“Golf is a game in which you yell fore, shoot six, and write down five.”
-Paul Harvey
Men’s Am, Blaisdell Pro-Am remain banner events
Stay and play at Pine Acres
15 th annual Ed Krieger golf tourney set for June 7
Men’s Am, Blaisdell Pro-Am remain banner events
Men’s Am slated for Aug 6-10; Pro-Am set for July 21-22
By J.P. Butler
Special to the Golf Guide
Last Sunday, The Masters completed the 89th iteration of its prestigious golf event. Later this year, the Southwestern New York-Northwestern Pennsylvania Men’s Amateur will do the same.
The 89th annual SWNY-NWPA Men’s Amateur will be held August 6-10 at Bartlett Country Club in Olean. It’s one of the area’s premier golf tournaments, alongside the annual Blaisdell Pro-Am, which is set for July 21-22 at The Pennhills Club in Bradford, Pa.
Several decades after their origins, both events remain in a healthy place.
The Men’s Am drew 144 participants in 2023, the second-largest contingent in its history, and 126 golfers last summer, which tournament chair Kyle Henzel described as “great, a perfect number.” Those figures are up from what had been a steady contingent of about 100 golfers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Blaisdell Pro-Am, meanwhile, attracts around 180 total golfers each year, including 72 Class A professionals from around the country and 108 amateurs who compete in the combined Pro-Am portion.
Given that stability – and self-fulfilling nature – the Men’s Am doesn’t anticipate any significant changes heading into 2025.
“It’s status quo, nothing’s changing at all,” said Henzel, who noted that it’s far too early to tell what numbers might look like for this summer. “The sign-up form is on the website (www.swnynwpa.com/ registration-2025). It’s the 89th Men’s Am just like it’s the 89th Masters. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.”
And though the Blaisdell tournament format itself will remain the same – a
Monday, July 21 Pro-Am event featuring 36 five-person teams (comprised of two professionals and three amateurs) followed by the July 22 pro-only event – there could potentially be one notable addition to this year’s event: Organizers have discussed incorporating a competition between former Blaisdell Pro-Am champions, similar to the Men’s Am’s Shootout of Former Champions, which takes place on the eve of the tournament proper.
“It would be just like the (Shootout of Former Champions),” said John Rook, head golf pro at The Pennhills Club.
“That’s not official yet, we’re still in planning mode and talking about how it would work. But it’s something that we’re excited about adding as early as this year.”
The SWNY-NWPA Men’s Am will once again consist of the Shootout (slated for Tuesday, Aug. 5), qualifying round (Wednesday) and match play (Thurs-
Wang, now a sophomore golfer at the University of Rochester, has given the Men’s Am a welcome injection of youth, Henzel acknowledged.
“Cory (Haas) winning two years ago was good just for the whole overall tournament,” Henzel noted of the first-time winner. “Adding a few new faces to the Shootout, that’s been a good thing.
“My hope is that there’s a new champion this year so that we can add to the ‘old guard,’ because the old guard’s getting old. I don’t know where it breaks right now to be honest with you. It’s a puzzle every year, and the puzzle doesn’t come together until (the Monday night beforehand).”
The Blaisdell Pro-Am, meanwhile, will open with its annual Draft Party on Sunday, July 20 before moving into tournament play on Monday and Tuesday. Another difference this year is that the overall purse has been raised from roughly $150,000 to $160,000. Payouts for the joint event will total roughly $20,000 while the pros will compete for $140,000 on Tuesday, including the esteemed $50,000 grand prize for the champion.
day-Sunday). The top 32 golfers from Wednesday’s medal round will qualify for the Championship Flight and a shot at the Men’s Amateur championship crown. First-day Championship Flight losers will be placed into a Championship Consolation Flight. All other competitors will be placed into 16-player flights (First, Second, etc.) based on their medal-round score.
Once again, the Men’s Am will also feature 65-and-over senior, 60-and-over and 45-to-59 consolation flight options depending on medal- and first-round finishes. Additionally, the top 16 PennYork junior golfers (based on low scoring average) will again qualify for the tournament and have their entry fees paid for by event proceeds.
The latter wrinkle, plus a handful of younger tournament winners in recent years, including 2024 champion Shibo
The large purse, specifically, is why the Blaisdell tournament (visit www. blaisdellproam.com to register), sponsored by Zippo, is regarded as one of the premier club professional events in North America.
“It’s our flagship event,” Rook said, “and it always makes for an exciting week.”
Henzel is looking forward to another strong SWNY-NWPA Men’s Am turnout this summer. The only area he’d like to see improved upon is participation in the 65-and-over Senior Flight.
“The 45-to-59 and the 60-and-over consolation flights have been very popular; the people in those age groups, they love it,” he said. “The 65-and-over senior flight has been a struggle. We’ve had about (nine or 10 since we started it), but it’s been the same players, and we’re trying to get some new people. I’d love to see 16 (golfers) in the 65-and-over.”
He reiterated: “But nothing’s changing. We’re gonna go with those flights.”
File photo
Darien Swanson (left) shakes hands with Shibo Wang after Wang captured the Championship Flight title at the SWNY-NWPA Men’s Amateur Golf Tournament with a 3&2 victory on the 16th hole last August at Bartlett Country Club in Olean.
Penn-York’s 5-week junior schedule tees off June 30
By Sam Wilson Special to the Golf Guide
The Penn-York Junior Golf League tees off its 56th season on Monday, June 30 in Salamanca at Elkdale Country Club, the first of five dates on the league schedule.
As always, the Penn-York league offers young golfers the chance to play in a competitive format at five different area courses in New York and Pennsylvania. The five-week tour starts at Elkdale, then turns to The Pennhills Club in Bradford, then Wellsville Country Club, Bradford’s Pine Acres Course and finally Bartlett
Country Club in Olean on Aug. 4.
The final week will see one golfer take home the Davis Memorial Trophy for the player with the lowest 18-hole stroke average. The 10 golfers with the lowest-stroke average will receive an invitation to play in the SWNY/NWPA Men’s Amateur match play tournament later that week and the lowest 16 golfers are invited to the Betty Bergreen Junior Match Play Championship, both held at Bartlett. League competition is split into the following divisions by age group: boys’ Division I (16-18 years old, 18 holes), boys’ Div. II (14-15, 18 holes), boys’ Div. III (12-13, 9 holes), boys’ Div. IV (8-11, 9 holes modified tees), girls’ Div. I (ages
14-18, 9 holes), girls’ Div. III (12-13, 9 holes) and girls’ Div. IV (8-11, 9 holes modified tees). Each week, the top golfer and runner-up in each division receive a trophy. At the end of the season, a points champion is crowned by each group.
Additionally, one golfer will earn the Kevin Forrest Memorial Trophy for “the golfer who best exhibited the following characteristics: love for the game of golf, integrity, good sportsmanship, enjoys the camaraderie of the game and good-spirited competition, and perseverance – that never give up attitude,” as stated on the league website.
The league’s leadership has passed through several hands, starting with founder Dr. Robert Davis in 1970. Ed Forrest directed the league for 31 years, from 1975-2006, before handing it off to his son Kevin. John and Danae Forrest
took on leadership starting in 2009, until Kyle Henzel stepped in as director in 2017.
For more information on the league, visit www.swnynwpa.com/penn-york-junior-golf or email pennyork1970@gmail. com.
Penn-York Junior Golf League 2025 Schedule
• June 30 – Elkdale Country Club, Salamanca
• July 14 – The Pennhills Club, Bradford, Pa.
• July 21 – Wellsville Country Club, Wellsville
• July 28 – Pine Acres Golf Course, Bradford, Pa.
• August 4 – Bartlett Country Club, Olean
File photo
Pictured are the boys Div. I golfers that took home major awards after the final day of the Penn-York Junior Golf League at Bartlett Country Club on July 29, 2024. From left: Ryan Lechner (week winner), Griffin Nelson (Boys Div. I overall points winner) and Michael Peterson (Most Outstanding Golfer and second-place finisher).
Challenging, yet enjoyable course for golfers of all abilities
By Connor Jackson
Special to the Golf Guide
Olean’s Bartlett Country Club is a local gem for anyone looking to have a good day on the golf course. You can enjoy activities like swimming, tennis and pickleball, and a restaurant ready to break your hunger.
The history behind the Bartlett Country Club goes all the way back to 1907 when it was initially named the Hamilton Club. The Bartlett name came in 1930, and the course has been known for its harsh greens because of how old it is.
Head Golf Professional Dwayne Randall says “With today’s technology and turf management, the greens being faster, they are much more difficult than they
probably ever envisioned when they built the golf course back then.”
The greens and fairways are expertly maintained, with a driving range renovated in 2022.
The course has five different tee boxes, with a new one recently added that is meant for “super seniors” who need to move closer to compete with their fellow players.
The black tee box is the longest distance with a length of 6,372 yards. Even though the course seems shorter than most, don’t let that fool you when it comes to difficulty.
“A lot of times people look at the scorecard and think, oh this is a short course, this is going to be easy,” Randall said. “After playing they realize it was a lot more difficult than leading into it.”
There are definitely tricky holes to look out for, hole two is one of them. It’s all uphill and has a sloped green that makes it really difficult if you can’t keep the ball below the hole.
Just an example of how things can go downhill quickly if you take it lightly.
Overall, the experience remains the same at Bartlett for those looking for what they are used to. If you want to improve your game, there is professional golf instruction for both groups and individuals, with junior golf programs for children and organized leagues for men and women.
After an outing on the course, there are some other options around to keep you at the club for more of your day.
The different amenities include a classic clubhouse with a warm environment that offers food and beverage. It
has surrounding views of Olean and the Enchanted Mountains from the patio overlooking the course.
There is a huge heated in-ground pool that operates from Labor Day to Memorial Day with lifeguards on duty. Swim instruction and lessons are offered with plenty of deck chairs and lounges to enjoy the sun.
Tennis and the recently popular pickleball courts are another exciting option, tennis clinics are available.
Bartlett proudly states that they are the finest private golf course in the area, so check them out and see what they have to offer.
“It’s fantastic,” Randall says. “It’s the best maintained club in the area by far. It’s a special place where it’s a privilege to be a member here.”
Photo provided
All 136 golfers line the Bartlett Country Club’s green in carts before teeing off at the first annual Ryan Callahan Memorial Golf Tournament in 2024 in Olean.
Twilight Golf
Any day after 5:30pm
Play all you can until dark
$22 per person (includes cart)
Saturday - Sunday - Holidays
After 2:00pm
18 Holes (includes cart)
$35
Holiday Valley course offers challenging play, breathtaking vistas
ELLICOTTVILLE — Now that the skis and snowboards are put away, Holiday Valley Resort is thrilled to announce the commencement of golf season at its renowned Double Black Diamond Golf Course.
Nestled in the scenic hills of Ellicottville, this 18-hole, par-70 course offers golfers a blend of challenging play and breathtaking vistas.
The Double Black Diamond Golf Course is uniquely designed to cater to golfers of all skill levels. The front nine presents a relatively level terrain, weaving around a series of ponds and bunkers, while the back nine meanders through the base of the mountains, offering narrow fairways and stunning views.
Spanning 6,500 yards, the course’s varied terrain provides a rewarding challenge for all players. There is also a fantastic practice facility, conveniently located across Route 219 from The Inn at Holiday Valley.
In addition to the standard golf rates and cart fees, there are specials for veterans, seniors, juniors and late-afternoon golfers.
For those looking to enhance their game, Holiday Valley offers professional golf lessons led by PGA-certified professional Kyle Benish. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Benish provides personalized instruction tailored to each golfer’s needs.
The golf shop at Holiday Valley — recognized as one of America’s Best Golf Shops by PGA Magazine — is stocked with a wide range of equipment and apparel from top brands. Whether you’re in need of new clubs, apparel or accessories, the shop’s knowledgeable staff is ready to assist.
To make the most of your visit, Holiday Valley offers lodging packages that combine accommodations with golf rounds for a seamless experience. Options range from one-day to three-day packages, each including overnight stays, rounds of golf with carts and additional amenities. Tee times can be booked by calling (716) 699-3939. For more information on the Double Black Diamond Golf Course, lessons and lodging packages, visit holidayvalley.com/golf.
Holiday Valley photo
A golfer tees off at the Holiday Valley Double Black Diamond Golf Course during a previous season. The 18-hole, par-70 course offers a blend of challenging play and breathtaking views.
MEMBER BENEFITS INCLUDE
*Optional Member Benefits
• Golf Shop On Site
• Preferred Tee Times for Members
• Practice Area
• No Monthly Charges
FROM THE CLUBHOUSE
Lunch Hours: Mon – Fri 11am–4pm Sat & Sun 11am-5pm
Open Fridays for Dinner 4:30pm–9pm
Reservations Appreciated on Fridays
Sunday Breakfast 8am–1pm For Reservations call Denny at 945-5553 ext. 2
*YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO GOLF & DINE
• For More Information or Tee Times Phone The Golf Shop 945-5553 ext. 1
• Greens Fee & Membership
Rates Available Online
• Many Tournaments Open to the Public
YOUR TEE
MIKE’S PRO SHOP OFFERS AN ARRAY OF CLUBS, APPAREL AND GOLF EQUIPMENT. MIKE HAS THE LATEST EQUIPMENT AT COMPETITIVE PRICES.
THE COURSE IS A CHALLENGING 5940 YARDS, WITH A RATING OF 69.1 AND SLOPE OF 122 FROM THE WHITE TEES. THE GREENS AND FAIRWAYS ARE WELL MAINTAINED AND EVERY HOLE HAS A DIFFERENT LOOK AND A NEW CHALLENGE WITH VISTAS THAT ARE THE BEST THE PA WILDS HAVE TO OFFER. TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR ROUND, WE OFFER BOTH A DRIVING RANGE AND SHORT GAME PRACTICE AREA. THE EMPORIUM COUNTRY CLUB RECOGNIZES VARIOUS DISCOUNT GOLF CARDS (CANCER CARDS, GOLF CARD, ETC.). WE GUARANTEE YOU WILL WANT TO COME BACK AND PLAY AGAIN!
GOLFER’S SPECIAL WE OFFER A GOLF & DINNER SPECIAL ON FRIDAY & SATURDAY.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 18 HOLES OF GOLF & A $10 GIFT CARD FOR THE ECC RESTAURANT - $49
Ischua Valley Country Club
Spouse/Partner Information:
Dependent Children (Under 18):
Pennhills Club course is of Walter J. Travis design
By Jo Wankel Special to the Golf Guide
The Pennhills Club offers a Walter J. Travis design course, open to members and their guests. With membership comes access to a great pool atmosphere, wonderful food and various events, including date nights, bands and other special occasions.
The club also offers an inspiring backdrop for weddings and a great venue for special occasions and tournaments for causes. Previous tournaments held at Pennhills have benefited local firefighters, Kids and Cancer and CARE for Children, as well as the McKean County SPCA and many more.
Ladies’ League is on Wednesdays. In order to participate, a golf membership is necessary.
The course was designed by Travis in
1922, at which time the first nine holes were constructed. The course plays to a par 71, spanning more than 6,400 yards. While there are no ponds or lakes, the course offers 14 holes with water hazards, thanks to the creeks that weave through the more than 200 acres of property.
The clubhouse was designed by Clifford C. Wendehack in late 1937. At the time of its construction, two holes were also built that allowed play to begin and end at the clubhouse. The remaining seven holes were constructed in 1958, following Travis’s design.
The current location is the result of a 1937 merger between the North Penn Club (founded in 1924) and the Country Club of Bradford (founded in 1900).
For information on membership, contact Clubhouse Manager Mary Jo Hardy: mjhardy@pennhillsclub.com. The club also has a Facebook page where more information can be found.
Photo courtesy of Pennhills Club Facebook
The Pennhills Club offers a unique opportunity for golf, great food, and a venue for special events.
Kane Country Club offers challenge and beauty
By Jo Wankel
Special to the Golf Guide
Kane Country Club offers a challenging 18 holes of golf. Located at 6654 on US Route 6 and surrounded by Allegany National Forest, the course
Pricing is as follows: 18 holes with cart is $40 on weekdays and $50 on weekends; 9 holes with cart is $30 on weekdays and $40 on weekends. For those who want to opt for walk-
ing, the price is $27 on weekdays and $30 on weekends for 18 holes and $20 on weekdays and $23 on weekends for nine holes. Weekday rates apply after 2 p.m., while weekend rates apply until 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For members, rates are as follows:
• Pay as you go: $13 for 18, $8 for nine holes
• Cart fees: $20 for 18 and $10 for nine holes
Men’s League is every Monday
May through August and requires a membership to participate. Women’s League takes place on Tuesday nights, and membership is not a requirement.
Hole 1 is considered the hardest hole on the course and is a 425-yard par 4. Hole 4 is one of two par 5’s, the other being Hole 15. For more information on the course, visit https:// kanecountr yclub.com/.
The Kane Country Club also has an active Facebook page, where open hours and upcoming events are shared.
Photo courtesy of KCC Facebook
The Kane Country Club offers 18 holes of golf for members and the public alike. Join a league or call for a tee time.
Stay and play at Pine Acres
By Sara Furlong Special to the Golf Guide
Pine Acres Golf and RV Resort is a public 18-hole golf course nestled against the backdrop of the Allegheny National Forest offering not just a golfing experience, but a connection with nature.
That’s according to the buzzing locale’s website after Bradford residents Eric Haynoski, Shawn Mosier, Steve Peterson and Brian Steen assumed ownership in 2023. Now beginning their second full season, they are well underway with their vision to revamp, improve and add to the 232-acre property, which also includes a restaurant and bar, pro shop, driving range and flexible outdoor space for camping and more.
Always open to the public, the course offers several competitive price points. This spring for 18 holes with a cart on weekdays, pay $42 with a credit card, or $40 with cash or a check. Short on time?
Play a weekday nine with a cart for $28 paid by credit card, or $26 with cash or a check.
Prefer to get out and get your steps in? Walk 18 for $27 or $25, or nine holes for $17 or $15 — weekdays.
On Saturday, Sunday and holidays, rates are $47 or $45.
Veterans receive a discount Monday through Wednesday at $37 or $35. A sunrise special is available for all golfers teeing off before 11 a.m., at $37 or $35. The Twilight Special is $25 for all the golf you can squeeze in after 5 p.m., every day of the week.
Always check Pine Acres’ website and Facebook page for the latest pricing, offers and availability. League nights will be ramping up but duffers can hit the range anytime, buying a small bucket of practice balls for $4, medium for $7 or $11 for a large bucket.
Bring the family for a night out, hit the driving range and then grab a bite to eat in Pine Acres’ restaurant, open year
New this year at Pine Acres Golf and RV Resort is the Greenside Cottage Airbnb. The resort also currently offers 23 campsites equipped with stainless steel fire rings, picnic tables and access to electricity and water on flat, easily accessed terrain adjacent to its 18-hole public golf course.
round. They feature wing specials every Thursday and Saturday, a fish fry on Friday and many other specials. There is patio seating available and the banquet hall, which seats 120 people, can be rented for weddings and other activities. There is ample space around the clubhouse to accommodate even more seating.
Pine Acres also offers several stayand-play options. Currently the resort has 23 RV or tent campsites equipped with stainless steel fire rings, picnic tables and access to electricity and water for $30 a night. Accessible walking trails lead to the Allegheny National Forest. There are also plans to install cabins as well as more basic sites on the property in the near future.
New this year, the resort is home to
an Airbnb, the Greenside Cottage, details and reservations for which can be found and made at airbnb.com.
Tee times and camping reservations can be made through Pine Acres’ website, pineacresgolfandrvresort.com, and campspot.com for camping.
Along with the staple golf course, the group aims to venture beyond just golf, creating a hub for the community that offers an array of family-friendly activities.
The course will host a youth program and night golf later this summer, while no dates have been set just yet. Always check Pine Acres’ website or Facebook page for the latest information, call the course at (814) 362-2005 or contact the text-only line at (814) 989-0592.
Pine Acres Golf and RV Resort
The sun sets behind the green at Pine Acres Golf and RV Resort off Route 770 in Bradford.
Pine Acres Golf and RV Resort
15th annual Ed Krieger golf tourney set for June 7
RANDOLPH — New Directions
Youth and Family Services announces the 15th annual Ed Krieger Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, June 7, at the Cardinal Hills Golf Course. The event will begin at noon.
Since 2011, New Directions has honored Krieger’s memory with an annual golf tournament. Krieger was a 20-year Air Force veteran who worked at New Directions. He was widely known by many
friends, co-workers and clients in the Southern Tier for his positive, uplifting attitude. In October 2010, Krieger was diagnosed with bone cancer. He passed away in January 2011.
Proceeds from the Ed Krieger Memorial Golf Tournament enrich campus life and support opportunities for New Directions youth, including scholarships for graduating seniors.
One of the scholarships granted an-
nually is the Edward L. Krieger Memorial Scholarship, given to a graduating senior at New Directions who is planning to pursue college, trade school or military service.
Scholarships are also awarded in memory of departed New Directions Southern Tier staff members John Andrews, Gary Archer, Stephanie Canon, Joe Carra, Alex Foulk, Harold Nichols, Nicholas Shelley and Dale Wadsworth. The event is open to the public. Registration for the tournament is $100 per golfer and includes 18 holes of golf, a golf
cart, team and special hole prizes, lunch and dinner. Cardinal Hills members can register at a discounted price of $80 per golfer. Shults Auto Group is sponsoring the Hole-In-One contest.
Golf Registration for players is online at fosteringgood.org/events/golf. The registration deadline for players is May 23. Space is limited to the first 34 paid teams. Sponsorships are also available online at the same website. Full sponsorship benefits deadline is April 25. To donate a raffle item, call (716) 300-8113. Raffle donation deadline is May 23.
Tee Off for a Cause at the 2025 HomeCare & Hospice Golf Classic
Golfers, mark your calendars for he inaugural HomeCare & Hospice Golf Classic, which tees off Tuesday, June 24, at the scenic Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia.
Recognized as Western New York’s No. 1 Public Golf Course and home of the Jim Kelly Celebrity Classic, Terry Hills offers 27 holes and a reputation for providing an exceptional yet challenging experience for golfers of all skill levels. Registration is $100 per golfer or $400 per foursome, which includes: Greens fees and cart, Lunch out on the course, Dinner at the evening awards ceremony, Swag bag of goodies, and Fun
contests and on-course surprises.
More than just a day of golf, the event supports a deeper purpose. Proceeds benefit the HomeCare & Hospice Foundation, helping deliver compassionate care and essential services across Allegany, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, and Genesee Counties.
“It’s a chance to enjoy 18 holes on a top-tier course, spend time outdoors with your colleagues or friends, and know that your day on the green is directly supporting families in our communities,” said Melissa Sullivan, CEO of HomeCare & Hospice. “It’s meaningful fun — with a mission behind every swing.”
While HomeCare & Hospice has hosted golf tournaments across its four-county service area in years past, this marks a new beginning. Following direction from the organization’s Board of Directors to alternate fundraising events between the northern and southern regions, Batavia was selected as the site of this year’s tournament to strengthen support in Genesee and Wyoming Counties—while welcoming teams traveling north from Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties.
“Hospice doesn’t have a location—it
impacts families everywhere,” Sullivan added. “And we’re excited to see the southern counties show their support by hitting the road for a great day of golf in the north.”
Teams already committed include: Portville Central School boys basketball, Siemens Energy, Paul Brown Chevrolet, National Fuel, DataBranch, and Wright Beverage.
The event committee is seeking to fill a field of 20 foursomes. To register, call (716) 372-2106 or visit homecare-hospice.org.
JCC Alumni Golf Classic set for June 18 at Holiday Valley
ELLICOTTVILLE — SUNY
Jamestown Community College’s annual Golf Classic returns to the Holiday Valley Double Black Diamond Course in Ellicottville on June 18.
snacks, entry in the hole in one contest and an Italian feast banquet dinner following the tournament.
This year’s tournament marks the 33rd annual event that raises funds for the JCC alumni associations.
“This year’s Golf Classic is extra special as JCC celebrates its 75th anniversary,” said Carissa Bentley, JCC Foundation executive director. “To make it even more exciting, the Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campus alumni associations are teaming up to bring you the best tournament yet.”
Golfers who participate will receive a pizza lunch at check in, swag bag with
New this year, contests have been added to the cost of sponsorships and foursomes, including entry in the putting contest, mulligan, 50/50, raffles and team skins.
Sponsorship opportunities with and without golf are available. Proceeds support student scholarships and opportunities on both the Cattaraugus County and Jamestown campuses.
Visit sunyjcc.edu/GolfClassic to register or make a donation. Email Alumni@ mail.sunyjcc.edu or call (716) 338-1056 for more information.
St. Bonaventure club golf team headed to NCCGA national tournament in Florida
Mission accomplished.
St. Bonaventure’s club golf team has qualified — not once, but twice — for the National Collegiate Club Golf Association national tournament April 26-27 at Mission Resort in Howie-in-the-Hills, Florida.
Heading to Florida are co-captains Greg DeVries and Cam Engle, Nathan Waples, Joe Sodaro, Kevin Bucklin, Riley Mitchell, Ryan Muscarella and Tyler Sweda. The 36-hole tournament will be played on each Mission Resort course: El Campeón and Las Colinas.
The Bonnies punched their automatic ticket to nationals by finishing third at the NCCGA Zone Qualifier March 29-30 at Mansion Ridge Golf Club in Monroe, New York.
SBU and Fordham were tied for third after the 36-hole tourney, which only counted the top five scores each day from a team’s eight-player roster. But the Bonnies earned the nod to nationals because their sixth-place golfer (Waples) had a better score than the Rams’ sixthplace player.
Sodaro (74-79) was the medalist
each day for the Bonnies. Muscarella (7583) was second each day for SBU.
Even had the Bonnies lost the tiebreaker, they would have received an at-large bid to nationals because of the top 25 national ranking they earned since the NCCGA Zone Qualifier.
SBU is ranked 11th in the latest NCCGA poll and are the highest-ranked team from the Metro/Northeast region. Every school in the top 15, except for SBU, is from the South or West.
Ranked 34th in the final fall 2024 national poll, St. Bonaventure soared up the rankings this spring with team victories in two regional tournaments this month — at Foxfire at Village Green in Baldwinsville, New York, April 5-6 and at Far View Golf Club in Avon, New York, April 12-13.
Engle won the individual title at Foxfire, shooting 6-over par for 36 holes.
At Far View, Sodaro won the individual title at 1-over, leading the Bonnies to a program record team score of +26, 47 strokes ahead of second place. Six of the top 10 golfers in the field were from SBU.
The program’s ascension since the 2021-22 season has been dramatic.
“After that season we made some adjustments, expanding our team roster to 20. And with an impressive freshman class giving us much of the high-level talent and dedication we have now, we were able to begin competing for wins more regularly,” DeVries said. “Our first win came in the spring of 2023 at Conklin Golf Club, giving us all hope that if we were able to continue progressing we could potentially compete for a national championship one day.
“That win gave a lot of the players a strong dedication to improve their own
games to help out the team, and by the next year (2023-24), we were in the mix at a number of tournaments.”
St. Bonaventure has been ranked nationally by NCCGA every semester since spring 2023, finally cracking the top 25 this semester despite playing and practicing in less than desirable late fall and early spring conditions.
“I think we manage to play so well in these conditions at most tournaments because we are used to it,” DeVries said. “We try to practice at the SBU Golf Course regardless of the weather to prepare us.”
Behind the scenes at Oakmont Country Club: How officials are preparing for the U.S. Open
The pool at Oakmont Country Club is currently covered in slabs of wood. While no members would likely be itching to swim in April, it still seems an unconventional method to protect the pool.
But rather than removing the cover as temperatures (hopefully) warm in the coming weeks, the USGA is set to start building on top of it — because a temporary structure above the pool will house hospitality for the organization’s executives and guests during the U.S. Open on June 12 to 15.
That’s just one of many ways Oakmont is preparing with golf’s third major of the year less than two months
away. The Post-Gazette this week took an exclusive tour of the course set to host the Open for a record 10th time.
After Rory McIlroy’s stirring victory at the Masters last week to complete the career Grand Slam, the golf calendar is heating up — including PGA Tour stops at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa., on May 8 to 11, and at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, from May 29 to June 1.
And of course, McIlroy will try to keep the dream of the single-year Grand Slam alive with a triumph in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club on May 15 to 18.
Masters victory means McIlroy will get ‘hero’s welcome’ at home British Open
BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) —
From a Masters green jacket to a British Open that will be played in his home Northern Ireland this year, suddenly everything seems to be falling into place for Rory McIlroy.
After he became the sixth golfer to achieve a career Grand Slam, McIlroy’s victory at Augusta National was celebrated throughout Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Locals were quick to point out that Royal Portrush will host the British Open in July, marking only the third time that the course in Northern Ireland has had that honor after 1951 and 2019.
Royal Portrush is located about an hour’s drive from McIlroy’s hometown of Holywood. McIlroy’s 61 at age 16 in the 2005 North of Ireland championship still stands as the old course record at Royal Portrush.
“He has given us one of Northern Ireland’s biggest sporting achievements,” Emma Little-Pengelly, the country’s deputy first minister, posted on X. “He will undoubtedly get a deserved hero’s welcome when he comes home. The reception when he steps onto the first tee at Royal Portrush in July will be incredible. Hopefully he can give the home fans plenty to cheer as he bids to win a second Open Championship.”
The British Open is the year’s last major. First, McIlroy will play the PGA Championship in May and the U.S. Open in June.
McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff on Sunday, April 13 to win the elusive Masters title, adding to his two PGA Championship titles (2012 and 2014), one U.S. Open trophy (2011) and one British Open (2014).
There were scenes of joy at McIlroy’s home club in Holywood when he finally won the Masters on his 17th try.
In England, the Manchester United soccer club published a note of congratu-
lations on Monday addressed to McIlroy, who is a big fan of the team.
After saying during the winner’s press conference that he wants to celebrate with his parents back home in Northern Ireland “next week,” McIlroy was asked if he might take the green jacket to a game at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium.
“If it can inspire some better play, absolutely,” McIlroy said.
Former world snooker champion
Dennis Taylor declared McIlroy Northern Ireland’s “greatest ever sportsman”
That’s no small assertion for a country that has produced soccer great George Best and snooker star Alex Higgins.
“Massive congratulations to Rory McIlroy on his incredible victory at The Masters—making history as the first ever
from our island to win the prestigious Green Jacket!” Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill said on X.
“This is a huge moment in sporting history, and one that has filled everyone back home with great pride.”
Irish premier Micheal Martin described the win as “epic”.
“It was an incredible evening and we were all up late in the morning,” Martin added Monday.
The Irish premier said the occasion reminded him of Ireland’s 1990 World Cup penalty shootout win over Romania and George Hamilton’s famous “the nation holds its breath” commentary.
“Well, we were holding our breath every five minutes for a good few hours yesterday,” Martin said. “Literally holding
our breath at every putt and every tee shot. It was a marvelous national occasion and it’s a moment in time that we will all remember.”
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt called for McIlroy to be knighted.
“For a country the size of Northern Ireland, it is remarkable how many sports people have become icons in their fields. Think George Best, Mike Gibson (rugby), and Mary Peters (athletics), to name just three. Rory McIlroy has just trumped all of them and, with the Grand Slam monkey off his back, looks set for even more success,” Nesbitt said.
“This universally popular figure deserves the highest praise the nation can bestow, and a knighthood is just that,” Nesbitt added.
AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after winning in a playoff against Justin Rose after the final round at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga.
A rundown on golf clubs
Some golfers would say you’re only as good as your gear. Perhaps no gear is as important to a golfer’s performance as his or her clubs. The differences between each type of club may confuse those unfamiliar with golf, so a rundown of the various clubs in a golfer’s bag may help novices improve their scores.
Driver
Drivers are what golfers utilize on the tee, so this club marks a good place to start. Drivers are designed to give golfers distance off the tee, and these will likely be the longest club in the bag. Choosing a driver depends on a number of variables that are unique to each golfer, so it’s best to speak to a pro shop professional to find the right driver before hitting the links.
Irons
Golfballs.com notes that a standard set of irons features between five and seven clubs, typically a 3-iron to a 9-iron. However, irons range from a 1-iron to a 9-iron. Golfballs.com notes a 1-iron and a 2-iron are typically only utilized by especially skilled golfers, which is why they’re not often included in standard sets. According to the sporting goods experts at Dick’s, the following is the average distance golfers can expect from their irons:
• 2-iron: 105 to 210 yards
• 3-iron: 100 to 205 yards
• 4-iron: 90 to 190 yards
• 5-iron: 80 to 175 yards
• 6-iron: 70 to 165 yards
• 7-iron: 65 to 155 yards
• 8-iron: 60 to 145 yards
• 9-iron: 55 to 135 yards
Fairway woods
Dick’s notes that fairway woods are versatile clubs that can be used from the fairway or the rough. Fairway woods can even be used in the place of a driver if golfers are more comfortable doing so. Dick’s notes that average distance also determines which fairway wood to utilize.
• 3-wood: 125 to 240 yards
• 4-wood: 110 to 220 yards
• 5-wood: 105 to 215 yards
• 7-wood: 90 to 170 yards
Hybrids
Golfballs.com notes that hybrids can be used in place of long irons (a 3-iron to a 6-iron). Novices may be most inclined to do so, as the shorter shafts on hybrids compared to long irons makes them easier for some beginners to use effectively.
Wedges
Dick’s notes that wedges are designed for low-distance shots. There are various types of wedges, and usage can be determined by how long a shot golfers are hoping to hit. A pitching wedge can be used for shots between 50 and 120 yards, while a lob wedge is a good option for a shot between 35 and 90 yards. Gap wedges are good for shots slightly shorter than a pitching wedge, while a sand wedge helps golfers escape the dreaded bunker.
Putter
Putters are used when golfers reach the green. As is the case with drivers, putters can be chosen after consultation with a pro shop professional to ensure the club does not adversely affect your score.
Golf terminology for beginners
Golf is a fun game that is not without its challenges. Getting a tiny ball from a tee box into a small hole that’s several hundred yards away requires considerable skill and a lot of patience. But novices know that mastering the game is not the only challenge on the course. Like most sports, golf has its own unique terminology. Confusion can set in when beginners arrive at a course and feel as though they’re surrounded by people speaking a different language. This glossary of golf terms, courtesy of the PGA of America, can help beginners master the lingo of the links.
• Par: The score an accomplished player is expected to make on a hole. Holes are either a par three, par four or par five.
• Birdie: A score of one-under-par on a hole.
• Eagle: A score of two-under-par on a hole.
• Double eagle: A score of three-under-par on a hole.
• Bogey: A score of one-over-par on a hole.
• Double bogey: A score of two-overpar on a hole.
• Green: The area at the end of each hole where grass is cut especially short.
• Fairway: The area of short grass between the tee and corresponding green.
• Rough: The area of longer grass
around the fairway and the green.
• Hazards: Obstacles, including water, between a tee and a green.
• Bunker: Sometimes referred to as a “sand trap,” the bunker is a hollow comprised of sand or grass or both that exists as an obstacle and, in some cases, a hazard.
• Divot: The turf displaced when a club strikes the ball on a descending path.
• Fore: An exclamation golfers yell to warn others that they have hit a bad shot.
• Ranger: A course employee who drives around the course ensuring golfers are following the rules and playing at a reasonable speed.
• Range: Sometimes referred to as the “golf range,” this is a facility where players can practice their full swings and, in some cases, their short games.
• Pin: The flag on the green that indicates to players where the hole is.
• Shank: When the ball is struck on the hosel of the club, usually sending it shooting off to the right.
• Slice: A ball that curves from left to right after being struck. Left-swinging players will slice right to left. Golf has its own unique terminology. Knowledge of some basic terms can help any player feel more comfortable on the course.
