or below) Format: One Day, 18 Hole tournaments throughout the summer months. 9 HOLE TOUR (INTRODUCTORY LEVEL COMPETITION) Entry Fees: $50 per event Divisions: Boys 10-13, Girls 10-13, Girls 14-18 Format: One Day, 9 Hole tournaments throughout the summer for newer players to develop their games and gain an introduction to competitive golf. Member Benefits Include opportunities to play Met Section Golf Courses, Exclusive Member Welcome Package, Special Member Events, Scholarships, College Golf Recruitment Opportunities, a Handicap Index and so much more… You will need to pass the rules quiz before registering for tournaments!
JUNIOR SITE
SCHEDULE A summer schedule for the 2021 Junior Tour season (all Tours) will be coming out Friday, April 30th followed by tournament registration opening Monday, May 10. More information to follow... Below is our current Future Series Spring Schedule (Please note all events are full but you can register for the waiting list): Future Series @ Bethpage Red: May 1st – 2nd, 2021 (Qualifier for The Optimist) Future Series @ Eisenhower White: May 15th – 16th, 2021 (Qualifier for IMG Junior World) Future Series @ Eisenhower White: June 5th – 6th, 2021 (Qualifier for The Optimist) Future Series @ Bethpage Red: June 19th – 20th, 2021 (Qualifier for the Notah Begay III Championship)
SCHEDULE
WE ARE IN NEED OF JUNIOR SITES FOR THE 2021 SEASON
The Junior Tour is in need of host sites for Juniors of all abilities between the ages of 10-18 including 9-hole tournaments for entry level players, 18-hole tournaments for intermediate players, and two day 36-hole championship events for our college bound players. We understand that during this time of uncertainty with the current pandemic, it is extremely difficult to schedule ahead. We are keeping a positive outlook for our 2021 season and hope that you will consider helping us continue to build our schedule. Thank you for your consideration! If you are interested in hosting, please email dfrankel@pgahq. com
Amelie, Alexandra Phung ready for Drive, Chip and Putt following a year wait By Wynston Wilcox | Augusta Staff Writer Amelie and Alexandra Phung have had to wait almost a year to compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Championship. They earned their spot in the 80-player field, competing at the TPC River Highlands in 2019. With the announcement from the Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday morning, it seems their wait is finally coming to a close. “It’s really exciting to me since it’s coming up and it’s a long time to wait a year, so I’ve been just having many talks with my sister,” said Alexandra, who’s playing in her second consecutive Drive, Chip and Putt finals. Amelie and Alexandra, though they’ve been anticipating getting to Augusta, haven’t had a lot of free time in the past year. Along with school, the Phung sisters have been spending their time with the #WeAreTheWorldChallenge they started last April. In an effort to bring awareness to one of the poorest neighborhoods in New York City, the two created the challenge to raise money for the less fortunate. Since the challenge began in early April, Amelie said that through Tik Tok, a social media platform, they have reached 200,000 participants and 60 million interactions, which includes views and likes. They reached eight million views alone for the #WeAreTheWorldChallenge. “I’m really happy that I’m able to help so many people and people are able to look at my work,” Amelie said. Last year, it was about balancing preparation for Drive, Chip and Putt and the We Are The World challenge, before they were able to solely focus on the challenge. Now, it’s switching that focus back to golf. “I’m really excited to go back to Augusta, especially with my sister with me, again,” Alexandra said.
Alexandra Phung of Forest Hills finished tied for third in the Girls 7-9 age group with 20 total points, only three points behind the winner. Her older sister Amelie Phung, tied for fifth in the Girls 12-13 age group with 17.5 points. It was Amelie's second consecutive appearance in the National Finals (she also qualified for the 2019 event).
2021 DCP Registration is now OPEN! Click Here for Drive Chip & Putt Website 2021 Met Section Qualifying Sites Event Date Location July 6, 2021 The Stanwich Club July 7, 2021 Harbor Links Golf Course July 12, 2021 The Apawamis Club Sunken Meadow Golf Course July 19, 2021 Colonial Springs Golf Club July 20, 2021 July 26, 2021 Knollwood Country Club
State CT NY NY NY NY NY
Rich Jones and 11 other PGA Members Join Lee Elder for Historic Moment at Augusta National Courtesy of PGA of America & The Masters Twelve Black PGA of America members joined Lee Elder for his historic moment on the first tee box to kickoff The Masters at Augusta National Thursday. The members on site for the event included Scooter Clark (PGA Director, PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship), Earl Cooper (Founder, Earl Cooper Golf / Co-Founder, Eastside Golf), Maulana Dotch (LPGA General Manager, Hermann Park GC), Jeff Dunovant (PGA Director of Golf Operations, First Tee of Metro Atlanta & John A. White Golf Course), Gerry Hammond (Founder, CEO In the Number/ Gerry Hammond Golf Academy), Rich Jones (Principle Owner, Jones Academy), Mackenzie Mack (Business Specialist, Callaway Golf), Kendall Murphy (Assistant Director PGA Golf Management Program, UNLV), Renee Powell (Head Golf Professional, Clearview Golf Club), Howie Pruitt (Director of Golf Operations, Aspent Lakes Golf Course), Kennie Sims (V.P. Golf Operations, Tampa Sports Authority) and Wyatt Worthington.
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2021 Summer Class Dates Connecticut Rolling Hills Country Club Tuesdays: July 13, 27 August 3, 10, 17 10:00am-12:00 PM graduation: August 27th at Rolling Hills CC
2021 FALL Class Dates Bronx Mosholu Golf Club Tuesdays: August 31, September 7, 14, 28, October 12 9:30-11:30AM Hudson Valley Spook rock Golf Club Wednesdays: September 1, 8, 15, 29, October 6 9:30-11:30 AM Long island woodside club wednesdays: September 1, 8, 15, 29, October 6 3:00-5:00PM graduation: October 21st at Woodside Club www.met.pga.com || 2021 First Edition ||
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