Met PGA FORECAST - 2023 Year End Edition

2023 Year End Edition www.issuu.com/metpga

CHAMPIONS ON AND OFF THE COURSE

Stuart Waack, PGA Silvermine Golf Club | A Letter From the President

I am honored to be the newly installed President of the Board of Directors for the Met PGA. I’d like to thank Chris Kenney for his commitment and guidance to our Section as President for the past three years. Our section has benefited from his leadership and set us on firm ground as we move forward. Thank you, Chris.

Shortly after our Fall meeting, Chris, other Board members and I, attended the PGA Annual meeting in our newly minted headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Our new home of the PGA is very impressive.

There are two championship golf courses which will play host to many important PGA of America tournaments for years to come. There is also a top hotel with many amenities, par 3 course, a huge putting green, driving range and many F&B options that provide a fun casual time. Also on the property are impressive displays and technology that honors and celebrates the PGA Professional and tells the story of our rich and storied past.

This past year was full of success for our educational opportunities, tournaments, and Foundation work.

• Thank you to John Hobbins for all your efforts in providing so many educational opportunities.

Sixteen Winter Educational Programs and our 60th Annual Educational Summit were the highlight of our program.

• Thank you to James Ondo for his guidance of our busy tournament schedule. The Met PGA Board and tournament committee are committed to providing the best tournament experience possible and look forward to continuing our commitment to excellence in our future.

• Thank you to Rich Jones for his involvement and presence on the Foundation Board. The Foundation continues to hit new heights on all pillars: Youth Golf, Military, and Inclusion. Some highlights worth mentioning: Junior Tour membership 1,273, Junior League 2,132 participants, 162 veterans graduating PGA HOPE, Military Golf League 280 veterans competed.

As we prepare for 2024, our focus is to identify and create goals for our committees and staff so we can continue to offer educational programs to make us better professionals to our customers, improve playing opportunities to showcase the talent in this section, and Foundation initiatives to help serve those who need it the most.

The interest in the game continues to grow to new heights and the Board of Directors of the Met PGA are excited about the positivity it creates and provides for our membership as we prepare for the upcoming season.

Special note of Congratulations to Liz Caron!

The MET PGA Section has a well-established history of having the best and most talented professionals in the country. Entering a Hall of Fame in any golf association is one of the highest honors one can receive in a sport. Congratulations to Liz Caron of Mill River Golf Club on her entrance to the Connecticut State Golf Association Hall of Fame for her incredible playing accomplishments and her dedication to the game.

Stuart Waack President, Met PGA

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 1

DORMIEWORKSHOP.COM

CONTENTS 1 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 3 2024 LEADERSHIP 5 MEMBER HUB 6 MET PGA FALL MEETING 7-11 MET PGA SPECIAL AWARDS

21 KEEPING UP WITH THE PROS 22-33 CHAMPIONS OF FALL - FALL TOURNAMENT RECAPS 34-36 ASSISTANTS CORNER 37-47 MET PGA FOUNDATION IMPACT REPORT

12 KIRK & MATZ MEMBER MILESTONES 48-49 ROAD TO GROWING THE GAME WITH KYRA COX 13-14 PGA WINTER TOURNAMENT & CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 50 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT - JUSTIN KOFF 15-19 PLAYERS OF THE YEAR : WHATS IN THEIR BAG?

51 2023 PARTNERS & SPONSORS www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 2

2024 LEADERSHIP OFFICERS

STUART WAACK President

THERON HARVEY

silvermine

Treasurer

NICK YAUN

hudson national

Secretary century

NICK MASELLI

1st Vice President OLD OAKS

CORY MULLER

2nd Vice President CC OF DARIEN

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ANDREW GRUSS greenwich

CHRIS MARINARO WESTCHESTER HILLS

REID HOWEY

RICH JONES

RYAN KALISTA

CARLY NEWMAN

JAMES ONDO

SHAUN POWERS

PIPING ROCK CLUB

NISSEQUOGUE

PINE RIDGE

apawamis

PGA MEMBER

fairview

Committees

MICHAEL SWEENEY

THE BRIDGE GOLF FOUNDATION

CHRIS KENNEY

HONORARY PRESIDENT THE PATTERSON CLUB

Getting involved in a committee is an excellent way to learn more about the Section’s governance and discover ways to enrich the lives of your fellow PGA Professionals. If you are interested in joining a committee or finding out more inforomation, please fill out the survey below!

Committee Interest Survey

THE GLOBAL GATHERING

FOR THE BUSINESS OF GOLF

JANUARY 23-26, 2024 ORLANDO, FL The PGA Show is back this January, better than ever! Discover the latest trends and innovations to refresh your shop, drive more value to your facility and advance your career. Visit www.pgashow.com to register and learn more.

REGISTER TODAY!

LOVE THIS GAME WE

Brand story and updated mission statement: We are the PGA of America - boldly influencing the future of the sport in all that we do to bring golfers everywhere a more enjoyable game and better experiences. The 29,000 men and women of the PGA of America are the backbone of our sport. They are the world’s best players and most highly skilled coaches. They are experts in golf operations, and they run some of the best facilities and golf businesses on the planet.

Our distinctive programs have helped to democratize the world of golf - providing access to those who otherwise would not be able to participate and impacting the lives through the healing power of golf.

We are, and have always been, the most relevant organization for the golfer in all of us. While we enjoy a compelling hertiage, our real value focuses on our role in influencing the future of our game and shaping the experience to ensure people everywhere can love the game, their way, for a lifetime.

In short, the PGA of America is golf. We Love this Game.

PGA.Coach is the ultimate coaching resource that teaches PGA Professionals about ADM, and how to apply the concepts to coaching golf. ADM is essential for growing the sport and vital to you and your employer’s success. The PGA.Coach Certificate and PGA Coach app will allow PGA Professionals to evolve and adapt to the changes in the game and a new generation of players. Plus, PGA Members will be eligible to earn 3 MSR credits.

PGA.COACH

Lifelong Learning

ADM Model

Met Section Education

START TODAY AT PGA.COACH/START www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 5

Fall Meeting Welcomes 2024 Board Slate The Met PGA Annual Fall Meeting put a bow on an incredible year of competition, service, and growth in the section. This year’s gathering was held at North Hills Country Club as we discussed section committee reports, Met PGA Foundation highlights, Kirk & Matz Member Milestones, 2025 Ryder Cup updates, and more!

The Fall Meeting also served as an induction and election of Officers, Directors, and Nominating Committee Members. We would like to acknowledge the immense dedication and commitment of outgoing Met PGA President, Chris Kenney, PGA. Chris surely left a positive lasting mark on our Section, Incoming President, Stuart Waack presents outgoing and we are extremely grateful for his time President, Chris Kenney with Kirk & Matz plaque served on the Board.

Also offered at the meeting was the opportunity for our attending Professionals to interact with partners and sponsors as they showcased their 2024 spring apparel lines, new equipment, and advanced technology.

We thank our partners and sponsors for their continued support in our area Professionals, and their dedication to the mission of the Metropolitan PGA. David Reasoner, John Pillar, and Don Rea speak to our The morning culminated on the course with some friendly competition amongst our Professionals and Partners & Sponsors as we begin to shift our focus to the 2024 season and beyond.

Professionals on PGA of America business updates and happenings

Partner & Sponsor Showcase and Golf

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 7

T

he 2023 Met PGA Special Awards dinner was held at the historic Winged Foot Golf Club, home of 2023 Met PGA Professional of the Year, Mike Gilmore. As Winged Foot celebrates its centennial year, it made it all the more special to honor the outstanding accomplishments of their long time and well-respected Head Professional. Mike epitomizes what it means to be a PGA Professional in the Met Section and beyond and it was an honor to ackowledge his craft.

Emceed by Brian Crowell, PGA Member and General Manager of Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point, 250 people came to celebrate and recognize the following twelve recipients for their contributions to the game of golf, on and off the course: Sam Snead Award, Gene Westmoreland (MGA/Winged Foot GC), Teacher of the Year, Jack McGown (Hampton Hills G&CC), Bill Strausbaugh Award, Stuart Waack (Silvermine GC), Professional Development Award, Kirk Oguri (Pete’s Golf Shop), Player of the Year, Dylan Newman (Meadow Brook Club), Deacon Palmer Award, Bob Longo (PGA Life Member), Patriot Award, Tim Stafford (LaTourette GC), Assistant Professional of the Year, Tyler Lower (The Bridge Golf Foundation), Youth Player Development Award, Justin Koff (Bethpage State Park GC), Player Development Award, Gerard Scheer (Aspetuck Valley CC), Merchandiser of the Year in the Private Sector, Jim Fatsi (Brooklawn CC), Merchandiser of the Year in the Public Sector, Scott Klemme, Centennial GC).

We also had the privledge of recognizing our two Met Section 2023 National Award Winners: Merchandiser of the Year in the Private Sector, Katie Wiedmar (Winged Foot GC), and Bill Starausbaugh Award, Jack Druga (Western Golf Association).

Click here for award descriptions and history Click here to view honoree videos

MIKE GILMORE WINGED FOOT GC

Merchandiser of the Year (Public)

Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

SCOTT KLEMME

JIM FATSI

CENTENNIAL GC

BROOKLAWN CC

Youth Player Development Award

Player Development Award

JUSTIN KOFF

GERARD SCHEER

BETHPAGE STATE PARK GC

ASPETUCK VALLEY CC www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 9

Assistant Professional of the Year

Patriot Award

TYLER LOWER

TIM STAFFORD

THE BRIDGE GOLF FOUNDATION

LA TOURETTE GC

Deacon Palmer Award

Player of the Year Award

BOB LONGO

DYLAN NEWMAN

PGA LIFE MEMBER

MEADOW BROOK CLUB www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 10

Professional Development Award

Bill Strausbaugh Award

KIRK OGURI

STUART WAACK

PETE’S GOLF SHOP

SILVERMINE GC

Teacher of the Year Award

Sam Snead Award

JACK MCGOWN

GENE WESTMORELAND

HAMPTON HILLS G&CC

MGA/WINGED FOOT GC

MEMBER MILESTONES The Met PGA is excited to have long-time partner Kirk & Matz as the sponsor of our Member Milestone Program. The Member Milestone Program was created to highlight the accomplishments of our newest members, as well as pay tribute to our more tenured PGA Professionals reaching Quarter and Half Century status.

“Kirk & Matz has been a long time Partner of the Met PGA and we are proud to elevate our level of support this year to sponsor the Member Milestone Program. We highly value our relationships with the PGA Professionals of the Met Section, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen those ties through our sponsorship”. – Justin Matz At the Met PGA Annual Fall Meeting, the following New Member Award winners were recognized and awarded Kirk & Matz plaques: Michael Ballo Jr., Travis Banks, James Criscione Jr., Matthew Demeo, Benjamin Dieterle, Jacob Griffin, Zachary Howard, Douglas Huber, Joseph Kass, Kentaro Kobayashi, Jackson Mantel, Charles Martella, Evan Massena, Michael Pesce Jr., Andrew Plucinski, Preston Shortell, and Bradley Vaughan.

Kirk & Matz also helped us in honoring Half Century Club and Quarter Century Club Members. Congratulations to Harvey Lannak on his Half Century achievement, and to the following PGA Professionals on their Quarter Centry achievement: Bill Bresnan, Len Bush Jr., John Bushka, James Doyle, David Fusco, Malcolm Galletta III, James Gilbert, Paul Kenney, Jeffrey Lollo, Robert Mistretta, Timothy Panzanaro, David Preston, David Rome, Kenton Smith, Kevin Sprecher, James Wahl, and Todd Wingerter.

NEW MEMBER

Q UA RT E R C E N T U RY

H A L F C E N T U RY

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FINAL RESULTS

FINAL RESULTS

FINAL RESULTS

FINAL RESULTS

FINAL RESULTS

FINAL RESULTS

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Championship Info Group A

Championship Info Group A

Championship Info Group B

Championship Info Group B

Championship Info

Championship Info

Championship Info

Championship Info

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 14

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Player of the Year

DYLAN NEWMAN Senior Player of the Year

GREG BISCONTI Women’s Player of the Year

LIZ CARON

Women’s Senior Player of the Year

WENDY MODIC Assistant Player of the Year

DYLAN NEWMAN

WHAT’S IN MY BAG DYLAN NEWMAN “Winning Player of the Year has been a goal of mine since I became a PGA member. This award represents a major milestone reached for me and my career. I’d be lying if I said my job was finished. Winning Player of the Year only makes me want to be better, stronger and work harder to continue to be the best that I can be. I can’t thank my support group enough for helping and pushing me through the good and the bad. I can’t wait for the opportunities ahead!”

Ball - Titleist ProV1X When I am playing a tournament and I have an important shot, chip, or putt, I know I can trust the Titleist golf ball to react the way I want if I hit it well.

No Superstitions!

I just use a quarter and I never really stayed superstitious about it.

Fuel PB&J is my go to!

Always have one in the bag along with a couple protein bars and maybe a banana.

Driver - Titleist TSR3 I carry my driver 285 and I love the forgiveness even when I don’t hit the center.

3 Wood - Titleist TS2 (3 generations old) I love the TS because I can hit it low off of a tee, but also high if I need to. It’s going to stay in the bag for a while!

Irons - Titleist T100 and T200 I have Titleist T100 irons from Pitch - 5 iron and I love the feel and the look.

Titleist T200 irons for 3 and 4 iron because it’s easier to hit and hit higher!

Wedges - Vokey I play a 52, 56 and a 58 degree vokey wedge.

I’ve had Titleist wedges for as long as I can remember and I love the feel it gives me.

Putter - Scotty Cameron Scotty Cameron Newport 1.5 select putter with the red Pistolini grip

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 16

WHAT’S IN MY BAG Liz caron Driver - Callaway Paradym It’s really forgiving.

“To represent the Met Section, the finest section in the country, as their 2023 Women’s Player of the Year is a true honor.

The past recipients inspired me to work hard to have my name alongside theirs, and I hope to one day do the same for others. I am so grateful for this award.”

Ball - Titleist ProV1 My two daughters names, Caroline and Julia, are written on the side of all of my balls.

Luck of the Draw!

Whatever is available. I keep two in my pocket in case I miss a putt and need some good vibes on the next.

Fuel Apples travels well.

Only downside is when you forget to take it out of your bag. Whoops!

3 Wood - Callaway XR 3 Wood Trusty 3 woods! I use it a lot off the tee. I also utilize the Callaway Paradym 5 wood and the Callaway paradigm 21 degree hybrid

Irons - Callaway Apex Pro I love the clean look with the narrow top line

Wedges - Vokey I have used vokey wedges since I was a kid. The 60L works nicely out of tight lies or hard sand.

Putter - Odyssey Two Ball I’ve had it in the bag since I was 15. It’s starting to crack, but I have replacements. It’s an antique!

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 17

WHAT’S IN MY BAG Greg Bisconti Driver - Taylormade Stealth+ 9 degree

“Senior Player of the Year honors means a great deal; it validates the hard work I put in the game on and off the golf course all year. Turning 50 is a 2nd life for someone who enjoys competition and it has been fun to compete against many of the same faces I have competed against the past 25+ years.”

Ball - Taylormade TP5x Yellow

I like the high visibility of the yellow golf ball and the TP5x has a slightly higher launch than other balls for me. I prefer the firmer feel and it is great in the wind!

Symbolic Tokens

I use an 1888 Morgan Silver Dollar for long putts; it’s easy to see and the year is symbolic of when The Saint Andrew’s Golf Club was founded. On shorter putts I use a smaller Mexican peso which is more symbolic of a country I enjoy visiting.

Fuel

Nature Valley Granola Bars, Protein Bars, Apples/Bananas, PB&J, and Athlade hydration supplement. I take a hydration pack at the beginning of each round and at the turn if needed. I try to eat a small snack every 90 minutes to keep energy levels neutral.

I love the feel of this model and the ability to customize the loft and COG weight helps me get it dialed in just right.

3 Wood -Taylormade Stealth+

I am able to launch this club higher than previous 3woods which is a benefit when approaching par 5’s in two.

I recently added a Stealth+ 2 5-wood which has been a great benefit for longer holes and tee shots on shorter holes where placement is crucial.

Irons - Taylormade P770 4-PW

I love the look & playability of these irons with the benefit of increased launch for better stopping power on approach shots.

Wedges - Taylormade MG3 wedges

I play a 50-56-60 degree setup. I use a standard 10* bounce in my 60 degree wedge for the majority of my short shots around the green. I then utilize a 14* high bounce 56 degree wedge for two reasons – full approach shots and for any conditions around the green where more bounce is advantageous (soft or wet conditions).

Putter - Taylormade Spider X putter

I love the feel of the insert on this putter as well as the ability to customize the weight of the putter. I prefer a heavier feel and have added heavier weights in the back weight ports.

WHAT’S IN MY BAG Wendy Modic “Earning Women’s Senior Player of the Year honors means a lot to me because there are some terrific players in our section! As I get older, I appreciate what it takes to keep up our games at a competitive level, while working full time, and I appreciate the camaraderie within our group of ladies!”

Driver - Callaway Paradym 10.5° with an AUTOFLEX SHAFT. This has been one of my better driving years and I give this driver a lot of credit!

3 Wood - Callaway Rogue(pictured left) and Heavenwood.

They are easy to hit and forgiving!

Hybrids: Callaway Big Bertha.

Ball - Callaway 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Hyrbids are an integral Chrome Soft Yellow part of my bag. with Triple Track You can see that I have a lot of Alignment I love the soft feel and headcovers in my bag (9 to be exact!) and no two are like.

I use the triple track I prefer Winston Leather or Tremont. Each has sentimental meaning, whether it was a special course, round of golf or alignment for putting. event.

Stamped in Sentiment!

I prefer a larger ball marker and my current is from the US Mid Amateur at Stonewall Farms, which has my initials stamped on it.

It was given to me by a dear friend who played in the event. My ball marker is always in my left pocket, along with my ball mark repair tool.

Fuel I eat about every six holes. I prefer snacks that don’t spike blood sugar. My favorite are chocolate chip cookie dough Quest Bars.

Iron - Callaway Apex (singular!) IT IS A 9-IRON! Wedges - Callaway Jaws MD 54° and 60° Paul Ferrone at Downtown Golf in Stamford has ground my wedges for the past 15 years and I wouldn’t put a wedge in play without him working on it first.

Putter - Taylormade Daddy Long Legs I love the counterbalanced weighting and have used it or a variation of it for the last 10’years. www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 19

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www.met.pga.com || Year End 2022 || 45

KEEPING UP WITH THE PROS

Individuals in the Section making an impact on local and national levels.

Monique Thoresz Wins Maryland Senior Women’s Open Championship MSGA

Maryland State Golf Association

“Meanwhile, the Senior Division saw Monique Thoresz rise to the top with a final score of +8, combining rounds of 79 and 73... READ

WGA’s Druga Recognized by PGA of America WGA

Western Golf Association

““There’s no way I can describe this feeling,” Druga said. “Having my name included as a Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient is beyond my ability to describe. I feel like the luckiest golf professional in the world... READ

Joe Connerton Thrives After Early Family Tragedy Global Golf Post

John Steinbreder

“Joe Connerton knew early in life that he wanted to be a teaching golf professional. Thus began a seven-year stint at Brookline as Connerton moved in four years from washing carts... READ

Winged Foot Wonder: The Inspirational Story of Katie Wiedmar, PGA PGA of America

Lisa Goulian Twiste

“Katie Wiedmar has loved sports for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, she played team sports like basketball and field hockey, but it was golf and its focus... READ

Mueller Named Recipient of 2023 Labron Harris Sr. Award Golf Coaches Association of America

Adam Mackey

“Rich Mueller, Head Men’s Golf Coach at Columbia and a member of the Metropolitan PGA Section, has been named the 2023 Labron Harris Sr. Award recipient... READ

Liz Caron Inducted Into Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame Connecticut State Golf Association

CSGA

“Elizabeth Janangelo Caron has done a little bit of everything in golf. She has won at the junior level, the local amateur level, the elite amateur level, and the professional level... READ

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 21

CHAMPIONS OF FALL

Fall tournament recaps and successes in the Met Section.

MET PGA CHAMPIONSHIP PAGES 23-24 SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE 25 PRO-AM CHAMPIONSHIPS THE MITCH PRO-LADY CHAMPIONSHIP WHITEY VOIGHT HOFFHINE MEMORIAL PAGES 26-28 TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE 29 SILVERCREST CUP PAGE 30 WOMEN’S MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE 31 SQUIRE CUP PAGE 32 FARLEY CUP PAGE 33

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 22

NEWMAN CLINCHES MET PGA CHAMPIONSHIP All eyes were on the Joseph J. Lannin trophy for the playing of the Met PGA Section Championship.

132 PGA Professionals arrived at Nassau Country Club for the 54-hole stroke play event, received by the incredible staff of Drew Pohalski (Director of Golf), Aaron Mueller (Head Golf Professional), Scott Blough (Superintendent), and Meg O’Connor (General Manager).

In an extremely tight three days of competition, Dylan Newman of Meadow Brook Club would emerge victorious, capturing the 2023 Metropolitan PGA Championship in a dramatic, three-way playoff.

The playoff featured a pair of twotime champions of the Met PGA Championship, Peter Ballo of The Connecticut Golf Club (‘19 and ‘21) and Matt Dobyns of Meadow Brook Club (‘15 and ‘16).

Final round play would prove to be the ultimate test for Newman, facing off against two highly decorated Professionals in the Section and nationally. After Newman, Ballo, and Dobyns made par on holes 17 and 18 in regulation, the round would continue in extra holes beginning with a replay of the 18th to determine a Champion. In the end, Newman would hit his approach shot just a few feet from the pin, before knocking in a birdie to hoist his first-career Joseph J. Lannin trophy.

“I feel great. I always knew that I could win, and I’ve had that confidence for a long time. I wasn’t thinking about how many holes I had left, I just tried to keep playing golf and hit good, quality shots” said Newman.

Newman’s final round featured five birdies to earn himself a spot in the playoff with a score of 3-under 67 for the second consecutive day. Ballo registered a pair of birdies on the front and www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 23

the back nine while Dobyns went bogey-free in the final round to give them both a third-round total of 2-under 68.

“I came out in the final round knowing that I was playing with two obviously really good players, and they were both at the top of their game. I knew I had to stay in my own zone and not worry about what they were doing. I wanted to do the best that I could on every single shot and it paid off” With the victory, Newman also clinched his first Rolex Metropolitan PGA Player of the Year award.

In conjunction with the Met PGA Championship was our annual Met PGA Partner’s and Sponsor’s Expo. Over 30 companies attended the Expo, promoting and showcasing their latest and greatest in technology, equipment, apparel, and more. We thank them for their continued support of our Championships, and our Professionals as a whole.

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2021 || 26

BOLLING FINDS SUCCESS AT SEAWANE Charlie Bolling of Engineers CC and Frank Bensel of Century CC put together stellar performances at the 2023 Met PGA Senior Championship at The Seawane Club. After 17 holes of play, Bensel and Bolling were tied at 9-under par heading into the final hole, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Bensel would par the 18th, leaving Bolling with an opportunity that he would eventually capitalize on. Bolling’s 4-hybrid second shot would stop just five feet from the hole, sinking the birdie putt to win his first career Met PGA Senior Championship.

Bolling finished the tournament with a two-day total of 10-under par 134, earning a spot in the 2023 Senior PGA Championship at the Ryder and Wanamaker Courses at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL accompanied by the following top finishers: Frank Bensel (Century CC), Greg Bisconti (The Saint Andrew’s GC), Scott Wise (North Hills CC), Jason Caron (Mill River Club), and Carl Alexander (The Golf Club of Purchase).

SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP The 72-hole Championship event at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida saw incredible finishes from Greg Bisconti of The Saint Adnrew’s Golf Club, and Jason Caron of Mill River Club. Bisconti, the current Met PGA Senior Player of the Year and 2009 Met PGA Player of the Year, finished T26 with a four day total of 290.

Caron, the 2020 Met PGA Player of the Year and 2020 PGA Club Pro Player of the Year finished T32 291. With their finishes, the duo earned themselves a spot on the Corebridge PGA Team for the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in May at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Jason Caron Greg Bisconti Michigan.

“The Mitch” This annual event held at Innis Arden Golf Club celebrates the life and impact of William A. Mitchell. “The Mitch” serves as an opportunity to award scholarship dollars to those Associates pursuing PGA Membership. Over the past five years, more than a dozen applicants have received funds to help offset the cost of PGA education. Congratulations to Jacob Troyer, on recieiving a William A. Mitchell scholarship to help with his PGA membership journey.

OVERALL CHAMPIONS Team Innis Arden Eric Campinell, Dan Hemme, Dod Wales, & Catherine McEvoy

PRO LADY

RESULTS

Some of the finest female amateur golfers in the section teamed up with their club professionals at the 2022 Pro Lady Championship hosted this year by Round Hill Club in Greenwich, CT.

OVERALL CHAMPIONS Kramer Samuelson & Catherine McEvoy (Innis Arden GC)

RESULTS www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 26

whitey voight The Whitey Voight Pro-Am honors the legacy of Elmer “Whitey” Voight, Head Professional at Sunningdale Golf Club from 1930-1973, although his affiliation with Sunningdale dates back farther. His natural sense of leadership, his devotion to Sunningdale and its members, and his dedication to growing the game in the Met Section will always be remembered by everyone who knew him. As former Sunningdale President Eugene Morganthau once said, it’s easy to replace a golf pro. It’s impossible to replace Elmer Voight”.

OVERALL CHAMPIONS Alex Beach & Daniel Hallissey (Westchester CC)

RESULTS

HOFFHINE MEMORIAL The Met PGA is extremely grateful to be a part of the Hoffhine Memorial Pro-Am at Westchester Country Club. The 18-hole Stableford event included a 50-team field that featured some of the area’s strongest professionals and amateurs.

The home team of Mike Ballo and John Hiller tultimately repeated as Champions, earning a stableford point total of 73, just two points shy of their total from last year. Ballo would also top the individual professional division with 40 points.

As part of the victory, the champions received their trophy and infamous bottle of wine donated

by Ghost Cellars.

We were excited to have Holderness and Bourne play a major role in the storied Hoffhine

Memorial as they presented our participating teams with Holderness and Bourne apparel.

Prior to the event, Holderness and Bourne spent some time at Westchester Country Club with PGA Professional and friend of the brand, Ben Hoffhine to reminisce and learn more about the Hoffine Memorial Pro-Am. Click Here to see more of their time with Ben at Westchester.

RESULTS

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 28

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPPRESENTED BY The Bridge Golf Club and Noyac Golf Club played host to the 36-hole 2023 Met PGA Team Championship. The first round was played at The Bridge, with the second round finishing at Noyac.

This year’s event would be highlighted by a family affair! The team of Jason Caron and Liz Caron of Mill River Club would claim the top spot on the leader board after a clutch chip on the final hole from Jason. The duo finished with a two round total of 16-under.

Frank Bensel of Century Country Club and Phil Cardwell of Rockville Links Club clinched the Senior Division by compiling a two round total of 13-under par.

Toptracer showcased their latest in technology on the Toptracer Range at Noyac. Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin competitions were set up on the range for Professionals to showcase their skills.

Liz Caron and Jason Caron win Team Championship

Phil Cardwell and Frank Bensel Claim Senior Division

QUALIFYING EVENTS Long Island PGA Championship Winner: Paul Dickinson Runner-Up: Jason Caron Westchester PGA Championship Winner: Mike Ballo, Jr. Runner-Up: Peter Ballo Metropolitan Professional Championship

Winner: Danny Balin The Met PGA and Silvercrest Asset Management Runners-Up: Mike Ballo Jr. & Alex Beach Group, an investment advisor providing asset management and family office services to high-netMet PGA Championship Winner: Dylan Newman worth individuals and select institutional investors, Runners-Up: Peter Ballo & Matt Dobyns partnered last season to create the Silvercrest Cup, a new tournament series for Metropolitan PGA Professionals. The series included four qualifying events for Met PGA Professionals, and culminated in a $30,000 Silvercrest Cup final, hosted by Head Professional, Matt Dobyns and his staff, and Golf Course Superintendent, John Carlone at Meadow Brook Club.

The one-day stroke play event included a 55-player field of both Amateurs and Professionals that saw an exciting finish with Mike Ballo Jr. of Westchester CC and Connor Costello of Garden City GC meeting in a playoff to determine a champion.

Ballo and Costello, both paired together in regulation, finished with a 7-under 65 total, combining for an impressive fifteen birdies. In the end, Mike Ballo Jr. would sink a long eagle putt on the par five first hole to add another Met PGA Championship victory to his impressive 2023 campaign.

Thanks to Silvercrest Asset Management, our Champion received $15,000, one of the most lucrative winner’s checks on the Section’s tournament calendar.

In addition to the final purse, each qualifying event included a bonus pool of $5,000, to be shared between each qualifier’s champion and runner-up.

While the Silvercrest Cup rewards playing excellence of Met PGA Professionals, the series also provided a $20,000 donation to the Met PGA Foundation. www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 30

LIZ CARON Mill River Club

Women’s Match play championship Three-time Women’s Player of the Year, Liz Caron of Mill River Club, proved why she’s a force to be reckoned with in the Met Section during her consistent play throughout the fall season in the Women’s Match Play Championship.

After a first-round bye, Caron would face Carly Newman of Nissequogue Golf Club in the Semifinals, besting her by a score of 6&5. She would then go on to meet four-time Senior Women’s Player of the Year, CJ Reeves of Century Country Club in the finals. Caron finished the match with a 5&4 victory to earn her another Women’s Match Play Championship victory.

FINAL MATCH PLAY RESULTS www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 31

GENE BOREK

SQUIRE CUP

CHAMPIONS

Friar’s Head played host to the highly anticipated Gene Borek Squire Cup where twelve Assistant Professionals faced off against twelve Head Professionals. The Ryder Cup style event showcases the accomplishments of the participating Assistant Professionals and all they do for the Section on and off the course. Met Section Representative, Paul McManus, supported the event and those who participated by providing team uniforms and giveaways from Dunning, Vibe Tumblers, AM&E, Signs by the Sea, Pukka, The Winston Collection, Scales Gear, and Heritage Creations. Congratulations to the following Assistant Professionals who retained the Squire Cup with a score of 10.5 to 7.5!

ASSISTANTS (Top left to right) Mett Dubrowski, Alex Beach, Brian Williams, Jacob Troyer, Charlie Maizel, Dan Guidarelli (Bottom left to right) Lucas Spahl, Dylan Newman, Chris Gabriele, Chris Paulino, Tyler Lower, Vincenzo Rallo

HEAD PROFESSIONALS (Top left to right) Mike Diffley, Nick Yaun, Jeff Warne, Pat Gunning, Chris Kenney, Adam McDaid (Bottom left to right) Stuart Waack, Mario Guerra, Mike Sweeney, Carl Alexander, Andrew Gruss, Darrell Kestner

FARLEY CUP The Farley Cup continues to honor the memory of our friend and Met PGA Tournament Director, John Farley. The 14th annual Westchester versus Long Island team event was held at Westchester Country Club featuring the top players in each region. In the end, it would be Team Westchester who would take the win on their home turf and reclaim the Farley Cup trophy. Summit Golf Brands has been the sponsor of the Long Island versus Westchester matches since its inception, and we cannot thank them enough for their dedication in making this a premiere event. Our participating players sported apparel from B Draddy, Zero Restriction, and Fairway and Greene, worn proudly by both Team Long Island and Team Westchester.

With the win, each professional on Team Westchester recieved a pair of Maui Jim Sunglasses! Team Long Island is now one ahead in overall victories over Westchester.

LONG ISLAND (Top left to right) Connor Costello, Reid Howey, Matt Dubrowski, Matt Sita, Tom Cooper, Danny Balin

CHAMPIONS

(Bottom left to right) Shea Wolfle, Scott Ford, Mike Sweeney, Mike Meehan, Matt Dobyns, Lucas Spahl

WESTCHESTER (Top left to right)Peter Kampmann, Bobby Heins, Mike Ballo Jr., Alex Beach, Casey Pyne, Peter Ballo (Bottom left to right) Shaun Powers, Chris Gabriele, Chris Trout, James Ondo, Craig Hocknull, Chris Marinaro

Assistants corner Met Section Assistants Represent at PGA Golf Club

The 47th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship saw twelve Met PGA Assistant Professionals in the field. The four-day stroke play event was held once again at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida as a slew of Met Section Pros would find their way to the top of the leaderboard, competing for a win.

After round two, Mike Ballo Jr. of Westchester Country Club would lead the field with an 8-under 136 total, right in front of Peter Ballo of The Connecticut Golf Club who finished 7-under 137. The brothers would find themselves competing in the same group headed into the weekend.

Dylan Newman of Meadow Brook Club, Matt Dubrowski of Atlantic Golf Club, Casey Pyne of The Stanwich Club, Chris Gabriele of Quaker Ridge Golf Club, and Peter Kampmann of Manhattan Woods Golf Club would enter the weekend in the top 20.

Final round play saw Mike Ballo Jr. number one on the leaderboard once again, tied with Preston Cole of Charlotte, North Carolina at 9-under par. With an impressive finish on the back nine, including an eagle on the final hole that would inevitably clinch the victory, Preston Cole earned himself the win. Ballo Jr. would finish solo second, with Peter finishing T3. Fellow Met Section competitor and 2023 Met Section Player of the Year, Dylan Newman, finished in fifth.

With the top three finish, both Ballo brothers earn an exemption into the 2024 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship. An extremely impressive showing from all of our Assistant Professionals who competed as they head into their winter seasons. www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 34

AssisTants Tour event nissequogue GC

Rob Baynard of Westchester Country Club registered back-to-back birdies on holes 15 and 16 at Nissequogue Golf Club en route to his second Assistants Tour title of the season!

AssisTant-Assistant Match play championship Congratulations to Pete Ballo of The Connecticut Golf Club and Pat Clark of Wee Burn Country Club who were crowned 2023 Assistant/Assistant Match Play champions!

Ballo and Clark defeated the duo from Maidstone Club, Lucas Cromeenes and Matt Hardman, by a score of 2 up in the finals!

AssisTant team championship

Connor Costello of Garden City Golf Club and Dylan Newman of Meadow Brook Club fired a score of 7-under par featuring 7 birdies and an eagle to claim this year’s Assistants Team Championship title at Fenway Golf Club! www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 35

As proud sponsors of the Met PGA, Travelling the Fairways continues to support the Met Section Assistant Professionals Player of the Year race. We are delighted to announce the Top 4 in Player of the Year points have won a trip to Scotland in 2024 as part of the Race to The Home of Golf!

1.

Dylan Newman – Meadow Brook Club – 4,060.50

2.

Alex Beach – Westchester Country Club – 3,602.50

3.

Mike Ballo Jr. – Westchester Country Club – 3,508.50

4.

Peter Ballo – The Connecticut Golf Club – 3,150.00

Specializing in Global PGA Professional and Member travel since 1989.

Travelling the Fairways builds, creates and manages bespoke golf vacations for you and your members, enhancing professional and member relationships whilst offering a lucrative addition to the services you provide as a PGA Professional.

Destinations include: UK - Scotland, England & Ireland (Old Course Authorised provider) Europe - Spain & Portugal Global - New Zealand/Australia Travelling the Fairways | ttfgolf.com

2023 IMPACT REPORT

OUR MISSION Promote the goodwill and growth of the game of golf by positively impacting the lives of junior golfers, veterans, and those who are underserved by the game. We accomplish this by focusing our efforts under three founding pillars:

Youth Golf, Military, and Inclusion.

www.metpgafoundation.org

Dedicated to changing lives through the GAME OF GOLF BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN

Charlie Robson

BOARD

Brian Crowell, PGA Rich Jones, PGA Heath Wassem, PGA Kevin Dwyer Augie Hoerrner Dave Scialabba www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 38

FOUNDATION AMBASSADORS Rob Labritz, PGA PGA TOUR Champions

Jeff McNeil New York Mets

Cameron Young PGA TOUR

Labritz, McNeil, and Young have proven their ability to compete at the highest levels of their trade, but it’s their work off the course that shows their true character. Their desire to make a difference in the community on local and national levels is unmatched and we are extremely excited to have them as representatives of our Foundation initiatives.

Cameron Young Meets With Junior Golfers Met PGA Foundation Ambassador, Cameron Young, was welcomed back to his home course of Sleepy Hollow Country Club to host a clinic and demonstration emceed by Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point General Manager, Brian Crowell. Young was set up on the first tee as he hit shot after shot with different clubs in his bag while answering questions from Crowell and the audience. The conversational demonstration touched on his year on the PGA Tour, what works for him on the course, what he does to prepare for events, and what his goals are moving forward.

Members of our Junior Tour were welcomed to attend and ask the PGA Tour competitor questions and advice as they move forward in their golf careers. Following the clinic, Young stayed to take pictures with our junior golfers, and continued to speak to them about his journey growing up through the Met PGA Junior Tour.

EVENTS FUNDRAISING

S UP P O RT I N G

On August 7th, the Met PGA held its 2nd Annual Met PGA Birdie Bash where Metropolitan Section PGA Professionals played 72 holes of golf in one day at Silvermine GC with the goal of making as many birdies as possible. Through each professional’s network, solicited donors made a financial pledge per birdie to help raise funds to benefit the Metropolitan Section PGA Foundation, and Play Yellow for Children’s Hospitals. This year’s Children Hospital beneficiaries were Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Westchester, and Cohen Children’s Medical Center on Long Island.

Twenty-one teams came out to show their support on a day encompassed by fun, generosity, and giving back.

Thanks to the incredible effort of our professionals, over 900 birdies were tallied and over $200,000 were raised.

Led by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, the PGA TOUR and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, “Play Yellow for Children’s Hospitals” strives to bring the entire golf world together to help the 10 million kids treated at local children’s hospitals each year. To build on this vision, Barbara and Jack are asking the entire golf world to step forward and help save lives by raising funds to help children’s hospitals across North America. www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 40

EVENTS FUNDRAISING

“The Augie” Met PGA Championship Pro-Am teed off this year at the future home of the 2023 Met PGA Championship, Nassau Country Club.

Formerly known as The Wall Street Charity Fund Pro-Am, this wonderful event benefits the Met PGA Foundation who is committed to promoting the goodwill and growth of the game by positively impacting the lives of junior golfers, veterans, and those who are underserved by the game.

Met PGA Foundation Board Member, Augie Hoerrner, has continued to expand and grow the event for several years, continuing his commitment and mission to “Giving Back Through Golf”.

Our attendees enjoyed a round of golf on Nassau Country Club’s newly renovated 18hole course, giveaways including a pair of shoes from Adidas, an Evolve Golf supplies box, and much more. The day culminated with a silent auction featuring priceless art, memorabilia, rounds of golf and some of the top courses in the world, golf getaways, and so much more.

To all of those who came out to support this year, we thank you for your generosity in supporting the Met PGA Foundation and our mission.

EVENTS FUNDRAISING

New York Mets All Star second baseman and Met PGA Foundation Ambassador, Jeff McNeil, traded his baseball bat for a golf club for a night of giving back at his inaugural Drive 4 Good fundraising event at Topgolf in Holtsville, NY. The unique event and tournament emceed by Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point General Manager, Brian Crowell, PGA featured McNeil, alongside Mets teammate and first baseman, Pete Alonso, former Met greats, Tim Teufel and Gary Valentine, and comedian Chris Roach, for a wonderful evening of golf and giving back to those underserved.

Over 150 individuals filled the bays, joined by our Met PGA HOPE veterans, Met PGA Junior Tour golfers, and Met PGA Professionals who offered teaching tips and support throughout the night. Our guests and donors in attendance also had the opportunity to bid on over 40 exclusive and valuable items on display at the silent auction.

“It was a great night. I’ve been wanting to do something like this for quite some time now. I’m glad to partner with the Met PGA Foundation for what ended up being a great night of fun and raising money for those underserved by the game.” Golf has been a pretty big part of my life so it’s super cool to see what this night has turned in to.” - Jeff McNeil

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 42

PGA HOPE THE PROGRAM Met PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is a six week adaptive golf program offered to Veterans free of charge by PGA Professionals. The program is designed to introduce Veterans to the game of golf in an effort to enhance their overall quality of life.

Each session focuses on the various golf skills you will use while playing. In addition to learning the basics, you are also guided onto the golf course to put your skills into action in a casual, friendly setting. Veterans who demonstrate a commitment to golf as a form of therapy by attending at least four weeks of the program are eligible for a set of golf clubs to aid their recovery.

MILITARY GOLF LEAGUE PGA HOPE Military League is mirrored after PGA Jr League and provides our veterans with the opportunity to continue playing golf with fellow veterans and staying engaged with our PGA Professionals after they graduate from the program. This season featured 280 veterans participating in league at various golf courses throughout Westchester and Long Island on 19 different teams lead PGA Professionals. Each veteran is given a league shirt and all costs for the league are funded by the Met PGA Foundation. The season runs from June-September with two matches per week. At the conclusion of the season there is a championship event featuring the top Long Island and Westchester teams.

2023 SNAPSHOT

160

Veterans graduated PGA HOPE

160

Sets of Callaway Clubs presented to Graduates

280

Military Golf League Partiicipants

19

PGA HOPE Military Golf League Teams

served since 1,200 Veterans 2015

EXPANDING OUR REACH 3,000+

Hours donated by PGA Professionals annually

40+

College Scholarships provided since 2015

175+

Foundation Interns hired since 2000

100+

Junior Tour Alumni now PGA Professionals

40

Junior Tour members received full financial aid to play on Junior Tour

$8,000

in PGA Professional Grants awarded

to local $100,000+ Donated children’s hospitals

and various charities

4

PGA WORKS Fellows since 2019

FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS 2,132 Boys and Girls participated 120 PGA Junior League Programs 86 PGA Professional Captains 120 Scholarship Granted 2 All Stars: Bethpage 13U

Bethpage 17U (Won Regionals and qualified for National Finals)

1 Reigning Met Section Champion - PJ Rotella GC

1,273 Junior Tour Members 84 Tournaments 8 Championships 3 Tours (9 Hole Tour, Players Tour, and Future Series Tour)

40 Financial Aid Scholarships provided 15 Nationally ranked events/AJGA recognized 967 Participants locally 6 Local Drive, Chip, & Putt qualifiers 1 Sub-Regional Drive, Chip, & Putt qualifier 1 Regional Drive, Chip, & Putt qualifier www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 45

JUNIOR TOUR It is our honor to recognize the exceptional accomplishments from our 2023 Junior Tour season with the Season Recap Video. This year we had over 1,200 young aspiring golfers compete in over 80 events. None of this would be possible without the support of our PGA professionals. Thanks to their generosity and passion to give back and grow the game, we are able to have the greatest impact for junior golfers of all ages and abilities.

Congratulations to all of our Junior Tour competitors on a spectacular season!

Please click below to enjoy our 2023 Junior Tour Season Recap Video!

Player of the Year Results Tournament Results

www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 46

Fall Future Series Eisenhower White - September 9th - 10th

Eisenhower White - October 8th

Boys Champion

Girls Champion

Boys Champion

Girls Champion

Alex Gore North Hempstead CC

Sophia Li Bethpage State Park

Rocket Servick The Stanwich Club

Angela Liang Neshanic Valley GC

Beekman GC - October 14th - 15th

Bethpage Green - October 22nd

Boys Champion

Girls Champion

Boys Champion

Girls Champion

Joseph Dolezal Piping Rock Club

Arabella Lopez Redding CC

Leo Chu Leewood CC

Arabella Lopez Redding CC

Bethpage Red - October 28th - 29th Boys Champion

Girls Champion

Matt DiFiore Eisenhower Park

Renna Chang Harbor Links GC

2024 Membership 2024 Junior Tour Membership registration will be opening back up in February. Returning members can simply renew their membership by logging in to their BlueGolf accounts.

New members, please click here to fill out our 2024 Junior Tour Membership Interest Form to be the first to know when registration will be opening.

Not sure what Tour to play on? Click Here to check out the Junior Golf Road Map to see where your Junior Golfer stands!

ROAD TO GROWING THE GAME WITH KYRA COX From her start on the Met PGA Junior Tour, down to Augusta National for the Drive, Chip & Putt National Championship, to shining on the collegiate golf stage, to now wearing several different hats in the Met Section office as a PGA Works Fellow, Kyra Cox is the consummate example of the PGA of America’s initiative: grow the game.

Kyra, whose journey into the competitive golf world followed the Met PGA Junior Tour roadmap, began competing at the age of nine. It did not take long for her to start winning 9-hole and 18hole events locally, before going on to shine on the national stage at events such as the Girls Junior PGA Championship and many others. In addition to winning Player of the Year honors with the Met PGA Junior Tour, one of the most special highlights of her junior golf career was qualifying for the 2016 Drive, Chip and Putt national finals at Augusta National.

Her love for the game wouldn’t stop at Augusta. Kyra would earn a spot on the Division I women’s golf team at Furman University where she competed for four years before taking her fifth full season at Howard University. During her time at Howard, Kyra was featured on ESPN’s critically acclaimed docuseries “Why Not Us” produced by Stephen Curry. This incredible documentary showcased the hard work and dedication to the game as Kyra and her teammates navigate the challenges and triumphs of an emerging Division I Historically Black College and University program. Her passion for the game would lead her back to where it all started, working in the Met Section office as our PGA Works Fellow. Between our three pillars of Youth, Military, and Inclusion, Kyra is spreading her love and knowledge of the game to everyone she meets and connects with. Take a look at what Kyra has to say about her journey and desire to teach and share the game she loves.

Q: How did the programming offered by the Met PGA Foundation such as the Junior Tour and DCP help grow your passion for the game?

A: The Met PGA Junior Tour was my first ever introduction to competitive golf. It was so easily

accessible with events happening all over the Metropolitan Area. Being able to compete with other kids my age and being in an environment that promoted and pushed learning the game of golf in a very individual way gave me so much confidence and knowledge. Drive, Chip, and Putt was such an awesome concept and a huge motivation factor to be able to go to Augusta National. It pushed me to practice more and allowed me to see my game grow. www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 48

Q: Did competing in Drive, Chip & Putt local qualifiers, and at the national level, shape your love for golf and your playing ability?

A: The first two years participating in DCP local qualifiers, I didn’t advance past the sub-

regional. That was extremely disappointing for me, and it made me really push myself for my last go around to perform well and just focus on those three aspects of my game. This allowed me to hone in on small details that ultimately helped me in my overall golf game while competing. Also, the whole atmosphere at the National Finals at ANGC was so amazing. I was able to meet so many inspiring people in the golf world and it was so special for all participants and families. It was hands down one of the best experiences of my life and made me fall in love with the game even more.

Q: What would you say to a young junior golfer who is thinking about getting involved in Drive, Chip and Putt?

A: Enjoy every second of it. It can go by so fast, but it’s so important to not put too much pressure on yourself and to have fun with this experience. This is also a once in a lifetime opportunity so make it worth your while!

Q: After your collegiate career, what made you want to stay involved on the Section level and give back?

A: After playing college golf for five years, I knew I didn’t want to pursue a life of professional

golf, but I couldn’t just step away from one of my biggest passions. As I mentioned before, the Met PGA has been in my life from the very beginning, and I really consider it family. I love the Junior Tour and being able to see new generations of golfers come through and offer them guidance and support seemed like the perfect fit for me.

Q: You made it all the way to the National Finals of the Drive,

Chip and Putt competition, and are now responsible for setting up and working local qualifiers in the Met Section. What is it like to see your journey come full circle?

A: I think it is super important for me to make the experience

as fun and easy going as possible for participants! It’s so easy to get nervous and overwhelmed, so being able to encourage them, and make participants a little less nervous is so worth it.

I also love seeing how many more children are getting into the game of golf. I feel like it has grown so much since I participated and it’s just super cool to see. www.met.pga.com || Year End 2023 || 49

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Justin Koff Head Golf Professional Bethpage State Park As a Class “A” PGA Professional, my passion for golf began as a junior golfer competing on the Met PGA Junior Tour with dreams of one day playing golf professionally. Growing up as a Long Island public golfer in the Met Section, I had no idea what my future in golf would look like, but I loved the competition. The junior events provided me with a foundation to build relationships, improve my game for competition, and learn the rules and etiquette of the game. It’s incredible to think that myself and others I played junior golf with are now PGA Professionals in the Metropolitan Section.

Growing up as a public golfer, the three main courses I played at most were Lido, Eisenhower Park, and Bethpage. As a High School golfer, I was introduced to The First Tee where I spent many hours volunteering to coach younger junior golfers and developing my passion for teaching and coaching. This opportunity would eventually help begin my career in junior golf.

As a PGA/PGM student at Clemson University, I explored different internship opportunities and found that teaching/coaching was everything I wanted to do. My coach as a junior golfer, Mike Wade, PGA was the Director of The First Tee at the time and upon graduating, I was offered a position as the Program Director to develop and build junior programs. Now as the Head Golf Professional at Bethpage, I have the privilege of working for Kelley Brooke’s Golf Channel Academy coaching hundreds of junior golfers, helping them to get started learning the game, playing tournaments, or navigating their path towards higher levels of competition through the Met PGA Junior Tour.

Advice to Juniors Try your best to always stay positive! Your attitude is something you are in control of 100% of the time you’re on the course. By focusing on staying positive, I believe you will have a more enjoyable and meaningful experience on the course, while having more fun. It’s difficult to watch juniors getting frustrated and upset after a bad shot, although I completely understand it. I want everyone to enjoy their time practicing and playing, and it all begins with a positive mental attitude.

THANK YOU 2023 PARTNERS & SPONSORS The Metropolitan PGA Sponsorship program offers companies a variety of levels to gain exposure to those who play, teach, and sell the game in the Metropolitan Section. Our sponsorships provide us with the ability to conduct the strongest tournaments and programs in the country for PGA Professionals. Our Sponsors are our true allies in making our game and our association better and we strongly emphasize the value of thinking ‘Sponsor First’ when making business decisions.

SPONSORS

PRESENTING PARTNER *partners program & additional event activation adidas Golf BlueGolf Bushnell Callaway Golf

Cobra Puma Golf Dormie Golf Workshop Fairway Golf Car Golf Pro Delivered Holderness & Bourne

Paul McManus Prize Possessions Protag StrackaLine Summit Golf Brands

Tagmarshal TopTracer Travelling the Fairways XXIO

PARTNERS PROGRAM Ahead American Brick Bourbon Associate’s Golf Car Cleveland/Srixon Clippd ClubUP Donald Ross Earth Networks EZ UP Equilibrium Brewery

FootJoy Middleton Golf Group Galvin Green Mizuno Golfforever Next Round GolfMax OnForm Heritage Creations PING Imperial Hats Radmor Jack Jolly & Son Signature Golf JBA Awards Signs by the Sea Kickpoint Golf Skins App, The Maui Jim STITCH

Visit www.metpgadirectory.com

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