MAGAZINE 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW
2019 SPECIAL AWARDS
MEDTERRA HOFFHINE MEMORIAL
2019 FOURTH QUARTER
BEACH TAKES PGA BY STORM
FROM THE PRESIDENT Carl Alexander, PGA The Golf Club of Purchase
As we come to an end of 2019 and look ahead to 2020, I am excited by the prospects of what this year will offer to our membership. As we reflect back on 2019, we can all feel proud about the Met PGA Sections accomplishments. First and foremost, I would like to note that our success would not have been possible without the dedication of our Board and Committee Members, as well as strong leadership and hard work from our small, but mighty staff at our Section office. We started 2019 with the PGA Championship at Bethpage. Many Met Section members came together to volunteer and help run a successful event. The Section set a new bar in Section hospitality with our Member Club and the week long events that we hosted at Bethpage. Our own tournament season was another stand out year for Met PGA professionals. With Alex Beach winning the Professional National Championship and the National Assistants Championship he has done something that hasn’t been done before. Winning both events in the same year is an amazing accomplishment and we are proud to have Alex representing the Met Section in 2020 PGA Tour events.
Carl Alexander, PGA President Theron Harvey, PGA Secretary Chris Kenney, PGA Treasurer James Ondo, PGA 1st Vice President Andrew Gruss, PGA 2nd Vice President Board of Directors Jack Druga, PGA John Guyton, PGA Rich Jones, PGA Chris Marinaro, PGA Nick Maselli, PGA Cory Muller, PGA Gary Murphy, PGA Shaun Powers, PGA John Schmoll, PGA Stuart Waack, PGA Brian Crowell, PGA Honorary President
Tom Henderson, PGA District Director
Jeff Voorheis Executive Director
With Rob Labritz earning Low Club pro honors in the PGA Championship, Mark Brown earning Shared Low Club Honors in the Senior PGA Championship, Danny Balin, Alex Beach and Jason Caron winning the PGA Cup Matches and Alex making history with his Assistant PGA Professional Championship win, the Met Section continues to lead the country as the best playing Section. Our Educational Programs continue to offer our members a low cost, fraternal and impactful programs that can help elevate our members skills and strengthen our profession. These programs have been designed from years of experience and we are confident that our members have access to relevant educational seminars at various times of the year and in a wide range of important topics. It is important you make the time to attend our programs and contribute to the growth of the game. Our Foundation continues to grow and we are excited to make a major impact on many people in our communities and our profession. I can remember when Rick Meskell made a call to action from the Board to raise $100,000 to help support junior golf, the First Tee and our Foundation. I’m proud to say that we exceeded our fundraising goals through your support and the programs the Section runs. We graduated another 200 Veterans in our PGA HOPE program bringing our total graduates to over 800. These service men and women are now active golfers in our communities and living a happier and healthier life through the generous work our Section members. Thank you all who have volunteered your time and to Kelli and the entire staff who have made PGA HOPE a national program helping thousands of veterans. Our Junior Golf Program continues to offer many opportunities for young players in the area. With over 1300 juniors signed up in our program and offering over 100 junior events to play in, our Section continues to lead the nation in growing the game. Get involved with our juniors in any way you can and help inspire a junior golfer to continue with this great game. The Met PGA Pro-Am series continues to offer our professionals the opportunity to compete alongside their members and strengthen their relationships. Showcasing your ability to play and entertain your members during a round of golf is one of the things that sets Met Professionals apart. As experts in the game we are expected to make the time to practice, play and compete. The Lincoln Pro-Ams, the Augie and the Las Vegas Pro-Am were all excellent opportunities to take your members to some great courses and enjoy a day away from the lesson tee or golf shop.
With 955 rounds played by Assistants in 11 events throughout the season, this developmental tour has grown into a competitive tour that boast some impressive play. With five events having a winning score of 66 and one event at 65, these guys and girls are good! We should all keep working with the next generation and making sure we are giving our time and experience to help our Assistants develop into world class PGA playing professionals. Your Section is in an excellent position to move into the future. Your Board will soon be meeting for a long-term planning session to set up our programs and events for 2020 and beyond. With golf on the rise and a strong economy, I believe we can continue to lead the industry and make a positive impact on our members, our students, our sponsors and our communities. I hope many of you take the time to write a thank you note to our Partners and Sponsors. Without our Partners and Sponsors many of the programs and tournaments we run would not be possible. Golf is a unique sport and business and I assure you that the letter you write, the tweets and Instagram posts you tag to our sponsors, go a long way in strengthening our relationships. Many of our strong players are down in Florida competing on the Winter Series Tour. This is a great time of year to improve your game, continue to learn new teaching skills and work on some personal goals. I can remember being Low Stroke Average winner at the end of the 1997 Winter Series and how it helped me prepare for a great season back in the Met Section. Seeing Dylan Newman winning the first two events and Josh Rackley the Third and Fourth this year shows all of us how the Met Section is about playing, teaching and leading the nation as the best all-around professionals in the county. With the holiday season upon us I hope everyone reflects back on a great year and looks forward to a wonderful 2020. We are fortunate to be PGA Professionals and Associates and the opportunities we have are limitless. I hope you spend some time this winter working on your craft and doing something that will make your 2020 season your best year ever. Happy Holidays! Carl Alexander
Carl End of Year Recap Video www.met.pga.com || 4th Quarter 2019 ||
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Meet the 2020 Met PGA Board OFFICERS
Carl Alexander Theron Harvey
Chris Kenney
James Ondo
Andrew Gruss
President
Secretary
Treasurer
1 Vice President
2nd Vice President
gc of purchase
hudson national
patterson
apawamis
greenwich
st
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jack Druga
John Guyton
Rich Jones pine ridge
trump westchester
Nick Maselli
Cory Muller
Gary Murphy
Shaun Powers
John Schmoll
Stuart Waack
Brian Crowell
Tom Henderson
osiris
round hill
shinnecock hills
old oaks
ASSISTANTS’ PRESIDENT
burning tree
rockville links
cc of darien
silvermine
innis arden
HONORARY PRESIDENT
Chris Marinaro
fairview
DISTRICT DIRECTOR
Introduction As we reflect on 2019, it becomes nearly impossible to identify a single highlight and the stories were abundant. In true New York fashion, the Met PGA family teamed with Bethpage State Park to tackle the logistics behind hosting the first PGA Championship positioned in May. Rob Labritz standing alongside Brooks Koepka on the 18th green as the low PGA Professional was the cherry on top of a week where Bethpage State Park shined in the national spotlight, five Met PGA professionals competed in the best field in golf right here at home, and over 150 Met PGA Professionals volunteered to ensure the success of OUR Championship. Alex Beach, one of the five in the field at Bethpage, bookended the PGA Championship by making history as the first PGA Professional to win the PGA Professional Championship and PGA Assistant Professional Championship in the same season. The Ballo family also gave us moments to remember, with Bethpage Black setting the scene once again when Mike Ballo, Jr. won his first area major championship in the Lenox Advisors/NFP New York State Open. His brother Peter Ballo followed suit with his win at the Lincoln Met PGA Championship in September. Fresh Meadow Head Professional Danny Balin, another Met PGA stalwart, used a victory at the Metropolitan PGA Professional Championship, a 2nd place finish in the PGA Professional Championship, along with six other top ten finishes, to claim his fourth OMEGA Met PGA Player of the Year Award. Mark Brown of Tam O’Shanter won his first Met PGA Senior Player of the Year for a season that included Low PGA Professional honors at the Senior PGA Championship and victory at the Met PGA Senior Championship. Innis Arden’s Jessica Carafiello earned her fourth consecutive Woman Player of the Year title, continuing to assert dominance. CJ Reeves of Century Country Club is our 2019 Senior Woman Player of the Year, highlighted by her win at the 2019 Met PGA Senior Women’s Championship. While we take extraordinary delight in the individual accomplishments of our professionals, we are equally proud of the growth and impact of the Met PGA Foundation. The dedication of PGA professionals, area clubs, and our Partner and Sponsor’s unwavering support of our mission to give the gift of golf to those who otherwise might not have the chance to enjoy it, is truly inspiring. We had a very successful year with over 5,000 juniors participating in our various Foundation initiatives including: the Met PGA Junior Tour, PGA Junior League, The First Tee Metropolitan NY, and Drive, Chip, and Putt. Our PGA HOPE Program (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) continues to serve our nations heroes in growing numbers each year and we are proud to have graduated our 800th veteran this fall.
Contents 5-6 7-8 9 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 14 15-16 17 18
2019 TIMELINE SPECIAL AWARDS “THE MITCH” PRO-AM PRO LADY CHAMPIONSHIP STATE OPEN PRO-AM PARTNER & SPONSOR EXPO TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP SENIOR JUNIOR SENIOR PGA PRO CHAMP JACK MALLON WHITEY VOIGHT HOFFHINE MEMORIAL JOHN FARLEY CUP SQUIRE CUP
19 20 21 22 22 23-24 25 26 27-28 29-30 31 32 33 34
PRO-PRESIDENT LAS VEGAS PRO AM ASSISTANTS BOARD ASSISTANT MATCHPLAY ASSISTANT TOUR FINAL ALEX BEACH FEATURE Q&A’S WITH ALEX WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG MAJOR PARTICIPANTS 2020 HANDICAP CHANGES FOUNDATION UPDATE 2019 DONORS PGA HOPE FEATURE JUNIOR TOUR
2019 Highlights Jason Caron wins POLO Head Pro Championship
Westchester Match Play James Ondo wins final match against Brian Mackey
july
Long Island Match Play Scott Ford wins final match against Mark Brown
june
may
Loretta Giovanettone win’s Met PGA Women’s Championship
Women’s Met Open Janie Sirmons wins Senior division
101st PGA Championship Rob Labritz won Low Club PGA Pro of the 101st PGA Championship!
Senior PGA Championship Mark Brown and Bob Sowards shared Low Club Pro honors Met Professional Championship Danny Balin wins for the second year in a row
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Medterra Hoffhine Memorial Rob Labritz wins in playoff
Senior Match Play Frank Bensel wins final match against Darrell Kestner
PGA Jr League Nationals Kelley Brooke’s Team Bethpage is the first team to National Finals
november
october
Met PGA Championship Pete Ballo wins the Section Championship
september
august
Addition of Connecticut chapter
Team Championship Darrell Kestner & Sean Quinlivan
Graduated our 800th Veteran New York State Open Mike Ballo Jr wins NYSO in a playoff against Rob Labritz
Las Vegas Pro Am Team Trump Westchester wins 2019 Travel Pro Am
43rd Assistant PGA Professional Championship Alex Beach makes history as first PGA Pro to win back to back majors
CLICK HERE TO WATCH 2019 TOURNAMENT RECAP VIDEO
SPECIAL AWARDS CLICK ON EACH PICTURE TO VIEW THEIR FIRESIDE CHAT WITH BRIAN CROWELL
MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR | PRIVATE
MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR | PUBLIC
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
CORY MULLER
ANGELA AULENTI
RICH JONES
DEACON PALMER AWARD
HORTON SMITH AWARD
CC OF DARIEN
PATRIOT OF THE YEAR
STERLING FARMS
PINE RIDGE
BOB BIGONETTE
KEVIN CHIN
BILL STRAUSBAUGH AWARD
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
SAM WILEY
BOB MILLER
DAVID YOUNG
MICHAEL BREED ACADEMY
WEEBURN
LAKE ISLE
KNOLLWOOD
ANDREW GRUSS GREENWICH
SLEEPY HOLLOW
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
GREG HURD
GEORGE LEWIS
NELSON LONG
Born in Westchester New York, Greg Hurd started on his career in golf working for PGA professional Harry Montevideo at Whippoorwill Club in Armonk, NY. He then attended the University of Florida where he was a member of the golf team. Greg turned professional as an assistant to Tommy Murphy, PGA at Sleepy Hollow Country Club. In 1987 Greg was selected as the head professional of North Hempstead Country Club and served 31 years in that position.
George Lewis became a PGA Member in 1960, first serving the golf community as an Assistant Professional at Ardsley Golf Club, to then advancing his career as a Head Professional at Leewood Golf Club for 25 years. During his time as a Head Professional, George was honored as Professional of the Year in 1978, became a PGA Master Professional in 1988, was a Horton Smith Award recipient in 1996 and received the Bill Strausbaugh award in 2015.
Nelson has been honored by his Met PGA peers several times, including: 1999 Teacher of the Year, 2005 Horton Smith Award, 2010 Bill Strausbaugh Award, and 2015 Professional of the Year. He was also recognized nationally, named the PGA of America’s Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient in 2010, with his mentorship ability summed up by his quote: “employees first, customers second.”
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THE MITCH PRO-AM
Innis Arden Golf Club
The annual event at Innis Arden celebrating the life and impact of William A. Mitchell returned to Innis Arden on September 24th. “The Mitch” serves as an opportunity to award scholarship dollars to those Associates pursuing PGA Membership. Over the past three years, more than a dozen applicants have received funds to help offset the cost of a PGA education. 1st in Gross and Net:
Team Innis Arden
Jess Carafiello of Innis Arden, Russ Pruner, Bruce Rogers, Melissa Bazar (-20)
2nd in Gross & Net:
Team Mastercard
Dylan Newman of Brae Burn, Sam Pieniadz, Zach Young, David Burstein
MET PGA PRO-LADY Century Country Club Numerous elite female amateur golfers joined their professionals in the Pro-Lady Championship at Century Country Club on September 25th. The event’s unique scotch-pinehurst format elicits exceptional team golf. Trump National Westchester’s duo of Chris Marinaro and Liliana Ruiz-Munoz displayed just that kind of exquisite team golf en route to winning this year’s Pro-Lady Championship with a score of one under par 70 by two shots over the Round Hill team of Todd Larson and Alison Knight.
NYSO Pro Am Congratulations to the team of Andy Svoboda of Engineers, Jonathan Davis, Ivan Taback, Brett Bossung, and Jeff Siskind, for earning Low Gross of the NFP/Lenox Advisors New York State Open Pro-Am!
Congratulations to the team of Dylan Newman of Brae Burn, Harris Tsangoris, Ryan Mediate, Kenny Slattery, and Elan Chesed for earning Low Net of the Pro-Am!
*CLICK ABOVE FOR A RECAP VIDEO OF THIS YEAR’S EXPO!*
The 2019 Met PGA Partners and Sponsors Expo ran in conjunction with our Team Championship at The Bridge late this Fall. This is one of our most highly anticipated events of the year where our partners had the opportunity to showcase their newest and most exciting products to all of our section Professionals. The support and attendance of our PGA Professionals was invaluable to the Expo and served as a great opportunity to network with our greatest supporters.
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Thank you to the staff at The Bridge and Gardiner’s Bay Country Club for their hospitality and allowing our partners and professionals to compete in such a fun and exciting atmosphere. Congratulations to the team of Sean Quinlivan of Piping Rock Club and Darrell Kestner of Deepdale Golf Club who totaled 12-under par to win the Championship. John Reeves of Willow Ridge Country Club and Ron McDougal of Golf & Body shot 10-under par for the tournament, placing first in the senior division.
2019 TEAM CHAMPIONS
2019 SENIOR TEAM CHAMPIONS
DARRELL KESTNER & SEAN QUINLIVAN
RON McDOUGAL & JOHN REEVES
DEEPDALE
PIPING ROCK
-12
GOLF & BODY
WILLOW RIDGE
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SENIOR/JUNIOR
South Fork Country Club
A busy week on the east end of Long Island at the beginning of October culminated in the Senior Junior Championship at South Fork Country Club. The 18-hole event asks teams to navigate three different formats – better ball, scotch-pinehurst and scramble - for each six-hole stretch. In shooting a 10-under par 60 to claim the victory, South Fork’s Tim Garvin and Steven Luerssen clearly used their home course knowledge to their advantage!
31ST SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Congratulations to Frank Bensel of Century Country Club, Mark Brown of Tam O’Shanter and Charlie Bolling of Bethpage State Park for qualifying for the 2020 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship with their performance at the 31st Senior PGA Professional Championship in Austin, Texas! Bensel finished in the top five and has earned an exemption into the final stage of the 2019 PGA Tour Champions National Finals December 3-6 in Scottsdale, Arizona! Great playing by all our Met Section Senior Professionals!
FRANK BENSEL
MARK BROWN
CHARLIE BOLLING
CENTURY CC
TAM O’ SHANTER
BETHPAGE GC
JACK MALLON PRO-AM
Brookville Country Club
On October 7th, Brookville Country Club will hosted our annual two person “Pro-Scratch” better-ball event named after a former Met PGA President who worked at Garden City CC, Cold Spring, and Wheatley Hills. Teams consisted of a PGA professional from our Long Island jurisdiction, and a member of his/ her club.
Mike Meehan and Garett Engel of Old Westbury G&CC won the 2019 Jack Mallon Pro-Am at 6-under
WHITEY VOIGHT PRO-AM
Sunningdale Country Club
The Whitey Voight Pro-Am returned to Sunningdale Country Club on October 10th. Like the Jack Mallon Pro-Am on Long Island, this annual two-person event consists of a Westchester professional and amateur from his/her club competing in a gross only better ball competition.
The Metropolis team of Craig Thomas and Matt Ferrari and the Siwanoy team of Tim Puetz and Hoke Slaughter each shot 5-under par 66 to share the victory.
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HOFFHINE MEMORIAL The Hoffhine Memorial has traditionally been a one day, 18-hole event held on Westchester Country Club’s West Course. This year, Westchester Country Club and the Metropolitan PGA partnered to create a reimagined Hoffhine Memorial that maintains the event’s tradition and history while highlighting local clubs, memberships and PGA Professionals. The reimagined Hoffhine Memorial featured a 36-hole stableford championship for PGA Professionals and Associates and an 18-hole stableford team championship for the participating professionals and one amateur from his/her club.
PRO-AM CHAMPIONS
In the team event, Westchester Country Club’s own Alex Beach and James Nicholas topped the leaderboard with a resounding 75 points.
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PROFESSIONAL CHAMPION
In the individual professional event, Glen Arbor’s Rob Labritz defeated Fresh Meadow’s Danny Balin and North Shore’s Anthony Aruta in a two-hole playoff to capture the inaugural Medterra Hoffhine Memorial trophy. A big thank you to Westchester Country Club’s Director of Golf Ben Hoffhine, General Manager Tom Nevin and Superintendent Dave Dudones for welcoming back this great event with open arms and giving our professionals another opportunity to compete at such a wonderful facility.
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JOHN FARLEY CUP Sebonack Golf Club Each year, the top 10 professionals and top 2 senior professionals on the Farley Cup Standings from each jurisdiction earn a place to compete for the John Farley Cup This fraternal yet competitive Ryder Cup-style event honors the memory of our great friend and Tournament Director, John Farley, who passed away in 2008. On October 24, twenty-four PGA Professionals descended upon the picturesque Sebonack Golf Club to compete in honor of John Farley. With Team Westchester facing a one point deficit going into the alst two matches, Century’s Frank Bensel and Fairview’s Shaun Powers each secured a full point to give Westchester the victory.
LONG ISLAND
WESTCHESTER
Anthony Aruta North Shore Fresh Meadow Danny Balin Nassau Nick Beddow Tam O’ Shanter Mark Brown Mill River Jason Caron Meadow Brook Matt Dobyns Glen Oaks Scott Ford Inwood Kyle Higgins Tyler Jaramillo Seawane Old Westbury Mike Meehan Old Westbury Matt Sita Tam O’ Shanter Josh Rackley 17 || 4th Quarter 2019 || www.met.pga.com
Pete Ballo Alex Beach Frank Bensel Greg Bisconti Anthony Casalino Rob Labritz Brian Mackey James Ondo Shaun Powers Tim Puetz Kent St. Charles Adam Rainaud
Silvermine Westchester Century Saint Andrews Scarsdale GlenArbor Hollow Brook Apawamis Fairview Siwanoy Westchester Hills CC of New Canaan
SQUIRE CUP
Maidstone Golf Club
What a day out on the eastern part of Long Island for the playing of the 2019 Squire Cup at Maidstone. Thank you to Head Professional Eden Foster and his staff, General Manager Ken Koch and Superintendent John Genovesi for allowing our professionals to play on such a well renowned, competitive course such as Maidstone. Thanks in large part to Cutter & Buck Sales Rep, Paul McManus for being present and supporting our Professionals with on course comfort and style. Congratulations to all of the Assistant Professionals who represented the Squire Cup team this year. We were excited to have such a talented group of assistants on the slate who positively represent the Met Section and who are eager to grow the game of golf in more ways than one. The competitiveness of our Assistant and Head Professionals was evident throughout the day. After a long drought, the Head Professionals succeeded in taking home the 2019 Squire Cup victory!
ASSISTANTS
HEAD PROS
Mike Argentine Mike Ballo Pete Ballo Alex Beach Colin Corrigan John DiPilato Brandon Holden Nick Iacono Tyler Lower TJ Paulino Alex Smith Dan Sposato
Carl Alexander Jack Druga Eden Foster Andrew Gruss Rick Hartmann Tom Henderson Ben Hoffhine Rob Labritz Cory Muller Sam Olsen James Ondo Peter Procops
Saint Andrews Winged Foot Silvermine Westchester GC of Purchase Old Oaks Apawamis Ardsley Burning Tree Quaker Ridge Garden City GC Mill River
GC of Purchase Shinnecock Hills Maidstone Greenwich Atlantic Round Hill Westchester GlenArbor CC of Darien Redding Apawamis Lawrence
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PRO-PRESIDENT
Hudson National Golf Club
The Metropolitan PGA Pro-President returned to Hudson National Golf Club for the second time in three years. After the original date was postponed due to weather, nearly 50 teams of club professionals and club presidents braved the weather on October 29th to help wrap up the season. The incredible atmosphere at Hudson National is due in large part to the support of our partners - Club Car, Fairway Golf Car, Morell Studios and Lincoln – and the incredible work of the club staff. With perhaps the country’s most advanced driving range, competitors were treated to an incredible day and atmosphere at one of the premier clubs in the area and country. The Saint Andrew’s team of Greg Bisconti and Vikram Atal capped off the fantastic day with a 10-under par 132 to secure victory.
PRO-AM The Metropolitan PGA’s annual travel pro am traveled west to Las Vegas, Nevada for the first time. With a stay at The Mirage and a three-course rotation of TPC Summerlin, host of the PGA Tour’s Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Southern Highlands and Shadow Creek, #26 in Golf Digest’s Top 100 U.S. Courses. A week of fun and frivolity saw Trump National Westchester’s team of Chris Marinaro, Eric Diamond, Ross Moskowitz and Scott Silver emerge victorious.
Congratulations to 2019 Met PGA Las Vegas Travel Pro-Am Champions, TEAM TRUMP WESTCHESTER: Christopher Marinaro, Scott Silver, Ross Moskowitz, and Eric Diamond!
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ASSISTANTS CORNER 2020 BOARD
PRESIDENT
SECRETARY
TREASURER
JOHN SCHMOLL Burning Tree
TYLER LOWER Burning Tree
JOHN DIPILATO Old Oaks
1st VICE PRESIDENT
TJ PAULINO Quaker Ridge 21
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2nd VICE PRESIDENT MIKE BALLO
Winged Foot
ASSISTANT-ASSISTANT MATCH PLAY
Century Country Club
Mike Ballo of Winged Foot GC and Peter Ballo of Silvermine defeated Josh Rackley of Tam O’Shanter and JD Guiney of Piping Rock at Century Country Club to win the season long Assistant-Assistant Match Play title. It took 19 holes to determine a champion. With a great shot on one by Peter Ballo in the playoff, the Ballo Brothers capitalize to take home the championship. “It has been a pretty cool year in the Ballo household. We have had a good few months”Mike Ballo Jr “It’s not easy in this section to win anything and to do this over a five-month period is not easy by any means especially with the trying year we’ve CLICK HERE FOR THE POST MATCH PLAY INTERVIEW
AT MAJOR TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP Inwood Country Club Congratulations to Paul Pastore of Fairview Country Club who recorded who went 2-under par at Inwood Country Club to take home the AT Major Tour Championship title. Pastore was followed by Peter Ballo of Silvermine Golf Club, Nick Beddow of Nassau Country Club and Nick DeFalco of The Creek Club, all tying for second at 1-under par.
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Alex Beach earns come-from-behind victory in the 2019 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship Beach makes history as the first player to win two PGA of America national championships within the same calendar year
Beach poses with the trophy after winning the 43rd National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship held at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Photo by Hailey Garrett/PGA of America PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida (Nov. 17, 2019) - Alex Beach turned on the burners early and finished off a dominant come-from-behind victory in the 43rd National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club.
Beach became the first player in history to win multiple PGA of America national championships in the same calendar year. He is the reigning PGA Professional Champion, which he claimed this past April in Bluffton, South Carolina.
Trailing 54-hole leader Colin Inglis by three strokes entering Sunday’s final round, Beach rattled off three consecutive birdies on the Wanamaker Course to start his day and propel himself into the lead.
“It’s crazy. It’s a huge honor,” said Beach, a PGA Assistant Professional at Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York. “It’s been a great year. I keep asking myself how it can get better. Winning a championship like the PPC makes everything relative.
He never looked back.
“I felt very comfortable this week. I committed a couple mistakes yesterday that I was frustrated with. But I knew coming back today, it’s almost an advantage to play from behind. I was confident that my experience might prevail if I could play well. Getting off to the fast start was huge. As soon as the tide flips, just
Beach fired a final-round 5-under 67 to reach 8-under 280 for the Championship and edged out the runner-up, Carlos Sainz Jr. of Houston, by three strokes.
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like it did in the PGA Cup, guys start looking at the leaderboard.” Beach added another birdie on the sixth hole to make the turn at 4-under 32, reaching 7-under for the Championship. While Beach was tearing up the front nine, those who began the final round ahead of him were struggling. Inglis (+5), Colin Van Es (+3), Caleb Wittig (+2) and Matt Rachey (+3) played a combined 13-over par through their first nine holes, which provided a sizable gap (four strokes) between Beach and the field. Beach played mistake-free with four birdies on the front, while the other four posted 11 bogeys, three doublebogeys and converted just four birdies, collectively. “I’ve been in their position before,” said Beach, a resident of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. “I know how hard it is to sleep on a lead. You’re thinking about outcomes. You’ve got a bunch of people texting you. I’ve learned how to block that out.” Alex Beach hits his tee shot on the par 3 11th hole during the final round of the 43rd National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship held at PGA Golf Club on in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Photo by Hailey Garrett/PGA of America A dropped shot on No. 10 was the lone mistake on Beach’s card. Birdies on 13 and 16 sealed the victory for Beach. “I stayed in my own world. Carlos started making birdies, so I realized he was going to be my closest competition,” said Beach. “I kept the ball in front of me and calculated every shot really well. I’ve learned how to take my time and not rush through anything. Every shot matters.” Beach is the fourth to own a title in both the Assistant PGA Professional Championship and the PGA Professional Championship, joining Darrell Kestner (Assistant - 1982, ‘87; PPC - ‘96), Bruce Zabriski (Assistant - ‘95; PPC - ‘97) and Tim Thelen (Assistant - 2009; PPC - ‘00, ‘03). Sainz entered the final round tied with Beach. After starting 3-over through his first 10 holes, Sainz applied some pressure on his playing partner, Beach, with birdies on 11, 13, 15 and 16. While he didn’t come away with the victory, Sainz finished three strokes ahead of Scott Berliner and Timothy Wiseman, who each tied for third at 2-under 286.
Colin Van Es finished alone in fifth place at even-par 288. Beach’s success in 2019 goes well beyond his victories in Bluffton and Port St. Lucie. In late September, he was an integral piece of the U.S. PGA Cup Team en route to their dramatic comefrom-behind victory. And last week, Beach solidified membership onto the Korn Ferry Tour for 2020 by advancing through the second stage of Q-School. “It’s hard work paying off,” said Beach. “It’s nice to represent all the Assistants out there. The work is just starting.” Beach earned $12,000 of the $150,000 purse. The top-four finishers, if eligible, earned a berth in next year’s National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship, to be held November 12-15 at PGA Golf Club. The National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship is supported by Srixon | Cleveland Golf | XXIO, Golf Advisor and John Deere. Media Contact: Pat Kravitz, PGA of America, 561-624-8581, pkravitz@pgahq.com
Q&A’s with
ALEX BEACH WESTCHESTER COUNTRY CLUB
Q: Since joining the section, you’ve quickly made a name for yourself as an incredible player. Has this early success surprised you in any way?
A:
It’s been many years of hard work that has certainly paid off in recent years. I’ve always had aspirations of playing golf at the highest level, and the road to get there wasn’t always easy. Moving from New Jersey to the Met Section, I certainly knew I’d have to step my game up a bit to compete with the deep level of talent that exists in the section. But, it was exactly where I wanted to be playing against the best professionals in the country. I couldn’t be happier now being at Westchester CC and representing the Met Section as it continues to make me better. I wouldn’t say it surprised me, but I was certainly happy and proud to keep playing well.
Q: You had a strong start to the year, winning the PGA Professional Championship
and then going on to compete at the 2019 PGA Championship. Talk about what it meant to you to compete with some of the greatest players in the world.
A: Winning the PGA Professional Championship was a huge accomplishment for me.
Ever since I became a PGA Professional, winning that tournament was the ultimate goal on the playing side of things. It provides me opportunities to compete on the PGA Tour, both in the PGA Championship and with the six exemptions for this season. I was also able to capitalize on being exempt Into 2nd Stage of Korn Ferry Q-School, getting through to Final Stage and now having my tour card. Playing with the best players in the world is a setting I want to be in, and each chance I get to compete with them makes me more comfortable in that environment and an overall better player. Playing at Bethpage, specifically, was a fantastic experience. Being able to compete on the PGA Tour in our relative backyard was a dream come true. Having friends, family, and members/staff from the clubs I’ve worked at the last six years come watch was very special for me. I was hoping to achieve this similar setting at Baltusrol back in 2016, but fell victim to the blood clot which erased my hope of doing it then. To accomplish that feat a few short years later was a very proud moment for me.
Q: You made history by becoming the first player to win multiple PGA of America championships in one calendar year
by winning the 43rd National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Talk about what it means for you to have your name in the history books.
A:
This is simply a result of hard work paying off. Having competed in two PGA Championships, a PGA Cup, and countless other events has made me very comfortable in just about any golf setting. My goal in any tournament I compete in is to win and these past experiences has taught me how to do it. To accomplish the feat of winning two National Championships is very cool and I’m extremely proud of it. I can’t say creating history was ever a goal of mine, but if it’s a result of playing well I’m happy to accept the honor.
Q:
Talk to us about qualifying for the final stage of the Korn Ferry Tour and being able to compete in six PGA Tour events. What are some of your goals for those events and how will you prepare?
A:
I am very excited for the coming months and the playing opportunities ahead. Earning the six exemptions on PGA Tour, and now having my Korn Ferry Tour card in additional to those will provide me with chances to keep playing at the highest level. Getting through Q-School in my first attempt was pretty surreal; but again I didn’t overthink it, and approached it just like any other event. Knowing I can compete with guys at this level has boosted my confidence as I look forward to playing more on tour. I’ve always been told I have the game to do it, but there’s no guarantees and it’s all about playing well at the exact time an opportunity is given. To succeed at that was a big step in the right direction. To have the starts is a huge opportunity, and I intend on making the most of it. I started preparations for this immediately after the PNC, and now have a game plan in place I can begin traveling with. I’m working harder than ever down in Florida on my game and myself to get ready for all of this and have my goals set very high. Now, it’s time to go to work and see how I can stack up against the worlds best.
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WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG? Hybrid: Titleist U500 18* Shaft - Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei White 100TX “I’m not a fan of hybrids - so this driving iron is a perfect club for me. I can hit it around 240 comfortably, and primarily use it off the tee for positioning. It also helps me on the occasional long Par 3 or going for a Par 5 in two as well.
3 Wood: Taylormade M6 15* Shaft - Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei Orange 70TX The best 3-wood I’ve ever hit, got it from the tour van and it has been a huge addition to my bag. It’s bent slightly flat and I can hit it off the tee or fairway anywhere from about 250-300 yards with a high level of control working the ball both ways.
Driver: Titleist TS3 9.5* Shaft - Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei Orange 60TX 44” One of my favorite clubs. I’ve always been a great driver of the ball and this club allows me to hit a lot of fairways without any fear of a big miss.
Ball: Titleist ProV1
Irons: Titleist 680 MB 4-9 Shaft - KBS Tour C-Taper 130X “I’ve used blades forever, and love them. I like the simple look and having full control of the ball and flight for each shot. Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 45*, 50*, 55*, 61* Shaft - Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 “Another setup I’ve played for many years. When I’m playing well it’s a huge asset for me. The softer and heavier shaft allows me to flight and spin the ball more or less when I need to. The heads are raw and shafts are black to eliminate glare.
Putter: Taylormade Spider Tour, Titleist Prototype X5 & X7 “I change putters often to match course conditions, grasses and speeds. Lately I’ve been using two different custom Spider Tour putters, I really like the setup and feel.
“I’ve played the same ball for over ten years. All #19 with Beachball imprinted on the side in Husker Red.
Ball Marker: Custom Polo Ralph Lauren forged coin and a dime “I’ve been part of the Polo Ralph Lauren family for years, and they gave me a few forged coins which are large and unique. I also keep a dime handy for when I need to mark my ball close to the hole or near another players line.
Miscellaneous: Lots of snacks. Protein bars, trail mix, gatorades, waters, etc. “I don’t like being hungry on-course, and am very conscious of eating healthy and maintaining levels during a round.
Favorite: Driver, lob wedge, and putter. “These three clubs make the biggest difference in a good round for me. Being in position to attack greens from the fairway, and hitting wedge shots close to set up easy putts makes for stress-free rounds in the 60s. It gives me a ton of confidence and takes pressure off the need to be perfect.
www.met.pga.com || 4th Quarter 2019 ||
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MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP PGA MEMBER PARTICIPANTS
ALEX BEACH
FRANK BENSEL
FRESH MEADOW
WESTCHESTER
CENTURY
•101ST PGA
•101ST PGA
•SENIOR PGA
DANNY BALIN
MARGE JONES
ROB LABRITZ
BRIAN MACKEY
CHELSEA PIERS
GLENARBOR CLUB
HOLLOW BROOK
•SENIOR WOMEN’S
•101ST PGA
•101ST PGA
U.S. OPEN
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|| 4th Quarter 2019 || www.met.pga.com
CHARLIE BOLLING BETHPAGE
MARK BROWN
JASON CARON
TAM O’SHANTER
MILL RIVER
•SENIOR PGA
•SENIOR PGA
•101ST PGA
**2019 SHARED LOW CLUB PRO**
•SENIOR US OPEN
KAMMY MAXFELDT
MIKE MEEHAN
CJ REEVES
BIRCHWOOD
OLD WESTBURY
CENTURY
•SENIOR WOMEN’S
•SENIOR PGA •SENIOR U.S. OPEN
•SENIOR
U.S. OPEN
WOMEN’S U.S. OPEN
World Handicap system What is the World Handicap System™?
The World Handicap System (WHS) unifies the six existing handicap systems and provides everybplayer in the world with a consistent measure of ability. The WHS enables players of different abilities, from anywhere in the world, to play with or compete against others on a fair basis. The World Handicap System is comprised of the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System. The Rules of Handicapping replaces the USGA Handicap System™, which has been in place since 1911, and the USGA Course Rating System™ has become the Course Rating System. These are the key topic areas from which we expect you to receive the most questions from your members and guests. This serves as a quick reference guide, but please refer to the Rules of Handicapping for more detail.
Handicap Index® Calculation Changes
Playing Conditions Calculation
With the World Handicap System, a player’s best 8 The Playing Conditions Calculation is an automatic scores out of the last 20 are used, not best 10 out of calculation that compares actual scores to the 20. expected scores made each day. It is designed to account for days when the golf course plays easier or more difficult than normal due Net Double Bogey Replaces ESC (Equitable significantly to weather or course conditions.
Stroke Control)
Net Double Bogey is replacing ESC. Net Double Bogey = Double Bogey + any handicap strokes a player is entitled to receive based on their Course Handicap.
Changes to Course Handicap
Slope Rating, Course Rating and Par will now be used to determine a Course Handicap, so expect to see changes in your players’ Course Handicaps. As long as par is the same, there will no longer need to be an adjustment when players compete from different tees.
Introduction of Playing Handicap
There is nothing you need to do except encourage players to post their scores immediately following their round, and work with your greens committee/ superintendent to be sure that course difficulty is maintained on a consistent basis.
Running Club Events
There are three key changes that may impact the way you run a club event: • With the new maximum Handicap Index of 54.0, you may wish to consider using flights so that players with similar abilities will be grouped together.
• Since a Handicap Index will be updated daily, the Playing Handicap is a new term that represents the recommendation will be for a Committee to use the number of strokes you actually play with during a Handicap Index at the start of the competition for all round. Most of the time, it will be the same as your rounds. Course Handicap, but it may change based on the format of play •Handicap Allowance recommendations for various formats of play have changed. The new recommendations are found in Appendix C of the Rules of Handicapping.
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|| 4th Quarter 2019 || www.met.pga.com
Running Club Events
There are three key changes that may impact the way you run a club event: • With the new maximum Handicap Index of 54.0, you may wish to consider using flights so that players with similar abilities will be grouped together.
Playing Conditions Calculation
The Playing Conditions Calculation is an automatic calculation that compares actual scores to the expected scores made each day. It is designed to account for days when the golf course plays significantly easier or more difficult than normal due to weather or course conditions. There is nothing you need to do except encourage players to post their scores immediately following their round, and work with your greens committee/superintendent to be sure that course difficulty is maintained on a consistent basis.
• Since a Handicap Index will be updated daily, the recommendation will be for a Committee to use the Handicap Index at the start of the competition for all rounds. •Handicap Allowance recommendations for various formats of play have changed. The new recommendations are found in Appendix C of the Rules of Handicapping.
CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERACTIVE VIEW OF THE KEY FEATURES FROM THE NEW HANDICAP SYSTEM www.met.pga.com || 4th Quarter 2019 ||
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FOUNDATION As the year comes to a close, we would like to take the time to thank all of our PGA Professionals, Associates, and their clubs for being such big supporters 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. With your support, we have exceeded our fundraising goals for 2019! This year was full of many successes which included our Junior golf programs serving over 5,000 area junior golfers and our PGA HOPE Program graduating our 800th veteran. The 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 resolutions for 2020. There are so many ways to engage with the Foundation and we hope to see you next year!
New Years Resolution : Get Involved in 2020! Host a Junior Tour event • Host a fundraiser at your club • Participate in the 100 hole challenge Play in the Augie Pro-Am • Donate a foursome • Host a junior golfer at your club through Fairways to Success Encourage your junior golfers to participate in junior golf programs • Become a PGA Junior League Captain Become a PSAL instructor • Mentor a junior golfer • Become certified PGA HOPE instructor Volunteer for PGA HOPE • Mentor a PGA HOPE veteran • Hire a veteran at your club through VETWORKS Host a PGA HOPE play day • Create awareness and promote Foundation activities
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THANK YOU FOR GIVING! Legacy Club - $20,000 & Up 2019 PGA Championship Hudson National Golf Club Jordan Spieth Family Foundation
Metropolis Country Club Ruth & Hal Landers Trust
President’s Club - $15,000 & Up Saint Andrews Golf Club Wadsworth Foundation
Founder’s Club - $10,000 & Up Burning Tree Country Club Garden City Golf Club
Golf Club of Purchase Woodside Club
Ambassador’s Club - $5,000 & Up Huntington Country Club Meadow Brook Club Met Golf Writers Association
Old Oaks Country Club Rockville Links Club The Bridge
Champion’s Club - $1,000 & Up Avidia Bank BlueGolf Country Club of Darien Griff Harris GC Hollow Brook Golf Club Junior Tour Bag Drive
Lake Isle Country Club Lift 23 Manhattan Woods Golf Club Mill River Club Mineola Lions Club Patriot Hills Golf Club
Patterson Club Round Hill Club Signature Properties Silo Ridge Field Club Spook Rock GC Wheatley Hills Golf Club
Blue & Gold Club - $500 & Up Glen Head Country Club New York Yankees
Seawane Club Tam O’Shanter Country Club
Friend of the Foundation - $100 & Up Thank you to the hundreds of people who supported us this year!
This Yonkers Marine Veteran Was Named PGA HOPE Ambassador Article by: DAVE DONELSON EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Westchester Magazine Golf
Janus Persaud, a US Marine Corps sergeant from Yonkers who served his country for ten years, has been named to help his fellow disabled veterans in the Met PGA Section as a PGA HOPE ambassador. The vet was introduced to golf through the PGA HOPE program in 2016 and became an avid golfer and stalwart advocate for the cause. His first PGA HOPE clinic inspired Persaud to dive deep into the game and PGA professional Nick Iacono of Ardsley CC took him under his wing and provided individual lessons to help him achieve his potential. He also nominated Persaud for the Ambassador program.
Persaud was one of 20 veterans named PGA HOPE Ambassadors from around the country following the completion of a specialized training program during the Inaugural PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week, which was conducted in October at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. The four-day program included advanced golf instruction and wellness training. Each new PGA HOPE Ambassador will now represent their respective PGA of America Section and support their fellow Veterans in communities across the country during PGA HOPE clinics and training programs using a specially designed golf and wellness tool kit they received that included golf training tips, exercises and other recommendations for healthy living. “We congratulate each of these 20 heroes on their successful completion of PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week,” says PGA REACH Senior Director Ryan Cannon. “Their commitment to protecting our freedoms and helping others provides inspiration to us all.”
Janus Persaud, a US Marine Corps sergeant from Yonkers who served his country for ten years, has been named to help his fellow disabled veterans in the Met PGA Section as a PGA HOPE ambassador. The vet was introduced to golf through the PGA HOPE program in 2016 and became an avid golfer and stalwart advocate for the cause. His first PGA HOPE clinic inspired Persaud to dive deep into the game and PGA professional Nick Iacono of Ardsley CC took him under his wing and provided individual lessons to help him achieve his potential. He also nominated Persaud for the Ambassador program. Persaud was one of the first veterans to experience PGA HOPE in the Met Section, which began in 2015 with a single group of 25 vets who met at the West Point Golf Course under the tutelage of volunteer PGA professionals from the Met Section. Today, PGA HOPE locally has three chapters serving 600 military veterans throughout Westchester, the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and the USMC Veteran and PGA HOPE Ambassador Janus Persaud Photo courtesy of the PGA of America Bronx.
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JUNIOR TOUR ALUMNI OF THE YEAR
MIKE BALLO JR
Future Series
Players of the Year
It was fitting that Mike Ballo, Jr received the 2019 Junior Tour Alumni of the year award! Ballo grew up playing on the Junior Tour and continued on through college and now a career in golf to become the 2019 New York State Open Champion. Congratulations and thanks for inspiring our juniors at the Awards Ceremony!
DOUG BENNEY
Thank you to Mike Ballo, Jr., Debbie Doniger, and Frank Darby for putting on a discussion panel about junior golf and what comes after the Junior Tour!
KATIE DZIALGA
In Need of Junior Sites for 2020! The Junior Tour is in need of host sites for Juniors of all abilities between the ages of 7-18 including , 9-hole for entry level players, 18-hole tournaments for intermediate players, and two day 36-hole championship events for our college bound players. If you are interested in hosting, please email dfrankel@pgahq.com! www.met.pga.com || 4th Quarter 2019 ||
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2019 PARTNERS AND SPONSORS TOURNAMENT SPONSORS
AWARDS
ESSENTIALS
GOLF CARTS
TRAVEL/ACADEMIES
HARD GOODS
SOFT GOODS
TECHNOLOGY
