RDGA Senior Championship Returns to Classic Venue at Mendon Golf Club
The 4th hole at Mendon Golf Club - a short, 322-yard par-4 - has a well-guarded green with bunkers and a narrow approach to a small, undulating putting surface. During a celebrity exhibition for the club's grand opening in 1961, Gary Player hit his drive through the green on this hole.
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FOLLOW THE ACTION FROM THE 2016 RDGA SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS:
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To say that Mendon Golf Club is a "hidden gem" among Rochester area private clubs is something of a misnomer.
Centrally located just minutes south of Pittsford on Route 64, Mendon Golf Club is easily accessible from most anywhere in the region - and, as it celebrates its 55th anniversary in 2016, it certainly isn't a secret that Mendon is one of the area's more established, mature venues for championship golf.
"This is a traditional, Northeast layout, with tall, mature trees and not too much water," says the club's PGA Head Professional Jeremy Kern. "And, it's in phenomenal shape."
On Wednesday and Thursday, August 24 and 25, those conditions will be put to the test as the RDGA Senior Championship returns to Mendon Golf Club for the fourth time in the event's history - and the second time in the past five years. One of the biggest, most talented fields in the long history of the event tees off in this year's District championship for golfers ages 55 and above.
With yardages for this championship set between 5,707 and 6,400 yards (depending on age division), Mendon isn't going to be that long - but it doesn't have to be long to challenge the area's top senior golfers, especially with some of the best greens in the area.
"The greens are rolling at a really good speed right now," adds Kern. "They'll probably be around 11 (on the Stimpmeter) for the Championship - they're normally around 10 - but the'll definitely be between 10 and 12."
A True Championship Golf Course
First opened in 1961 as a private nine-hole course designed by legendary local golf course architect Pete Craig, "Green Hills" Golf Club, as it was originally called, added a second nine in 1967, designed by noted local golf professional Joe DeMino. The Club's name was changed to Country Club of Mendon in 1999 - and since 2011 has been known as Mendon Golf Club.
Through the years, Mendon's reputation as a host for championship golf has grown - right along with its status as a tough, but fair layout.
The day the course officailly opened - Sunday, July 30, 1961 - the great South African golfer Gary Player gave an exhibition to mark the occasion of the club's grand opening. The club's first pro, Babe Urzetta, along with Frank Commisso and sportswriter Bruce Koch joined Player as an "all-star' foursome. Player had the highlight of the day when he drove his ball over the green on No. 4 during the exhibition (he proceeded to get the ball up and down for a birdie 3).
Soon after the grand opening, Mendon became an RDGA Member Club and has since hosted many championships, including three RDGA Junior Championships and the RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial twice, most recently in 2006.
Mendon has also hosted national junior (AJGA) and Collegiate events (this year's NCAA Div. III National Championship), as well as qualifying events for both the New York State Golf Association and the USGA. In fact, this year alone, the club has hosted Local and Sectional Qualifiers for the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Girls Junior Championships.
"The rolling terrain and tight fairways has made Mendon Golf Club a true test of the avid golfer," says Andrew Principe, a local business owner and part of the club's current ownership group.
Since the new management group took over ownership and the day-to-day operation of Mendon in 2011, the group has worked to increase memberships by more than 50 percent. The club's family-friendly programs and membership plans have also helped to attract many new, younger members.
"Our club prides itself on having a warm and friendly atmosphere," Principe adds.
Accuracy a Plus On a Short, Demanding Layout
Now in his sixth year at Mendon Golf Club, head greens superintendent Mike Armstong has the course in pristine condition this year - no small feat, given the dry summer we've had.
"The course is in phenomenal shape," says PGA Head Pro Jeremy Kern. "Mike has used more than 10 million gallons of water this year to keep the greens in really good condition. Plus, he's always forward-thinking when it comes to improving the course, such as his recent tree project - cleaning up and trimming the trees to improve playability."
Although the championship length of Mendon's layout might be considered "short" by modern standards - 6,645 yards from the "tips" - the course has many ways in which to challenge golfers.
 The par-3 third hole at Mendon Golf Club features a drive from an elevated tee box to a well-bunkered green that slopes away dramatically for any shot that drifts past the hole.
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"There's not too much water, there's a creek that winds its way through most of the back 9," Kern says, pointing out that holes 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 each include part of that creek, while two ponds straddle the 18th fairway and the front of the 10th green.
"Many of the greens have bunker complexes - and most of them slope from back to front," he adds. "You really don't want to be past the hole anywhere - you want to stay below the hole. If you miss the green, it's best to miss short."
According to Kern - now in hs second year as Mendon's PGA Head Professional after spending the previous two years as the head professional at Fox Valley Country Club in Lancaster, near Buffalo - the front 9 will set the tone for a player's entire round.
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"No. 1 is a long hole, to begin with, and if you're in the greenside bunker, par is going to be very difficult," says Kern. "So, if you can get through the first two holes at even par, you're off to a good start - and if you can do well on holes 1, 2, 8 and 9, your'e going to have a good front 9."
Kern adds that if those opening holes do give you troubles, there are birdie opportunities to be had at holes 3 through 7. But, take advantage of them when you can, because birdies can become scarse on the back 9.
"No. 10 has the creek in the fairway and a large pond in front of the green; 11 is the most difficult hole on the course (the No. 1 handicap hole); 12, you're playing into the wind for most of the hole; and 13 is an uphill par-3," Kern notes. He adds that although holes 14-16 offer some scoring opportunities, the greens feature more of the back-to-front-type slope with varyinhg undulations, making long putts a challenge.
Then, there's the two closing holes.No. 17 is a long par-3 (210 yards from the Blue Tees), from an elevated tee and a green that slopes away from front to back. And 18 is a long par-4 (439 yards) with ponds along both sides of the fairway just past the tees, and a narrow approach to a small, elevated green guarded by many tall trees.
"Driving accuracy is a plus on the back 9," adds Kern.
 The 439-yard par-4 18th hole at Mendon Golf Club might not be the toughest hole on the course, but with one of the few ponds on the course along the left side of the fairway and a narrow approch to the green guarded by many tall trees, it will certainly demand accuracy during the 2016 RDGA Senior Championships.
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A Major Championship With a Long History
Tracing its origins back to 1938, the RDGA Senior Championship is one of the longest-running annual championships on the RDGA calendar. Entries are open to all amateur male golfers age 55 and over (as of the beginning of each year's competition) who are members at an RDGA Member Club.
Following several changes through the years, the format of the RDGA Senior Championship today features four age-based divisions: Senior (ages 55-59), Super Senior (ages 60-64), Masters (ages 65-69) and Legends (ages 70 and over). Beginning in 2015, the RDGA Senior Championship was changed once more - shortening the competition from a three-day, 54-hole format to a two-day, 36-hole format.
Since 2008, the overall RDGA Senior Champion has been determined as the competitor with the lowest score from among the Senior and Super Senior Divisions (which both play from the Blue Tees). Additionally, the top-3 overall finishers earn an exemption into the following year's RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Memorial.
This year, the RDGA Senior Championship returns to Mendon Golf Club, on August 24 and 25, for the fourth time in the event's history - and the second time in the past five years.
Continuing A Championship Tradition
As Mendon Golf Club prepares to host many of the area's better 55-and-over amateurs for this year's RDGA Senior Championship, it will be continuing in a long tradition of hosting championship golf at the club.
"This season, Mendon Golf Club has been honored to host the local U.S. Open Qualifier, the local U.S. Amateur Qualifier and the NCAA Div III Men's National Championship," says Principe, adding, "the staff hopes (players) enjoy playing in the RDGA Senior Championship - we are looking forward to hosting this great event."
This article was written by RDGA Communications Director Dave Eaton.