Albany Chapter - American Singles Golf Association May 2011

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1 CELEBRATING 18 YEARS OF SINGLES GOLF IN AMERICA Albany Chapter - American Singles Golf Association May 2011 President s Message What a wonderful start to our 2011 golf season when over 40 of us met at Central Steak on Friday April 29, to enjoy cocktails and appetizers, while watching a fabulous slide show (hats off to Beth). It was great to see so many new faces and reconnect with people after a long, cold winter. My thanks to Flo for again doing a marvelous job selling the raffle tickets. Congratulations to our 50/50 winner Cindy Cass and to the winners of the $25.00 gift certificates donated by Central Steak, Penny and Jane. Thanks to Larry also for his fabulous photography skills. A big shout out to Rich who had checks and cash thrown at him all night but somehow managed to keep track of it all. Next time you stop at Central Steak, remember to thank Dave (the manager) and his staff for the awesome job they did for us. Dave supplied the munchies and use of the room at no charge and our waitress, Nadia, did her best to keep everyone supplied with beverages throughout the evening. The golf season kicked off with our first formal outing, the annual Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday May 7 and thankfully we had great weather. There were 35 play- ers, one of the largest turnouts I can remember and most of us went back to Hearthstone to enjoy a wonderful barbeque thanks to Don and Angie! Rita graciously collected the party money and Jay organized the betting on the Derby. Congratulations to John Holmes and Lou Klender who each won $ It was great to see one of our new members win the first time joining us. Our next formal outing is Saturday June 11 at Queensbury and I look forward to seeing many of you there. In the meantime, check your s because weather permitting; someone will be organizing informal golf almost any day of the week. We will start our nine and dines on Friday alternating between Town of Colonie, Mill Road and Airway Meadows. We are open to suggestions on other courses to try so shoot us an with your ideas. Which reminds me, do you have a favorite course you would like to play? Why not call and get a few tee times, then us and we will blast it out to the rest of the members. It s really that simple. Many of our members are retired and some like me have flexible schedules and welcome the opportunity to play anytime, anywhere. After all, here in upstate NY, the golf season is short so we need to make the most of it. Life is short, so enjoy yourself and kick up your heels. What's the point of playing golf if you're not? What s the point of anything? Here s to fun and friendship on the fairways and at the 19 th hole. ~Marian Handicaps On some of the event sign ups and on all National event sign ups you may have noticed a line for you to write your handicap? For a small charge you can get a GHIN handicap by joining at most of our local golf courses or you can obtain one by joining the eclub Capital District. After you join, all you have to do is submit your scores for all your 18 hole rounds from any golf course you play. After you submit 5 scores, you will be issued an official handicap index. We're urging all members who play golf on a regular basis each summer to get an official GHIN handicap this year. If everyone had a GHIN handicap index, it would provide us with a better way to set up teams for our formal Upcoming Events Include (see SinglesGolf.com/events) Memorial Day Weekend Reunion - See attached flyer. Dates: May 26-29, 2011 Office Hours: 9:00am to 2:00pm, M-F (Eastern) National Office: or GOLFMATE Regular Meeting Date: First Tuesday of each month Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 Meeting Location: Van Patten Golf Course, 6:30pm Our Website: Our Hotline: (See next page for list of officers and board members.) To join, renew dues, make a change of address, phone, etc., call National Hotline at left or go to

2 Albany, NY Chapter of the American Singles Golf Association President Marian Gogola (518) Chairman of the Board Gary O Brien gobrien3@nycap.rr.com (518) Vice-President & Newsletter Don Sislowski dsislowski@gmail.com (518) Secretary Ellen Riley eriley@nycap.rr.com (518) Treasurer Rich Shostak rsj3hunt@yahoo.com (518) Formal Golf Beth Disque reader16@earthlink.net (518) and Helene Chapados chap6055@hotmail.com Informal Golf Open TM Social Chairpersons Rita Roberti rroberti@nycap.rr.com (518) Membership Chairpersons Kathi Vakiener katvaks@msn.com (518) and Flo McConnville flomc41@aol.com (518) Communications (Website) Beth Disque reader16@earthlink.net (518) and Don Sislowski dsislowski@gmail.com (518) events so that the teams are more equal in ability. At least one of our formal events this year will offer participants who have an official GHIN handicap index the opportunity to play their own game instead of a scramble. (The scramble format will also be offered for everyone else.) EClub Capital District is a New York State Golf Association "Type 3"or Internet club designed to provide golfers living within a 50 mile radius of Albany, NY with the benefits of a NYSGA/GHIN licensed golf club. With a membership fee of $35, you will receive an official USGA Handicap Index as well as a membership into the New York State Golf Association. You will be able to enter all your golf scores online, as well as numerous statistics from each round so you can "track" your game. Best of all, your handicap is part of the GHIN network, meaning that your handicap will be accepted no matter where you travel to play golf. You are invited to join the eclub Capital District. Go to capital.html to find out how to join. Members Corner For Sale TaylorMade, "Rossa, Daytona 6 " putter, with ASGI + insert, 34" length, includes cover. Reasonable offers will be considered. If you are interested contact Rich Shostak at rsj3hunt@yahoo.com Congratulations Larry Simek played in the Leicester outing with the Central Mass Chapter and his team came in first place with a combined score of 242. Way to go Larry! Upcoming Events Friday Night Social Gatherings The First Friday of the Month Central Steak (formerly The Butcher Block) on Central Ave in Colonie Happy Hour from 5:30-7:30 lets plan on meeting around 6:00 2 for 1 well drinks, draft beers and house wine. $ oz PBR cans Appetizer specials Here is a link to the menu. CentralSteakMenus.pdf Monthly Meeting June 7th 6:30 p.m. We would love to have our members, guests, friends, and prospective members participate in the monthly meetings. This month the meeting will be at Van Patten Golf Course, from 6:30 9:30 and we will be ordering food off their menu. Please come to share your ideas for Albany ASGA in the coming season. This is your organization created to meet the Singles needs in the Capital District your input makes it great Saturday June 11 th Golf at Queensbury CC Lake George, NY WHEN: Saturday, June 11 with tee times beginning at 11:30. Plan to arrive at the course no later than 1/2 hour before your tee time. COST: The cost for a round of golf and a cart is $45.00 for members and $55.00 for nonmembers.

3 FORMAT: Scramble Mulligans will be sold at the course. You may purchase two mulligans for $2.00. You may use your mulligans to improve any shot off the tee, on the fairway, or on the green. PRIZES: Longest Drive and Closest to the pin for men and women, and team prizes The final date to pay is Friday, June 3. Give your check, payable to Albany ASGA, to any board member or mail to Rich Shostak, Treasurer of Albany ASGA. Contact us at for mailing address information. JOIN US AFTER GOLF FOR DRINKS, DINNER, THE AWARDING OF PRIZES AND THE USUAL ASGA GOOD TIME AT THE COURSE RESTAURANT. Meal Selections are Chicken Cordon Bleu, 16 oz. strip steak, or salmon. All meals include salad, potato, vegetables, rolls, dessert and coffee. Dinner cost - $26 (includes tax and tip) Golf & dinner for members is $71.00 for members and $81.00 for nonmembers. Please contact Helene and Beth at AlbanyASGA2002@yahoo.com if you would like to join us. All single golfers are welcome. Saturday July 9 th - Thunderhart 2740 County Route 67, Freehold, NY WHEN: Saturday, July 9 with tee times beginning at 12:30. Plan to arrive at the course at least 1/2 hour prior to your tee time. COST: The cost for a round of golf and a cart is $42.00 for members and $52.00 for nonmembers. The final date to pay is Friday, July 1. Give your check, payable to Albany ASGA, to any board member or mail to Rich Shostak, Treasurer of Albany ASGA. Contact us at AlbanyASGA2002@ yahoo.com for mailing address information. FORMAT: Scramble with a modified shot gun start on the 1st four holes PRIZES: Longest Drive and Closest to the pin for men and women, and team prizes. Mulligans will be sold at the course. You may purchase two mulligans for $2.00. You may use your mulligans to improve any shot off the tee, on the fairway, or on the green. Please contact Helene and Beth at AlbanyASGA2002@yahoo.com if you wish to play. JOIN US AFTER GOLF AT THUNDER- HART FOR A CHICKEN BBQ, THE AWARDING OF PRIZES, AND THE USUAL ASGA GOOD TIME! B-B-Q includes large piece of chicken (seconds are available), mac salad, beans,green salad, roll, dessert. Should start around 5:30pm Soda, water, and draft beer are also included!!! Cost for Dinner - $16.00 (Payment due with the golf payment.) Total Cost for golf and dinner for members is $58.00 and $68.00 for nonmembers. Information about Thunderhart Golf Course can be found under the Links tab on the Albany ASGA website. ~Beth and Helene Albany ASGA Meeting Minutes 05/02/2011 Call to Order by President Marian 6:45PM Present : Marian Gogola, Beth Disque, Helene Chapados, Don Sislowski, Gary O Brien and Ellen Riley Secretary s Report: Accepted for 4/4/11 Treasurer s Report : check register balance is $3,955.07, bank balance $4, Difference is 2 checks, $ Lake Placid refund, and $20.00 check to Staples, neither not cashed as of today's date Membership Report : New Members: Robert Doyle(Albany) and Lou Klender(Cohoes) Renewals: Joe Candee & Jay Sullivan Golf Kickoff Wrap-up Very positive feedback on our 4/29/11 event. About 43 attended. Central Steak provided snacks. Thank you to be written. Social Committee: Nine & Dine will begin soon where we will rotate between Mill Road and, perhaps, Airways in Saratoga Springs. An INFORMAL GOLF event can be set up by ANY Albany ASGA member. Simple Informal Golf guidelines will be published to encourage this being accomplished easily for this year. Golf: Golf Schedule for 2011 Sat., May 7th - Capital Hills with Kentucky Derby party at Hearthstone Village Sat., June 11th - Queensbury with dinner at the course - Confirmed...may be able to do a modified shotgun Sat., July 9th - Thunderhart with dinner at the course - Confirmed Sat., Aug. 6 th - Copake with dinner at the course - Confirmed Sun. Sept. 4 (Labor Day Weekend)- Fox Run with dinner at the Raindancer - Confirmed.. to be rescheduled Sun. Oct. 2nd - Van Patten with yearend banquet at the course - Confirmed. We will offer option to play own ball (GHIN required) or scramble format for Formals in Possibly at Fox run or Queensbury. We are offering senior members (age 70+) gold tees for Beth presented Scramble rules which will be distributed for Derby golf. New Business Beth proposed, Don seconded, and was voted that the Treasurer be granted $10 off his fee for each Formal Outing due to the amount of work required for each such event. Away Golf Report Lake Placid, September 2-4, 2011 (Crowne Plaza) Ellen reported that about 24 have signed up so far for Lake Placid s early bird. Final payments are due before 7/31/11. Meeting was adjourned at 8PM Next month s meeting - Tuesday, June 7th, Van Pattens@6:30PM

4 Formal Golf Derby Day - Capital Hills Saturday May 7 th Beth and I want to thank everybody who came to this event. It was a huge success with 35 people participating. The last team made it home before the rain, Yeah! A lot of fun was had by all. Also, a special thank you to Don and Angie for the great work. Everything was perfect and everybody was happy. 1st place team 69 2 nd place team 72 3 rd place team - 73 John Holmes Rich Shostak Marian Gogola Dick Feldman Ro Mulligan Wayne Coulter John Majecka Bob Doyle Barbara Vaughn Kathleen Patterson Tim Ryan 4th place team - 74 Ellen Riley Bob LaBarge Beth Disque Tom Paratore Closest to the pin Ellen Riley, Don Incalacaterra Straightest drive Helene Chapados, John Macejka Longest Drive Judy Axenson, Tom Parator Congratulations to all the winners. ~ Helene Comments: I want to thank Helene and Beth for all their work putting this event together. Also, Angie and I want to send out a big thank you to all those who helped set up and clean up after the party at Hearthstone. ~ Don S. Ian Poulter???

5 Informal Golf - Saratoga National Coordinated Outfits Stadium Tree Hugger

6 ASGA - Albany Chapter 2011 Labor Day Lake Placid Weekend Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club Friday, September 2 - Sunday, September 4 We're inviting our neighbors from neighboring chapters to join us for this fabulous weekend at one of Lake Placid s premier golf resort clubs, located adjacent to the Olympic Center in the heart of the world-famous Olympic village. The golf course was rated as one of the eight icons of American resort golf by LINKS magazine. Over 40 golfers joined us in should be even better. For a recap of the 2009 event, go to To see the photographs from the 2009 event, visit LAKE PLACID WEEKEND PACKAGE INCLUDES: Two night s lodging at the award winning Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club, Lake Placid Friday September 2 - Day of Arrival Golf with cart on the Mountain or Links Course. - Friday Evening is on your own. Try one of Lake Placid s awesome restaurants, shop in the unique stores or sample some of Lake Placid's nightlife. Saturday September 3 - Full breakfast in MacKenzie s Restaurant at hotel - Golf with cart on the Mountain or Links Course - two mulligans - Team format & prizes - Full course dinner at the hotel and prize announcements followed by dancing to music provided by a DJ Sunday September 4 - Full breakfast in MacKenzie s Restaurant at hotel - Day of Departure Golf with cart on the Mountain or Links Course - Lunch after golf - optional - not included All taxes and service charges are included All of above for... $415 double occupancy - $125 deposit due by May 1 $360 (triple occupancy with cot) - $125 deposit due by May 1 $560 single occupancy- $125 deposit due by May 1 or save $25.00 $390(double occupancy) with full payment by May 1 $335 (triple occupancy with cot) with full payment due by May 1 $535(single occupancy) with full payment by May 1 Note: deposits or early bird payments are due by May 1st We currently have a 24 room block but expect this to be a popular event. Reserve early! Extra nights are available at $130 per night*. Call the hotel at to reserve. State that you are part of the ASGA group. (*Room only. No food. Extra golf is $75 pp.) Questions? Contact us at AlbanyASGA2002@yahoo.com Download a registration form from our website at

7 CELEBRATING 18 YEARS OF SINGLESGOLF IN AMERICA AMERICAN SINGLES GOLF ASSOCIATION MAY, 2011 Event Dates: Thursday, May 26 Sunday, May 29, 2011 With great excitement and anticipation, we re happy to announce our continued association with the fine folks at Pinehurst Resort in announcing our Reunion in Pinehurst. The Reunion on Memorial Day Weekend has shown to be ASGA s largest-attended event each year with attendance soaring over 400 in years past. It s a great time to see old friends and meet friends you never thought you had. Dates set for this year are May 26-29, a Thursday through Saturday (we polled you and that s what you wanted!). We asked Pinehurst to price this event as if you walked-in on your own and wanted the same exact package on the same dates. The standard package would be $1593 and the room-byyourself package would be $2349 at the Carolina. Our packages start at $515 per person, based on double occupancy and $674 per person based on single occupancy, which includes all taxes, resort service fees, gratuities for wait and bell staff, etc. Also, ASGA will rebate to your chapter $20.00 per attendee if your chapter sends 10% or more of your membership (as of 5/26/11) to this event. Got 100 members? Send ten and we ll rebate $200.00! Details at the event website, SinglesGolf.com/pinehurst If you priced this event on its own, you d easily pay $1200-$1300 (dbl. occ.) for all Details: SinglesGolf.com/Pinehurst that s included. Optional rounds on the day-of-arrival (Thursday at Pinehurst) as well as day-of-departure (Sunday at Tobacco Road Golf Club Rated #4 Public Course in the U. S. by Golf World magazine and a Top 100 Golf Digest) are being offered as well. A registration form is enclosed with this newsletter and you can also obtain one at Of course, outside of everything Pinehurst has to offer, you get to meet hundreds of singles from various ASGA chapters. As with all ASGA multi-chapter events, you must be a member to attend. To join ASGA, simply go to Included in the Standard Package: 4 days / 3 nights, based on double occupancy 2 rounds of golf, cart, range balls, prizes for winners and welcoming gift for all 6 food functions: cocktail party (heavy hors d oeuvres and 2 free drink tickets if you register by April 29), picnic-style cookout Friday after golf, Saturday sit-down dinner and 3 buffet breakfasts in the dining room Dancing with our DJ on 1st and 3rd nights (Mike still dances!) All resort service fees and taxes. The resort service fee pays for bicycle rental, practice green, afternoon tea, on-site transportation, fitness center, tennis courts, outdoor pools, etc. In addition, Pinehurst is offering ASGA members a coupon good towards a 20% discount on a spa service or one round of golf club rentals. See SinglesGolf.com/Pinehurst for details on this coupon. Room-by-Yourself packages and non-golf packages are also available. Non-hotel packages are available only to our Pinehurst chapter members. Make Sure You re a Member Before Traveling! It really should never have to be said, but sometimes we have to remind folks. In order to attend ANY multi-chapter event, you must be a member of ASGA. Multi-chapter events are special events and it s very important that you are a member before showing-up. Who wants the embarrassment of being told to join on the spot or else? Also, we occasionally need to remind folks that our official national policy on guests is that you can attend one (1) event as a guest, either a meeting or a golf outing, but to attend any other event, you must be a member of ASGA. We ve had comments from members asking why should I renew my dues if others don t have to pay? ASGA has four (4) employees and dues income is our primary source of revenue. No revenue - no organization. Thanks for helping to spread the word about the importance of dues. To join or renew, go to Imagine Yourself in Ireland in We re looking at bringing a group to Ireland in the Summer of Have you been there? If you re interested, go to our website and put your name on the list with the other 100 people. Just go to our homepage (SinglesGolf.com) and click on the photo of Old Head Golf Course in Ireland. - - Tom Alsop President / Founder GolfASGA@aol.com

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