Don DeNyse III and his father volunteered at the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black

PAYING FOR WORK, FUN
By Timothy S. Wyld

So, you’ve been thinking about volunteering to work at a professional golf event? Here is the lowdown on how to go about landing that experience and what to expect if you do.

Almost every professional golf tournament relies upon individuals to volunteer their time and yes, cash, to work at an event. For the past two years The Heritage on Hilton Head Island has charged volunteers $100 for a uniform consisting of a shirt, hat, and wind jacket. If you purchased a second shirt to accommodate your four-day shift schedule, it costs another $25. And, if you wanted a discounted pass good for the grounds the entire week for your spouse or loved one, that would be another $75. In total, volunteering for The Heritage this year cost me $200 for the aforementioned items.

Read the rest of this entry »

SITE OF U.S. OPEN QUALIFIER

Editor’s Note: CapitalAreaGolf.com asked for a player’s guide for the site of the regional U.S. Open Qualifier – McGregor Links Country Club in Wilton. It was the site of last year’s state junior tournament. Head pro Tom Oppedisano asked his reigning three-time club champ Dave Huestis to give it a shot.

McGregor Links Country Club is a Devereaux Emmet design that has similarities to last year’s U.S. Open course, Congressional Country Club outside Washington D.C., which is also a Devereaux Emmet design. Both have a finishing par-3 18th hole.

McGregor Links has a USGA course rating of 72.2 and a slope of 134. It’s a par-72, 6,629-yards long.

Click here to watch a video on Youtube.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Mechanicville Golf Club, a nice 9-hole track, has set its rates for 2012 season. It opened in 1909, designed by Devereaux Emmet, who also designed courses like McGregor Links CC and Congressional Country Club, site of last year’s U.S. Open. It’s a par-36, 3,088-yards.

Weekdays – 9 holes $14 to walk, $21 w/cart; 18 holes $23 to walk, $35 w/cart.

Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 9 holes $15 to walk, $22 w/cart; 18 holes $24 to walk, $36 w/cart.

Call Rich Duda, Pro shop Manager at 518-258-1350, or click here for more information.

ONE YEAR, $1 DEAL FOR 9-HOLE COURSE
By Mike Collar

The future of one of the most historic golf courses in Fulton County was up in the air. Membership was down at Pine Brook Golf Club, a private nine-hole facility on South Main Street in Gloversville, and suffered a big hit from the economic woes.

At one point, a letter was sent to the membership (about 90 members) saying Pine Brook was going to close for the 2012 season. New president George Ringland said it would probably take 200 members to get the facility back in operation and pay on its debt. It was going to be a long fight.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bob Kennedy, new head pro at Van Patten Golf Course

KENNEDY NEW COURSE PRO
By Mike Collar

It didn’t take long for Bob Kennedy to move up the ladder at Van Patten Golf Course in Clifton Park. After working as an assistant to Head Golf Professional Mike Behan last year, Kennedy finds himself in that position for the 2012 season.
Behan left which prompted management to look in Kennedy’s direction to carry on the duties.

Kennedy is a Class-A member of the PGA of America and the Northeast New York PGA Section. He began his golf career as a caddie at Ekwanok Golf Club in Manchester, Vermont and learned the game from area PGA professionals – developing a passion and knowing he wanted to follow in their footsteps.

Read the rest of this entry »

WHAT A PLACE!
By Frederick Decasperis

I recently gained membership into the Golf Writers Association of America and was pleased to learn that GWAA membership included an invitation to the Annual Business Meeting at Augusta National on the Wednesday of tournament week. After the meeting I was issued a grounds pass for the remainder of the day.

Read the rest of this entry »

TROY’S COURSE OPENS FRIDAY, OTHERS READY TOO

We may be smack in the middle of “March Madness” but for golfers, the madness of smacking the ball is earlier than most can remember. It’s all about this unseasonably warm, welcome weather.

Here’s a list of courses we have found that have, or will open, shortly, in addition to the ones we have already reported on here at Capitalareagolf.com.

We have provided easy links to get you more information about the links. If you don’t see your favorite course here, please call them and tell them they should be listed at Capitalareagolf.com.

FREAR PARK: In Troy, Frear Park Golf Course, which hosts our “Hook A Kid On Golf” events, will open Friday, March 23 at 7 a.m.

Read the rest of this entry »

WARM WEATHER MEANS GOLF

CLIFTON PARK – Due to unseasonably warm weather, town officials will open its Barney Road Golf Course on Wednesday, March 21, at noon.

Built in 1966 in Clifton Park’s oldest residential neighborhood by the Van Patten family, Barney Road is an executive par-3 golf course just a few minutes off Exit 9. The course features 1,331 yards of golf from the longest tees for the par-28. The golf course was purchased in 2010 by the Town of Clifton Park.

Read the rest of this entry »

EARLY GOLF IN CENTRAL NY

VERONA (AP) – Turning Stone Resort is opening its golf courses three weeks earlier than usual because of the winter’s limited snowfall and mild temperatures. Last weekend, March 17-18, Turning Stone opened two courses; the other three will open on April 2 and 9.

Turning Stone Resort Director of Golf Robert Todd says the golf courses held up nicely over the winter and workers were able to get out and mow the greens and groom the bunkers early.

Three of the courses are championship courses.

ALBANY’S GREENS OPEN ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY

On the traditional day for green, St. Patrick’s Day, the greens opened at Capital Hills @ Albany for the golf season, according to Mayor Jerry Jennings. The driving range is currently open.

“Capital Hills is one of the many jewels in our city, and I am confident that this year will, once again, be a great golf season for our residents and visitors,” Jennings said in a statement. “I encourage all golfers to take advantage of the beautiful and challenging course at Capital Hills.”

Read the rest of this entry »