Met PGA E-Magazine Third Quarter 2019

MAGAZINE IN FULL SWING

Third Edition Highlights

LOOKING FORWARD HOFFHINE MEMORIAL FALL MEETING TOURNAMENT RECAP ASSISTANTS CORNER FOUNDATION 2019 THIRD QUARTER

Introduction As we’ve turned the corner on Labor Day, it’s hard to believe that summer has come and gone. The months of June, July, and August seem to whip by with member guests, outings, charity events, and Met PGA tournaments. Most of the time, it feels like there isn’t even half of a day to spare for family, friends or catching up on personal demands but somehow the talented professionals of the Met PGA find a way to participate in tournaments, bring members to Pro-Ams, and volunteer to help kids and veterans learn and enjoy the greatest game.

Another major focus of the summer month is junior golf. It is incredible to witness the number of kids we see at Junior Tour Events, Drive, Chip & Putt, and PGA Junior League. For many of them, golf is every day event in the summer and Met PGA professionals are at the stewards, giving golf courses, providing opportunities, and simply making golf cool and fun.

This issue of our magazine will recap many of the successes and events of the last few months and also preview our fall run of championships, meetings, and events. Among those will be an exciting announcement of our newest tournament sponsor, Medterra, along with the details of the reimagined Hoffhine Memorial Tournament at Westchester Country Club.

Thanks for reading this issue of the Met PGA Magazine and we look forward to seeing you on the tee!

FROM THE PRESIDENT Carl Alexander, PGA The Golf Club of Purchase

The fall season is here. I’m sure you all are busy at your club this time of year. I’m happy to report that the Met PGA and the golf business are in a good place. The PGA Championship is behind us and our tournament season is well underway. Whether people are talking about Brooks Koepka and how far he hits it, how slow the pace of play is on the PGA tour, or the latest golf equipment, people are talking about golf and you, the PGA Professional are the expert in the game.

Recently I had the unique experience of hosting and playing in a Met PGA Tournament. I am continually impressed by how hard our Met PGA Staff works. From sun up to sun down they work with a smile and professionalism that should make us all proud. They put on the best tournaments in the country and are excited to run our events and provide a competitive experience for all members. It was great to see Darrell Kestner and champion Frank Bensel hit great shot after great shot and dual it out at Purchase.

Carl Alexander, PGA President Theron Harvey, PGA Secretary Stuart Waack, PGA Treasurer Chris Kenney, PGA 1st Vice President James Ondo, PGA 2nd Vice President Board of Directors Bill Bresnan, PGA Jack Druga, PGA Andrew Gruss, PGA Rich Jones, PGA Jim Lusk, PGA Gary Murphy, PGA Shaun Powers, PGA Peter Procops, PGA Alex Smith, PGA David Young, PGA Brian Crowell, PGA Honorary President

As we come into fall, I hope everyone looks at their calendar to set time aside for educational opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and playing opportunities to close out the season in a positive way. We have a great line up of courses with historic Sleepy Hollow that hosted our Section Championship accompanied by The Augie Pro-Am and great venues for the Team Championship, Squire Cup, and Farley Cup matches. We are also excited to announce a new event for the Met PGA at one of our areas most well-known courses. Westchester Country Club is rearranging the 75 year old Hoffhine tournament to include a professional and a proam component. Our Travel Pro-Am to Las Vegas already has a waiting list!

Please remember there is still time to run a fundraiser for the foundation or volunteer for a PGA Hope program. Trust me, whatever time and effort it takes to do something for others will come back to you in dividends. Golf is one of the most philanthropic sports there is and you can easily find a way to get involved. My staff here at Purchase recently ran a Jr. Golf Marathon and raised over $10,000 in one day. By talking with our students and our members about all the good things the Met PGA supports, they were able to not only raise awareness, but gain their respect for giving back. I encourage you to consider a fundraiser at your club.

As a fraternal organization, we can all benefit from helping each other. Through our foundation we continue to help many juniors, veterans and people within our area. Please know that your board and your officers are also working on programs, tournaments, educational opportunities, and employment services to help you. The Met PGA has a long history of developing great players, teachers, leaders and businessmen and women and your continued involvement will help us continue this important tradition.

We are all fortunate to be PGA Professionals and to be part of the Met Section. Your Board and your officers are dedicated to helping you enjoy a long and prosperous career in the game of golf.

There are many success stories around you, within the Met PGA, that you can look to and find inspiration and support. Attending meetings, tournaments and pro-ams are great ways to meet other professionals and discuss similar challenges and find solutions. Keep looking for new opportunities to help strengthen and improve your work environment. Coach your associates and assistants to add value to the club. Look for ways to communicate better, generate revenue, and build a highperforming team. There is a solution to every problem and there are professionals all around you who can help.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Team Championship, the Fall Meeting, the Assistants Meeting, the Squire Cup or any one of the many events we still have on our calendar.

Sincerely,

Tom Henderson, PGA District Director

Jeff Voorheis Executive Director

Carl Alexander, PGA

www.met.pga.com || 3rd Quarter 2019 ||

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Contents PAGE

TOPIC/SECTION

5-6

Looking Forward - Hoffhine Memorial

7-8

Team Championship and Expo

9

Farley Cup and Squire Cup

10

Morrell Studios Member Milestones

11-12

Fall Meeting and Special Award Recipients

13-14

Met Professional Championship

15-16

Womens Met Open & Girls to the Tee

17-18

New York State Open

19-20

Pro-Junior

21

Mastercard Senior Match Play Championship

22

Lincoln Pro-Ams

23-24

Assistants Corner | Met PGA Assistant Championship

25

The Augie Met PGA Championship Pro-Am

26

Met PGA Senior Professional Championship

27-28

Met PGA Championship

29-33

Foundation Updates

34-38

Junior Tour Wrap Up

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE Sept 25

Met PGA Pro-Lady Championship Century Country Club

Sept 26

Lenox Advisors/NFP NYSO Pro-Am Bethpage Black Course

Sept 30 - Oct 1

Met PGA Team Championship The Bridge/Gardiner’s Bay

Oct 2

Senior Junior Championship South Fork Country Club

Oct 3

Women’s Match Play Championship Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Oct 7

Assistant Tour Championship Inwood Country Club

Oct 7

Jack Mallon Pro-Am Brookville Country Club

Oct 10

Whitey Voight Pro-Am Sunningdale Country Club

Oct 15 - Oct 16

Hoffhine Memorial

Westchester Country Club

Oct 17

Mohegan Sun Tournament of Champions Mohegan Sun Golf Club

Oct 21 - Oct 22

Atlantic City Pro-Am

Galloway National Golf Club/ Hidden Creek Golf Club

Oct 23

Met PGA Fall Meeting & Celebration Old Westbury Golf and Country Club

Oct 24

Farley Cup

Sebonack Golf Club

Oct 28

Assistants Fall Meeting Innis Arden Golf Club

Oct 30

Squire Cup

Maidstone Club

Nov 18-20

Las Vegas Pro Am

Shadow Creek Golf Club/TPC Summerlin/Southern Highlands www.met.pga.com || 3rd Quarter 2019 ||

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LOOKING FORWARD

HOFFHINE MEMORIAL OCTOBER 15TH-16TH We are very excited to announce a new fall tournament and partnership between Westchester Country Club and the Met PGA. When the Treiber Memorial was discontinued at the end of 2018, we immediately began looking for an alternative and attempted to bolster two events by creating one great one.

The Hoffhine Memorial, originally named the Westchester Invitational, was established in 1944 by long time Westchester Country Club member John J Hoffhine. John was a consummate entertainer with a larger-thanlife personality and loved cigars, jokes, and wine. He was passionate about Westchester Country Club and upon becoming Green Chairman enthusiastically promoted competition amongst members and friends at other clubs. The first five years of the tournament were a tremendous success highlighted with John as the emcee for the signature stag dinner. The tournament has attracted athletes and celebrities including: Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Claude Harmon, Byron Nelson, Vince Lombardi, Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, and Dean Martin. Following John’s untimely death in 1949, longtime member and close friend, Ed Sullivan proposed the tournament be re-named The Hoffhine Memorial in his honor.

The Hoffhine Memorial has traditionally been a one day, 18-hole event held on Westchester Country Club’s West Course. In 2019, Westchester Country Club and the Metropolitan PGA are partnering to create a reimagined Hoffhine Memorial that maintains the event’s tradition and history while highlighting local clubs, memberships and PGA Professionals.

This year’s event will be a 36-hole championship for the professionals that includes the Pro-Am portion on day two. The professionals only will play round one on Westchester’s West Course. On day two, the amateurs will join the professionals for the final round of the professional competition and the Pro-Am. There will be separate prize funds for both the Pro-Am and the professional tournament with a celebration following golf with food, beverages, and a keynote address all included as part of the event.

The Metropolitan Section is thrilled to announce our newest partner and the title sponsor for the reimagined Hoffhine Memorial Pro-Am, Medterra CBD. As CBD takes the golf world by storm, we’re proud to be aligning with the leading CBD brand in golf. Medterra is driving that charge by offering a wide range of CBD products, all 100% guaranteed to be THC free, non-GMO,

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grown in the USA and exceeding the purity standards set by the US Hemp Authority. With over twenty PGA Tour pro’s using Medterra, golfers at every level are discovering how CBD, from a trusted brand, can elevate their game.

U.S. Open Champion, Lucas Glover, says, “At our level everybody is really good and 1% of an edge makes a difference. For me the recovery, after working out, after playing, after travel stems from regulating inflammation and sleeping well.

Medterra CBD has given me a leg up on that which I didn’t have before.”

Four-time PGA winner and the 2019 Player Director to the PGA Policy Board, Charley Hoffman, adds, “I did my research. I had heard a lot of players talking about the benefits of CBD and I wanted to see for myself. I started using Medterra because they have a great portfolio of products and I knew that I could trust that their products had zero THC. They are extremely transparent with their testing processes.”

You will be hearing more about Medterra in the coming months. In the meantime, with less than a month until the first tee time at the renown Westchester Country Club, we couldn’t be more excited that this grand tournament is stronger than ever. With a strong commitment from our partners, members, and title sponsor Medterra, the Metropolitan Section PGA looks forward to another wildly successful tournament.

We hope to see all our members at the Westchester CC, Oct 15-16th.

CLICK ABOVE FOR A MESSAGE ABOUT THE HOFFHINE MEMORIAL!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP www.met.pga.com || 3rd Quarter 2019 ||

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TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Your favorite championship is back, and it returns to The Bridge. Be a part of this fun team competition as we return to The Bridge and Gardiner’s Bay for this better-ball of two event. PGA Members will have priority, but PGA Associates are eligible to play provided the event is not over-subscribed.

Rounds one and two will be split up and sent separate ways to Gardiner’s Bay and The Bridge. Once the round is complete, we ask that all to join us back at The Bridge for our Met PGA Expo.

The following day, the field will finish the tournament at the opposite course. Thank you to The Bridge’s Head Professional, Jeff Warne, General Manager, Chris Arancio, and Superintendent, Greg Stanley for hosting the Team Championship and Expo. Thank you to Gardiner’s Bay’s Head Professional, Leigh Notley, General Manager, Charlie Marcus, and Superintendent, Tim Gorman.

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AND EXPO We hope you are ready for our 2019 Partners and Sponsors Expo ran in conjunction with our Team Championship at The Bridge on Monday, September 30th. This is one of our most highly anticipated events of the year where our partners will have the opportunity to showcase their newest, and most exciting products to all of you.

The support and attendance of our PGA Professionals is invaluable to the Expo. Whether you are playing in the Team Championship or not, all are welcome to attend.

The Expo is not only a tremendous opportunity to network with our greatest supporters, but the festive and fraternal atmosphere guarantees you an experience you will not only appreciate but will not soon forget.

Remember much of the success of the Met Section is a product of our irreplaceable partners and sponsors. We look forward to having you there at this grand showcase.

FARLEY CUP

SEBONACK CLUB

As the fall comes so do our Team Invitationals. The Farley Cup and the Squire Cup are two of our most sought-after invitations in the section. All season, players vie for a chance to compete in these two prestigious events.

The best players from Long Island and Westchester compete for the John Farley Cup. This fraternal yet competitive event continues to honor the memory of our great friend and Tournament Director, John Farley, who passed away in 2008. The top 10 professionals and top 2 senior professionals on the Farley Cup Standings from each jurisdiction will earn a place on their respective teams. The points system for both Long Island and Westchester will conclude at the Met PGA Championship.

SQUIRE CUP MAIDSTONE CLUB

The Squire Cup born in 1986, was named after the great “Squire,” Gene Sarazen, who began his legendary career here in the Met area as an assistant at Brooklawn. The first victorious Squire Cup team of 1987, autographed a copy of his biography with the following inscription: “Thank you for the image to which we aspire”.

In 2004 the event was renamed the Gene Borek Squire Cup Matches in honor of one of the Metropolitan PGA’s most decorated professionals. Gene Borek’s legacy of achievements in the areas of Leadership, Professional Performance and Playing Ability are well documented making this event the perfect competition to carry his name. The perpetual trophy has also been named in his honor. It is with this foundation that the Squire Cup continues.

Recognition of the outstanding Assistant Professionals for all that they do for the golf community and the Met PGA is an essential way of preserving their dedication and devotion to the game and the area. The Gene Borek Squire Cup Matches continue as a celebration of what makes the Metropolitan PGA Section and our outstanding golf professionals truly special. We have the opportunity to again pay tribute to one of our greatest professionals, the late Gene Borek and to celebrate today’s leaders in our association at a venue that has already made its mark on golf’s history.

Each year at our Spring and Fall Meetings, will be presenting Met PGA Milestone Awards to those professionals who have either earned their PGA Membership, Quarter Century, or Half Century status since our previous gathering.

We are also excited to implement our legendary Partner of the Year Award in honor of the dedicated partners in our Section.

Part of the inaugural class are: George Altman, Judy Altman, Mike Brannon, Howard Burr, Ely Callaway, Charlie Carr, Bob Catapane, Vin Draddy, Bill Egan, Gordie Faulkner, John Fink, Ted Galgano, Aleck Gaylor, JP Howard, Jim Judson, Gene McMasters, Terry Murphy, Ray Nolan, Al Northrup, Wally Phillips, Mike Reardon, Scottie Robertson, Gary Scenti, Irv Schloss, Don Temple, Howard Trieber, Joe Turnessa, Wayne VanHorn, and Dennis Watson.

MEMBER MILESTONES NEW MEMBERS Jacob Anderson Peter Ballo Henry Bannwarth Nathan Bratcher Benjamin Bruning Carina Capobianco

Christian Cardarelli Connor Costello Christopher Gabriele Conor Hannan Hoyoung Heo Steven Kaufmann

Q UA RT E R C E N T U RY Thomas Berry David Buth John Connelly Brian Crowell Bob Posillico

NEW MEMBER

Ty Klippenstein Nicholas Langelotti Steven Luerssen Daniel Meyer Del Ponchock Joseph Raitano

Reed Riley Kramer Samuelson Austin Snow Jonathan Solimano

H A L F C E N T U RY

Peter Serafimoff Richard Stucklen Heath Wassem Howard Weiss

Q UA RT E R C E N T U RY

Bob Brzoska

H A L F C E N T U RY

FALL MEETING OLD WESTBURY CC Evening Meeting & Awards Dinner As the season comes to an end and many Met Section Professionals flock to Florida, we have one last chance to get together in 2019. The Met PGA Fall Meeting and Awards Celebration on October 23rd will be hosted by Old Westbury Golf & Country Club. Not only is Old Westbury helping us celebrate 2019 but they will play host to the Met PGA Championship in 2020. The business meeting will include an overview of the 2019 season, election of new Section Directors, and the Special Awards Presentation fireside chat with Brian Crowell. We will also have the 5:00PM | Met PGA Fall Meeting honor to induct esteemed Met Section Members 6:00PM | Cocktail Reception Greg Hurd, George Lewis, and Nelson Long into our Hall of Fame. All members are welcome 6:30PM | Special Awards Dinner and encouraged to bring guests to join us for 9:30PM | Dessert & Open Bar the evening. Tickets will be available online by visiting met.pga.com

2019 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

GREG HURD

GEORGE LEWIS

NELSON LONG

2019 Special Award Recipients Professional of the Year

Bill Strausbaugh Award

Horton Smith Award

David Young Sleepy Hollow CC

Sam Wiley Wee Burn CC

Andrew Gruss Greenwich CC

Teacher of the Year

Merchandiser-Private

Merchandiser-Public

Bobby Miller Knollwood CC

Cory Muller CC of Darien

Angela Aulenti Sterling Farms GC

Patriot Award

Player Development

Youth Player Development

Bob Bigonette Michael Breed GA

Rich Jones Pine Ridge GC

Roger Knick Golf Performance Center

DANNY BALIN WINS THE MET PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Regarded as the most important tournament for our members, the Met PGA Professional Championship was played under ideal course conditions at Paramount Club and The Tuxedo Club thanks to the leadership of PGA Professionals Jim Lusk and Chris Muldoon, and the work of golf course superintendents Matt Kerens and Casey Klossner. 36-hole leader Charlie Maizel, PGA Assistant at Siwanoy Country Club, couldn’t hold off Fresh Meadow Head Professional Danny Balin, but did accomplish the goal of qualifying for the PGA Professional Championship.

Like the PGA Professional Championship, our Sectional event is fascinating for several reasons. The intensity, especially during the final round is very high, as qualifying for the next level is of utmost importance to the competitors. It is also interesting to watch two separate leaderboards develop. For many players, winning the championship becomes secondary to the goal of grabbing one of the coveted spots and advancing.

“This is our major for As the competition on the last nine holes at Tuxedo Club became a two-horse race between Balin and Josh Rackley of Tam O’Shanter, there was great pressure and attention placed on the players lingering near the projected cut line of a few shots over par. Deepdale’s Kevin Breen controlled his own destiny, and that of a few others, when he made a six-foot par save on the last hole to keep the grab the last qualifying spot and avoid a playoff.

All 18 Met PGA qualifiers and those exempt from qualifying for next year’s PGA Professional Championship are pictured on the next page:

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the year... You always want to play well in this championship and one of my goals being exempt is to become player of the year again... to be able to win and get those points puts me on track for the rest of the season.”

- Danny Balin

PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS

Kyle Baehler Willow Ridge

Danny Balin Fresh Meadow

Alex Beach Westchester

Frank Bensel Century

Greg Bisconti Saint Andrew’s

Kevin Breen Deepdale

Jason Caron Mill River

Tony DeMaria KonnectGolf

Matt Dobyns Meadow Brook

Darrell Kestner Deepdale

Rob Labritz GlenArbor

Brian Mackey Hollow Brook

Charlie Maizel Siwanoy

James Ondo Apawamis

Tim Puetz Siwanoy

Sean Quinlivan Piping Rock

Josh Rackley Tam O’Shanter

Adam Rainaud New Canaan

www.met.pga.com || 3rd Quarter 2019 ||

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WOMENS MET OPEN

Janie Sirmons

Ina Kim-Schaad

For over twenty years Lincoln has supported the Women’s Met Open Championship, positioning their luxury auto brand alongside the top professional and amateur golfers in the Metropolitan New York area. Thanks to Lincoln’s sponsorship, the championship boasts a $20,000 purse with $3,500 going to the winner.

Picturesque Green Brook CC and their leadership team of Andrew Bostrom, PGA Head Professional, golf course Superintendent Pat Hickey, and Club Manager Stephen Wolsky welcomed the best professionals and amateurs in the Met area as hosts of this year’s Lincoln Women’s Met Open The Met Sectio Championship. A slew of amateur players topped the leaderboard takes pride in the led by our champion, Ina Kim-Schaad of Deepdale GC who carded presence and ta a final round score of 65 to capture the victory, shooting 6-under par for the tournament.

This is what mak Another amateur, Kaitlyn Lee of Westchester CC shot a 36-hole total of 1-under par to finish in second, followed by Elizabeth Choi of Pine Hills G&CC who claimed the top professional prize at 1-over par.

Loretta Giovanettone of Woodway CC (t-4) was the low Met PGA Professional in the field. In the Senior Division, Janie Sirmons of Cold Spring CC edged Wendy Modic of Fenway GC to take the title.

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like the Wome and the Wome Championship i women who p these events are continue to gro golf eac

GIRLS TO THE TEE

The next generation of female golfers found inspiration and motivation at the 11th Annual “Girls to the Tee” event held at Westchester Country Club. For three hours, 95 girls from local clubs, public courses, and the First Tee of Metropolitan New York were given individual instruction by Met PGA professionals. Lizzy Blomgren, Tish Certo, Tyler Lower, Abby Mann, Wendy Modic, Carly Peters, Ali Prazak, Sarah Stone, Monique Thoresz, Joann Walker Pike, and LPGA and area golf professionals were among those who volunteered. Also thank you in large part to Gary Weir and his efforts in making this event successful. Great event conducted by the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association’s charitable foundation.

on as a whole e strong female alent we have. kes tournaments en’s Met Open en’s Met PGA important. The participate in e the ones who ow the game of ch day.

MIKE BALLO WINS NEW YORK STATE OPEN It was a hot and humid week as Bethpage Black once again put the skills of the best golfers in the state to the test during the playing of this year’s Lenox Advisors/ NFP New York State Open Championship. Mike Ballo Jr. of Winged Foot GC welcomed the challenge, capturing the biggest win of his career in dramatic fashion.

Ballo edged Rob Labritz of GlenArbor GC on the first hole of a sudden death playoff, held on the 18th hole at Bethpage Black. Ballo carded a 69 in his final round, finishing the 54-hole championship with 14 birdies and an eagle. Labritz, three-time NYS Open Champion and 2019 PGA Championship Low Club Professional, made a bid for another shooting a 3-under 68 in the final round.

John Clare of Pompey Club finished 3-under par to capture a third-place finish, followed by Peter Ballo of Silvermine GC who shot 1-under par to finish alone in fourth. James Nicholas of Westchester CC and Christian Cavaliere of Mahopac GC shared Low Amateur honors, tying for fifth along with 2018 New York State Open Champion Andrew Svoboda of Engineers GC. The New York State Open and Bethpage Black have provided pages for the scribing of some tremendous stories. We’ve seen: tour careers launched, local champions compete on golf’s biggest stage, fathers pass the torch to their sons, and the constant maturation of young players. These traditions

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continued as Mike Ballo Jr. advanced his father’s legacy as a champion golfer, former Met PGA Junior Tour players Cavaliere and Nicholas shared low amateur honors, and three time winner Rob Labritz demonstrated extraordinary grace in finishing runnerup after having a legitimate opportunity to win in regulation. Golf brings out all sorts of things in people and New York State is lucky to have had so many great characters in its Open Championship stories.

“To win a tournament at Bethpage Black means everything to me. The day I started working at Winged Foot and the Met PGA working toward becoming a PGA Member. This is the first thing I think about every year. It’s the most important event for me every year. With everything going on, It’s such a special week for me right now.”

The elite golfers in New York State are fortunate that Bethpage State Park, a major championship venue, - Mike Ballo is committed to annually hosting our open championship. It would be easy to dismiss a regional event when focused on PGA’s, Ryder Cups, and large revenue generating corporate outings, but thanks to the leadership of Park Director, Betsy Wintenberger, Bethpage remains committed to this tournament. We are further blessed that the agronomy team, led by Golf Courses Superintendent, Andy Wilson, and Black Course Superintendent, Mike Hadley, are the best in class and provided a perfect playing conditions despite coming off hosting the PGA Championship earlier this year.

The sponsorship continues because of the affinity Lenox Advisors and NFP have for the game of golf, golf professionals, and elite players. They are proud of their relationship with Bethpage State Park, the Met PGA, and the tournament players who walk the fairways of the Black Course alongside them in their annual Pro-Am.

CLICK BELOW FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH 2019 NEW YORK STATE OPEN CHAMPION, MIKE BALLO!

F I N A L Mike Ballo

Winged Foot GC

Rob Labritz GlenArbor GC

John Clare Pompey Club

Pete Ballo

Silvermine GC

James Nicholas Westchester CC

Andy Svoboda Engineers GC

R E S U L T S 72 68 68 209 72 69 69 209 69 69 69 210 70 74 74 212 72 74 74 213 74 68 68 213

Christian Cavaliere 72 71 71 213 Mahopac GC

www.met.pga.com || 3rd Quarter 2019 ||

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PRO-JUNIOR TEAM TEAMGROSS NET

The Pro-Junior, consider Lake Isle CC. Dave Steve years. Golf was seconda ice cream kiosk, and ple

1

st

SILVERMINE I (-11) PETE BALLO HUDSON HAGMANN WESLEY RAVER TEDDY CALLERY

2

nd

SCARSDALE I (-8) ANTHONY CASALINO ELLIE BOWEN OLIVIA LOVE JASPER DORR

3

rd

BETHPAGE II (-7) CHARLIE BOLLING MATT DIFIORE JOJO DOLEZAL BRIAN ZHAO

red by some to be a Major Championship in the world of the Met PGA, took place July 24th at enson and his incredible team of volunteers have been hosting this world class event for over 20 ary to the endless abundance of food available on nearly every hole. Between a world class BBQ, ethora of snacks and drinks not one person left the premises without a sugar rush or food coma.

1

st

ROTELLA (-21) MICHAEL LAUDIEN MIKEY LAUDIEN, JR AVERY HOOD QUINLAN HOOD

2

nd

LAKE ISLE II (-20) KEVIN CHIN ALEXANDER HOLT WILLIAM HOLT WILLIAM BORNMANN

3

rd

ROLLING HILLS (-16) MICHAEL DIMEGLIO HARRISON BROWNE KYLE CHENG GARRET BOUVIER

TEAMNET NET TEAM

senior match play championship FRANK BENSEL CENTURY CC

The leadership team of PGA Head Professional, Carl Alexander, Golf Course Superintendent, Bob Miller and Club Manager, Sophie Mond welcomed the best Senior Professionals in the Met Section to The Golf Club of Purchase for the 2019 Mastercard Senior Match Play Championship.

In the final match, defending champion, Frank Bensel of Century Country Club faced off against three-time winner Darrell Kestner of Deepdale Golf Club. Bensel was 3-up after nine holes but still needed a late surge, including three birdies and an eagle, to hold off Kestner and successfully defend his title.

Both Bensel and Kestner knocked off threetime champions on their respective roads to the finals. Bensel defeated Bobby Heins of Old Oaks in their semifinal match, while Kestner got past Craig Thomas of Metropolis Country Club in the other semifinal.

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2&1

DARRELL KESTNER DEEPDALE GC

PRO AMS LOCATION Trump National WC June 3rd

Montauk Downs June 3

rd

Huntington CC July 29th

The Augie Met PGA Pro-Am at Sleepy Hollow Sept 9th

Women’s Pro-Am at The Patterson Club Sept 16th

TEAM GROSS

TEAM NET

Trump Westchester Mark McGuire Paul Petrylak Michael Ingwer Doug Senderoff

Aspetuck Valley John Bushka Jeff Speed Steve Weitzer George Corey

Engineers Jean Bartholomew Janet Mallon Deb Feldstein Angela Tocco Tam O’Shanter Josh Rackley Jake Falk Jeff Falk Trent Rackley

A.M.

63

Glen Oaks Scott Ford David Weissman Tony Fromer Jeff Capazzi Rich Radutzky

64 66 63

P.M.

62

North Hempstead Bobby Brown Gerry Elicks Kevin Dolph Hunter Semels Siya Madikane

Wykagyl Patrick Schwarze Laurie Adamo-Ricigliano Patricia Memoli Kim Nicastri

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*Low Combined Gross and Net Team will be invited to Mohegan Sun Tournament of Champions in the Fall.

Montauk Tom Lupinacci Marc Schoen Marc Zakinsky Doug Maxwell

63 Sands Point Larry Flammia Kealan O’Reilly Paul Buckley Jason Kondry

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Cold Spring Jim Weiss Alex James Danny Monosson Lori Guttentag

A.M.

54

57 P.M.

Empire City Casino Peter Ballo Steve White Peter Arrichiello Victor Grazzi John Daut

Patterson Chris Kenney Renee Gacso Vicki Yurkerwich Bernadette Jackel

56

Cold Spring Jim Weiss Allen Wolfbiss Jeff Garyn Brett Jacobson John Laruffa

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ARE YOU, A FAMILY MEMBER, OR FRIEND LOOKING TO BUY OR LEASE A NEW CAR? IF CONSIDERING LINCOLN OR FORD, PLEASE BE SURE TO REACH OUT TO US SO WE CAN CONNECT YOU WITH ONE OF OUR SALES REPS IN THE MET AREA!

ASSISTANTS CORNER RESULTS The Metropolitan PGA Assistant Tour is fortunate to visit clubs and courses in the Section to compete and network throughout the season. We are grateful to the facilities that go out of their way to host these events.

Below are photos of our recent winners and links to leaderboards and post round interviews:

Justin Bardgett

Charlie Maizel

@ Metropolis CC

@ Saint Andrews

West Point

Head Pro: Craig Thomas Super: David McCaffrey GM: Steven L. Bielsky

Siwanoy CC

Cian Curley

The GC of Purchase

@ Waccabuc CC

Peter Ballo

Silvermine GC

@ VC of Sands Point

INTERVIEW

Head Pro: Greg Bisconti Super: Robert Milar GM: Karen Degnan

INTERVIEW

Head Pro: Martin Granda Super: Patrick Hagan GM: John Assumma

INTERVIEW

Director of Golf: Karl Obermeyer Super: Ethan Johnson GM: Dana Cancellaro

LEADERBOARD

LEADERBOARD

LEADERBOARD

LEADERBOARD

Charlie Maizel

Philip Cardwell

Matt Dubrowski

Rob Corcoran

@ Redding CC

@ Lawrence Y&CC

@ Mill River Club @ Rockaway Hunting Club

Siwanoy CC

Head Pro: Sam Olson Super: Brett Chapin GM: Carolyn Kepcher

Rockville Links CC

INTERVIEW

Head Pro: Peter Procops Super: Adam Thomas GM: Cory Menking

LEADERBOARD

LEADERBOARD

Westhampton CC

INTERVIEW

Poxabogue GC

Head Pro: Jason Caron Super: Steven Sweet GM: Az-dine Boucetta

INTERVIEW

Head Pro: Ryan George Super: Nick Brodziak GM: Frank Argento

LEADERBOARD

LEADERBOARD

ANTHONY CASALINO WINS THE MET PGA ASSISTANT CHAMPIONSHIP The 2019 National Car Rental Met Assistant Championship was held at Bethpage Red in Farmingdale, New York. The 36-hole, stroke play event advanced 12 Assistant Professionals and 5 alternates to the 43rd National Car Rental PGA Assistant Professional Championship being held November 14th-17th at the PGA Golf Club, Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Accompanying Casalino and Ballo for the remaining qualifying spots are: Casey Pyne of The Stanwich Club, Frank Bensel of Century CC, Tim Puetz of Siwanoy CC, Mike Midgette of Hempstead GC, Connor Costello of Piping Rock, Chris Trout of Winged Foot GC, Peter Ballo of Silvermine GC, Caleb Wilson of Meadow Brook Club, Chris Gabriele of Sleepy Hollow CC and Corey Layton of Atlantic.

The National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship gathers 132 Assistant Professionals representing the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections and features a total purse of $150,000.

The following five Met Assistant Professionals have earned alternate positions (in order as listed): Jesse Fitzgerald of Garden City GC, Kent St. Charles of Westchester Hills GC, Ethan Votraw of Westchester Hills GC, Mitch Gray of Pelham CC and Nick DeFalco of The Creek Club.

Leading our 12 qualifiers to Port St. Lucie in November is the 2019 Met Assistant Champion, Anthony Casalino of Scarsdale GC. Casalino recorded a 7-under par total to top the leaderboard and claim victory with a clutch par putt on the 18th hole. Followed closely by Casalino was 2019 New York State Open Champion, Mike Ballo of Winged Foot GC. Ballo was just one shot back of Casalino at 6-under par.

Josh Rackley of Tam O’Shanter Club has earned an exemption into the 43rd PGA Assistant Professional Championship by placing in third at last year’s National competition and will join the 12 qualifiers at the Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie.

www.met.pga.com || 3rd Quarter 2019 ||

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CLICK ABOVE TO WATCH THE 2019 AUGIE MET PGA CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP VIDEO

THE AUGIE MET PGA CHAMPIONSHIP PRO-AM It was a perfect day to play golf at Sleepy Hollow Country Club for the 2019 Augie Met PGA Championship Pro-Am. The day kicked off with a morning shotgun, followed by lunch with the great Rod Gilbert of the New York Rangers and our 2019 Honorees, Dr. Larry Rosenthal and Mike Diffley, PGA. We were privileged to be in the company of Dr. Larry at this year’s ProAm. His energy, generosity and dedication to growing the game of golf is unmatched. An avid golfer himself, he is responsible for many of the wonderful smiles of players on the PGA tour and is known by many of his friends as the “Dentist of the Stars”.

Accompanying Dr. Larry as a 2019 Honoree is PGA Professional Mike Diffley of Pelham Country Club. We are lucky to have an individual like Mike Diffley as part of the Met Section. He is a champion player, a decorated award winner, a board member, a nominating committee participant for countless years, and we are fortunate to have him as this years PGA Professional Honoree.

DR. LARRY ROSENTHAL

As a section, we are overwhelmed by all the support and generosity that the Met Section Foundation received at this year’s Augie Met PGA ProAm. Thank you to our Met Section Professionals for participating and to all of those who came out to play and donate to this cause. As Augie Hoerrner so wisely states “There are many blessings in life, but none more gratifying than giving back to those in need”.

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|| 3rd Quarter 2019 || www.met.pga.com

MIKE DIFFLEY, PGA

MARK BROWN WINS THE MET PGA SENIOR PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

CLICK ABOVE TO WATCH AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK BROWN The team of Head Professional Bob Miller, Superintendent Scott Olson and Club Manager Christopher Thomas played host to the 2019 Met PGA Senior Championship at Knollwood Country Club on September 10th-11th. The 36-hole stroke play event also served as qualifying for 31st Senior PGA Professional Championship to be held on October 3rd-6th at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas.

Mark Brown of Tam O’Shanter Club shot an impressive 4-under par in his final round to clinch victory and win his first Met PGA Senior Championship. Having already earned an exemption into the Senior Professional Championship by making the cut in this years’ Senior PGA Championship, Brown will lead the six section qualifiers to Austin. Frank Bensel of Century Country Club finished at 3-under par to earn the first qualifying spot, followed closely by Tony DeMaria of Konnectgolf and Mike Meehan of Old Westbury Golf and Country Club who both totaled 1-under for the tournament. Carl Alexander of The Golf Club of Purchase shot even par, earning the fourth qualifying position, followed by Shaun Powers of Fairview Country Club whose eagle on #17 helped propel him into the fifth qualifying position. David Young of Sleepy Hollow Country Club earned the final national championship berth over first alternate Bobby Heins. The following four players also earned alternate positions (in order as listed): Charlie Bolling of Bethpage State Park GC, Bill Van Orman of Meadow Brook Club, Scott Ford of Glen Oaks Club and Nelson Long of Century CC. The $20,000 professional purse is thanks to the sponsorship of Empire City Casino and Daniel Clark, Director of Casino Marketing.

www.met.pga.com || 3rd Quarter 2019 ||

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METROPOLITAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP PETE BALLO TAKES HOME HIS FIRST SECTION TITLE 2019 Met PGA Professional of the Year, David Young welcomed 132 of the top players in the Metropolitan Section to Sleepy Hollow Country Club and the playing of the 93rd Lincoln Met PGA Championship. Golf Course Superintendent Tom Leahy and his team worked tirelessly before and during the event to provide an incredible test of championship golf, while General Manager Paul Brock and his staff went above and beyond to ensure that everything ran smoothly for both the championship and the preceding Pro Am.

The weather was ideal for firm, fast conditions and the golf course set up put a premium on shot making and putting. Patience would be more than a virtue as there were only fourteen sub-par rounds throughout the entire championship. Two of those were shot by Silvermine’s Peter Ballo who grabbed the lead early shooting four under par 66 in the first round. Ballo led Brandon Holden (Apawamis) by one, and Jason Caron (Mill River), Matt Sita (Old Westbury), and Ryan Kalista (Tamarack) by two.

“For this to be my first big win in the section, there’s not a word to describe the feeling.”

-Pete Ballo

Due to some changes to our tournament schedule, this year’s Lincoln Met PGA Championship marked the conclusion of our OMEGA Player of the Year race.

Coming into the event, Fresh Meadow Head Professional Danny Balin held a 628-point lead over GlenArbor Director of Golf, Rob Labritz and a slightly larger lead over Matt Dobyns of Meadow Brook, Jason Caron of Mill River and Alex Beach of Westchester CC. To tie Bruce Zabriski for a record fifth Player of the Year Award, Balin would need a strong showing to hold off these pursuers.

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Shooting a second round of 70, Ballo found himself atop the leaderboard by four shots heading into the final round. After a few early bogeys by Ballo and some birdies by Caron, the lead shrunk to two shots early in the final round. Ballo shortly got back on track and cruised to a six-shot victory over Meadow Brook Head Professional and two-time Met PGA Champion, Matt Dobyns who used a final round 66 to propel himself to a solo second place finish. Behind Dobyns was Adam Rainaud of The Country Club of New Canaan and Tim Puetz of Siwanoy Country Club both recording 3-over par total to tie for third.

Defending champion and 2019 PGA Championship participant Jason Caron of Mill River Club, 2018 Met PGA Assistant Player of the Year, Josh Rackley of Tam

|| 3rd Quarter 2019 || www.met.pga.com

O’Shanter Club, and Kent St. Charles of Westchester Hills Golf Club tied for fifth with a 4-over par total.

After the trophy presentation Ballo was asked about the golf course saying, “It was awesome, this golf course was a true testament to good golf. The greens were phenomenal, they were fast, they were quick, the rough was long. I was lucky enough to keep everything in play, I minimized mistakes, kept it in the fairway and hit as many greens as I could.”

The win was extra special for Ballo, second-generation PGA professional, son of PGA members Mike Sr. and Paige Ballo.

Mike Ballo Sr. was a champion player himself and is exceptionally proud of his sons. Peter’s brother Mike Jr. won the New York State Open earlier this summer. Despite some health problems earlier this year, Mike Ballo Sr. was able to come watch his son hoist the Joseph J. Lannin trophy as the Metropolitan PGA Section Champion on his 78th birthday. Peter added, “Its special, with everything going on with my family, through the ups and downs, for my brother and I to win two of the biggest events that our section hosts, it’s just special”.

www.met.pga.com || 3rd Quarter 2019 ||

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FOUNDATION From the Foundation: The summer is an exciting busy time for all Foundation activities and with a blink of an eye – it is over. There were so many amazing accomplishments that we have witnessed over the last few months and we want to thank our Professionals for giving us the access to their courses which gives us the ability to impact the lives we are each and every day. We are truly making a difference.

PGA HOPE

With the continued success of our PGA HOPE chapters in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and in the Bronx, we were excited to introduce a newly launched chapter for our veterans in Fairfield County, CT. In 2018, with the help of Met PGA Foundation Board Member, Ed Fitzmaurice, we held a fundraiser to help start a PGA HOPE program in Connecticut. The success of that fundraiser allowed us to expand our reach to Veterans in Connecticut.

PGA Head Professional Ray Ford and the members of Rolling Hills Country Club jumped at the opportunity to host and welcomed a new Met PGA HOPE class with open arms. We are excited and so proud to have graduated 17 new veterans into the PGA HOPE Program. Thanks to Callaway and our generous donors, each graduate received a new set of golf clubs to further their journey in the game of golf.

CONNECTICUT CHAPTER

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|| 3rd Quarter 2019 || www.met.pga.com

SPRING GRADUATION

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2019 MET PGA HOPE SPRING GRADUATES! Our Spring HOPE Graduation on July 9th was a huge success.

As always, we cannot thank the staff at Trump Ferry Point enough for hosting our veterans, friends and families. The hospitality is always outstanding, and we appreciate all you do for our veterans.

Thank you to the The Marine Corps detachment in Newburgh, NY for joining us to give the Color Guard Presentation.

Callaway Golf is a huge part in making our HOPE program so special. Receiving a set of clubs at the end of this program means the world to our veterans! Thank you for your dedication to our section!

METROPOLIS CC HOSTS DAY OF HOPE IN HONOR OF HEAD PROFESSIONAL CRAIG THOMAS

Metropolis Country Club hosted a day of golf in Honor of Craig Thomas for a generous donation he made to one of his members. Craig insisted this event would take place in collaboration with the Met PGA HOPE Program to help raise money for rehabilitation for our local disabled US Veteran’s through the game of golf. A big thank you to News 12 Westchester for coming out to cover our Metropolis “Day of HOPE”. Click the link below to view a video recap

Host a Day of HOPE at YOUR Club

We now have over 700 graduates from our PGA HOPE Program and over the last two years we have been expanding playing opportunities for our veterans beyond the Military Golf League to include playing opportunities at area courses. A “Day of HOPE” is basically a member for the day experience for our veterans and the groups can range from 16 players and up. The event can be as simple as golf access, golf access and lunch, or can be expanded to be an outing with veterans and members combined. If you are interested in hosting a Day of HOPE at your course, please reach out to our office. Thank you to Pleasantville CC and Sharon McQuillan who hosted a day earlier this summer and to Metropolis CC who took the Day of HOPE model to the next level to create an amazing day for all involved.

FALL CLASS DATES The fall is not quiet! Currently there are three programs in session with 40 veterans in each class at Spook Rock GC, Mosholu GC, and the Woodside Club. If you have not come out to join us for a day– please do – we promise that you will be happy you did! Click below to volunteer

Bronx: Mosholu GC

Long Island: Woodside Club

Hudson Valley: Spook Rock GC

Wednesdays: August 28, September 4, 11, 25, October 2

Wednesdays: August 28, September 4, 18, 25, October 2

Thursdays: August 29, September 5, 12, 26, October 3

Rain Date: September 18, October 9

Rain Date: October 9

Rain Date: September 19, October 10

Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

GRADUATION WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 17TH AT THE WOODSIDE CLUB

FOUNDATION SPOTLIGHT Phil Eyre’s 100 Hole Challenge In honor of his father, John Eyre, who passed away on May 31st this year, Hollow Brook Golf Club’s Director of golf, Phillip Eyre played 100 holes at his course on Thursday, July 25th. “My father was an avid golfer and was a huge supporter of Junior Golf, a legacy which I have inherited. My goal is to raise money for the Hollow Brook Junior Program and the MET PGA Junior Foundation.” Phil, we extend our condolences, and thank the Eyre family for your dedication to the game of golf.

GC Purchase Patrick Langan, Colin Corrigan, Lindsay Paulino, Cian Curley and Michael Davis played from Sunrise to Sunset on August 13th in effort to raise important funds for the Metropolitan PGA Foundation! Teams consisted of 2 Purchase professionals playing Alternate Shot trying to make as many birdies as possible. They played 207 Holes, making 40 Birdies!

Garden City GC Garden City GC hosted their ninth “Battle of the Golf Shops” to raise money for the Met PGA Foundation. Through getting involved in a number of different ways, including flat donations, pledges correlating to the number of birdies, eagles, etc, or just by stopping by to offer kind words and encouragement, they have raised well over $135,000 for the Foundation over the years!

www.met.pga.com || 3rd Quarter 2019 ||

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This was our biggest season yet for PGA Junior League and we thank all Professionals who hosted a team and their dedication to growing the game.

The All-Star Qualifier and All-Star Final Four held over the last few weekends there were 11 teams total who participated– congrats to Suffolk County 4 – lead by Kelley Brooke and Megan Younkman who represented the Met Section at the Regionals in NJ Seaview Golf Club September 14th-15th. Kelley and Megan led their team to victory and will be the first Met Section team to advance to the 2019 PGA Jr League Championship presented by National Car Rental, which will be held at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, October 11-14.

Good luck to Bethpage!

PGA Junior League concluded its season with the Metropolitan Section Championship held at Mosholu GC. Congratulations to the PJ Rotella team and Mike Laudien for taking the trophy home!

Click here to sign up for Fall Rec League!

The Foundation conducted six Drive, Chip & Putt local qualifiers this summer and witnessed some amazing young talent. Thank you to our host sites and Professionals at the following places: Stanwich Club, Apawamis, Knollwood CC, Colonial Springs, Harbor Links GC, and Sunken Meadow GC. The top three finishers in each age division boys/girls from these qualifiers advanced to the Sub-Regional competition which was held at Bethpage State Park. We wish those that advanced much luck as they get set to compete at the Regionals in Connecticut this September.

JUNIOR TOUR When you are running 10-15 junior events a week for 1,200 members, the summer goes by quickly! It was another memorable season for junior golfers of the Metropolitan Section, and we would like to thank all the PGA Professionals who hosted events this year to make it possible.

The Junior season will continue with three Future Series tournaments this fall so if you have any juniors who have taken strides this year with their game and they are ready to compete in the areas strongest junior competitions please have them reach out to us. We will officially close the season on Election Day with our Junior Awards Ceremony where we will celebrate the accomplishments of our Junior Golfers from the 2019 season.

JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP The Girls and Boys Junior PGA Championship is a 36 hole event for 12-18 year olds. The overall champion and runner-up for the boys and girls qualify for the PGA of America’s National Junior Championship.

GIRLS JUNIOR PGA The Girls Met Junior PGA Championship was held at Metropolis Country Club. A competitive field faced a challenging course. Thank you to Head Professional Craig Thomas, Superintendent David McCaffrey and Manager Steven Bielsky for hosting this great event.

Our Metropolitan Girls PGA Champion, Kaitlyn Lee! Lee shot an impressive 75-71-146 to seal the victory by seven strokes over Katie Dzialga and Taylor Miano who also both qualified for the National Championship.

BOYS JUNIOR PGA Wind Watch Golf and Country Club hosted the 2019 Boys Junior PGA Championship. Thank you to Head Professional William Carney and Superintendent Brett Lynch for allowing our Met Section Juniors to play on a great and challenging course.

Our Metropolitan Boys PGA Champion, Zachary Ong! Ong recorded a 67-69-136 8-under par final score to claim the title by two strokes over Max Van Son who also qualified for the National Championship.

www.met.pga.com || 3rd Quarter 2019 ||

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NEW YORK CITY CHAMPIONSHIP The New York City Championship is a 36 hole event for 12-18 year old boys and girls at Pelham Bay GC in the Bronx. Congratulations to our Girls NYC Champion, Katie Dzialga and our Boys NYC Champion, Douglas Beney! Dzialga recorded a 67-70-137 for a 7-under par total to best her competition by 4 strokes and take home the title. Beney was able to continue his impressive season by finishing the tournament 66-72-138 4-under par to claim victory.

9 HOLE DIVISION The New York City Championship for those on the 9 Hole Tour was hosted by Mosholu GC. Thank you to the staff and everyone at the club for hosting a great day! Below are the winners from all divisions.

AGES 12&OVER CHAMPIONS

GIRLS

AGES 7-11 CHAMPIONS

SARAH BRANNIGAN

BOYS

HAILEY WONG

HENRY GRAHAM

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|| 3rd Quarter 2019 || www.met.pga.com

TAISHU ARAKI

JR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP 9 HOLE The Junior PGA Championship for those on the 9 Hole Tour was hosted by The Milbrook Club. Thank you to Head Professional Andy Richardson and Superintendent Rich Duggan for allowing our Met Section Juniors to play on a fun and championship worthy course. Below are the winners from all divisions.

AGES 12&OVER CHAMPIONS

GIRLS

AGES 7-11 CHAMPIONS

LAETITIA CARTELLIERI

BOYS

ALEXA PHUNG

BRODEN DOUGLAS HENRY GRAHAM

ZARAR HAIDER AJ DAHLK

JUNIOR CLASSIC The Junior Classic is a Championship for 7-18 year old boys and girls at Smithtown Landing CC in Smithtown, NY. Thank you to the team of Head Professional Michael Hebron and Superintendent Timothy Shelhorse for being the longest tenured host of a junior championship.

Congratulations to our 36-Hole Girls Junior Classic Champion Paige Diecidue and our Boys Junior Classic Champion Kyle Zere! Diecidue was dialed in throughout the weekend, shooting 9-over par 76-77-153 to win the girls championship. Zere went 1-under par 71-72-143 for the tournament, just enough to edge his competition!

COLLEGE GOLF COMBINE Our 3rd Annual Met PGA College Combine took place in late July at Eisenhower White GC. In attendance were over 10 coaches from throughout the northeast checking out the best talent of the Met PGA Junior Tour. Winning the competition for the Boys was Devon Kim shooting a 69-74-143 and for the Girls Elizabeth Garfield shooting a 77-77-154.

TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP The highly anticipated Tour Championship is an Invitational Championship comprised of juniors ages 12-18 who have finished in first place at any of our regular season events (Future Series Tournaments, Players Tour events, or Championships) or are on the top of the points list for the Future Series.

This year’s Championship was held at Ardsley Country Club led by the team of Head Professional, Jim Bender, Superintendent, Matthew Dutremble and Club Manager, Ben Ghesquiere.

Congratulations to our Boys Tour Champion, Douglas Beney and our Girls Tour Champion victor, Jacqueline Lu! Beney led the field throughout the two day event, recording a two day total 69-72-141 to clinch the title. Lu remained on top through both rounds, recording a score of 74-76-150 to hoist the trophy.

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|| 3rd Quarter 2019 || www.met.pga.com

MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP Thank you to Head Professional Timothy Shifflett, Superintendent Craig Currier and Club Manager Jeffrey Riegler for hosting this year’s Match Play Championship at Glen Oaks Club. Junior Tour Players qualified for the Match Play by finishing in the top 16 for the boys and the top 8 for the girls at the Tour Championship.

Sam O’Hara was able to best Peicheng Chen in the final match 6&5 to claim victory at Glen Oaks for the boys and Sofia Nogalo bested Lydia Welborn 4&3 to win the girls Title.

TOMMY KUHN CUP At the conclusion of the season, the top Future Series point leaders from Long Island went head-to-head again the top Westchester Player of the Year point leaders in a Ryder Cup style event. This sought after event is named after the late Tommy Kuhn who was an integral part of the Metropolitan PGA Junior Tour for over twenty-five years.

Thank you to Century Country Club and their team of Head Professional, Nelson Long, Superintendent Kevin Seibel, and Club Manager Burt Ward for allowing our Westchester and Long Island Teams to compete in fantastic conditions at a top notch course. Congratulations to Team Long Island on winning this year’s Tommy Kuhn Cup in dominating fashion 18-12 for the first time in 5 years!

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