FOR E

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION FOR THE MEMBERS OF MERION GOLF CLUB JUNE 2025

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION FOR THE MEMBERS OF MERION GOLF CLUB JUNE 2025
June is a very busy month filled with special member tournaments and events, so I look forward to some blue skies and warm weather in the coming weeks as we officially get into summer.
Highlighting the calendar in June are the annual Member-Guest events for Men (June 5-7) and the Women's 9-Holers (June 11) and 18-Holers (June 26). The Club will also host two marquee social events—the 20th annual Girls' Night Out on June 3 and the New Member Welcome Reception on June 26. The cocktail reception is a wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with members who joined Merion in the last year. Please see below for a list of the members we will be celebrating this year.
While we are thrilled to enjoy the current golf season, we are also ramping up planning efforts for the 2026 U.S. Amateur. There is a lot to be done as we prepare the Club to welcome the world's top amateur players on August 10-16, 2026, for Merion's 20th USGA championship. General Chair Bill Lynch and Director of Championships Scott Nye are hard at work with the member committee and Merion team. Our membership is always incredibly supportive of the Club's commitment to hosting championships. The U.S. Amateur Committee is working on details for volunteering, member support, and other programs to help Merion members get involved with the championship. Please stay tuned for information in the coming months.
Bill Lynch General Chair
Bill Iredale Emeritus Chair
Herb Miller Philadelphia Country Club (Co-Host Site) Chair
Gerry van Arkel Championship Support
Kevin Cahill Finance
Cole Berman Player Hospitality
Ginny Williams & Katie Sibel
Member Hospitality
Topper Ray Marketing
Dan Forman Volunteers
Henry Rohrer Transportation and Parking
Susan Fahey Evacuation
Addison West Scoring and Marshals
Brian Kerr Ecology
Jim Lachman Medical
Brad McFadden Range
The Membership Committee invites all members to join them in welcoming Merion's newest members from the previous year. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a member signature bar will be available. Please RSVP on ForeTees or by calling the Club, and make a reservation to stay for dinner.
Jeffrey & Maura Boogay
Willem Bosma & Catherine Frances Alexandre
John Brosens & Amanda Roberts
Richard Bunch
Daniel & Laura Clark
William & Lauren Conners, III
Eduardo & Ceci Cordeiro
James & Kelly Crowley
David & Erica Cummings
Deborah Duffield
Thomas Frankel
Johnny Hass
Mark & Shanu Kurd
Helina McClatchy
Gregg & Pamela Melinson
Gregory & Debra Morrison
William & Sarah Panarese
Robert & Molly Perry
Garrett & Amy Price
Brendan & Skylar Purcell
David Royds
Jeffrey & Tara Shanahan
Brian & Elizabeth Tierney, Jr.
Christopher Travaglini
Erik & Catherine Waldin
Reid & Emma Weber
This monthly feature in FORE will share important information and updates regarding Merion's Strategic Plan.
Construction work continues on! Late spring brought some challenging weather, at times with a few days lost to poor conditions, but overall, the Clubhouse renovation project remains on schedule for completion in spring 2026.
The South Terrace area of the Pavilion overlooking the 13th hole is finished, with just a few minor punchlist items being completed. The team looks forward to utilizing this space with existing Club furniture in the coming weeks to see what works best for the membership for this season. The first official use of the space will be during the Men's Annual MemberGuest in early June, giving participants a great vantage point to watch the shootout action on the 13th green. After Clubhouse construction is complete, this terrace will serve as a prefunction space for Pavilion events, leaving the Lower Terrace bar, flagstone, and breezeway available for member use.
The Merion team enjoyed the grand opening of its new Employee Lounge space in mid-May with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the first team meal served in the new space. Since then, the lounge has been enjoyed daily for meals, beverages, and a break from the work
day. The team has given rave reviews to space and to the revitalized employee meal program. The completion of this space was an important milestone in Clubhouse construction, as it gives the staff a comfortable and dedicated space to relax and refresh throughout the work day.
Much of the construction work through the summer will be taking place in the basement level of the Clubhouse. Framing of the new Lower Kitchen and the additional spaces below the Pavilion will begin this month.
Meanwhile, renovation plans for the first-floor member spaces have been
fully incorporated into the construction schedule. Please stay tuned for more details on exact timing and impact to available Club spaces through the balance of construction. As a reminder, construction will not change the schedule for events through the golf season. The Clubhouse Project Decor Committee continues to work with the architects and interior design professionals to finalize the vision for the aesthetic of the firstfloor spaces.
Davis, Director of Golf
After a cool and rainy May, we’re more than ready to welcome a beautiful June at Merion! May brought plenty of highlights. One of the anchors of our spring season is the WGAP and GAP team match schedules. On the women’s side, all six of our teams performed admirably. A sincere thank you to our overall chairs, Loraine Jones and Catherine Twitmyer, as well as additional team captains Lindsay Forgash, Maude Wood Kent, Susan Oberwager, and Linda Gamble. With the introduction of a new format this year, their leadership was especially valuable. We truly appreciate everything they’ve done to support a successful season.
On the men’s side, all three teams will remain in their respective divisions, including Team 1, which continues to compete in Division AA. Thank you to team captains Patrick Knott, Andy Ryan, and Roger Early/David Guertler for their time and dedication. In total, 111 members represented Merion in WGAP and GAP matches this spring. Your involvement continues to elevate Merion’s presence in these important events.
In our women’s golf program, both the 9-Holers and 18-Holers kicked off their seasons with Opening Day events on the West Course. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make these days such a success— nearly 80 women took part across the two events! Weekly women’s play is now underway, with 18-Holer blocks on Tuesdays at the West and Thursdays at the East. These gatherings are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow members, enjoy light competition, and stay connected through the game. I’d also like to spotlight the 9-Holer Rust Removal clinics, which saw terrific participation throughout the month. We’re confident the skills and confidence built in these sessions will pay off as the season progresses.
Looking ahead to June, several of our signature events are coming up soon. For the men, this includes both the Annual Member-Guest and the Member-Member tournaments. On the women’s side, Member-Guest events are scheduled for both the 9-Holers and 18-Holers. Mixed golf also picks up this month, with the Twilight Nine & Dine on Friday, June 20 at the West, and the Husband-Wife Championship on the East Course on June 22. If you haven’t already, please sign up or prepare to make a tee time for these fun tournaments.
June is also a major month for junior golf at Merion. Our PGA Jr. League season kicks off, and we’ll host two sessions of the School’s Out Golf Camp along with an Elite Junior Camp. Registration for these junior programs is available on ForeTees. With school letting out, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the Club with the junior golfers in your life. It doesn’t take much for a young player to fall in love with the game. With the support of our talented professional staff—and your encouragement—we hope to help foster a lifelong passion for golf. If there’s anything we can do to support your junior’s journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
In the coming weeks, we’ll introduce a new scorecard for both the East and West Courses. This new card will honor our current scorecard, carrying forward several details and important information, while providing a more user-friendly experience and updated look. You’ll also notice that the slope and rating for the Back tees on the East Course have increased slightly, due to the current tee location on hole 5. This new slope and rating will be updated in the GHIN system as well.
Finally, I’ve been fortunate to meet so many members during my early weeks at Merion. Thank you again for the warm welcome. I look forward to seeing you at the Club and hope to see you playing in one of our many exciting events this month.
Check the Golf Results portal, linked on the Merion website, for winners of all Club tournaments
9-Holers Opening Day
Mary-Lee FitzPatrick, Marybeth Bright, Maureen Block, Maureen Caulfield
9-Holers Putting Party
Ann Ware & Don Ware
18-Holers Opening Day
Ann Roberts, Melinda Birdsall, Nancy Gilroy-Smith, Vicki Warner
18-Holers Weekly Tournaments
May 15 (East)—Par 4s Melinda Birdsall
May 20 (West)—1 Best Ball of 2 Catherine Twitmyer & Emma Twitmyer
May 27 (West)—Flag Event Kim Coulson
SATURDAY EVENTS
May 10—1 Best Ball of 4
Michael Hamilton, Grant Liu, Guy Wuollet, Kieran Spillane
May 17—1 Best on Par 4s, 2 Best on Par 3s and 5s
Steve Ryan, Rick Ware, Jeff McFadden, Matt Durham
May 24
David Kornblatt, Mike Subak, Bob Morey, David Myers
MIXED
Dr. A.E. Billings Trophy Tripp McCulloch & Katie Sibel
Our golf season officially began with our traditional Opening Day event on May 1. We enjoyed perfect weather as 25 golfers went all out with plenty of argyle, pearls, and feather headbands for our “Putting on the Ritz” theme. We started the day with a warm welcome from Director of Golf Jack Davis and Assistant Golf Professional Brady McDonald. We then set out on the West Course for a “klitzy” fun scramble. The delicious luncheon that followed showcased what would have been served in the 1920s or 1930s. Everyone raved about the food, and even the argyle runner that ran the entire length of the table. We so appreciate how the entire Merion team went above and beyond to make this event special, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts!
Our annual “Putting Party” was held on May 4. Although the weather did not
cooperate for the “Spring is in the Air” theme, that did not stop 40 participants from having a great time on the indoor course. Defending their first place win from last year, Ann and Don Ware were victorious again this year. Putting was followed by hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and a delicious buffet. Thank you to the event chairs, Gita Young and Catherine Brumbaugh. And, thank you to Brady and Parker for setting up a really fun course.
"April showers bring May flowers." But apparently, May also brings more showers. Despite all of the rain, both golf courses seem to have hit their stride. That said, we know the West Course rough has been especially unforgiving lately. You’re not the only one who’s watched a great shot disappear into the rough—trust me.
On May 13, we had one of our most well-attended Opening Day events ever! Thank you to all who came out and played. There was a little rain, but that did not stop us from having a great day.
We wrapped up our 2025 WGAP season with a fun cocktail party that included some putting, more rain, and
a summary of our team performance. Thank you to our WGAP Team Match chairs, Loraine Jones and Catherine Twitmyer, for their support and efforts through the match season. We would also like to thank our captains, who navigated unchartered waters with a new format. We know it was challenging, but we appreciate all of your patience and understanding!
As we move into June, please stay on top of your season-long match deadlines. For the Philler Lee and Club Championships, the play-in round must be completed by Sunday, June 8. For the Mary Capers and Flights B and C in the Club Championship, your first round match must be completed by
UPCOMING EVENTS
9-Holer Member-Guest Wednesday, June 11 at 9 a.m. This is a scramble format followed by a luncheon. It is always a good time to invite a friend to play the West Course.
18-/9-Holer Mixer
Wednesday, June 18
East Course tee times begin at 5:24 p.m.
9-Holer Interclub at Aronimink Thursday, June 19 at 9 a.m.
Sign up for all of these events on ForeTees under Golf Events. Please also join us for our “Coaching and Cocktails” clinics that begin in July. We look forward to seeing you out on the West Course for our self-organized tee times.
As Always, Fore the Fun Of It!
Sunday, June 29. If you need assistance scheduling a match, please call the Golf Shop—we are here to help!
Looking ahead, we have some exciting events in June, including our annual Member-Guest. The East Course currently has a waitlist, but the West Course has availability. So invite a couple of friends, grab a cart, and zip around the West!
Women's Golf Mixer
WHEN is it? Wednesday, June 18
WHAT is it? A mixer for both 18-Holers and 9-Holers. It is a fun and great chance to show off the East Course to some who do not get to play it as much.
WHERE is it? The East Course
HOW to participate? Sign up on ForeTees under Golf Events
18-Holers Member-Guest
WHEN is it? Thursday, June 26
WHAT is it? Our annual Member-Guest! WHERE is it? The East and West Courses HOW to participate? Sign up on ForeTees under Golf Events
Wayne Morrison, Archives Committee Member
It has long been thought that the first hole-in-one in USGA competition at Merion was the one made by Shawn Stefani on the 17th hole in the fourth round of the 2013 U.S. Open. However, New Yorker Maurice McCarthy, Jr. had a hole-in-one in the first round of the 1930 U.S. Amateur, also on the 17th hole.
McCarthy, one of 15 children born to Charles and Johanna McCarthy, was a collegiate star at Georgetown University in both golf and basketball. He captained the Georgetown basketball team (1929-1930) and the golf team for his three years of varsity play.
In 1930, McCarthy holed out his tee shot on the 215-yard 17th hole. He was the first golfer to score an ace in the national title event since 1915 (Robert Gardner in Detroit in one of the early rounds). The star golfer from the Old Flatbush Club in New York remarked, “Yes, a hole-in-one, but look at the rest of the card. I played raggedly
throughout the entire round, but that ace makes up for it to some extent. I had been shooting them all over the place, taking a 42 for the first nine, and didn’t appear to be going much better on the way home. On the 16th, I missed a short putt and when the old putter goes bad, it certainly looks gloomy. Standing on the 17th tee, I expected to get another 5 or 6 and my scores into the 80s to eliminate any chance of qualifying. At any rate, the least I expected was an ace, but when that ball dropped 20 feet in front of the pin and started up the slope for the hole, I felt pretty shaky. When it dropped in, I was about through.”
While Bob Jones, Lawson Little, and several other competitors used an iron off the tee, McCarthy used a spoon for his tee shot, the equivalent of a 3-wood. After holing out on the 17th, McCarthy foozled his tee shot on the 18th. He reached the green in 3 and two-putted for a bogey 5 and a score of 78, tied for 30th place. McCarthy qualified with a score of 155 (15-over-
par). He defeated Watts Gunn in round one of match play in 19 holes. McCarthy finally eliminated George Von Elm with a birdie after 10 extra holes in round two. In the third round, McCarthy was ousted by Jess Sweetser 5-and-4.
McCarthy designed a number of golf courses, including two courses for Milton Hershey at Hershey Country Club. At the time of his passing at age 63, McCarthy was a golf instructor at Spalding’s 5th Avenue store in New York City.
Mark Farrell's amateur career ignited in the early 2000s, when he won the Connecticut State Amateur in 2001 and the MET Public Links in 2005 and 2006. He was the Connecticut State Player of the Year in 2000, 2001, and 2005, when he also qualified for the U.S. Amateur at Merion.
I didn't think I was going to make it [to the U.S. Amateur] because I had missed qualifying twice before. Somehow, all of the stars aligned, and I got into the Amateur in August. I was excited to play
at such a historic place. I grew up with a Merion member, Andrew Siderowf. His father, Dick, is iconic in amateur golf. I still see him daily. He comes down to Longshore [Golf Course] to work on his game.
Tell us about your experience at Merion.
I didn't play very well. I shot 77 both days. I played with [now two-time PGA Tour winner] Kyle Stanley, who was in high school at the time. We were playing Philadephia Country Club, and we got to our second shots on the par-5 third hole, and I said, “No one’s getting home from here.” He said, “I am.” I replied, “Ok, kid. You go for it.”
Of course, he did. He was so long. Clemson’s old coach, Larry Penley,
started walking with our group, so I said to myself, “Ok. This kid can play.”
What other memories remain from your round at Merion?
I played the 14th through 18th holes at 1-under, and I birdied 17. That was cool. Then I drove it past the Ben Hogan plaque on the 18th fairway. It was a great experience with some great people.
CLUBHOUSE CORNER Jon Cichon, Executive Chef
Summer weather is finally making its arrival, and that means there will be lots of fresh, local produce available for the culinary team to incorporate into our menu offerings. We'll update our dining menus throughout the season to rotate fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables into your cuisine. Think English peas, strawberries, cherries, and bok choy in June; stonefruit, berries, cucumbers, and corn in July; and heirloom tomatoes, watermelon, peppers, and eggplant in August. Please visit us often for a meal on the terraces. And if you'd like some inspiration for a simple summer dish that you can make at home, check out the Grilled Zucchini with Tomato and Vidalia Onion Dressing recipe to the right.
Another sign that summer is upon us is the return of Raw Bar Thursdays. This was a very popular feature last summer. Join us on the terraces each Thursday evening for a rotating menu of seafood available to order by the piece.
If you'd like to enjoy Merion's menu items at home, please note that take-out is available Tuesday through
Sunday. Call the Kitchen at (610) 642-5600, ext. 3947, to schedule your order for pick-up. Take-out is available throughout lunch and dinner service on Tuesday through Saturday, and through lunch on Sunday (join us at the Club Sunday evenings for the Sunday Night Cookouts). Take-out orders also count toward your quarterly food and beverage minimum.
We are excited about the progress that has been made in the Clubhouse construction project. Opening the Employee Lounge in May was an important milestone, and the team has enjoyed having meals and breaks together in this new space. Sous Chef Seth Arnold manages our employee meal program and has done a great job in the transition to serving meals in the new lounge.
In the basement level of the building, the area where the new Lower Kitchen will be constructed is being framed this month. Starting in the fall, the current à la carte Kitchen will also undergo upgrades as part of the construction project. While we are still working on the final details of what your dining experience will look like at that time, the Club will still offer members a full dining and events program through the golf season.
SUMMER RECIPE FROM MERION'S CHEFS: GRILLED ZUCCHINI WITH TOMATO AND VIDALIA ONION DRESSING
- 3 zucchini or other summer squash
- 1 vidalia onion
- 2 ripe tomatoes
- 1 tbsp. sherry vinegar
- 1 clove of garlic, finely minced
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh garden herbs (basil, dill, cilantro, thyme, etc.)
- Salt and black pepper
1. Slice onion into 1/2" thick slices. Brush with olive oil and grill until cooked through. Dice when cooled.
Featuring wines from Catena Zapata
Saturday, June 21 5 p.m.
$150 PER PERSON SIGN UP ON FORETEES OR CALL THE CLUB
2. Roast the tomatoes in a sauce pan on the grill until blistered and soft. Remove the skin and crush the tomato. Mix the crushed tomato with grilled onion, garlic, sherry vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Split the zucchini lengthwise and season with salt and olive oil. Grill on both sides until cooked through, but not falling apart. Cut the zucchini into large chunks while still warm, and mix with the tomato and onion dressing.
4. Add whatever fresh herbs you have available and serve warm or at room temperature.
The excessive rain experienced in the last few weeks has made the greens very receptive to ball marks. For the ball marks to heal quickly, we recommend using the USGA method of pushing the surrounding grass to the center of the ball mark.
There are various ball mark types. Stan Zontek, a long-time director of the USGA Green Section Mid-Atlantic region, wrote an article titled, “The Anatomy of a Pitch Mark.” In his article, he described the different types of ball marks.
• Type I: The Bruise. Type I pitch marks leave only a bruise on the surface of the green. This type of ball mark is difficult to locate, but it is easy to fix when found.
• Type II: The Dent Pitch. This is the style of the average ball mark. It is a dent or a shallow depression left on the surface of the green. Type II ball marks are easy to locate if you are looking for them (as you should look for all ball marks). It’s a bit more challenging to repair, and if improperly repaired—or worse yet, left unrepaired—can be a slow-healing blemish on the putting green that takes weeks to heal.
• Type III: The Pit. These marks create a deep impact and leave an easy-to-see crater on the green. The pit type must be more carefully repaired. It takes some expertise and time to push the grass back into the crater. Do not lift from the bottom; while this may smooth the surface of the green, it leaves an area of bare soil that is even slower to heal than a Type II ball mark.
• Type IV: The Skid Mark. This is the most severe type of ball mark. The term was picked up during Green Section Turf
Advisory Service (TAS) visits with turf managers who were concerned with this type of ball mark on their greens. Instead of the golf ball leaving a bruise, dent, or pit, it can have a chunk of grass torn from it. This is the largest ball mark and the most difficult to repair. It also takes the longest time to recover.
The USGA has a video on its website illustrating the proper repair technique. The recommended ball mark repair tool is readily available in the Outside Services office.
Repairing ball marks is not just crucial for smooth-rolling putts. It is essential to the long-term health of the greens. As
Click the image above for an informational video from the USGA on repairing ball marks
stewards of the game, we ask members to help take care of the golf courses you enjoy. You can do your part by repairing your ball marks and reminding your guests to do the same.
After preliminary screening, the Membership Committee publishes new candidates for membership in FORE, primarily for the scrutiny of our members. We welcome any information on these candidates, which will be treated confidentially.
CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICANT PROPOSER SECONDER
James M. & Jane Davidson
William T. Leith
Rodney D. Day, III
Anna Yass & Andrew Trousdale Cole Berman Michael "Mac" Selverian, Jr. (daughter & son-in-law of Jeffrey & Janine Yass)
Susan Stedman Aimee Weise
Kimberly Garno (wife of Robert "Bill" Stedman, Jr.)
Richard "Trey" Unger, III
David Balderston
Donald J. "D.J." Kurz, Jr. (son of Richard C. & Shelton Unger, Jr.)
NEW MEMBERS
NAME MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY
Richard Bunch Overseas
Daniel R. & Laura Clark Family
John B. Hass Individual
David Royds Overseas
Erik T. & Catherine Waldin National
Reid & Emma Weber Family
IN MEMORIAM
Raleigh Peters
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Catherine Elliott-Travaglini (Co-Chair) - (610) 291-0360
Ginny S. Williams (Co-Chair) - (610) 909-1670
Christopher H. Ray (Co-Chair) - (215) 287-1431
Olin M. Belsinger - (610) 647-0474
Christopher C. Dodson - (917) 617-8945
E. Michael Forgash - (610) 505-7585
Robert P. Good, II - (610) 247-5240
Sarah L. Hall - (267) 346-4300
Alexis C. Hollander - (610) 331-1135
Kimball H. Morsman - (610) 745-7729
Michael J. Selverian - (610) 212-3313
Richard C. Unger, Jr. - (610) 909-1066
Gerhard T. van Arkel - (610) 213-7175
Lee Warden - (610) 527-6664
Ashley E. West - (610) 608-1052
By John Capers, III
A 2000 USA Curtis Cup player's red jacket has been added to the Archives. While the Curtis Cup was not held at Merion that year, it is identical to the blazers worn by the USA Team in 2022, and it contains the special golf pin that was given to all contestants.
AN ANONYMOUS MERION MEMBER toured the Archives Room with his guests and made a very nice contribution to the Archives treasury. It will be used for future purchases.
JOHN W. BLACK donated his navy blue Bobby Jones polo shirt. What made this donation unique was an unusual print on the left sleeve of all four Grand Slam trophies.
NORMAN HOLLANDER, a friend of Merion, dropped off seven books to add to the Library’s collection. They are on Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Colin Montgomerie, Christy O’Connor, Renton Laidlaw, Charlie Sifford, and Calvin Peete.
JOHN McLAUGHLIN, a friend of Merion, donated his recent book, 32 Years Behind the Scenes of the U.S. Open. It has many interesting stories.
CHRIS MILLARD had his recent book, The Shot: Watson, Nicklaus, Pebble Beach, and The Chip That Changed Everything, shipped from his publisher to enhance the Merion Library.
RICHARD S. WARE dropped off his 1989 U.S. Amateur Championship member badge.
On both par 5s of the East Course, the tee shot’s landing area and/or the green cannot be seen from the tee. This design feature is also true for 10 of the par 4s—unless you are a great deal taller than the designer.