WILD U.S. OPEN QUALIFIER FINISH
By John Craig

“I just hit the shot 10 minutes earlier,” said Gifford, a ’09 Siena graduate. “I felt confident.”

For the playoff, he drew the fourth of five slots. The first three players missed the green in the heavy rain. Then Gifford stepped to the tee on the 185-yard, par-3 finishing 18th hole. Par-3s are a favorite of designer Devereaux Emmet.

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McGregor Links mascot

PRO: BEWARE HOLES #7 & #15
By John Craig

While sitting in the rain hut on one of several rain delays at Glens Falls Country Club last year, the USGA’s Mark Fitzgerald and the head pro at McGregor Links Country Club in Wilton were chatting.

“He said ‘That McGregor takes water pretty well, doesn’t it?’ so that’s kind of what started our conversation,” is how McGregor Links CC head pro Tom Oppedisano remembers the conversation going.

On Monday, May 14, McGregor Links will host 76 players looking for five spots in the U.S. Open Sectional. But, by the looks of things, the forecast is only slightly better than last year’s qualifying round – but it will still be raining.

“The club as a whole is very excited to host the tournament,” Tommy-O said. “We’re very much ready for it.”

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2012 PRO CLASSIC #2

He posted on Facebook “‎2 for 2” and that’s exactly what Normanside’s Scott Berliner has done this early season for the Northeastern New York PGA as he took the Pro Classic #2 at Saratoga Golf & Polo Club on Monday, May 7.

Berliner shot 67 to win $475, three strokes better than Chris Sanger of Red Hook, Milton Torres of Wahconah CC and Tom Sullivan of Wyantenuck CC, who each earned $331.67. There was also a three-way tie for fifth.

Rick Wolcott of Rolling Hills @ Antlers in Amsterdam led the Legends Division with 73 to win by three.

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TWO MAN WON BY FATHER & SON

Mike and Jim Gifford combined for eight birdies Sunday in the final round of the Stadium Classic at Stadium Golf Club in Schenectady to win by one shot over the combo of Jim Welch of Valatie and Dave Pallas of Clifton Park. That’s according to the Daily Gazette newspaper, which covered the event Saturday and Sunday, May 5-6.

In the senior division, Earl Winchester and Jerry Wander were three better than George Hillenbrandt and Jay Taub.
Sunday featured better ball. Saturday they played a two-man scramble.

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DEVELOPER, GOLF FAN EAGER FOR MORE

On the same day that the USGA formally accepted Donald Trump’s invitation to play the U.S. Women’s Open, biggest event in women’s golf, at Trump National in Bedminster in 2017, he says he wants more.

Trump, 65, told the Associated Press on Thursday he would like to host the U.S. Open. Currently, his “Apprentice” and “Celebrity Apprentice” program airs on NBC and the network has the rights to the U.S. Open and other USGA events.

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SECTION MEETING BEGINS SEASON

TROY — The annual meeting of the Northeastern New York PGA was held Monday, April 16, at the Hilton Garden Inn. The section handed out awards and took part in panel discussions regarding the future of the game, how to grow the game and the new Golf 2.0, presented by the Director of Golf and General Manager of Malone Golf Club, Derek Sprague, in his second year as Secretary of the PGA of America.

Click here to hear our conversation with Derek Sprague: Derek Sprague April 16, 2012

Below are the Special Award Winners from the section:

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$10,000 RAISED FOR JUNIOR GOLF

The New York State Golf Association and the Junior Golf Alliance raised nearly $10,000 on Friday during our first Masters Viewing Party. We held it at Wolferts Roost CC, watched the second round of the Masters and, as luck would have it, about the time it started, Fred Couples, the 1992 Masters Champion, was walking off the course as the leader.

Oddly enough, we had a Masters flag from the 2010 Masters signed by Fred Couples. Nice coincidence to have.

Besides that, we had great giveaways, a nice dinner and great fellowship on a Good Friday night.

It’s the first step in bringing The First Tee’s scholastic program to the Capital Area and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Assistant pro at Burden Lake CC John Andrews went home with a great prize too, Dottie Pepper’s 2002 Solheim Cup bag and putter. What a nice prize.

MASTERS WEEK IS GETTING BIGGER IN THE CAPITAL AREA

We have added new items to the still growing list offered this Friday at the Masters Viewing Party at Wolferts Roost CC in Menands.

How about these new items added to the prize list: photos and items from both NBC Sports and CBS Sports.

First, professional photographer Tom Killips is donating a framed photo of Arnold Palmer when he appeared in the Capital Area for the Ellis Hospital charity skins game in 2002 and of Tiger Woods, when he appeared at Turning Stone Resort, for the Notah Begay III Foundation Skins Game in 2009.

NBC: Saratoga’s Dottie Pepper has secured several items including her autographed copies of “Bogey Tees Off” children’s books, an NBC Sports hat signed by members of their golf team including Pepper herself, Johnny Miller, Roger Maltbie, Gary Koch, Mark Rolfing and Dan Hicks, plus a 2002 Solheim Golf Bag and putter!

CBS: And a member of the CBS Sports golf team is donating a golf shirt and hat. The winner of the silent auction item picks the shirt size and which CBS announcer he wants to have sign the hat.

We could use more people to attend so click here to sign up. And click here to see the whole prize list!

Hope to see you Friday. Sign up by Wednesday!

PRIZES FOR MASTERS VIEWING PARTY

As the countdown continues to the Masters Viewing Party on Friday, April 6 at Wolferts Roost Country Club, here are some of the items available for you to bid on and win between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. while we gather to watch the 2012 Masters broadcast, swing in simulators and enjoy a nice meal.

There are silent auction items and raffle prizes and some handouts just for showing up. We appreciate your support very much. For $75, you will support the new effort of The First Tee scholastic program and have fun while doing something you would normally do – watch the Masters.

Here’s the list (subject to last minute additions/changes) of silent auction items, raffle items and door gifts just for coming. We hope you do.

Click here to register and get your ticket now to the hottest golf ticket before all those charity events. Be an MVP — Masters Viewing Party!

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JOIN US TO WATCH THE MASTERS

To help raise funds to teach elementary school kids how to play golf, Capitalareagolf.com and the New York State Golf Association is holding a Masters Viewing party and we’d love for you to come. Consider this your invitation.

We are building “The First Tee” school program in Capital Area schools.

Click here for more details.

If people just want to make a simple donation to the Foundation, please click here.

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