September 2020 Newsletter

 

METROPOLITAN GOLF WRITERS ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER

 

SEPTEMBER 2020

 

SEND IN YOUR NEWS AND NOTES: All members of the MGWA, with items for our newsletter, are urged to e-mail them to Chuck Stogel (chstogel@aol.com).

 

MGWA NEWSLETTER MAKES A RETURN

As we all know too well, 2020 has been a most abnormal, trying, and stressful year as the world at large has contended with the coronavirus pandemic. This is our first newsletter since April.

 

Back in the spring, the MGWA National Awards Dinner was canceled and our 69th affair is now scheduled for June 28, 2021 at the Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown NY. Carryover honorees include Johnny Miller, Renee Powell, Butch Harmon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, the Ballo family and North Jersey CC. For more information about the honorees, please visit the MGWA website (www.metgolfwriters.org/press_releases).

 

Additionally, this season the MGWA has not held any meetings and outings at area clubs due to the coronavirus situation and restrictions about group gatherings. While we had hoped to be able to schedule one get-together for this autumn, that will not be happening. Meanwhile, our Activities Committee is currently working on a schedule of venues and dates for 2021.

 

AREA GOLFERS TEE IT UP AT THE U.S. OPEN

With the U.S. Open making its sixth visit to Winged Foot GC, Mamaroneck, NY, this week, players with local connections ready to tee it up include club pro Danny Balin, Korn Ferry Tour player Brandon Wu and Florida State All-American John Pak.

 

Wu, a 2019 Stanford University grad and a member of the victorious U.S. Walker Cup team last year, is a 23-year-old Scarsdale, NY resident who won the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in late August. He earned his berth at Winged Foot by topping the points list for the three-event Korn Ferry Tour Series. This will be the second Open appearance for Wu and his first as a professional. Last year at Pebble Beach, he played all four rounds as an amateur and tied for 35th. For finishing among the top 10 on the Korn Ferry points list, Wu has gained conditional status for the PGA Tour’s 2020-21 season, including guaranteed spots in “additional” (i.e. opposite) events on the major tour.

 

Pak, 21, is a Scotch Plains, NJ native who also was on the winning U.S. Walker Cup team in 2019 and captured the Atlantic Coast Conference individual title last year. He notched his slot at Winged Foot by being No. 7 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings list at the August 19th deadline.

 

The Head Professional at Fresh Meadow CC, Lake Success, NY, Balin, 38, earned entry into his first U.S. Open by finishing among the top three on the 2019 PGA Player of the Year standings. A seven-time participant in the PGA Championship, Balin has won numerous major Met-area titles, including two New York State Opens, the 2012 Met Open and the past three Met PGA Championships. Regarding the Met PGA, he won’t be defending this week because of that event’s overlap with the rescheduled U.S. Open.

 

By the way, Balin will be joined on the course for his practice rounds by actor Michael O’Keefe, who also has local connections and played the character of caddy Danny Noonan in the movie Caddyshack. O’Keefe, 65, who grew up in Larchmont, NY and caddied at Winged Foot in 1971-72 before leaving for Hollywood, had publicized his availability over the past several weeks to tote a bag in the Open for any golfer who would be willing to accept the offer. Balin accepted for his early practice rounds. To stoke the local connection just a bit further, Michael O’Keefe’s brother, Bill O’Keefe, is a past President at Winged Foot.

 

USGA AMATEUR CHAMP: HERALDED MET GOLF FAMILY

During telecasts of this summer’s 2020 USGA Amateur championship, it was mentioned numerous times that competitor and eventual champion Tyler Strafaci is the grandson of 1935 USGA Amateur Public Links titlist Frank Strafaci. But the connection, and the Strafaci name, represents much more in the Met area than Tyler’s stellar grandpa. Indeed, second only perhaps to the Turnesa clan, the Strafaci family represents one of the most heralded golfing families to ever grace the Met realm.

 

Yes, Frank Strafaci was a standout amateur. Born in Brooklyn NY in 1916, Frank called the Shoreview GC at Dyker Beach his home. In addition to multiple club championships and his USGA national title, Frank won the MGA Amateur a record seven times, the LIGA Amateur five times, plus twice each in the North & South Amateur and the Richardson Invitational, and one Hochster. He played in the 1938 Masters, and overseas competed in the British and French Amateurs.

 

The story has often been told about how Frank Strafaci played against Arnold Palmer in the 1954 U.S. Amateur --- Palmer’s last amateur event before turning pro --- in a match that was all even after 16 holes and which Palmer then won 1-up after 18.

 

Less often recalled about Frank is that in 1940, after qualifying for the U.S. Open but learning that Ben Hogan had not qualified and rather was the first alternate, Frank sent a note to Ben telling the Texas pro to proceed to Canterbury GC in Ohio nonetheless. When nobody else had withdrawn, Frank took himself out just prior to the start of the Open, allowing Hogan to play, whereupon Hogan proceeded to contend for the title and eventually finished T5.

 

In 1950, Frank Strafaci moved south to become Executive Director of the Florida Golf Association and, in 1960, became Director of Golf at the famed Doral CC. Frank passed away in Florida in 1988.

 

Frank Strafaci had four brothers who also were proficient Met area golfers. Among the brothers, Tom (two LIGA Amateur titles) would become the Head Pro at Dyker Beach, aided by his son, Tom Jr. Older brother Dominic won the 1941 MGA Public Links title at Bethpage Black. For many, many years, Tom Jr. was the official starter for Met PGA tournaments. Additionally, Tom Jr.’s father-in-law, Frank Blumetti, served as scoreboard keeper/calligrapher for both Met PGA events and for years at the PGA Tour’s Westchester Classic.

 

Tyler’s parents are also proficient golfers. His father, Frank Strafaci Jr., played in three U.S. Amateurs; his mother, Jill, played in two U.S. Women’s Amateurs.

                   

P.S. Tyler Strafaci eliminated 2016 MGA Player of the Year Stewart Jagestad 1-up in this year’s U.S. Amateur quarterfinals at Bandon Dunes.

 

DEVELOPMENTAL TOUR UPDATES

A number of golfers with area roots, in addition to Brandon Wu, have found varying degrees of success competing in developmental tour events this season.

 

Cameron Young, son of Sleepy Hollow CC (Scarborough NY) Head Pro David Young, earned full-time status on Canada’s MacKenzie Tour by winning a qualifier at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Dothan, AL. The 22-year-old Wake Forest grad finished 15-under-par and three shots ahead of the field. Plus, Young had a hole-in-one during the opening round and led wire-to-wire.

 

Following a long shutdown due to COVID-19 concerns, several Met area golfers found success at the Korn Ferry Tour Challenge. Theo Humphrey of Greenwich, CT placed eighth with an 8-under 272 on the Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass. Michael Miller of Brewster, NY, son of Knollwood CC (Elmsford NY) Head Pro Bob Miller, tied for 10th at 6-under. James Nicholas of Scarsdale, NY, the 2020 New York State Open champ, tied for 39th. Meanwhile, former Larchmont, NY resident Andrew Svoboda missed the cut.

 

At Korn Ferry’s Pinnacle Bank Championship in Omaha, NE at the beginning of August, Miller finished T9, Young and Humphrey were T11, Wu was T44.

 

PEOPLE, PLACES, ETC.

Brooklawn CC, Fairfield, CT, which had been scheduled to host the canceled 2020 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, now will be the site for the 2021 (August 19-22) event. Founded in 1895, Brooklawn has hosted four previous USGA tournaments: the 1974 U.S. Junior Amateur, 1979 U.S. Women’s Open, 1987 U.S. Senior Open, and 2003 U.S. Girls’ Junior . . . Also next year, the U.S. Women’s Amateur is scheduled for August 2-8 at Westchester CC, Harrison NY . . . The PGA Tour’s Northern Trust tournament, which now rotates annually with the Boston area as the first event in the FedEx Cup playoffs, returns to the Met realm August 19-22, 2021, at Liberty National GC, Jersey City, NJ . . . Although the Quill & Tee GC, our MGA-affiliated golf club without real estate, was not able to conduct any competitions this season --- meaning 2020 on the historical roster of winners will remain blank --- we did have 44 MGWA members sign up for the season. Among the Q&T benefits is the MGA’s handicapping service, allowing for entry into various organized competitions and personal handicap matches. Five Quill & Tee-ers currently hold indexes below 4.0. They are: Yale Stogel, 3.0; Herb Rubenstein, 3.1; Woody Lashen, 3.7; Michael Ceriello and Anthony Scorcia, each at 3.9 . . . According to Gannett’s Journal News, the Head Pro at Rye (NY) GC, who was at the center of a lawsuit the club and city settled that alleged abuse against a former disabled employee, has left the club under what club officials described as a “mutual agreement.” “After nearly 17 years of serving as the Head Golf Professional, Michael Rapisarda and RGC have mutually agreed to part ways," the club wrote in an e-mail to members. No further explanation was provided.

 

SADLY, WE LOST DEAR FRIENDS, FAMILY

Since our last newsletter, there sadly have been a number of occasions to mourn the passing of family and friends who brought light to many and will be fondly missed.

 

Todd Denison “Hollywood” Heyda, 67, passed away on May 13th. A resident of Briarcliff Manor, NY and a Denver native who grew up in White Plains, NY, Heyda --- called Hollywood for both his surfer looks and generally jovial demeanor --- was a former caddie at Westchester Hills GC and later the Head Pro at Mahopac (NY) GC for 25 years after area assistantships at Ridgeway, Willow Ridge and Briar Hall. A lover of the outdoors and camping, his family asked that anyone wishing to make a donation should send it in his memory to The Adirondack Mountain Club at http://www.adk.org/support/donate/ or via mail to AMC, 814 Goggins Rd., Lake George, NY 12845.

 

Katharine “Karan” Donahue Whamond, 77, died on June 20th. A Bronxville, NY native who lived most of her life in Rye, NY, Whamond was a Director and Committee Chairperson of the PGA Tour’s Westchester Classic (under various title sponsorships) since the tournament’s inception in 1967. She was particularly friendly to the media and was proud of having an “open door” policy at her tournament office at Westchester CC, Harrison, NY. In 2016, the PGA Tour presented Karan and husband Don Whamond with its Volunteers of the Year award for 50 years of service to the event now known as the Northern Trust. A volunteer affiliated with several community organizations, Karan Whamond worked as office manager at the family-owned marina on Long Island Sound. In addition to her husband, she is survived by three brothers and a sister, plus her children, grandchildren, and a great granddaughter. Donations may be made in Karan's name to the Carver Center in Port Chester NY (carvercenter.org/donate/).

 

Charles Anthony “Tony” Wimpfheimer, 92, passed away on August 10th at his home in Jupiter, FL. A past President of the MGWA (1992-95), a member of numerous Met Golf Association and USGA committees, and a longtime member at Sunningdale CC, Scarsdale, NY, he at one time also had homes in Purchase, NY and New York City, where he was born on April 20, 1928. A Williams College grad, Wimpfheimer worked for many years as a Vice President at Random House and, with his publishing background and experience, was a significant force on the editorial board of the MGA’s Met Golfer magazine. He served on our MGWA Executive Committee for more than 30 years and was Chairman of our Awards Dinner Committee for eight years (1992-99). He received the MGA’s Distinguished Service Award in 1996 and the MGWA’s Winnie Palmer Award in 2012. He is survived by his wife, Ann, daughter Kate, son Andrew, a grandson and two great grandchildren. Contributions in his memory may be made to either the MGA Foundation (www.mgagolf.org/donate), 49 Knollwood Rd., Elmsford NY 10523, or to the Jupiter Medical Center Association, 1210 South Dixie Highway, Jupiter, FL 33458. For a wonderful tribute to Tony Wimpfheimer, please see the MGA’s notice about his passing at www.mgagolf.org/news/mga-mourns-loss-tony-wimpfheimer.  The MGWA also remembered Tony on our website at https://metgolfwriters.org/about_the_MGWA.

 

Doris Beck, 91, of Boca Raton, FL, and formerly the Mayor of Livingston, NJ, passed away on July 12th. The mother of MGWA past President and NBC Sports Broadcaster Bruce Beck, and a Councilwoman for eight years in Livingston, Doris Beck was the first woman to serve as Mayor (1975-78) in any Essex County, NJ community. A native of Poland who grew up in northern New Jersey, Beck graduated from Montclair State Teachers College, went on to teach elementary school English and was renowned for her philanthropy. Doris was married to her beloved Felix for 68 years before he passed in 2019. In addition to Bruce and his wife Janet, Doris is survived by son Steven and his wife Lauren; her daughter-in-law, Karen, the widow of her late son, Jeffrey; four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Donations are welcome in memory of Doris Beck at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County FL at http://www.jewishboca.org/donate.

 

The following is a tender and sentimental posting about Doris Beck, courtesy of her son, Bruce.

 

By Bruce Beck…

With tears in my eyes and love in my broken heart, I say goodbye to the greatest woman I have ever known. My amazing mom, Doris is now carrying wings in heaven after a remarkable 91-year journey here on earth. She truly represents the American Dream. In 1937, my mom and her beautiful family fled Poland and came to this amazing country. Their tiny village was destroyed shortly thereafter by Hitler. My mom, who was 8 at the time, and her two beautiful sisters, Adele and Annie - along with my grandparents, chased a better life - and oh, did they find one. Doris, who didn’t have a penny in her pocket and couldn’t speak a drop of English, barely qualified for school and began her education two grades behind other kids her own age. In a few years, she caught up. She actually skipped a grade - twice - and later became a 4th grade English teacher. That little girl from Chehanovietzer turned into a trailblazer. She became the first woman Mayor of Livingston, New Jersey in 1975. She was only 5’4” but nothing was out of her reach. She was President of the League of Women Voters; on the board of directors for Orange Savings Bank; a trustee at St. Barnabas Medical Center for over three decades and an arbitrator on the New York Stock Exchange. But that was only part of her amazing tale. You see, success in the business world was dwarfed by her love and commitment to her family and to the community. She helped anyone and everyone - young or old; black or white; male or female. My mom’s humanity and humility shined through every day of her life. She was generous beyond words. She was an incredible wife to her beloved husband, Felix, of almost 69 years and a spectacular mom to Jeffrey, Steven Beck, and me. And “Bubby,” as she was affectionately known, was the greatest daughter, sister, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. She always treated my gorgeous wife, Janet Schneider Beck, like her own daughter. She was kind and compassionate. Her magnificent smile could light up a room. So how do I say goodbye now after having her in my life - my entire life. I just don’t know. But I do know this - I was lucky. I was blessed. I was so honored to be Doris Beck’s son. Rest in Peace, mom - I will love you forever! 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA ADDENDUM: The MGWA online is now more available than ever before. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Met Golf Writers Association, and on Twitter at @metgolfwriters.

                                        

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