CELEBRATING 18 YEARS OF SINGLES GOLF IN AMERICA Albany Chapter - American Singles Golf Association February 2011 President s Message As I sit writing this, I stare out my kitchen window and see my deck covered with snow and ice. According to the weather report, we are expecting 3-6 inches more overnight, followed by sub-zero weather over the weekend. Brrrrrrrr!! If you are like me, you long for warm breezes, green grass, blue sky and GOLF. Thanks to Mike Congero and Beth Disque, several of us are headed to Tark s Indoor Golf Club on Saturday where perfect weather is always guaranteed, at least inside, let s hope Mother Nature cooperates so we can get there safely. Hats off to Dottie Daly for agreeing to host the Super Bowl party. For those of you who attended the Holiday Party, you know first-hand what a gracious hostess she is and how well suited her home is for parties. Make sure you RSVP so she knows how many to expect. I want to take the opportunity to welcome our newest member, Mary Jones from Hyde Park. Although we ve never met, I exchanged many emails with her daughter regarding our organization and must have impressed her because she gave Mary a one year ASGA membership for Christmas. What a thoughtful and unique gift. We all look forward to meeting Mary at a future event. In September 2009, we hosted an event at Lake Placid and invited our friends from Central Mass and Connecticut. A few months ago, I suggested we look into hosting again this year and thanks to Ellen Riley and Bob Mattox plans are underway to return to Lake Placid Labor Day weekend. Originally, Beth and Helene had our formal outing scheduled for Fox Run; however, this will supersede it. Don t fret, we will still golf at Fox Run and dine at Raindancer sometime during golf season. Details about Lake Placid will be sent out sometime after our February Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday February 1 from 7-9 at Central Steak. We will also be discussing our Meet and Greet which will be held in April sometime. We welcome everyone to come to our meetings and voice your ideas and opinions, this is your chapter and your input is valuable to our success. If you can t attend but have something to share, feel free to email any of the Board members directly. If you enjoy receiving a printed copy of the newsletter every month, you MUST opt-in to continue receiving them. Effec- tive in March, every member who has an email on file will automatically receive an electronic copy ONLY unless you notify National. Details can be found at singlesgolf.com/newsletters. Stay warm and be safe out on the roads and in your driveways. Spring is around the corner and we all need to be in good shape for the upcoming golf season. ~Marian Members Corner Announcements: Congratulations to Angie Groelz she welcomed her 4th Granddaughter, Kaylee Marie into the world on January 6 th. Upcoming Events Include (see SinglesGolf.com/events) Wilmington's Beach Blast - Dates: April 1-3, 2011. Details at www.singlesgolf.com/wilmingtonbeachblast ASGA Heads to Maui, Hawaii - March 2-9, 2011. Memorial Day Weekend Reunion - Details TBA. Dates: May 26-29, 2011 Office Hours: 9:00am to 2:00pm, M-F (Eastern) National Office: 704-889-4600 or 1-888-GOLFMATE Regular Meeting Date: First Tuesday of each month Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 Meeting Location: Central Steak, 6:30pm Our Website: http://www.albanyasga.com/ Our Hotline: 1-888-465-3628 (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 www.singlesgolf.com/join
Albany, NY Chapter of the American Singles Golf Association President Marian Gogola mebg58@aol.com (518) 526-6681 Chairman of the Board Gary O Brien gobrien3@nycap.rr.com (518) 785-8165 Vice-President & Newsletter Don Sislowski dsislowski@gmail.com (518) 608-5279 Secretary Ellen Riley eriley@nycap.rr.com (518) 306-5410 Treasurer Rich Shostak rsj3hunt@yahoo.com (518) 383-0527 Formal Golf Beth Disque reader16@earthlink.net (518) 783-8191 and Helene Chapados chap6055@hotmail.com Informal Golf Open TM Social Chairpersons Rita Roberti rroberti@nycap.rr.com (518) 869-0705 Membership Chairpersons Kathi Vakiener katvaks@msn.com (518) 469-9530 and Flo McConnville flomc41@aol.com (518) 377-3806 Communications (Website) Beth Disque reader16@earthlink.net (518) 783-8191 and Don Sislowski dsislowski@gmail.com (518) 608-5279 2011 Golf Calendars The 2011 Golf Calendars are now available. The high quality wall calendars feature beautiful photos of local courses as well as descriptive narratives and full contact information. The best part about the calendars is the Discount GOLF CARD, which comes packaged on the back cover of the calendars. The card entitles the cardholder to the best golf specials available at the courses featured in the calendar, as well as discounts at local golf stores and driving ranges. The Calendar Golf Card is cut right out of the back cover! We try to schedule many of our informal golf events at courses that honor the card so it's a good idea to have one. The cost is $25.00, less than what you'd pay in a store, plus the club earns a profit on each one sold. Feel free to sell them to your friends and co-workers. We'll be bringing the calendars to the Friday Night gatherings and have them available for purchase at our other events. Or you can send an e-mail to albanyasga2002@yahoo.com and to reserve one for you. 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. $2.00 16oz PBR cans Appetizer specials Here is a link to the menu. http://www.centralsteak.com/ CentralSteakMenus.pdf Monthly Meeting February 1st 6:30pm We would love to have our members, guests, friends, and prospective members participate in the monthly meetings. This month the meeting will be at Central Steak, 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 Formal Golf Events for 2011 Sat. May 8 - Capital Hills with Kentucky Derby party at Hearthstone Village. Sat. June 11 - Queensbury with dinner at the course possible modified shotgun. Sat. July 9 - Thunderhart with dinner at the course. Sat. Aug. 6 - Copake with dinner at the course. Sun. Sept. 2-4 Lake Placid Weekend Sun. Oct. 2 - Van Patten with yearend banquet at the course. ~Beth and Helene Albany ASGA Meeting Minutes 01/11/2011 Meeting was called to order by President Marian Gogola at 7:00PM. Present were Don Sislowski, Marian Gogola, Gary O Brien, Rita Roberti, Helen Chapados, Beth Disque, and Ellen Riley. Secretary s Report (Ellen Riley) accepted for December 2, 2010 Treasurer s Report Bank balance $2,992.63 Register balance $3,232.63 Membership Report Discussed trying ASGA National s www.grouponworks.com program as membership inducement program. Meet & Greet April 8 th. Kathi & Flo will research details and report to Board in February.
Social Report SuperBowl, Feb. 6 th to be held at Dotti Daley s. Arrive @ 5PM for 6PM game. $10 members, $15 non members. Includes pizza/wings. Bring your own drinks (beer/wine/soda). Coffee/tea/water provided. Bring a snack to share. Football pool is $5/square. Night in Tuscany Other social events: Saturday, January 15 th Dinner @ Lakeridge in Round Lake. Friday, January 21 st 6-9PM Wine Tasting fundraiser -$40 at the Italian American Community Center. Saturday, February 12 th A Night in Tuscany 6:30-11PM @ Italian American Community Center - $35 Golf: - (Beth Disque and Helen Chapados) Golf Schedule for 2011 Sat., May 8 - Capital Hills with Kentucky Derby party at Hearthstone Village - Confirmed Sat., June 11 - Queensbury with dinner at the course - Confirmed...may be able to do a modified shotgun Sat., July 9 - Thunderhart with dinner at the course - Confirmed Sat., Aug. 6 - Copake with dinner at the course - Confirmed Sun. Sept. 2-4 Lake Placid Weekend Sun. Oct. 2 - 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 2011. Possibly at Fox run or Queensbury. Possibility discussed of offering senior members gold tees in 2011. Golf @ Tarks s (simulator) on Saturday, January 22 nd. $43.50pp 1-5PM. Checks must be mailed to Mike Congero prior to January 19 th. TBD dinner to follow. Old Business Ellen presented Away Golf options. Will research returning to Lake Placid. New Business National wants newsletter to be email only. Meeting adjourned at 9PM. Next meeting on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 at Central Steak @ 6:30PM Please note President will be absent on February 1st If you are thinking of attending this event, please make out your check to the "Italian American Community Center" and send it to me by February 4th so we can reserve tables for our group. Also, indicate your dinner choice. Don Sislowski 2306 Florence Dr. Latham, NY 12110 Golf Cartoon of the Month - Golf in the Northeast
Save The Date 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 Central Mass, Fairfield, and Hartford 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 2009. 2011 should be even better. 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 with tee times beginning at TBA - 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 with tee times beginning at TBA -Team & individual prizes - Full course dinner Sunday September 4 - Full breakfast in MacKenzie s Restaurant at hotel - Day of Departure Golf with cart on the Mountain or Link Course with tee times beginning at TBA - Lunch after golf - optional - not included All taxes and service charges
CELEBRATING 18YEARS OF SINGLESGOLF IN AMERICA AMERICAN SINGLES GOLF ASSOCIATION FEBRUARY, 2011 Wilmington s Beach Blast Our Wilmington, NC chapter is hosting their Beach Blast multichapter golf weekend, April 2-4. Wilmington s done a great job hosting the Winter Chill events over the years, now it s time to head to the Carolinas for some beautiful springtime golf. Enjoy new friends and renew old acquaintances playing Masonboro Country Club on Saturday and Beau Rivage on Sunday. And, of course, there s good food and great fun to be had by all. Details at www.singlesgolf.com/wilmingtonbeachblast Register Up Until Late February! EVENT DATES: March 2-9, 2011 LOCATION: Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, Hawaii WHO CAN ATTEND: Any ASGA Member Sometimes opportunities present themselves and you have to act - - quickly. This happened recently when we started probing hotel rates in Hawaii for a wintertime event. (Yes, even at 80 degrees, they still call it winter!) So without a lot of notice, we ve presented our membership with a upcoming event that is sure to woo. Three rounds of golf at Wailea (site of past years Wendy s Skin Games), seven nights at the beautiful Fairmont Kea Lani and eight food functions. Over 20 members have signed-up already and we ll continue to register members all the way up until late February. We scheduled the event to begin on a Wednesday (March 2) and end on a Wednesday (March 9) as we found airlines were more likely to allow us to use our points and miles. There is a registration form attached with this newsletter and all details, updates, etc. are at the event website: www.singlesgolf.com/hawaii You can save money by rooming with a friend. If you don t know anyone who s attending, we can possibly pair you with a same-sex roommate subject to availability. Deposit info is on the site along with a daily itinerary and excursion info. Updating Your Phone, Address Online is Easy! If the information we have on file for you has changed, i.e. your handicap, your home phone, address, etc., or you want to add your cell phone to your roster, you can do all that yourself by going to the homepage at www.singlesgolf.com We re a volunteer organization but please don t rely on others in your chapter to update your personal info. Do it online! Newsletters Going Green: You Must Act Now! For about 18 years now, the national office has been printing news-letters for local chapters and mailing them via snail mail. However, for the past two years, we ve worked out the kinks on getting your news-letter to you via e-mail. Advantage: you get your newsletter 3-6 days earlier than through snail mail. Therefore, effective with the March, 2011 newsletters, every member who has an e-mail address on file with the national office will be sent an electronic newsletter UNLESS you OPT-IN for a printed newsletter. Members joining or renewing after January 1, 2011 will automatically receive e-newsletters unless they opt-in for a printed newsletter. If you choose a printed newsletter, you will not receive the electronic newsletter any longer. Details at SinglesGolf.com/newsletters Free Dues Thru March 31 Want to give a friend a free sample of ASGA membership? Unless your chapter has opted-out of this offer, get info on how this works at www.singlesgolf.com/freeduesuntilmarch31 and get the details. Hopefully, when golf season kicks-off (for those of us north of southern Florida, these folks will be impressed enough and will join our Association for good! - Tom Alsop, President / Founder American Singles Golf Association