Met PGA FORECAST - 2024 Year End Edition

Metropolitan Section

As we approach the end of another successful year, I want to reflect on what we have accomplished together and express my gratitude for the efforts of the Met PGA Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, and Committee Members.

SECTION OFFICERS Stuart Waack, PGA President Nick Yaun, PGA Vice President Cory Muller, PGA Secretary Andrew Gruss PGA Deputy Officer Michael Sweeney, PGA Deputy Officer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kevin Ausserlechner, PGA Michael Ballo Jr, PGA John Deigan, PGA John DiPilato, PGA Jim Fatsi, PGA Reid Howey, PGA Rich Jones, PGA Nick Maselli, PGA Chris Marinaro, PGA Carly Newman, PGA

Chris Kenney, PGA Honorary President David Reasoner, PGA District Director Jeff Voorheis Executive Director

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

This year has been filled with exceptional Stuart Waack educational opportunities, tournaments, and Section President programs for our membership. Additionally, we continue to serve our communities through our impactful Foundation programs in our three pillars: Youth, Military, and Inclusion.

Many thanks go to the Met PGA staff for their unwavering commitment and hard work. Their efforts behind the scenes ensure the success of our programs, events, and initiatives, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated team.

Looking ahead to the winter months, I encourage you to take full advantage of the substantial educational programs that our Educational Committee has put together. A special thank you goes to our incoming Chair, Jim Fatsi, and the entire committee for developing programs that will enhance our skills and make us more valuable in our roles.

We also have our sights set on 2025 and are thrilled about what’s to come—particularly the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black!

Whether you’ve signed up to volunteer or plan to attend, this promises to be one of the most exciting and significant Ryder Cups in the event’s rich history. Very fitting it’s in our Section and at Bethpage!

As we close out the year and celebrate this holiday season, I am deeply grateful for everyone connected to the Met PGA and the shared efforts that continue to advance our Section and serve our community. Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Warm regards, Stuart

Stay Ahead: Earn PDRs This Winter With Cycle 17 ending June 15, 2025, now’s the time to fulfill PDR requirements.

Check your status on PGA.org and explore ways to earn! Not sure where to start?

DISCOVER MORE

CONTENTS 1

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

13-16 PLAYER OF THE YEAR FLASHBACK

3-5 PGA MEMBER HUB

17-20 WINTER SERIES SUCCESS

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21-30 FALL TOURNAMENT RECAP

KEEPING UP WITH THE PROS

7-11 SPECIAL AWARD HONORED AT ARDSLEY 31-38 FOUNDATION: A YEAR IN REVIEW 12

KIRK & MATZ MEMBER MILESTONES

39

PARTNERS & SPONSORS

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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: • • • •

CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED

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

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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.

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CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE www.met.pga.com || Year End Edition 2024 ||

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THE GLOBAL GATHERING

FOR THE BUSINESS OF GOLF

JANUARY 21-24, 2025 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!

Pre-Registration for Complimentary Tickets!

To make the entrance process more seamless, we invite you to preregister for your complimentary tickets now. You do not need to pre-register for your accompanying spouse/partner/ guest (limit 1) or immediate children under 21 years of age at this time.

KEEPING UP WITH THE PROS

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

Jason Caron Earns Spot on Tour Champions Circuit Golfweek

Todd Kelly

“PHOENIX — Who knew how important a tie for 32nd place could be? Jason Caron can tell you....” READ

Craig Thomas wins 2024 VGA National Championship in five playoff holes Greensboro News and Record

Bryant Roche

Craig Thomas, a US Marine Corps veteran, hits his drive on No. 1 during the final round of the Veterans Golfers Association National Championship...” READ

Donnelly Claims LI Senior Open in Playoff MGA OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE MET PGA

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Kyla Williams Helps “Wicked” Star Play Big Role Golf Digest

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Morrissey likens portraying the green-skinned Elphaba to her off-stage hobby: ‘It’s like playing the hardest course over and over and over again’” READ

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The 2024 season culminated at Ardsley Country Club for what was a truly a memorable night of

remembrance, celebration, and honor. Thirteen deserving Professionals were recognized for their direct impact on the game of golf whether that be on course, in the shop, on the lesson tee, or in the community.

Each of our distinguished recipients were showcased through video tributes amongst family, friends, club members, and more. The night was highlighted by a special tribute to our Professional of the Year honoree, Kammy Maxfeldt, long-time Head Professional at Birchwood Country Club. Kammy was the consummate PGA Professional who paved the way for woman in the Met Section. Her numerous accomplishments both on the course and off the course will forever be recognized by her peers and loved ones. After many years of battling cancer, Kammy passed away soon after getting the call that she was the 2024 award recipient. Her family and friends were in attendance to accept the award on her behalf. Also honored at the dinner were the following individuals: Sam Snead Award, Ted Bishop (Legends), Teacher of the Year, Monique Thoresz (Quaker Ridge GC), Bill Strausbaugh Award, Carl Alexander (Golf Club of Purchase), Professional Development Award, Nick Yaun (Century CC), Player of the Year, Peter Ballo (The Connecticut GC), Deacon Palmer Award, Harvey Lannak (PGA Life Member), Patriot Award, Brian Crowell (Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point), Assistant Professional of the Year, Carly Newman (Nissequogue GC), Player Development Award, Jeff DiMarco (Saint Joseph’s College), Youth Player Development Award, John Schmoll (Burning Tree CC), Merchandiser of the Year in the Private Sector, James Ondo (The Apawamis Club), Merchandiser of the Year in the Public Sector, Patrick Massi (Griffith E. Harris GC).

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

KAMMY MAXFELDT BIRCHWOOD CC

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Merchandiser of the Year (Public)

Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

PATRICK MASSI

JAMES ONDO

GRIFFITH HARRIS

THE APAWAMIS CLUB

Youth Player Development Award

Player Development Award

JOHN SCHMOLL

JEFF DIMARCO

BURNING TREE CC

SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY www.met.pga.com || Year End Edition 2024 ||

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Assistant Professional of the Year

CARLY NEWMAN NISSEQUOGUE GC

Deacon Palmer Award

Patriot Award

BRIAN CROWELL BALLY’S GOLF LINKS AT FERRY POINT

Player of the Year Award

HARVEY LANNAK

PETER BALLO

PGA LIFE MEMBER

THE CONNECTICUT GC www.met.pga.com || Year End Edition 2024 ||

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Professional Development Award

Bill Strausbaugh Award

NICK YAUN

CARL ALEXANDER

CENTURY CC

GOLF CLUB OF PURCHASE

Teacher of the Year Award

Sam Snead Award

MONIQUE THORESZ

TED BISHOP

Quaker Ridge GC

Legends

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: Charles Henry, PGA, Timothy Hurley, PGA, Jeremy Negron, PGA, Jayden O’Hagan, PGA, Nathaniel Graybeal, PGA, Robert Conlon, PGA, Matthew Falcone, PGA, Taiki Miyazaki, PGA, Cameron Mullen, PGA, Rory Chase, PGA, Thomas Meanor, PGA, Alyson Rentschler, PGA, Luke Collum, PGA, Grant Gravelle, PGA, Joshua Stocum, PGA, Benjamin Ames, PGA, Barrett Herring, PGA, Cynthia LaCrosse, PGA, Michelle Warde, PGA, Quinn Grennan, PGA, Garrison Millsaps, PGA, Robert Baynard, PGA, James Swagger, PGA, Kevin Sullivan, PGA, Matthew Pogoreski, PGA, Michelle Reyes, PGA Kirk & Matz also helped us in honoring Half Century Club and Quarter Century Club Members.

Congratulations to the following PGA Professionals on their Quarter Centry achievement: Cory Muller, PGA, John Schmoll, PGA, Michael Crawford, PGA, Philip Cardwell, PGA, Scott Klemme, PGA, Kent Thomas, PGA, Charlie Poole, PGA, David Patrone, PGA, Larry Scortichini, PGA, Doug Solow, PGA, Bill Bresnan, PGA, Len Bush, PGA

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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The Connecticut Golf Club

What inspired you to start playing golf?

“My inspiration to golf came from my parents. With two PGA Professionals as parents, it was not forced but was easily accessible growing up. I would go to work with my mom who ran the junior program at Woodway Country Club for my father and would be able to golf as much as I wanted. Some days it was golf all day and some days I went to the pool or played tennis all day and did no golf. That was what made golf fun for me as a kid.”

Growing up, who was your role model and how did they help shape you to be the player you are today?

“I have a great community of people who I look up to that have shaped me as a person and golfer. Obviously both my parents played a great part in my golfing ability and taught me the values of being a good golfer.

My brother has helped shape my competitive edge as any brother does because we both want to beat each other every time we have ever played golf. Now that we are both golf pros, we want the best for each other and constantly bounce things off one another. My two high school hockey coaches, Chris Gerwig and Jamie Bruno, have played a huge part in my growing up at a young age. They are in their 50s and 40s respectively so being so close to them I have learned a lot about being a man. I can lean on any one of them for advice.”

Can you pinpoint a moment in your golf journey that gave you the confidence to succeed?

“If I had to pick, I would say the start to my comfort level in golf to succeed was the 2019 Met PGA Championship that I won. Winning that event at Sleepy Hollow CC showed me that I could really compete with the great players in our section. I was the only one to finish under par that week which was more than amazing for me.

The 2021 season I would say is where I started to fully believe that I could be a top player in our section. I won my second Section Championship, the Westchester PGA Match Play, and played in my first PGA Tour event, the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. My experience at Kiawah hit a switch for me in my belief in my golf ability. I did not play perfectly by any means, but I played really well minus two to three holes that I made a couple big numbers. The guys that I played with throughout the week were very supportive and gave me high remarks on my ability to play the game we all love. As for advice I would say it came from a few different people. Dr. Greg Cartin who works with a few PGA Tour players that I am lucky enough to know has helped me through some rough times on and off the course and just the way he talks about both resonate well with me. My golf coach John Dipilato is one person who pushed me the most to be great, not just as a golfer, but in our everyday work as well. There are times when I am too humble in golf, and he pushes me every day to keep a confident edge in myself. The last person who has given me great advice over the years is my brother.

He has played with some of the best golfers in the world over his golfing career. When I am in the hunt for a golf tournament, he always reminds me that if I go out and play “Pete Ballo Golf” that it is some of the best golf he has ever seen and that relaxes me every time.”

Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?

“To stop second guessing myself as much as I do. I am a very confident person most of the time, but I am also too modest and humble with myself to be overconfident. This is something that I have learned and one thing I try to continue to work on each day. Through my experiences and by talking to my support group, I have learned that being overconfident in yourself does not mean you are cocky or a bad person. If I can’t believe in myself then why should my support group believe in me.”

What inspired you to start playing golf?

“My dad put a club in my hands very early, but the promise of a hot dog and a cart ride kept me coming back.”

Growing up, who was your role model and how did they help shape you to be the player you Southampton GC are today?

“My dad was my biggest role model. He was and still is a very good golfer and while watching him, I got an understanding of what it took to be a good player from a young age. I also learned that you don’t have to grind for hours and hours. You can do a shorter quality practice that is just as good if not better than beating balls on the range.”

Can you pinpoint a moment in your golf journey that gave you the confidence to succeed?

“I’ve been lucky to play in several majors. The one that is the most special to me is the 2012 US Open at Blackwolf Run in Kohler, WI. My caddy and I had been preparing really well for a couple weeks. I would do my short game and putting practice routines daily. The tournament week practice round days were a record high heat wave. I only played one total practice round in those three days. We relied on our previous practice and preparation. We had a game plan, but I wasn’t upset when the plan or shots didn’t go well. I knew it was tough for everyone. I finished the week tied for 14th and it helped me have my best year on the LPGA. That week gave me the confidence to trust myself and my game no matter what.”

Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?

“I would tell myself to find a good team. It would consist of a swing coach, short game coach, trainer and mental coach.

Together come up with a good, realistic plan and stick with it. Reevaluate every now and then, but trust the process and know that it will be up and down. But when things go down they will come back up again.”

The Stanwich Club

What inspired you to start playing golf?

“Golf was always something I played with friends, along with all kinds of other sports.

I don’t think I was inspired to really start practicing the game until high school. I always loved that golf was a game where

all the pressure was on you and only you. And making progress was easily measured by the scores you were able to shoot.”

Growing up, who was your role model and how did they help shape you to be the player you are today?

“My role model growing up was always my Dad. He didn’t have the sharpest game in the world, but I still remember him hitting 5-woods with spinny balata balls on the range. It was like watching a fireworks show, but the flight of a well-struck golf ball really stuck with me.”

Can you pinpoint a moment in your golf journey that gave you the confidence to succeed?

“At team tryouts my freshman year in college, I finished tied for the last spot on the team. I won the playoff to get the final spot and it’s been a pretty good run since then! Who knows what would’ve happened had I lost that playoff.”

Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?

“Growing up I wish I had found a way to take some lessons. Even once every couple of months with a great instructor would have really helped to progress faster in the game. My dad always told me to keep working on my short game, I’d say that was some good advice and I’m glad I took it!”

Mill River Club

What inspired you to start playing golf?

“I grew up next to a golf course that gave us free lessons to juniors every Thursday and my brother in a close friend of mine same age living on the same street.

Our parents would drop us off in the morning. One of them would pick us up in the afternoon and we just fell in love with the game.”

Growing up, who was your role model and how did they help shape you to be the player you are today?

“Jim Hallett played the PGA TOUR from my hometown of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts. His family and my family were very close and when Jim came to town, he would always take my brother and I out to either practice or play a few holes and I just always thought I wanted to be him, playing golf out on the PGA TOUR.” Can you pinpoint a moment in your golf journey that gave you the confidence to succeed?

“I was at PGA TOUR Q school in 1999. The last hole was an island green and needed a par to have an outside chance to get my TOUR card. I hit a great shot onto the green and hit a great first putt and had about 12 inches. My hands were shaking so much and when the ball went in, I felt relief but I had to wait two hours to know if I got my TOUR card. Long story short, I did get it that year.”

Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?

“I always dreamt of being on the PGA TOUR. I never dreamt of winning on the PGA TOUR and I think if I could’ve dreamed bigger, maybe my career would’ve been a little bit different.”

Century CC

What inspired you to start playing golf?

“My golf career started accidentally and became an unintentional passion. I tore my ACL playing basketball during the winter and could not play softball that summer. A local club hosted the Tennessee State Junior and asked me if I wanted to play. I entered, played terribly, but became obsessed by the game. Today, my family inspires me to work hard and keep moving.”

Growing up, who was your role model and how did they help shape you to be the player you are today?

“My player role model was Nancy Lopez. She burst onto the LPGA and won five tournaments in a row in her rookie season.

She was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and made women’s golf popular and fun. She was exciting to watch and so nice to everyone. My second role model was Rollins College golf coach Peggy Brass. Peggy and her husband Jimmy helped to shape my game as a very inexperienced college golfer. Peggy was a great Florida amateur, and her patience and guidance have been lifelong lessons for me. I feel Rollins College gave me the opportunity to play collegiate golf at a small school and the experience and friendships shaped my future. ” Can you pinpoint a moment in your golf journey that gave you the confidence to succeed?

“My good friend and coach, John Redman, looked at me one day and asked me what I was waiting for? I was puzzled by his question. He said “CJ if you don’t try to play professional golf now you are going to regret it for the rest of your life.

You are not getting any younger”. I saved money, quit my job and started playing the Futures Tour” Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?

“Determine what inspires you and go for it. I worked for six years after college as a flight attendant and claims adjuster. I finally had the courage to devote myself to what I loved after sitting in an office all day. Find your passion, be determined and follow your heart.”

CJ will be at Metropolis CC in White Plains in 2025.

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Met Section Shines in PGA Tournament Series

Articles By Craig Dolch PGA of America

Dylan Newman Wins Event No. 1 It took Dylan Newman about three minutes to make the dreaded drive in the cart back to the 13th tee on the Ryder Course. Enough time to cool down.

Leading Event No. 1 in the PGA Tournament Series by a shot, Newman had just “sniped” his drive on the par-5 hole, leading to a lost ball. “I was very annoyed with myself when I was driving back to the tee,” said Newman of New Rochelle, N.Y. “Just hit a horrible drive. But when I got to the tee, I calmed down and said, ‘Let’s just make a bogey with a birdie on the second ball.”

That’s exactly what Newman did, going over the green in two shots and chipping it close. It was the definition of a good bogey. “That helped me secure the victory,” Newman said after an even-par 71 left him at 3-under 139. “I never lost the lead.”

Newman birdied the par-5 17th hole to break away from a late five-way tie for the lead to earn a one-shot victory over Domenico Geminiani (69) of Italy and Tim Pearce (69) of Birmingham, Mich., on a cold, breezy day at PGA Golf Club.

“There was a decent amount of adversity on the back nine,” Newman said. “Not sure if I ever won a tournament with a lost ball.”

The victory was Newman’s third in the last four PGA Tournament Series events (he won Nos. 4 and 5 last year), and the $5,000 first prize gives him an early lead as he tries to win his third money title in the last five years. No surprise Geminiani was on Newman’s heels. Geminiani won last year’s Event No. 6 to edge Newman for the money title. Geminiani also has won two of the last three National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championships. Geminiani missed birdie putts inside 10 feet on the last two holes.

“I played solid overall. The conditions were so tough,” Geminiani said. “I had a couple chances the last two holes, hit a couple good putts. I’m happy for Dylan. He’s been playing phenomenal.”

Pearce was the first player in the clubhouse at 2-under. Half of his four birdies came on par-3s (Nos. 5 and 12), but he finished with six pars as he tried to win a PGA Tournament Series event for the second consecutive year.

“If you can birdie the par-3s out here, you’re doing well,” Pearce said. “I’m still trying to scrape the rust off from Michigan. Winning last year definitely helped a lot. In previous years, I would have gotten nervous. Today, I was just having fun.”

Jeff Sorenson (70) of Blaine, Minn., and Alex Hoffman (73) of Frederick, Md., were part of the five-way tie for the lead, but finished with a bogey and a double bogey, respectively, at 18.

Both players saw their approaches to the par-4 hole plug in a greenside bunker.

“I putted really well, but just made a couple of dumb bogeys,” Sorenson said. “At 18, I tried to hit a soft 54 (-degree wedge) and overcut it.

I should have gone left and left myself with a downhill putt.”

Hoffman had a wild finish, making double bogey at 15, eagle at 17 and double bogey at 18. He finished tied for fifth with Trevor Bensel (70) of Colorado, Pa. “I three-putted from 3 feet on 15. That was unfortunate,” Hoffman said. “Not sure what happened there. That green always gives me fits.”

Chris Gabriele Wins Event No. 2 Chris Gabriele of West Harrison, N.Y., won’t forget the 6-under 66 he shot Dec. 6 and the plaque he took home.

You don’t forget your first professional victory, especially when it comes with a short birdie on the final hole and against one of your buddies, Dylan Newman of New Rochelle, N.Y. Gabriele won PGA Tournament Series Event No. 2 by a shot at 7-under 137.

“This is my first professional win, so I put it right at the top,” said a smiling Gabriele, who is a PGA Assistant Professional at Quaker Ridge Golf Club. “It’s been hard to cross the finish line, but I got over it today.”

The 28-year-old Gabriele was tied with Newman for the lead at the 18th hole of the Dye Course when he took care of business. After splitting the fairway, Gabriele fired a 48-degree sand wedge from 117 yards to 2.5 feet. The birdie was almost a gimme for the $5,000 first prize.

“I hit my drive way farther than I thought, probably because of adrenaline,” Gabriele said. “I took a little off the 48 because I was worried about adrenaline again, and it just happened to be the right number.”

Newman birdied the 14th and 15th holes to take the lead at 7-under as he was trying to win his second consecutive PGA Tournament Series event and fourth in his last five starts. But he bogeyed the par-3 16th hole, didn’t birdie the par-5 17th and couldn’t match Gabriele’s birdie at 18.

“I was 3-over on the par-3s, and that’s not going to get ‘er done,” Newman said after his 70. “I didn’t play bad, but I was a little more cautious and uncomfortable with the numbers (yardages). Chris played good.”

Gabriele and Newman are members of the Metropolitan PGA Section. They got paired together several times this summer.

“He’s someone we chase,” Gabriele said of Newman. “It was fun to be able to beat him.”

First-round leader Jeff Sorenson of Blaine, Min., shot 74 Friday to finish third at 4-under 140. He improved a spot over Tuesday’s fourth-place finish. His problem Friday was a pair of bogeys on par-5s.

“I just didn’t hit my irons that good, and at the Dye Course you pay the price, Sorenson said. “If you miss them pin high, you never have a straight-forward chip. It’s either a bump or a flop. I just put myself in those spots too many times.”

Andre Chi Wins Event No. 4 You’ve got to be lucky and good to win a golf tournament. Andre Chi of Flushing, N.Y., was both Friday.

Chi made an eagle and four birdies, but the key moment was the par he made on the par-3 16th hole on the Ryder Course.

Chi’s tee shot landed in a greenside bunker, leaving him with a 30-yard blast. He caught too much of the ball and it sailed over the green, stopping 1 yard away from a pond.

Instead of getting rattled, Chi stepped up and made the chip for an unlikely par to propel him to a two-shot victory over Kyle Szyhowski of St. Charles, Mo., to win Event No. 4 of the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club. Chi shot 5-under 66 to finish at 7-under 135.

“I thought it had a chance to go into the water,” Chi said of his blast from the bunker. “I thought I caught it good, but it just came out hot. Luckily, it stayed on dry land and had more luck on my side when the chip went in.

“I knew if I didn’t make any silly mistakes on 17 and 18, I’d be in good shape.”

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Chi and Szyhowski had quite the battle on the back nine. Trailing by a shot, Chi bogeyed the 10th and 11th holes to fall two back after Szyhowski birdied the 11th.

Chi made three consecutive birdies to catch Szyhowski, who lost the lead for good with a double bogey on the par-4 15th hole.

“I came close to winning a couple of these this year and last year. It’s nice to finally get the job done.”

Andre Chi, PGA “He got off to a rocky start on the back nine and I got off to a good start,” said Szyhowski. “Then he ran off three (birdies) in a row, and I made a bad mistake on 15. I had chances on 17 and 18, but just couldn’t convert them.”

Szyhowski, who works at Norwood Hills Country Club, said he didn’t let Chi’s hole-out on 16 bother him. His shoulders didn’t slump nor did he show any other emotion.

“You can’t think ahead like that,” Szyhowski said. “You always think he’s going to make it. When it went in, now I got to make my putt just to stay within two. Kudos to Andre. He didn’t make any blemishes. He played rock-solid.”

Chi’s win was the third notable victory of his young career. The 24-year-old won the NCAA Division III National Championship at Methodist in 2022 and he also captured an assistant tournament in the MET PGA Section this year.

“I came close to winning a couple of these this year and last year,” said Chi, who works at Deepdale Golf Club. “It’s nice to finally get the job done.”

Omar Uresti shot his second consecutive 70 to finish alone in third place. Domenico Geminiani (69) and Jesse Mueller (68) tied for fourth place.

Leading money winner Dylan Newman (71) of New Rochelle, N.Y., tied for sixth with three others.

Chris Gabriele Wins Event No. 6 Chris Gabriele had to wait 28 years for his first professional win. He only had to wait another two weeks to win his second tournament.

Gabriele of West Harrison, N.Y., birdied the 15th and 16th holes Friday for a one-shot victory over Jeff Sorenson of Blaine, Minn., in Event No. 6 of the PGA Tournament Series. Gabriele shot 2-under 70 on the Wanamaker Course to finish at 6-under 138.

“Winning two weeks ago helped tremendously today,” said Gabriele, a PGA Assistant Professional at Quaker Ridge Golf Club, on winning Event No. 2 on the Dye Course earlier in the month. “It was a little different this time; I didn’t think I was in contention last time. Because I felt like I got the monkey off my back, I was able to stay calm under the pressure. Kudos to Jeff. We had a great battle out there.”

Gabriele and Sorenson started the day tied for the lead after opening 68s, but had to wait out a 75-minute fog delay. The delay didn’t bother Gabriele too much because he holed a 30-yard chip for eagle on the first hole.

Sorenson fought back, however, and had a one-shot lead over Gabriele when they headed to the 15th hole. Gabriele spun his wedge on the short par-4 back to 3 feet to tie, then made a clutch 10-foot birdie putt at No. 16 to take the lead for good.

“There was a lot of flip-flopping between us,” Gabriele said. “It was huge to make birdies on 15 and 16. I knew those were my opportunities.”

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Sorenson was trying to win his second PGA Tournament Series this month. The 46-year-old said he ran out of gas on the back nine.

“This was my 16th round in 19 days and I could feel my body not cooperating as well,” Sorenson said. “I made a few iffy swings on the back nine. Last time (when he won), I finished 4-3-4. This time 5-4-4. That was the difference.”

The $5,000 first prize comes in handy for Gabriele, who got married last year and is headed to Hawaii next week for a delayed honeymoon. The winner embraced wife Caitlin, who followed him all 18 holes.

“Both of my professional wins have come after I got married,” Gabriele said. “Thanks, Cate.”

Dylan Newman (71) of New Rochelle, N.Y., won the money title for the third time since 2019 (he was second last year), finishing seventh Friday to earn $17,332 for the six-event Series. Sorenson ($14,902) was second, followed by last year’s champion, Domenico Geminiani of Italy ($12,528), Gabriele ($11,823) and Michael Balcar ($9,262) of Toledo, Ohio.

Balcar (69) finished third Friday, Geminiani (72) was T4 with Kyle Szyhowski (69) of St. Charles, Mo., and Adam Rainaud (71) of New Canaan, Conn.

Newman also won the scoring average total at 69.9, the only player at less than 70. Geminiani was second at 70.40.

“It feels great to win the money title and scoring average,” Newman said. “I got some good cash for Christmas. I just wish I would have putted better today.”

It was a celebratory day for the Newman family. Carly Newman, Dylan’s wife, made a hole-in-one on the 4th hole, using a 7-iron from 168 yards. It was her third ace in competition.

“It was great! Who doesn’t like a hole-in-one?” Carly Newman said. “I saw it hit right of the hole and it rolled about 12 feet into the hole. We saw it all.”

Said her husband: “I couldn’t make a five-footer, and she’s making a hole-in one. Unbelievable. I hit it to 1 foot on No. 6.

How incredible would that have been for both of us to make a hole-in-one?”

Quarter Century Championship A 64 & Under Jan. 8-9, 2025

Quarter Century Championship B 65+ Jan. 8-9, 2025

Senior Stroke Play Championship A 59 & Under Jan. 12-14, 2025

Senior Stroke Play Championship A 60+ Jan. 12-14, 2025

Senior-Junior Team Championship Jan. 27-30, 2025

Four-Ball Stableford Team Championship Feb. 2-4, 2025

Stroke Play Championship Feb. 9-11, 2025

Women’s Stroke Play Championship Feb. 16-18, 2025

MET PGA SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Scott Ford Takes Senior Championship Victory Cold Spring Country Club welcomed a talented group of senior PGA Professionals for the playing of the 2024 Met PGA Senior Championship. Scott Ford of Glen Oaks Club managed a gritty victory after a rough start to round two play. Ford was the only senior professional in the field to finish under par after his first 18 holes. Hoping to bring that momentum into round two, Ford would bogey three out of his first five holes to meet Phil Cardwell of Rockville Links Club at even par for the tournament. The bogey’s on the front nine would end there as birdies on holes 6 and 7 found him back on top where he would remain for the rest of the round to finish 69 73 142, two shots ahead of Cardwell.

With the win, Ford earned a spot in the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon. Also earning a qualifying spot into the Senior PGA Professional Championship included Frank Bensel, Greg Bisconti, Charlie Bolling, Phil Cardwell, Bobby Heins, Mike Meehan and Peter Prcops. Jason Caron earned an exemption into the Championship.

The Met PGA is blessed to have a wide variety of sponsors and supporters, with the common thread being their desire to help elevate the association and the golf profession. We are excited to announce our most recent sponsorship, as Mal Galletta III and his Scott Ford Hoists Senior Championship Trophy family have committed to support this year Championship as a tribute to the legacy of his dad, Mal Galletta Jr. Mal Galletta Jr. loved to compete and was among the top players in the Met Section for many years. Among his titles were: four wins at the Team Championship, wins at both the Jack Mallon and Pro-Lady events, three Long Island Open Championships, and a New York State Open Championship. Mal remained a staunch supporter and advocate for senior golf, continuing to compete at a high level well into his seventies. Mal was the driving force behind the creation of the Met PGA Life-Member Championship, held in conjunction with the Head Pro Championship, and a local Senior Tour that he created continues to bear his name. It is in that spirit that his son, Mal Galletta III and the family have elected to contribute $5,000 per year for the next four years to the Met PGA Senior Championship and a field of players who remember and appreciate Mal’s leadership and contributions to the association. As a successful player and advocate for Senior Tournaments, Mal would be incredibly proud to be associated with this extraordinary boost to the Met PGA’s most important Senior Championship.

Mal Galletta Jr.

This year’s total purse increased to $25,000 thanks to the additional support from the Galletta’s.

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MET PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Newman defends title on the East End of Long Island Dylan Newman, the reigning Met PGA Champion, once again etched his name in the history books, successfully defending his title at the prestigious Noyac Golf Club. The tournament, known for its challenging layout and fierce competition, witnessed a thrilling climax as Newman outlasted a stellar field to claim victory. Dylan Newman, Newman’s journey to the title was marked by consistent brilliance throughout the tournament on what was an extremely tough week at Noyac. Patience was the name of the game for Newman. Three straight rounds of even par was enough for a one shot victory over past champion, Frank Bensel of Century Country Club. A win for Bensel would have been his third victory across three different decades.

Casey Pyne of The Stanwich Club was also in the mix on the back nine, but late bogeys on Holes 14 & 18 caused him to settle for Dylan Newman Hoists Joseph J. Lannin Trophy third place at 2-over par.

The round of the tournament was turned in

by Cian Curley of Trump National Golf Club Westchester. A 5-under par round of 67 vaulted him up the leaderboard into solo fourth place.

Newman’s victory once again solidifies his position as one of the top golfers in the Metropolitan PGA Section. His consistent performances and ability to rise to the occasion have made him a force to be reckoned with. As Newman looks ahead, he will undoubtedly continue to strive for greatness.

A huge thank you to Noyac Golf Club and host professional Pat Gunning for a tremendous week! Newman clinches with a par putt on 18 www.met.pga.com || Year End Edition 2024 ||

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HOFFHINE MEMORIAL The 79th Hoffhine Memorial Championship saw three teams finish atop the leaderboard at Westchester Country Club. Congratulations to Mike Ballo Jr. and Sal Syed of Team Tamarack, Danny Balin and Ben Mitchell of Team Fresh Meadow, and Casey Pyne and Jake Lecky of Team Stanwich who finished with 69 points in the highly anticipated stableford event!

Casey Pyne of The Stanwich Club would top the individual professional division with 40 points.

PRO LADY CHAMPIONSHIP PRO-LADY Some of the finest female amateur golfers in the section teamed up with their club professionals at the 2024 Pro Lady Championship hostedonce again by Round Hill Club in Greenwich, CT. Kyle Higgins and Maki Drake of Team inwood finished at 4-under par to win the 18-hole stroke play event.

Thanks to Met PGA sponsor, Dormie Workshop, each particpant was sent a special gift to commemorate the event!

HITEY 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”.

Brandon Kuzmich and Christian Cavaliere of Team Hudson National and Joseph DiDomenico and Lucas Rizo-Patron of Team Pelham finished 8-under par to finish first in the tournament.

Team Hudson National

Team Pelham

MET PGA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP The Met PGA Team Championship had a new home this fall. The highly anticipated section event arrived at The Monster Golf Club at Resorts World Casino in the Catskills. The Monster golf course, originally designed in 1963 by Joe Finger, was rated by Golf Digest as one of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses. At 7,327 yards from the “Monster Tees”, this par 72 will challenge every player with length, extensive bunkering, and a variety of water hazards.

Now managed by Troon Golf a new chapter begins as the club has completed an impressive enhancement project that has reinvigorated the course, clubhouse, and entire experience.

We are extremely excited to be welcomed by Monster Golf Club’s Head Professional, Uri Jimenez, PGA as we look to bring a new experience to our Met Section members.

The Professional duo of Alexis Hios of Woodway Country Club and Samantha Morrell of Fenway Golf Club would best Danny Balin of Fresh Meadow Country Club and Cory Muller www.met.pga.com || Year End Edition 2024 ||

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of Country Club of Darien in a playoff to win the team championship event!

The two-day event also re-introduced the Met PGA Partner and Sponsor Expo.

After round one play, our participating teams had a chance to explore the latest and greatest in apparel, equipment, technology, and more at the casino hotel. 2024 Met PGA Partners and Sponsors had the opportunity to set up a booth and schedule appointments with section professionals: a one-stopshop for our members!

Alexis Hios and Sam Morrell Win in Playoff

Silvercrest Cup

Ballo Continues Impressive Play at Tamarack The Metropolitan PGA and Silvercrest Asset Management Group, an investment advisor providing asset and wealth management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, families, and charitable foundations partnered once again to host the 3rd Annual Silvercrest Cup, a tournament series for Met PGA Professionals.

The series included four qualifying events and culminated in a $30,000 Silvercrest Cup final at Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. The one-day 18-hole stroke play Championship saw an impressive field that included 2024 Met PGA Player of the Year, Peter Ballo of The Connecticut Golf Club. With a season already highlighted in the record books, Ballo would look to add another accolade to his resume but would need to face brother and Tamarack Country Club Head Professional, Mike Ballo Jr., to earn the Cup. The Ballo’s, along with 2022 New York State Open Champion, Peicheng Chen and 2024 Met PGA Women’s Player of the Year, Cindy Lacrosse, would finish their rounds tied at even par and would head to a playoff. Both Ballo’s would manage pars on the first playoff hole to move, with Chen and Lacrosse eliminated after suffering bogeys. Peter and Mike would go shot for shot in a thrilling 8-hole playoff in what Peter Ballo holds check with Allen Gray (pictured left of inevitably was one of the most Ballo) and Silvercrest Asset Management staff dramatic finishes of the season.

Both would showcase incredible composure, resilience, skill, and competitive spirit as they battled to determine a champion. The playoff would culminate on the 8th playoff hole where Peter Ballo would manage a par three on Tamarack’s 12th hole to hoist the Silvercrest Cup and add another trophy to his remarkable season.

With the victory, Peter received $15,000, one of the most lucrative winner’s checks on the Section’s tournament calendar.

PRO-L

While the Silvercrest Cup rewards playing excellence of Metropolitan PGA Professionals, the series also provided a generous donation to the Met PGA Foundation, the Metropolitan PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation.

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GENE BOREK

SQUIRE CUP Fishers Island Club 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 AM&E, Galvin Green, Heritage Creations, Original Penguin, Pukka, and Signs by the Sea. Congratulations to the Assistant Professionals who retained the Squire Cup with a score of 11 to 7!

CHAMPIONS

LADY

ASSISTANTS (Top left to right) Connor Costello, Jacob Troyer, Brian Williams, Casey Pyne, Mitch Gray, Eric Hartstein (Bottom left to right) Peter Ballo, Carly Newman, Lucas Spahl, Rob Baynard, Chris Gabriele, Kevin Johnston

HEAD PROFESSIONALS (Top left to right) Lauren Kegarise, Dan Colvin, Chris Marinaro, Stuart Waack, Cory Muller, Chris Kenney, Reid Howey (Bottom left to right) Nick Yaun, Nick Maselli, Peter Ballo, Jim Smoot, Sam Wiley, Dave Fusco

FARLEY CUP The Farley Cup continues to honor the memory of our friend and Met PGA Tournament Director, John Farley. The 15th annual Westchester versus Long Island team event was held at Glen Oaks Club featuring the top players in each region.

CHAMPIONS

Ultimately, it would be Team Westchester who would see back-to-back Farley Cup victories!

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.

WESTCHESTER (Top left to right) Casey Pyne, Craig Hocknull, Greg Bisconti, Carl Alexander, Mike Ballo, Peter Ballo (Bottom left to right) Eric Hartstein, James Giampaulo, Chris Gabriele, Chris Trout, Cian Curley, Alex Beach

LONG ISLAND (Top left to right) Dylan Newman, Matt Dobyns, Connor Costello, Sean Quinlivan, Caleb Wilson, Reid Howey (Bottom left to right) Shea Wolfle, Paul Dickinson, Danny Balin, Jimmy Farrell, Mike Meehan, Jason Caron www.met.pga.com || Year End Edition 2024 ||

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ASSISTANTS CORNER Dear Assistants, I would like to take this time to thank my fellow Board Members: Chris Gabriele, Brian Williams, Rob Baynard, and Chris Paulino for all their hard work, dedication, and outstanding efforts contributing to this board. We congratulate Assistants Board Treasurer, Brian Williams, as he was recently appointed Head Professional at Brownson CC in Shelton, CT. As we head into the winter months, it is truly not the “off-season” for this board. We will continue to meet monthly via Zoom and expand our reach to all professionals in the Met Section for feedback and new ideas.

Carly Newman

Assistants President

We are busy assisting the Met Section Staff in booking a plethora of Assistants Tour OFFICERS Events, Assistant’s Championships, Spring/Fall Meetings, and many more notable tournaments and events. With the 2025 Ryder Cup set to take place at Bethpage, we are grateful to all the professionals and clubs who have generously stepped up to Carly Newman, PGA President provide accommodations. Their support allows us to maintain the traditional Assistant’s Events in our schedules rotation, ensuring its continued success and importance within Chris Gabriele, PGA our community.

Secretary Please feel free to reach out to me, or any member of the board, for more information Brian Williams, PGA on how you can get involved. We welcome your participation and support.

Treasurer Your Assistant’s President,

Rob Baynard, PGA 1st Vice President

Carly Newman

Fall Event Snapshots

Assistants Tour Championship The Connecticut Golf Club

Winner: Kyle Dobbs

Assistants Match Play Championship

Winner: Casey Pyne and Austin Ball The Stanwich Club

Chris Paulino, PGA 2nd Vice President

FOUNDATION As the year comes to a close, we would like to take the time to thank all of our PGA Professionals, Associates, and their clubs for your tremendous support of the Met Section PGA Foundation and our mission. The success of the Foundation is a direct reflection of the dedication of all of you to changing the lives of others through the game of golf. The Metropolitan Section PGA Foundation is YOUR Foundation and you should use it to tell of the good work you and your fellow Professionals are doing in our local community. We would love to have you more involved with the Foundation in 2025, please reach out to learn more!

What’s Your Foundation New Years Resolution?

Get Involved in 2025! #WE TEACH

Become a certified PGA HOPE Instructor Volunteer for PGA HOPE Mentor a Junior Golfer Become a Golf in Schools instructor Become a PGA Junior League Captain

#WE PLAY

Play in the Augie Pro-Am Captain a PGA HOPE Military League Team Host a Junior Tour event Host a PGA HOPE play day

#WE INSPIRE

Encourage your junior golfers to participate in junior golf programs Hire a veteran at your club through VETWORKS Follow our Ambassador’s journeys

#WE GIVE BACK

Spearhead a fundraiser at your club Apply for a PGA Professional Grant to do your own program Participate in the Birdie Bash to support local Children’s Hospitals Donate a foursome for our fundraisers

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EVENTS FUNDRAISING

The Met PGA Birdie Bash expanded to two sites this year at Bethpage GC and Silvermine GC where 37 teams of Metropolitan Section PGA Professionals played 72 holes of golf in one day sinking 1,729 Birdies to raise over $270,000!

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 PlayYellow for Children’s Hospitals including Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Westchester and Cohens Children’s Hospital on Long Island. Mark your calendars for next year’s events on Monday, August 11th!

Thank you to all who played and supported our teams!

New York Mets, All-Star Second Baseman and Met PGA Foundation Ambassador, Jeff McNeil, and Emmy Award winner, Hank Azaria joined together to host a charity poker event to raise money for two very special causes at their inaugural Poker Showdown at CitiField. McNeil’s charity was the Metropolitan PGA Foundation, and Azaria chose The Soul Focused Group. This spectacular evening included poker, cocktails, dinner, golf, magic, and more as we came together to raise money for these two remarkable organizations. Hank and Jeff invited their friends in the sports and entertainment industries to join us for this evening and over $120,000 was raised.

The Augie Met PGA Championship Pro-Am was held at Noyac GC on September 16th and was a very memorable day for all in attendance as we honored two very deserving supporters of the Foundation, Rick Meskell, PGA and Robert Giuffra. This year’s event once again celebrated “Giving Back Through Golf” and raised over $70,000 to support Foundation initiatives. Next year’s event will be held on Monday, September 15th at Tamarack Country Club and we hope to see you there.

The Jeff Brennan Memorial Golf Outing was held at South Shore CC on June 17th and raised over $18,000 to support the Metropolitan Section PGA Foundation’s junior golf programs on Staten Island and the Amyloidosis Foundation. This event pays tribute to Jeffery Brennan, who passed away unexpectedly from amyloidosis, a rare illness that is estimated to effect less than 200,000 people in the U.S. population. Inspired by his legacy, Jeff’s family and friends organize the annual Jeff Brennan Memorial Golf Outing each year.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING! $100,000 & UP Jeff McNeil & Hank Azaria Poker Showdown

Birdie Bash Northwell Health

$70,000 & UP The Augie Met PGA Championship Pro Am

$20,000 & UP Saint Andrew’s Golf Club Silvercrest Asset Management Wee Burn Country Club

Burning Tree Country Club Featherie

$15,000 & UP Apawamis Club Jeff Brennan Memorial

Meadow Brook Club Southern Dutchess CC

$10,000 & UP Mill River Club Old Oaks Country Club Patterson Club Piping Rock Club

Connecticut Golf Club Birchwood Country Club Garmany Golf Callaway Golf Christopher and Waneska Torto Innis Arden Golf Club Jeff McNeil Clippd

Quaker Ridge Golf Club Richmond County CC Rolling Hills Country Club Tamarack Country Club Woodside Club

$5,000 & UP Anheuser Busch Brian Crowell, PGA Country Club of Darien Dicks Sporting Goods

Metropolis Country Club Pine Ridge Golf Club Robert & Janet Postma Rockville Links Club Salem Golf Club

Engineers Country Club Fenway Golf Club Garden City Golf Club Jim Smoot, PGA Kickpoint Golf

Silo Ridge Field Club Silvermine Golf Club Stanwich Club Tuxedo Club Vineyards Golf Club

$2,500 & UP Nat & Laura Alcamo Avidia Bank

Bonnie Briar Country Club Brae Burn Country Club

Country Club of Fairfield Indian Hills Country Club Luke Smith

Merrick GC Muttontown Club Scarsdale Golf Club

$1,000 & UP Atlantic Golf Club Bill Larkin Country Club of New Canaan Doug Jansen, PGA Glen Head Country Club Glen Oaks Club

Golftec of Westport Jonathan Gold, PGA John Starks Foundation Joseph D. Julia Memorial Mahopac Golf Club Marc Goldstein

Metropolis Country Club Metropolitan Golf Writers Michael Breed, PGA North Port American Legion Round Hill Club Straight Down

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Thomas & Louisa Schneider Vincenzo Rallo, PGA Woodway Country Club

OUR REACH FOUNDATION IMPACT 3,000+

Hours donated by PGA Professionals annually

50+

College Scholarships provided since 2015

6,000+

Lives engaged with programming

$200,000+ Donated to local children’s hospitals and those underserved by the game 120

Scholarships granted

40

Financial Aid Scholarships Provided

200+

Interns since 2000

83%

Of donations go towards delivering programs to serve our mission

JUNIOR GOLF 1,324

Junior Tour Members

96

Tournaments

140

Jr. League Programs

2,132

Boys and Girls participated in Jr. League

995

Drive, Chip & Putt partipants

MILITARY 206

Veterans graduated PGA HOPE

381

Military Golf League participants

1,400

Veterans served since 2015

This season we were thrilled to have announced Northwell Health as the official healthcare partner of the Metropolitan Section PGA. With our shared commitment to serving those who serve us, Northwell Health, New York State’s largest health care provider, sponsored Metropolitan PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) programming, a program dedicated to driving community, high-quality care, and career development opportunities amongst active military and veteran populations throughout the metropolitan area.

The PGA HOPE program is a six-week adaptive golf program with classes held at designated Met Area golf courses in the spring and fall. Over the last few years, prominent Northwell Health employees have graduated from the PGA HOPE program including Juan Serrano (Director, Office of Military and Veterans Liaison Services), Sean Christensen (Manager, Distribution Operations), and John Kelly (LMSW). We are excited to welcome additional Northwell Health affiliated veterans to take part in our upcoming classes this fall.

In addition to supporting PGA HOPE classes, Northwell Health also sponsored the section’s Military Golf League that culminated in a league championship this fall around National Day of HOPE. “For nearly twenty years, Northwell has been a proud, militaryfriendly employer and provider – serving and supporting activeduty personnel, veterans and their families,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell. “We hire hundreds of veterans each year and over the past decade, we have awarded about $1.8 million to employees who were mobilized and deployed overseas as part of our commitment to ensure they do not lose valuable income while they serve. We are proud to partner with the Metropolitan Section Foundation HOPE program as part of that mission.”

Dedicated to changing lives through the GAME OF GOLF 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.

Board of Directors Charlie Robson, Chairman Brian Crowell, PGA Rich Jones, PGA Heath Wassem, PGA Kevin Dwyer Augie Hoerrner Dave Scialabba Jim Smoot

Support Us!

Tamari Watkins: A Beacon of HOPE in the Met Section At the heart of the Met Section’s PGA HOPE initiative stands Tamari Watkins, an exceptional individual whose journey epitomizes the power of perseverance and the life-changing impact of the PGA HOPE program.

Tamari served our country with distinction, earning the rank of E-4 Specialist, and was honorably discharged in 1992. After tragically losing his son in 2020 in a car accident and not seeing a reason to go on, Tamari learned about PGA HOPE. “Through PGA HOPE, I was introduced to veterans who shared similar experiences and then I realized I’m not alone,” said Watkins. “The program got me out onto the golf course, breathing fresh air, and I became addicted to the game. It’s brought me a lot of joy.”

Tamari attended classes at Spook Rock Golf Course before graduating from the program at Woodside Club on Long Island in 2021. After graduating, Tamari continued to work on his game and remained involved in everything PGA HOPE. He joined the Met Section’s Military Golf League through Southern Dutchess Country Club, assisted at future PGA HOPE Graduations, and volunteered at numerous charity events.

His involvement with PGA HOPE began as a participant, but it quickly evolved into a leadership role as his passion for the program and the game grew. Today, he joins fellow Graduate and former HOPE Ambassador, Jae Pea Persaud, as our new Met PGA HOPE Ambassador, advocating for the program and encouraging fellow veterans to take part. He is looking forward to helping PGA HOPE in the Met Section as he will tell you firsthand, “PGA HOPE saved my life…”

PGA HOPE Golf and Wellness Week

After being appointed a Met PGA HOPE Ambassador, Tamari was invited as our Met Section representative to attend PGA HOPE Golf & Wellness Week. Himself, along with 18 other veterans from across the US and two veteran squad leaders met at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland to participate in an immersive five-day event that included advanced golf instruction from PGA of America Golf Professionals and wellness training from the Cohen Veterans Network.

A highlight of the week for Tamari and the other PGA HOPE graduates in attendance was the opportunity to meet all-time great Jack Nicklaus, who was in DC to recognize them. Tamari didn’t just get the opportunity to meet the Golden Bear, he also got to show off his skills, making the most memorable shot of his life: a 50-foot putt drained right in front of Jack that was captured on film. “It was absolutely amazing,” said Tamari. “Mr. Nicklaus touched my putter before I made that amazing putt. Everyone that has played golf with me knows that a three-foot putt is an accomplishment, but a 50-foot putt was a true miracle. My Club was anointed by the great Jack Nicklaus.”

…

Tamari Watkins represents the heart and soul of the Metropolitan PGA HOPE program—a testament to the power of golf to heal, unite, and transform. His leadership and unwavering commitment to the veteran community serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the incredible impact that compassion, determination, and a shared love for the game can achieve. Through his advocacy, Tamari aims to inspire greater support for PGA HOPE and similar initiatives, emphasizing the importance of mental health resources and community-building efforts for veterans.

www.met.pga.com || Year End Edition 2024 ||

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Team New York Perseveres to Win the 2024 17u National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship

By Mandy Crow PGA of America It all came down to the final match at the 2024 17u National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship, and Team New York won it all with a few well-timed birdies.

“The kids did it all,” said Team New York (Farmingdale) Coach Megan Younkman, LPGA. “They persevered through all the matches, not only today but the whole weekend.

Coming into the final stretch, they were able to add up the points again. They persevered, they never stopped, and it all happened on the last two holes.”

No. 1 seed Team New York defeated No. 2 seed Team Utah (Lehi) 5.5 - 3.5 to claim the 2024 17u title in the match-play final at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. Team New York and Team Utah were locked in a tie, 3-3, through the first two matches, but New York proved victorious. The win was a career highlight for many of Team New York’s players, most of whom have played together since they were in the 13u division.

“We’ve kind of been hoping to have a chance like this,” said Joseph Dolezal, 17, who has played in the PGA Jr. League program at Bethpage Golf Course since he was 12. “It’s really a dream come true. I can’t thank Megan enough, our parents for really getting us all together, and the team just playing together and always keeping our heads up even when the tough things were happening. I’m kind of speechless, to be honest.”

Bryan Zhao, 17, and his partner, Renna Chang, 16, Team New York’s final pair, went into Hole No. 9 knowing they needed to win the match to hoist the trophy.

“We were checking to see how our teammates were doing throughout the day,” said Zhao. “We didn’t get off to a very good start on the first three holes, but we worked and played some really good golf and were able to take it by a little margin at the end.”

PGA of America Golf Professional Tele Wightman, Team Utah’s Coach, was proud of his team, who kept the Championship match close throughout the afternoon.

“We played really great in the finals, and there were times when I thought we had it won,” said Wightman, General Manager at Thanksgiving Point Golf Club. “Coming into Hole No. 9, they birdied every group, and we parred, and that’s really what it came down to. We played great, but they were just a little bit better.”

In the afternoon third-place match, Team Virginia (Dulles), led by PGA of America Golf Professional Scott Holmes of 1757 Golf Club, defeated Team Illinois (Lemont), 6.5 - 2.5. Coach Kevin Weeks, PGA, leads Team Illinois, based at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club.

The match play semifinals set the stage for the Championship. In the morning, Team New York defeated No. 4 seed Team Illinois 5 - 4 to secure their Championship berth, while No. 2 seed Team Utah edged third-seeded Team Virginia (Dulles) 6.5 - 2.5 to advance.

As for the rest of the field, Team Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) finished fifth; Team Texas (Farmers Branch) in sixth; Team California (San Jose) was seventh; Team Florida (Palm Beach Gardens) finished eighth; Team Minnesota (Blaine) was ninth; Team North Carolina (Fuquay-Varina) in 10th; Team Ohio (Bainbridge) was 11th; and Team Kansas (Lenexa) finished 12th.

The eight teams not competing in the Semifinals had the option to compete in the Twin Warriors Fiesta de Tamaya, a two-person event with prizes awarded for first and second place and closest to the hole. The Twin Warriors Fiesta de Tamaya was captured by Nathan Miller, 17, and Landon Hilario, 15, of Team Texas. Team Ohio’s Gracyn Vidovic, 17, and Ellie Gonzalez, 14, were the runners-up. Madyson Barone, 15, of Team Florida claimed closest to the hole on Hole No. 13, and Calli Reed, 14, of Team Ohio earned closest to the hole on Hole No. 15.

www.met.pga.com || Year End Edition 2024 ||

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