Met PGA FORECAST - 2024 First Edition

FULL SWING IN SPRING FORE CAST

SECTION OFFICERS

Stuart Waack, PGA President

Theron Harvey, PGA Treasurer

Nick Yaun, PGA Secretary

Nick Maselli, PGA 1st Vice President

Cory Muller, PGA 2nd Vice President

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Ballo Jr, PGA

Andrew Gruss, PGA

Reid Howey, PGA

Rich Jones, PGA

Ryan Kalista, PGA

Chris Marinaro, PGA

Carly Newman, PGA

James Ondo, PGA

Shaun Powers, PGA

Michael Sweeney, PGA

Chris Kenney, PGA Honorary President

David Reasoner, PGA District Director

Jeff Voorheis

Executive Director

Metropolitan Section PRESIDENT’S

Stuart Waack Section President

As the season begins, I reflect on the positive trajectory of golf, with increasing interest and growing numbers of players. It’s crucial to acknowledge the pivotal role PGA of America members have played during and post-COVID in fostering a recreational environment where individuals and families can connect through the game. In our region, the surge in participation across all demographics can be directly attributed to the impactful programs and events led by Met PGA professionals.

Our influence within our communities remains robust and is steadily strengthening. Initiatives such as PGA Junior League, Drive, Chip and Putt, the Junior Tour, PGA HOPE, PSAL golf instruction, and diversity and inclusion efforts, like the grant awarded to Met PGA member and NYPD officer Vincenzo Rallo, demonstrate our commitment to utilizing golf as a vehicle for positive change. Officer Rallo’s program in Brownsville, NY, exemplifies how golf can steer youth away from negative influences.

We take pride in our dedication to serving and promoting golf within our communities. However, the primary focus of the Board remains steadfastly on supporting our members. Our aim is to enhance our professional capabilities through education and guidance, empowering us to better provide for our families. This remains our top priority.

Furthermore, the Board is committed to offering competitive playing opportunities that not only showcase our skills collectively, but also foster individual growth. This commitment has long set us apart from other Sections and underscores our rich history.

While the landscape of professional golf evolves, with developments from the PGA Tour and LIV golf, the PGA of America and its members remain the bedrock of the sport, offering stability and continuity in community service.

The Met PGA Board urges all members to actively engage and take advantage of the resources available. Our comprehensive educational programs are designed to keep us at the forefront of the game. Our tournament program provides a platform to test and refine our skills while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow members and friends. Additionally, we encourage involvement in community service initiatives, such as hosting Junior Tour events, leading PGA Junior League teams, becoming certified PGA HOPE instructors, or joining committees.

In advance, the Board extends gratitude for your dedication to growing and serving the game. We wish you a rewarding and fulfilling season ahead.

Stuart Waack Section President

PGA MEMBER HUB

Deferred Compensation

For many years the PGA of America has searched for a way to develop some kind of retirement plan for members. As we all know, there are tax rules that prevent the Association from directly giving money to members. But the basic principle is that we can reasonably compensate a member for performing services that advance our exempt purpose; specifically for growing the game of golf. Therefore we created a plan whereby members that participate in programs that meet specified performance objectives can earn a contribution towards a deferred compensation fund.

The aim is that over the years these investments will grow and provide a supplemental income for the member upon reaching the age of 65. Because of the power of compounding over time, clearly younger members will benefit most from the program, but everyone can participate.

In addition to all our programs and other benefits this is now a very real and accessible vehicle to accumulate wealth towards a more comfortable retirement. We further hope that this can serve as a truly significant lure and recruiting tool to attract new talent to our great and growing industry.

Benefits include:

• Tax-deferred growth

• Ability to choose your investment allocation from a wide variety of funds

• Supplement your future retirement income

• Contributions come directly from the PGA

• PGA Coach is the ultimate coaching resource, designed to bring the education, tools, and resources you need to revolutionize your coaching business. With a better work-life balance that allows you to focus on coaching, PGA Coach has the tools to help you grow and manage your business, and the expert training designed to help you better engage, inspire and retain golfers.

•

• Maximize Potential

• Let’s maximize each athlete’s potential; create well-rounded athletes and develop principles that create life-long golfers and athletes for generations. Your journey starts with PGA Coach.

•

• Lead from the Front

• As a PGA Coach you can use the power of a profile and marketing on PGA.com to show the world who you are and why your students love to connect with you.

•

• Get Organized

• With PGA Coach you now have the ability to run your coaching business in one place. Manage your students, calendar, bookings, and payments from anywhere with the PGA Coach app. Plus, PGA Members will be eligible to earn 3 MSR credits.

•

Mentorship Program

The Metropolitan PGA Section has always provided mentoring opportunities to fellow PGA Professionals in a myriad of ways through the efforts of the Employment and Club Relations Committee. Whether it has been through mock interview sessions, career nights or other programs, this remains a top priority for the Met PGA.

In order to assist PGA Professional’s efforts in achieving deferred compensation points, we have created a mentor program for those enrolled in deferred compensation. The program is open to any PGA Member, regardless of your classification, as we all have an opportunity to mentor others.

The explanation of what is required and the point total can be found below:

Volunteer - Engagement as a mentor in a PGA recognized PGA mentoring program for other PGA members defined as enrollment in the program and no less than 10 hours of active mentoring

PHASE 1 (Month

1-2)

The goal of phase 1 is to get to know one another. It is encouraged to meet in person if possible.

• Outreach & Introduction - 30 minutes

• Areas of Improvement - 1 Hour

Discuss any issues or things that you can improve on

• Goal Setting - 1 hour

Put together goals to improve your areas of weakness

Gabe Carr-Harris Assistant Professional Scarsdale Golf Club

PHASE 2 (Month 3-4)

The goal of phase 2 is to check on the progress made from phase 1. A best practice is to set up a monthly meeting time.

• Check in #1 - 30 minutes

What is going well, what is not?

• Check in #2 - 30 minutes

What improvements or adjustments can be made?

• Check in #3 - 1-4 Hours

Use something from “other ideas” below

PHASE 3 (Month 5-6)

The goal of phase 3 is to support next steps in this individuals career (new role, transition of responsibilities, retirement, etc.)

• Feedback on Goal Setting - 30 minutes

• Document Review - 1 hour Resume, Cover Letter, Portfolio, Contract

• Planning for a financial future - 1 hour

Utilization of 401k, deferred comp., GRP, etc.

I’ve really enjoyed this new version of the mentor program that was spearheaded by Jonathan Gold. The details that have gone into the phases and stages of the program have made this even more attractive. I am grateful for the chance to sit down with someone like Stuart Waack who has continually made contributions to golf and the Met PGA and does it with a smile on his face.

The timing of a program like this is great as it helps keep us sharp in the early part of the season and allows for working on goals throughout the season. We have had some mentor programs in our section before, but this one seems the most thorough. If you haven’t had a chance to partake in this program, I would highly recommend it if you value your career enhancement.

Newly Appointed Professionals

We would like to announce and congratulate the following Met PGA members who have been appointed or promoted to Head Professional positions in the Met Section.

Michael Ballo Jr., former Assistant Professional at Westchester Country Club, was named the new Head Professional at Tamarack Country Club. Ballo Jr., a highly decorated player in the section, will bring his expertise and passion to members and guests as he looks to elevate the overall golf experience.

Scarsdale Golf Club named Michael Docktor as their new Head Golf Professional. Michael comes to Scarsdale from Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, New Jersey. Michael was their First Assistant Golf Professional from 2013 to 2017 before his promotion to Head Golf Professional.

Fishers Island Club has elevated Lauren Kegarise to Head Professional alongside longtime Director of Golf, Daniel Colvin. Lauren was first welcomed to Fishers Island in 2013 as a student. In 2015 she was promoted to Assistant Professional.

Atlantic Golf Club has appointed their Assistant, Corey Layton, to Head Professional. Corey has been a part of the full-time staff at Atlantic since 2017 under respected Director of Golf, Rick Hartmann.

Long-time South Fork Country Club Assistant Professional, Steven Luerssen, was promoted to Head Professional under Director of Golf, Tim Garvin.

David Miller was elevated to Head Professional at Millbrook Golf and Tennis Club after the Club announced the retirement of Peter Serafimoff. Miller began his career in golf at Millbrook in 2014, starting out as an apprentice and moving up the ladder to become a first Assistant, and now Head Professional.

After the retirement of well-renowned Head Professional, the late Kammy Maxfeldt, Birchwood Country Club appointed Wendy Modic, former Assistant Professional at Fenway Golf Club, as their new Head Professional.

2024 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

adidas Golf

Associate’s Golf Car

BlueGolf

Bushnell

Callaway Golf

Cobra Puma Golf

Fairway Golf Car

Ahead

American Brick Bourbon

Caddie Now

Cleveland/Srixon

Doc Murphy

Donald Ross

Earth Networks

EZ UP

Equilibrium Brewery

Extracurricular

Featherie

FH Wadsworth

Galvin Green

Golf Pro Delivered

Holderness & Bourne

Kickpoint Golf Levelwear

Maui Jim

Paul McManus

Prize Possessions

Protag

StrackaLine

Sterling Cut Glass

Summit Golf Brands

PARTNERS PROGRAM

FootJoy

GolfMax

Heritage Creations

Imperial Hats

Jack Jolly & Son

JBA Awards

Melin Premium Headwear

Middleton Golf Group

Mizuno

MMI Golf Storage Solutions

Next Round

Oars + Alps

PING

PRG

Radmor

Reveal

Revo

Rush Premier Sports

Signature Golf

Starter Box Studios

Tagmarshal

TopTracer

Travelling the Fairways

VKTRY

STITCH

Straight Down

Titleist

Tom Viola

Tournament Solutions

Travis Mathew Turtleson

Over 50 Vendors

Spring Meeting & Expo

Brae Burn Country Club

There was a great deal of anticipation in the air as our Professionals gathered at Brae Burn Country Club for our opening event of the spring season, the Met PGA Spring Meeting. This year’s meeting saw over 150 Professionals attend, our largest gathering since 2019, and began with opening remarks from Met Section President, Stuart Waack. Ackowledgement of the excitement of the year ahead and the efforts the Board is taking to make sure our PGA Professionals are given the support and resources needed to succeed was at the forefront of conversation. Following opening remarks, our annual business meeting was held as we discussed updates, plans, and goals in reference to partners and sponsors, communication, education, finances, tournaments, and more.

In addition to conducting association business including plans and goals for the upcoming season, the Spring Meeting also served as an opportunity for members of the Met Section, as well as Golf Shop Managers, Merchandisers, and Buyers, to interact with representatives from our partner and sponsor companies, whose support fuels our activities and operations. The Expo served as a one-stop-shop for all the best in apparel, technology, and equipment. Following the Expo, Professionals in attendance, along with our partner and sponsor representatives, joined together on the back patio of Brae Burn to participate in the Solar Eclipse Challenge, a fun drive, chip, and putt team activation.

Thanks to Drew Billard and his golf staff, along with Club Manager, Gary Merjian, for opening their doors once again for the start of the 2024 golf season.

Winter Education Series

With tournament season on hold throughout the winter, we shifted our focus to education and added to our successful winter education series run.

The section education committee, spearheaded by Nick Yaun, Head Professional at Century Country Club, introduced programming that allowed our members the opportunity to further their knowledge in the golf industry.

Our 2024 education series kicked off with an incredible panel of professionals covering a diverse range of topics tailored to the requests of our section members. Throughout the series, we delved into the business of golf, teaching and coaching methodologies, mentorship, statistical analysis, psychology, women’s golf, interviewing skills, retirement planning, and golf fitness.

Program Highlights

Monique Thoresz of Quaker Ridge Golf Club hosted insightful discussions on Program Development and Growing Your Business, including the involvement of the Mach 3 team for speed training, and fostering an inclusive environment for women’s golf alongside Amber Richardson and Alexis Hios. Additionally, her session on Stats and Analysis with Scott Hassee provided invaluable insights.

Kevin Sprecher of Sleepy Hollow Country Club, in collaboration with sponsor Clippd featuring Jon Halpern, touched on the exploration of the psychology of the game with Dr. Michael C. Klein.

John Hobbins of Greenside Golf Academy held an engaging session with Michael Jacobs covering various aspects of golf instruction, as well as his conversation with Rob Labritz and Carl Alexander on preparing for peak performance in tournaments.

Cody Smith of Old Oaks Country Club dedicated time to work with Raleigh Taylor at Fit Club, focusing on building a solid core to enhance our golf swings.

Jonathan Gold hosted an enlightening seminar on mentorship, featuring an esteemed panel including Jim Bender, Reid Howey, A.J. Sikula, and Brendan Walsh.

Vice President of Development at the Western Golf Association, Jack Druga, and Met PGA Executive Director emeritus, Charlie Robson, presented on career progression and life after retirement, providing valuable guidance for both young professionals and those planning their next chapter.

Here for Seminar Recordings

Nick Yaun Education Committee Chair

Educational Summit 61

Old Oaks Country Club

Our winter education series culminated in our annual Spring Educational Summit held at Old Oaks Country Club in Purchase, New York. The event in its 61st year included a morning presentation from well-renowned golf analyst and instructor, Peter Kostis, and an afternoon fireside chat with Kostis and his long-time student and friend, Maury Povich.

We were thrilled to have launch monitor and golf simulator giant, Foresight Sports, on site as our sponsor as Jesse Gonzales showcased Foresight’s performance data technology to our Professionals. Cobra Puma presented those who attended with a special giveaway in support of the event.

Kostis shared his insights on blending old and new teaching techniques, as well as the nuances between coaching tour professionals and amateurs. Povich was welcomed to the stage for an afternoon fireside chat as the duo discussed personal stories and memories related to the Masters, teaching successes, and much more.

“Information is not knowledge, and knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom can only come through experience”. - Peter Kostis

By Craig Dolch PGA of America

Dylan Newman, PGA, Wins Stroke Play Championship in Playoff

Dylan Newman of Jericho, New York, hasn’t won many tournaments with a final round that included a pair of double bogeys and two bogeys.

But he won the PGA Stroke Play Championship at PGA Golf Club on Feb. 13 despite those mistakes, thanks to a brilliant start and finish. Newman eagled the par-5 first hole on the Wanamaker Course and, trailing by one at the closing hole, birdied the 18th to force a playoff with Jin Chung of Norcross, Georgia.

Newman played the 18th flawlessly in the playoff, winning when Chung was unable to save par from a difficult spot behind the green. Newman shot an uneven 72 to finish at 10-under 205 and earn the $6,100 first prize while going wire-to-wire in the lead.

“It feels really good to get it done, especially when there were a lot of ups and downs,” said Newman, a PGA Professional at Meadow Brook Club. “It was a grind. None of us played great. I just tried to stay in my own lane and focus on what I could do.”

It marked the second time in the last three years Newman won the PGA Winter Championship event in a one-hole playoff. In 2022, he defeated Tyler Collet.

Newman was two shots behind after Chung made his four consecutive birdies (Nos. 1215), but got a break when Chung hit his tee shot into the penalty area at the par-5 16th hole and missed a 2-footer for par. After both players parred the 17th, Newman knew he needed to get his approach from 144 yards at No. 18 close to the back-right pin to have a chance to force a playoff.

“I took a little off an 8-iron and kind of chunked it,” Newman said of the shot that stopped 5 feet from the hole. “It may have been too much club. I guess I chunked it perfectly.”

Newman hit another solid approach to 18 in the playoff, to about 10 feet, and held the upper hand when Chung’s shot landed over the green. Chung’s chip rolled 30 feet away and when he missed the par, Newman lagged to a couple inches to win.

Upcoming Tournaments

Spring and Summer Tournament Schedule

MAY

LONG ISLAND PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

MAY 6 - 9

Colonial Springs CC

WESTCHESTER PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

MAY 6 - 9

Patriot Hills GC

MET PGA PRO PRESIDENT

MAY 15

Old Oaks CC

MET PGA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

MAY 28 - 29

Garden City CC

JULY

SENIOR JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

JULY 16

Centennial GC

JACK MALLON PRO AM

JULY 18

Wheatley Hills GC

LENOX ADVISORS/NFP

NEW YORK STATE OPEN

JULY 23 - 25

Bethpage Black

PRO AM

JULY 29

Waccabuc CC

POLO HEAD PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

MAY 28 - 29

Garden City CC

JUNE

PRO AM

JUNE 3

Engineers CC

PRO AM

JUNE 24

Apawamis Club

WESTCHESTER PRO-JUNIOR

JUNE 26

Lake Isle CC

LONG ISLAND PRO-JUNIOR

JUNE 27

South Fork CC

AUGUST

MET PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

AUGUST 6 - 8

The Seawane Club

SENIOR MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

AUGUST 14 - 16

Aspetuck Valley CC

WOMEN’S MET OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

AUGUST 19 - 20

Innis Arden GC

RESULTS

Long Island and Westchester Pro Assistant Championships

The anticipated opening event of the season, the Met PGA Pro Assistant Championships, teed off, this year held at Village Club of Sands Point on Long Island, and Paramount Country Club in New City, New York.

The Pro Assistant Championships are one-day events conducted concurrently, each consisting of approximately 180 PGA Professionals and Assistants. The event featured onsite activations from new sponsor, Garmany Golf & Air New Zealand, as well as Evolve Golf, and TaylorMade.

Congratulations to the team of Matt Dobyns and Bill Van Orman of Meadow Brook Club from Long Island and John DiPilato and Peter Ballo of The Connecticut Golf Club from Westchester, your 2024 Champions.

Anthony Aruta of North Shore Country Club wins Garmany Golf and New Zealand Air’s Closest to the Pin Contest! Thanks to Garmany, Aruta was gifted a special Garmany Golf Experience to New Zealand.

Matt Dobyns Punches Ticket

to Valhalla

Matt Dobyns, Head Professional at Meadow Brook Club, qualifies for 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.

The Met Section saw 15 Professionals competing at the 56th playing of the PGA Professional Championship presented by Club Car, Corebridge Financial and Rolex. The Championship, the largest all-professional national championship, featured a 312-player field representing all 41 PGA Sections. These 312 players not only have their eyes set on hoisting the Walter Hagen Cup, but also vie for a top 20 spot on the Corebridge Financial Team that will head to the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

This year’s Championship was played for the first time at Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco. Fields Ranch is home to two world-class 18-hole championship golf courses, Fields Ranch East and Fields Ranch West where the field competed all four days.

Our group of Met Section Professionals that headed to Frisco have a storied history with the PGA Professionals’ Showcase. Darrell Kestner of Deepdale Golf Club led the 312-player field with the most PGA Professional Championship appearances at 30. Kestner, along with fellow competitors, Matt Dobyns and Alex Beach of Tremont Sporting Co. represented the field as past champions.

In the end, it was Matt Dobyns who would use his experience and expertise to his advantage to find success through a tough four days in Frisco, earning himself a spot on the Team of 20 to compete at Valhalla in the 2024 PGA Championship.

Dobyns is no stranger to golfs biggest stage. This PGA Championship will be the sixth time he has been showcased in the highly anticipated major championship. In 2015, he would best this year’s PGA Professional Champion and past Met Section competitor Ben Polland, to win the PGA Professional Championship and lead the team of 20 to Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. He also won the event in 2012, competing in that years’ PGA Championship at The Ocean Course in Kiawah.

Dobyns will look forward to an exciting few weeks ahead as he prepares for another opportunity to compete alongside the best in the game.

ASSISTANTS CORNER

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

The Assistants Board has been hard at work this past winter season!

Secretary, Chris Gabriele, Treasurer, Brian Williams, and myself, Carly Newman, Assistants Board President, have listened to suggestions and are looking forward to showcasing some new updates that will be implemented this season.

We are extremely excited to announce our partnership with Signs By The Sea and the Assistants Tour, to elevate and personalize our prizes, while simultaneously putting more funds back in to the purses.

Keep an eye out for our Group Me QR code, to become a part of the app for suggestions, updates, and any ideas Assistants would like to share. Our goal of this Group Me, is to create a centralized platform where Assistant Professionals can network and brainstorm new ideas.

Carly

Chris Gabriele, PGA Secretary

Brian Williams, PGA Treasurer

To kick off the 2024 Assistant Tour, we welcome all Assistants to Bonnie Briar Country Club on May 20th. We will be conducting an election for the Assistants Board positions of 1st and 2nd Vice President. This is a unique opportunity to get involved and have a voice in the Met Section!

Post meeting, we look forward to seeing everyone tee it up in the first AT Event of the season! Thank you to our gracious host, Joe Condomitti, Head Professional, and his team at Bonnie Briar Country Club!

This season, we have created a robust schedule of Assistant Tour Events throughout Westchester, Connecticut, and Long Island! We welcome two familiar faces back on our section staff: Steve Guasco, Championships Director & Jared Goldstein as the Section Event Administrator. Please give them a warm welcome.

This is your chance to get involved and we cannot wait to see everyone.

Carly Newman Assistants President

Carly Newman Assistants President

OFFICERS

Newman, PGA President

SCHEDULE

MAY

ASSISTANTS SPRING MEETING & TOURNAMENT

MAY 20

Bonnie Briar CC

Click Here to Register

JUNE

AT EVENT at SUNNINGDALE CC

JUNE 3

AT EVENT at NORTH SHORE CC

JUNE 10

JULY

AT EVENT at THE SAINT ANDREW’S GC

JULY 1

AT EVENT at REDDING CC

JULY 22

AT EVENT at MILL RIVER CLUB

JULY 29

AUGUST

AT EVENT at METROPOLIS CC

AUGUST 19

AT EVENT at WESTCHESTER HILLS GC AUGUST 26

FOUNDATION

Our mission is to 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.

The Met PGA Foundation is your Foundation! It is a vehicle for you to utilize to tell your story to your members of the good work you are doing to impact the lives of others through the game of golf.

Foundation activities and involvement offer numerous opportunities to earn Deferred Compensation points, including:

PGA Junior League Coach

Host a Section/Junior Event

Host a Drive, Chip, and Putt

PGA HOPE Instructor

Golf in Schools Instructor

Kelli Clayton Director of Foundation and Business Development

Up to 75 points

Up to 75 Points

Up to 25 Points

Up to 50 Points

Up to 100 Points

Honorariums are also offered for instructing at PGA HOPE, Golf in Schools, hosting a Foundation event, and huge income potential is available by coaching PGA Jr. League team!

Youth Pillar

Junior Tour

Junior Tour membership is open, and we currently have over 800 members already registered.

Whether you are just getting your feet wet with competitive golf, or are competing at the highest levels nationally with aspirations of playing in college or maybe even one day on the PGA or LPGA Tour, we pride ourselves in having all levels of competition for players of all abilities. No matter where you are in your junior golf journey, the Met PGA Junior Tour is there to support and springboard you to the next level.

The Met PGA Junior Tour hosted its first Future Series event of the season at Eisenhower Park Golf Course. Congratulations to Owen Jesop of Westhampton Beach, NY and Madison Chen of Manhasset, NY on placing first in their respective divisions!

We look forward to an exciting season ahead for our juniors as they are welcomed to some of the best golf courses in the Met Area.

Tournament registration for summer and fall events for all Tours will be opening on Saturday, May 11th at 9:00AM.

Please click the link below to view the 2024 tentative tournament schedule. We will be adding tournaments to this schedule each week and tournament dates and sites are subject to change.

PGA Junior League

Junior League continues to grow each year in the Met Section with 87 facilities already registered for 2024. PGA Professionals who host a Junior League team can earn deferred compensation credits.

Drive, Chip & Putt

From competing in the 2016 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, to working the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals in 2024, Met PGA Foundation Event Administrator, Kyra Cox, has seen things come full circle at Augusta National!

Kyra was on site at Augusta assisting with setup, scoring, and administration for this years competeting players.

Registration is now open for our six Drive, Chip & Putt local qualifiers. Sites and dates are below and are available for sign up at www.drivechipandputt.com.

2024

Section Qualifying Sites

PGA HOPE

Met PGA HOPE has begun, and we are excited to be offering a new class to our existing slate of spring programming. In addition to spring classes held at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx, Spook Rock Golf Course in Hudson Valley, and Sunken Meadow Golf Course on Long Island, we have added Long Island National Golf Course on the East End of Long Island. With this expansion, we are excited to introduce new veterans to our PGA HOPE family, culminating in graduation day at Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point in July. Thank you to all of our PGA Professionals who volunteer their time and support to our veterans.

PGA HOPE Training with Judy Alvarez

Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point and Long Island National Golf Course

Military Golf League

We plan to have over 350 veterans competing in our PGA HOPE Military League in 2025 featuring a season that will run from the end of June-August. Teams feature 15 veterans and are captained by PGA Professionals at local golf courses and play home and away matches each week. If interested in captaining a team, please email Kelli Clayton. PGA Professionals who host a Military League team will earn deferred compensation credits. We need more captains – please get involved now!

VetWorks

We continued to try to pair veterans with employment opportunities at golf facilities throughout the Metropolitan area. If you have any opportunities for our veterans, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. We have also expanded those efforts to include our junior golfers this season to help fill needed positions.

Inclusion Pillar

PGA WORKS

We are excited to announce Zoe Rogers as our 2024 Fellow! Zoe comes to the Met PGA from Bolton Valley Resort as a Marketing Coordinator. Her experience in the sports industry and event coordination proved her to be an ideal candidate for the role and we look forward to her joining the team. We congratulate our 2023 Fellow, Kyra Cox, on being hired full-time to our staff as our Foundation Event Administrator.

Golf-in-Schools

PGA Professionals continue to provide golf lessons for school golf teams who are members of the Public School Athletic League throughout the five boroughs of New York. We need more instructors – contact Daniel Frankel on how to get involved. PGA Professionals who teach a team will earn deferred compensation credits and an honorarium for their time.

Junior Tour Scholarships

The Met PGA continues to work closely with the First Tee and other organizations to provide an on ramp free of charge to their juniors looking to play in tournament golf.

2024 Fundraising Initiatives

The Met PGA Foundation cannot be successful without the support of our PGA Professionals and their clubs. There are endless, easy, turnkey ways to get involved. Our ask is that each of you make one small investment in your Foundation in 2024. It could be by offering your course for a junior golf tournament, hosting a Junior League team, running a fundraiser of your own, participating in the Birdie Bash, teaching at PGA HOPE, or supporting one of our many events throughout the year listed below.

However you choose to make your impact felt, we promise you that the impact that it makes in your life will far exceed the efforts you put forth.

Birdie Bash

In our third year, the Met PGA will conduct two Birdie Bash events on Monday August 12th. Silvermine GC will continue as host for the Westchester/CT regions, while Bethpage Yellow will be the site for the Long Island contingent. Get your team of two ready now as we get set to break our record of raising $267,000 and making over 1,000 birdies in one day!

Format: Metropolitan Section PGA Professionals will play 72 holes of golf in one day 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 will once again benefit Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Westchester, and Cohen Children’s Medical Center on Long Island.

The Augie

The Augie Met PGA Championship Pro-Am will be held on July 16th at Noyac Golf Club and we look forward to a terrific day to raise awareness and funds for the Foundation.

New York Mets, All-Star Second Baseman, Jeff McNeil, and Emmy Award winner, Hank Azaria, are joining together to host a charity poker event to raise money for two very special causes at their inaugural Poker Showdown at CitiField on May 9th, 2024.

This spectacular evening will include poker, cocktails, dinner, golf, magic, and more as we come together to raise money for two remarkable organizations. McNeil’s charity of choice will be the Metropolitan PGA Foundation, and Azaria has chosen The Soul Focused Group. Visit www.pokershowdownnyc.org

Jeff Brennan Memorial

On June 17th the Metropolitan PGA Foundation will run the 4th Annual Jeff Brennan Memorial Golf Outing at South Shore Country Club in Staten Island, NY to raise funds to support the junior golf programs on Staten Island.

Jeff McNeil & Hank Azaria Poker Showdown at CitiField

PGA Grant Program in Action

PGA Professional Grant Program

The Met PGA Foundation has created a grant program to support PGA Professionals who are conducting external programs that align with our mission statement to 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. Programs that align with our mission and expand the reach of our Foundation will receive the strongest consideration. The grant application must be submitted by a Met PGA Class A Member in good standing who is responsible for the operations of the program seeking support and grants up to $5,000 are available.

Vincenzo Rallo, PGA – Grant Program Recipient Making a Difference

By Ryan Adams, PGA PGA of America

It was Valentine’s Day in Brooklyn and Vincenzo Rallo knew what he needed to do.

Rallo, a New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer, and his partner Officer Mark Kalwa normally do the afternoon to midnight shift but this time they were on a day tour in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. And they heard screams and calls for help coming from Langston Hughes Houses complex.

Then they saw smoke coming from the building. It was time to bolt into action.

“There was no time to wait for FD (NYFD),” remembers Rallo, who’s also a PGA of America Golf Professional. “In the moment, it’s like a switch gets flipped. We had to do something.”

Officers Rallo and Kalwa put a call into NYFD, then ran into the burning building, where their body-worn cameras show how they were first met with a wall of smoke. They had to do a “one in, one out” method, using their good air to go into the smoke-filled areas of the building to pull people out.

Officer Rallo took a young mom’s toddler from her arms who looked like she was about to faint. He helped her down the stairs, with her baby in arms. “It was the most gratifying thing,” Rallo told NBC New York. “The kid being safe was just the coolest feeling.”

Officer Kalwa helped a man with crutches go down the stairs. There were more children stuck on the fourth floor, so Officer Rallo and a firefighter went back and were met by a father struggling to breathe and holding two toddlers. The firefighter helped the man, while Rallo took the kids down the four flights and brought him to his squad car to warm them up with blankets.

In all, the rescue operation was all of 10-15 minutes and the two officers were able to get 12 people out of the building burning. No deaths, no major injuries.

“You always talk about the ‘what if’ scenarios, and this was one of them,” says Rallo. “In the end, it’s all about getting people in and out as safely as possible. You do what you have to do because just standing there . . . that’s not an option.”

Officer Rallo isn’t a guy who likes to stand around when it comes to being a PGA of America Member either. After graduating from Penn State University PGA Golf Management program in 2008, he was an assistant and merchandiser at a few clubs before becoming a Neighborhood Coordination Officer for the NYPD in 2013. He keeps his membership active by serving as a rep for True Linkswear,

but also through running a program special to him.

Last summer, he created PGA Bridges with the help of a Metropolitan PGA Section Foundation grant. It’s a collaborative effort between the Section and NYPD aimed at growing the game for underserved and minority kids to help build police relations within inner city communities. It also introduces the game to a demographic that would never be exposed to golf, giving local youth another sports outlet to pull them away from gangs and keep them on the right path.

“These kids, a lot of them have hard lives and they’re used to this concrete jungle where golf doesn’t seem possible,” says Rallo. “This program changes that.”

Almost Golf sent a crate of golf balls and inflatable pins for Officer Rallo to use, while Golf Daddy send strike mats. Rallo then built a mini golf course with the equipment and taped together pool noodles to give the kids, 35-40 in all, their first golf experience.

“They see a different perspective of us as officers than they’re used to,” adds Rallo. “And sometimes we don’t even hit a shot. We’ll listen to them, let them vent, tell us how school went. Golf is just a bonus. Ultimately, we’re there to help.”

And no matter where Officer Rallo is in New York City, helping people is, well, the right thing to do.

PGA Birdie Bash

Help us reach our goal to raise $350,000!

Met PGA Birdie Bash is a one-day fundraising event where Metropolitan Section PGA Professionals will play 72 holes of golf in one day with the goal of making as many birdies as possible. Through each professional's network, solicited donors make a financial pledge per birdie to help raise funds to benefit the Metropolitan Section PGA Foundation, and PlayYellow for Children's Hospitals including Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Westchester and Cohens Children's Hospital on Long Island.

l Teams of 2 (scramble) attempt to make as many birdies as possible in 72 holes

l Donations can be made on a per birdie basis, or as a flat donation

l Any Assistant that raises $1,000 or more automatically qualifies for the third tier of the Assistants Championship in September

l Once registered, you will receive access to an easy to use web page to fundraise along with a marketing package to utilize

l Player package includes hotel, Birdie Bash uniform, food & beverage, and memories that last a lifetime!

Jeff Voorheis Executive Director

Kelli Clayton Director of Foundation and Business Development

Kaitlin Sabbagh Operations Director

Daniel Frankel Director of Junior Golf

Steve Guasco Championships Director Emily Meier

Director Kyra Cox

Jared Goldstein