Elmsford, NY (January 6, 2026) — Hank Gola, current president of the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association Board of Directors, will serve the second year of his term on the Board in 2026.
“I am excitedly looking forward to 2026 as we build on the success of the initiatives our Board has put into place over the past year,” Gola said. “The MGWA aims to enhance our historic standing in the golf community while reaching out to our membership and beyond through our social media and podcast series, all while increasing our charitable contributions and mentorship. My appreciation extends to every past and returning Board member.”
Current vice presidents Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post and Bill Pennington, a freelance writer formerly at the New York Times, will also return to their positions on the Executive Committee, as will treasurer Dan Berger of DMB Media Network.
The 2026 MGWA Executive Committee will be comprised of returning members Brian Crowell (CBS Sports/Sirius XM Radio/Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point); Martin Davis (The American Golfer); Patrick Donnelly (Sirius XM Holdings); Damon Hack (The Golf Channel); Pete Kowalski (Kowalski Sports and PR); Ann Liguori (Ann Liguori Productions); Bill Meth (JB Sports Service); Peter Morrice (Golf Digest); John Paul Newport (Freelance); Patricia Norton (On Course Strategies) and Chuck Stogel (Freelance).
Gola’s illustrious newspaper career, in which he covered golf, the NFL and soccer for the NY Daily News, NY Post, Morristown Daily Record and The Herald-News of Passaic, spanned the 44-year period from 1974 – 2015. He has been a contributing writer for The Met Golfer since 2016 and has authored four books, the most recent of which, Ryder Cup Rivals, was published in summer 2025 just prior to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage. Gola served on the GWAA Board of Directors from 2004-2015 and won multiple writing awards from that organization, in addition to an Associated Press Top 10 award in 2007 for a series on Tiger Woods. He joined the MGWA in the mid-1980’s and has served on the Board of Directors for the past seven years. He was recognized with the MGWA’s prestigious Lincoln Werden Golf Journalism award in 2018.
An avid golfer, Gola is closing in on his goal of playing 1,000 courses worldwide. As captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup Media Team, he boasts a 4-1 record over Europe. A member of North Jersey Country Club, he serves on both their Golf and Historical Committees. He is also a member of the Garfield (NJ) High School Athletic Hall of Fame committee.
Gola and his wife Lillian have two children, Henry and Julianne, and are the proud grandparents of Rose, Ruby, Elliot and Iris.
The MGWA has been an integral part of the local golf scene and has celebrated both the sport of golf and golf journalism since its inception in 1952. Each year, the game’s greatest champions and contributors are honored at its National Awards Dinner. This highly anticipated event is supported by golf’s leading organizations and corporate sponsors, Met Area clubs and club leaders, as well as local and national golf media. Millions of dollars have been raised over the years for the charities supported by the MGWA thanks to the success of the Dinner and other MGWA events.
For more information, contact Robin Sauerhaft, MGWA Executive Administrator, at: rsauerhaft@mgagolf.org