Reflecting on a busy season - one that included a schedule of 22 tournaments between May and October – the annual RDGA Fall Meeting offered District officials the opportunity to present a “state of the RDGA”–type address, while RDGA Club Delegates voted for the slate of District board members who will lead the RDGA in 2016.

“I wish to thank all the RDGA member clubs who hosted District events this year, as well as all the tournament volunteers, course ratings volunteers, Rules officials – and golfers - who all helped to make the 2015 season a success,” said Dan Overbeck, who completed his first year in office as RDGA President in 2015.

Announced as part of the Annual Meeting was the District’s top honor, Player of the Year, which went to Locust Hill Country Club member Adam Condello - who unseated 13-time RDGA Player of the Year Jim Scorse of Stafford, who had won the Award for the past eight years in a row. In winning the 2015 Player of the Year award, Condello led the season-long RDGA Player of the Year points race with 1,170 – outpacing runner-up Scorse of Locust Hill Country Club by just 75 points in one of the closest points races in the history of the award.

“No need to adjust your television sets — Jim Scorse did not win this year’s Player of the Year award,” joked Condello upon accepting the award. “It is an honor to receive this award and to represent an organization and a region that is truly a Mecca of golf.”

Also recognized on Tuesday was the RDGA’s inaugural Women's Player of the Year Award, which was presented to Brook-Lea Country Club’s Jenna Hoecker, following a year in which she won the WRDGA District Championship as well as the RDGA Women’s Open - becoming the first golfer to win four of the top women's amateur tournaments, including the New York State Women's Amateur (in 2012) and the RDGA Women's Championship (in 2014).

The RDGA Junior Player of the Year for 2015 was Pittsford's Gunnar Doyle.

For the final Men's Player of the Year standings, visit the Point Standings page HERE. For the Women's Player of the Year standings, click HERE. And for the Junior Player of the Year standings, click HERE.

For a complete recap of the 2015 RDGA Tournament schedule and results, visit our tournament page HERE.

In addition to the active tournament schedule, the RDGA also continued its transition this year to expand its year-round, professional staff - led by Executive Director Tim Vangellow – which supports the volunteer work of the Board of Directors and enables the District to provide more services to its membership on a day-to-day basis.

Providing an overview of the size and reach of the RDGA’s by the numbers, RDGA Vice President Mark Battle listed that in 2015, the RDGA included 13,500 men, women and junior members - each of whom are registered for official USGA GHIN handicaps through the District. Throughout an active 2015 tournament schedule, the RDGA also enlisted the help of 210 volunteers, who assisted 12 RDGA Rules officials and the District staff in running the 22 different tournaments offered for both adults and juniors, as well as 5 USGA Regional Qualifiers that were held in the area this season. In all, the District registered 1,295 golfers who competed in RDGA tournaments this year.

Additionally, many of those 210 volunteers also helped rate 9 area golf courses this year, as well as adding forward tee measurements to 12 other District courses’ current handicap ratings.

Following the year-end player awards, RDGA Delegates voted for – and approved - the slate of District officers that will serve for the coming season. In 2016, the RDGA Board of Directors will include returning members Mark Battle, Wilson Fitch, Debbie Harper, Mark Little, Mike Sorce, Sam Space, Fred Lapple and Paul Turner. Dan Overbeck will return for his second year as RDGA President in 2016.

Joining the RDGA Board in 2016 will be the organization’s second female Board member, Sharon White, from Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club.