We are now fully prepared to accept applications and deliver our co- branded MasterCard program. There is a simple online application form at the link below for both business and personal accounts. Although there are some great loyalty programs out there, we challenge any card you currently use against the value added by the Avidia MasterCard. To apply go to met.avidiabank.com. Some of the registration pages will refer to the New England PGA, don’t be alarmed this is only because our card was built on the same platform and some of the logos and verbiage was carried over.

Below are the upcoming entry deadlines for each of the PGA Section Championships that serve as qualifying for PGA National Championships. Please remember that because these events are part of the National Championships, the deadlines are at 11:59 pm on the listed date and they are completely firm. We cannot register you for any reason once they have passed. You may enter each of the championships below online at www.PGA.org or by calling 1- 800-474-2776. Metropolitan PGA Senior Professional Championship Deadline–Wednesday, August 2 Metropolitan PGA Assistant Professional Championship Deadline–Wednesday, August 23

The National Car Rental Met PGA Assistant Professional Championship entry must be submitted to PGA HQ as outlined above. That $60 fee goes toward cart and range fees for the tournament. There is an additional entry fee onsite of $150, $300, or $450. This “tiered” entry fee corresponds directly to the percentage of the purse you will be eligible to win. In order to raise money for this entry, we offer a raffle for prizes donated by area sales reps. Raffle tickets will be sent to your head professional early in August (we will also offer extra tickets at upcoming events). These $10 chances can be sold to members, family, friends and other supporters. You must then bring the tickets and a check to round 1 of the Assistant’s Championship at Bethpage. Another option is to raise a minimum of $1,000 in donations to the Met PGA Foundation. That level of fundraising qualifies one assistant per club for the top tier. More than one assistant per club can elect to go this route. Please contact the Met PGA office with questions or for help presenting a fundraiser to your club.

The “Club of Clubs” is a reduced rate, VIP spectator experience available only to members at clubs employing a PGA professional. The package includes: full bar service, hors d'oeuvres, and lunch buffet in a private air- conditioned tent on the 17th green and also offers VIP parking passes. Click Here for more

“Taste of the Tee” is a meet and greet opportunity on Tuesday August 22nd from 4:00-6:00 at Glen Oaks. PGA Tour players will be on hand, along with cocktails and food tastings from some of ’s best. The event is both in recognition of and to benefit youth programming on , including the Met PGA Foundation. Click here for more

The 30 Day Million Dollar Hole in One Challenge is open to any club in the Met Section. All you have to do is register your facility and any player making a hole in one on the course between 7/15 and 8/15 will qualify to participate in the finals on August 25th at Glen Oaks for a chance to win $1M. Additionally, each participating club will receive 8 complimentary weekly grounds passes. Please contact Brian Shearan [email protected] to register. Click here for the registration form

It was nearly impossible to anticipate the unseasonable cold and rainy weather we experienced on the first day of the Metropolitan PGA Professional Championship. Thanks to the accommodations made by our host clubs, Fairview CC and GC of Purchase, we were able to complete the entire first round after at least four hours of delays. Host professionals, Shaun Powers and Carl Alexander, Superintendents, Jim Pavonetti and Bob Miller, and Managers, Meridith Picarelli-Khattar and Sophie Mond, were incredibly flexible and we owe them our sincere thanks. Along with the sun starting to peek out on Wednesday, came some fine play by the 68 players surviving the 36-hole cut and hoping to climb into the top 12. Westchester CC’s Danny Balin went out in 31, adding two birdies on the back nine for a bogey free round of 65. Balin’s one shot victory was solidified when runner up, Sands Point GC head pro, Rob Gick made one bad swing on the 53rd hole after playing flawlessly for the previous 52. Our two exempt players, Adam Rainaud and Matt Dobyns, finished T3 and T6 respectively. The aforementioned four players will be joined by the rest of the qualifiers: James Ondo (Apawamis), Kyle Baehler (Willow Ridge), Rob Labritz (GlenArbor), David Young (Sleepy Hollow), Greg Bisconti (Saint Andrew’s), Kyle Higgins (Inwood), Josh Rackley (Tam O’Shanter), Paul Dickinson (Atlantic), Frank Bensel (Century), and Tyler Jaramillo (Saint Andrew’s).

Though most everyone has heard by now, we have yet to announce Darrell Kestner and John Kennedy as 2017 PGA of America Award winners in this publication. We are so thrilled and honored that these two exemplary professionals are being recognized for their contributions to the game, the profession, and their fellow members. Kestner will be honored with the Professional of the Year and Kennedy given the Bill Strausbaugh Award at the PGA of America Annual Meeting in Austin, TX this November.

Extra holes were needed to determine a champion at the $100,000.00 NFP/Lenox Advisors New York State Open Championship. After 54 holes at the famed and immaculate Bethpage Black Course, Chris DeForest and amateur Cameron Young were tied. Both players parred the first playoff hole, but Young’s birdie on the second extra hole earned him the title. The sons of John DeForest and David Young, both PGA professionals, Cameron and Chris have grown up excelling in local events and have had great success collegiately and professionally.

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Ask any of the assistant (and former assistants) who have played in the Gene Borek Squire Cup Matches and they will tell you it is a highlight of their career. Applications for this year’s selection are now available. The majority of the team is selected on the basis of Professional Performance and it is not too late for applicants to demonstrate their level of commitment, involvement and service to their club, their community and to the Met Section. The event is supported by Cutter & Buck and Paul McManus. Applications are on the Assistants Link on the website.

Entries for the Women’s are available now and will close on August 17th. We will announce the pairings and seedings on Monday August 21st. The match play draw will be based on points and there will be a PGA Member bracket (presented by the PGA Tour) and a non-member bracket. Matches will be arranged with a two-week window to complete each round. Head professionals and our women PGA and LPGA Members are asked to please promote this event to help us get a strong field.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to start thinking about the Lincoln Met PGA Championship! Our Championship will again boast a $100,000 purse and will be played at Metropolis Country Club on September 18-20. There are a number of exempt categories, with the top 100 on the Met PGA POY list (after the Met Open) being the most common. A full explanation of the exemptions is posted on the web site. Qualifying for the 2017 Lincoln Met PGA Championship will be held on Monday, August 28th at Bonnie Briar Country Club. Due to scheduling conflicts, qualifying spots will also be offered in round one of the MGA Senior Open Championship. EVERYONE attempting to qualify MUST register for the Met PGA Championship qualifier event in Blue Golf, and pay the entry fee – even if you are qualifying at the MGA Seniors. Spots will be allocated directly by numbers as follows: the number of spots available is divided by the total number trying to qualify, yielding a percentage. That percentage will then be applied to each of the fields to determine how many spots are available at each site.

The annual Pro Am at Innis Arden celebrating the life of William A Mitchell will return to Innis Arden on September 26th. This special event always fills up fast so make sure to get your team registered right away. “The Mitch” is also our opportunity to award scholarship dollars to Apprentices who will be attending a checkpoint in 2017 (or who have already attended this year). Over a dozen applicants have been rewarded the last three years with funds to help offset the cost of PGA education. The application deadline is September 1st and the scholarship recipients will be announced at The Mitch Pro-Am at Innis Arden on September 26th.

Check out the web site in the coming weeks for updates on the point standings for our 2017 John Farley Cup Matches sponsored by Summit Brands and Fairway & Greene and this year OMEGA will also be supporting the Player of the Year event. These matches pit the best of Long Island vs. the best of Westchester/CT and Upstate.

The annual Atlantic City Pro Am will once again be played at Galloway National Golf Club, but will also feature a return to the recently renovated Atlantic City Country Club this year. This ever popular event will be headquartered at Borgata’s Water Club for nightly accommodations and a cocktail party on Monday evening. Registrations are being taken now and spots will only be held for fully paid teams.

Entries are being accepted for the 2017 Met PGA Pro-Am at Pinehurst. The annual travel Pro Am package includes a practice round on #6, two tournament rounds on #2 and one tournament round on #8. We also have a number of activities planned, including our putting contest on the Thistle Dhu putting green and a competition on Pinehurst’s newly constructed short course. Other upgrades include a new pub in the main clubhouse called “The Deuce.” Positioned directly behind the 18th green of Course #2, this open air tavern will be a fun place to meet and watch players finish. For entry information and links to supply your amateur partners for online payments, please contact Dan Kiley.

Get a partner and get signed up for the Met PGA Senior/Junior. Our three formats: Best-ball, Scramble and Pinehurst help make this one of the most popular and fun tournaments of the year. This year’s Championship is again sponsored by Mohegan Sun and presented by Jerry Shulock and Bushnell. Click here to register Dean Middletoeton 14 Valley Circle, Fairfield, CT 06825 Phone: 203-943-4994 [email protected]

Proud Met PGA Partner since 1985

Percy CCajajahuanca Phone: 914--505-5922

J&M INC [email protected]

Dean Middletoeton 14 Valley Circle, Fairfield, CT 06825 Phone: 203-943-4994 [email protected]

Proud Met PGA Partner since 1985

Percy CCajajahuanca Phone: 914--505-5922

J&M INC [email protected]

As Labor Day approaches we will once again be promoting Patriot Golf Day and asking our professionals and their golfers to support our initiatives for veterans and their families. We have two wonderful missions to support - Folds of Honor that provides financial support for the children of those who have sacrificed so much for our country and now our Met PGA HOPE program that gets our veterans on the and brings our great game to those who have served. Information about both programs will be included in our promotional materials and on our web site throughout the coming weeks.

Some of our professionals have already raised money for Met PGA HOPE. Many of you will want to continue your fund-raisers just for Folds of Honor. Earlier this year we also spoke to many of our leading contributors and it was suggested that professionals and their clubs could do both. Your golfers or the committee at your facility can designate a percentage to go to Folds of Honor and also to Met PGA HOPE. We have included a flyer that can be used or we are happy to help you customize your own promotional materials.

Our goal is to say "Thanks" to those who have served our country and allowed us to serve the game of golf. Let's make this year's Patriot Golf Day weekend extra special and continue our commitment to Folds of Honor while giving HOPE to the veterans in our communities.

Andy Crane is leading the defending champions back to the Secretary’s Cup preceding the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. The Met Section will be proudly represented by John Sweeney, Ray Jones, Ron Middleton, and Bill Sturgess. We wish them the best of luck and a ton of fun down in Carolina.

The Met PGA HOPE fall class schedule is now set and we are looking for instructors!. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kelli Clayton ([email protected]) for information or to sign up.

Long Island @ Woodside Club: August 30, September 6, 13, 27, October 4 | 3:00pm-5:00pm

Bronx @ Mosholu: August 22, 29, September 5, 19, 26 | 9:30am-11:30am

Hudson Valley @ West Point: August 24, 31, September 7, 21, October 5 | 9:30am-11:30am

Graduation @ Woodside Club: Wednesday, October 18th

Matthew Gerlach, A-8 to Ben Hoffhine at Westchester Country Club Michael Littlejohn, A-8 to Adam McDaid at Friar’s Head Peter Mariani Jr., A-8 to Dan Colvin at Fishers Island

Our sincere thanks to the clubs who annually support the Met PGA Club Association. Clubs participate in this effort with a $300 annual dues that support all of our good works in junior golf, employment, education, communications, public relations and a host of other special activities.

Congratulations to Rolling Hills Assistant Michael DiMeglio on passing the exam to qualify as a Certified Playing Ability Test Examiner. The administration of the PAT is such a critical step on the path to PGA membership and we salute Michael for volunteering to participate. Megan Webster, A-8 to Andrew Kegarise at Hay Harbor Club

Shinnecock Hills’ PGA Professional Jack Druga has worked with the USGA to provide opportunities for Met Section juniors to carry standard signs during the 2018 US Open Championship. Click here for more information

We are saddened to announce the passing of Robert L. Watson, PGA. During Bob’s 40 year career he worked at a number of clubs in the Met PGA including: Metropolis Country Club, Ardsley Country Club, Fairview Country Club, Country Club, and Westchester Country Club. He served as Met PGA President from 1971-1973. A very accomplished player, his most memorable year was probably 1958 when he won: the Met Open, Westchester PGA and the PGA Tour’s Panama Open. He was inducted into the Met PGA Hall of Fame in 1990 and honored by the section with the Award in 2010. He was also included in the University of Texas’ Hall of Honor in 1995. His attention and support for The First Tee of The Palm Beaches and the Palm Beach Atlantic University Golf teams continued his mission to influence golfers and provide a valuable experience to those who may not otherwise learn to enjoy the game of golf. Plans are already in action to fund the building of a training facility at The Palm Beach First Tee in Dyer Park and a PBA Golf scholarship, both in his name and memory.

-The 82nd Annual Woodstock Open is Tuesday September 5th. Contact PGA Pro, Judd Noto at [email protected]

-Peter Croker, Dr. Bob Rotella, Dr. Bob Christina, and Rick Whitfield will present “Breaking the Coaching Barriers in Golf” seminar September 11-12 in Pinehurst, NC. There are only 30 spaces available with a registration deadline of August 15th. Contact Rick Whitfield at [email protected]

Charlie Bolling is selling a Trackman IV in mint condition. Asking price is $17,000. Call Charlie at 516-578- 9847

Tom Lupinacci is offering a $20,000 Commission to any PGA Professional who might find him a client for his Antique Golf Collection. Please review Tom’s Website Timelessgolfantiques.com. Tom also has used white striped Range Balls for Sale and High quality Used Golf Balls for re-sale—AND hit away balls for .15ea. There is free delivery in Long Island or Westchester for orders of 3000 balls or more! Tom is looking to purchase used Yellow Range balls! Tom can be reached at 904-233-1023

John Schob is selling desks and chairs, and pro shop fixtures and furniture. Please contact John at [email protected]

KPMG has agreed with the PGA of America and LPGA to extend its sponsorship of the Women’s PGA Championship through 2023

All members and apprentices suspended for non-payment have been assessed a $25 late fee. The new invoice total includes this fee which cannot be waived per the Constitution and Bylaws

IBMSECU offers great auto and home mortgage rates to PGA members. For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Turn your old clubs into cash with the PGA Trade-In Network. Learn more by calling 888 777-3540 or go to http://tradein.pgalinks.com

Save 15% on identity theft protection packages. Interested in subscribing to the identity theft protection service? New subscribers should visit lifelock.com/enrollment and enter promo code "PGA." LINK https://www.pga.org/user/login?member=0&destination=node/95430

Save the date for the 3rd PGA Youth and Family Summit January 21-22 at Orange County Convention Center

PGA Term Life Insurance benefits have changed. Please visit PGA.org to review the changes.

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Bill Bresnan, Colonial Springs GC Jeff Voorheis, Executive Director Andrew Gruss, Greenwich CC Kelli Clayton, Director of Operations Theron Harvey, Hudson National GC Dan Kiley, Tournament Director Ben Hoffhine, Wykagyl CC Kevin Rodine, Assistant Tournament Director Jim Lusk, Seawane CC Dan Frankel, Junior Golf Director Adam McDaid, Friars Head Kaitlin Sabbagh, Player Development Manager Karl Obermeyer, VC of Sands Point Amanda McKnight, Communications Manager James Ondo, Apawamis Club Charles Robson Peter Procops, The Lawrence Yacht & CC Steve Scott, Paramount CC