BOGEY IS A GOOD SCORE TONIGHT

He hangs around a driving range but has never swung a club. He knows a good shot when he “feels” it. He has dreams that go further than that “250 yard” sign at the end of the range. Bogey Ballton III, a red-striped range ball, has ambition and wants to make it on the PGA tour.

Bogey is tired of being smacked out into a field, scooped up and funneled back into a metal basket – often disciplined by “Bucket Boss Bob,” another ball with the “Elitist” logo on his dimples.

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Grace Ziamandanis, Matt Parrottino and coach Tom Gladd talk with Dottie Pepper

DOTTIE PEPPER VISITS VOORHEESVILLE

VOORHEESVILLE – In an effort to promote junior golf, Voorheesville Elementary School Physical Education Teacher Dennis McCormick initiated an eight-week intramural golf program with 49 kids (grades 4-5) learning the game of golf. And guess who showed up? The guest instructor was Saratoga Springs native and current NBC Sports golf commentator and former #1 world-ranked professional female golfer, Dottie Pepper.

UPDATE: YNN story by Marisa Jacques

Dottie Pepper

On Wednesday, May 16, Pepper talked with kids and helped teach the very basics of golf to the eager kids. Known as one of the toughest competitors in the game, Pepper had a big smile for the students and was aided by Voorheesville golfers Grace Ziamandanis and Matt Parrottino, along with their coach, Tom Gladd.

Pepper also donated her 2002 Solheim Cup golf bag and putter and a dozen “Bogey Tees Off” books that were given away at the kickoff event, The Masters Viewing Party, back in April.

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SENIOR SUCCESS AT STATE JUNIORS
By Mike Collar

To say that Victor Fox and Jessica Madsen had a great weekend in Cooperstown would be an understatement. No, they were not visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, although that’s a nice stop too. They were too busy winning their respective divisions in the New York State Junior PGA Championship at Leatherstocking Golf Course.

Delmar’s Fox eagled the 18th hole (450-yards) to win the Boys’ title on Sunday, May 13. Not to be outdone, Voorheesville’s Madsen, who trailed by 11 strokes going into the second round, put together a miraculous comeback to prevail in the Girls’ division. Madsen had rounds of 90-74=164 to Larissa Carter’s 79-86=165.

In the team scoring, NENY PGA had a 597 score to beat Met PGA, 606.

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Victor Fox won state title with eagle on 18

FOX, MADSEN WIN NYS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Stunning endings for both the boys’ and girls’ divisions in Cooperstown and when it was over, two NENY PGA player – Victor Fox of Delmar and Jessica Madsen of Voorheesville – were champs.

They captured their respective Overall Division Championships Sunday, May 13, in the 2012 New York State Junior PGA Championship at Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown.

Additionally, the NENY PGA won the Section Team Competition over the May 12-13 tournament.

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NYS JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
By Mike Collar

The Capital Area will be well represented in the New York State Junior PGA Championship this weekend at the Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown.

The top 60 junior golfers from around the state tee off at 11:30AM Saturday with an 8:30AM shotgun start on Sunday. Eligibility is by invitation only – up to the top-10 boys and up to the top-5 girls from the four New York PGA Sections. This weekend’s tournament is 36 holes of individual stroke play.

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LPGA GIRLS GOLF DAY MAY 19

eduKaytion golf is hosting an LPGA Girls Golf Day sponsored by Guido’s Fresh Marketplace and Toole Insurance, Saturday, May 19, from 9:00 a.m.-noon at Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club in Lenox, MA.

This event is part of the LPGA’s “Grow the Game” national initiative, sanctioned by the USGA, to introduce as many girls to the sport of golf. The cost is $10 per junior and is open to all junior girls, golfers and non-golfers, between the ages of 7-to-17. All attendees will receive complimentary gifts and lunch boxes to commemorate the event. Clubs may be provided if needed but juniors are encouraged to bring their own.

WHAT YOU GET

Attendees will be introduced to the fundamentals of golf in a safe, educational and exciting way emphasizing health, fitness and sportsmanship, according to Kay McMahon, Director of Instruction and LPGA Teaching Hall of Famer.

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STRONG FIRST SWING FOR FIRST TEE
By Mike Collar

TROY – Teachers gathered at Troy High School on a recent Saturday morning to go to school themselves. It was to learn the basics as part of The First Tee Scholastic training program. In turn, they will teach hundreds of elementary school kids how to play golf through physical education classes.

“It is an exciting new opportunity for area young people to learn the game with their friends in a school environment,” said Frank Ciarlo, President of CapitalAreaGolf.com and the newly-formed Junior Golf Alliance of NY, the driving force behind the program locally.

“This will give kids an opportunity to practice and play the game right in school with their friends. Those kids that are interested can take advantage of area golf courses summer programs or those offered by the ‘Hook a Kid on Golf’ programs at these municipal golf courses.”

P.E. teachers will use an approved national curriculum and specially designed golf equipment for use indoors and outdoors.

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DEFINING A PROGRAM

The First Tee is an international youth development organization that uses golf as a tool to teach young people the positive values inherent in the game such as honesty, integrity, sportsmanship and confidence.

Click here for more information.

The First Tee lessons are taught in traditional settings such as golf courses and driving ranges as well as in schools and on military installations. Research has proven that participants are learning and using the skills such as goal setting, interpersonal communication, self-management and resistance skills.

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TEE-OFF IS MASTERS VIEWING PARTY

This spring, hundreds of elementary school kids will learn to play golf now that “The First Tee” school program allows PE teachers to teach the game and program’s nine core values.

Students in Albany, Guilderland, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Troy, Voorheesville and Newburgh will learn the game along with all the other games taught in school including baseball, soccer, lacrosse and basketball.

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Bailey Cocca, who has played in the Capital Area's Futures' stop, is headed to UAlbany to play golf in college.

TOP CAPITAL AREA JUNIOR STAYING CLOSE TO HOME
By Mike Collar

It didn’t take Latham’s Bailey Cocca long to decide where she wanted to play golf and continue her education. The Shaker High School Senior has accepted a full athletic scholarship to the University at Albany and play for Dick “Doc” Sauers.

“I knew that I wanted to stay close to home and I felt like being 20 minutes away was a good amount of space for me,” Cocca tells Capitalareagolf.com. “I liked the school and I’m really excited to play for them. I feel a lot better knowing that the stress of figuring out where I want to go is finally off my back.”

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