I am sure most of us have asked at one time or another, “just where does the time go”? I can assure you, as you age, you ask yourself that very question on a far more frequent basis! My last letter to you was penned on the opening day of posting, April 15. Yet, in the blink of an eye, we find ourselves with only 2 more handicap revisions for the local golfing season in Rochester. As the night air becomes crisper and the morning dew becomes heavier, I envy those that have the ability to simply pack up and head to warmer climates and enjoy the opportunity to play golf in more accommodating weather. For me personally, I head to Dick's and pick up my allotment of propane tanks for my Golf Cart heater all with the intent of extending the golf season to somewhere around Thanksgiving. Needless to say, Mother Nature has prevented that from happening in recent years and the slower pace of winter’s slumber gradually wraps its arms around each of us and tells us to slow down and rest up for another season of golf in Rochester in 6 months!

Although 2019 got off to a slow start with cold, wet and windy weather in the spring, it has been a wonderful season for golf in Rochester. I had the good fortune of visiting many of our member clubs this summer and all of them were in great condition. The lack of the usual oppressive heat and consistent rainfall was certainly welcomed by all golf course superintendents and their staffs.

2019 Highlights:

• At Penfield Country Club in early August, we crowned a new RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Memorial Champion – Yaroslav Merkulov. Yarik fired impressive rounds of 66-73-67-72 to finish at 6-under-par besting defending champion, Chris Blyth by 4 shots. More recently, Yarik was a fantastic representative of the RDGA at the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship in Colorado, where he won three matches and advanced all the way to the Quarterfinal Round.

• At Stafford Country Club also in early August, we crowned Mikah McDonnell as the new RDGA Women’s Championship Danielle Downey Memorial winner. Mikah was impressive in the final round posting a closing 73 to catch first round leader, Kristen Bromley by 4 shots. Mikah recently began her collegiate golfing career at William and Mary University in Virginia and all of us at the RDGA wish her nothing but the best.

• At Wayne Hills Country Club in late August, Kevin Webb of Mendon Golf Club captured his first RDGA Senior Championship beating former champion Stuart Harris of Oak Hill in a 3-hole sudden death playoff after both players finished at 1-over-par 145 over two rounds.

• And at Mendon Golf Club in mid September, Stafford's Jim Scorse reminded us why he continues to be one of the top amateur golfers in Rochester, winning the RDGA Mid Amateur Championship for a record eighth time, posting a 4-under-par 67 in the final round to win the title by five shots.

• I also want to congratulate all of our 2019 Junior Champions who competed over three days in early July at Blue Heron Hills, including:

Junior Boys – Phillip Minnehan

Junior Girls - Jayde Ford

Sub Junior Boys – Tyler Fink

Sub Junior Girls - Sophia Cellura

Pee Wee Boys - Ethan Domajnko

Pee Wee Girls - Emily Zigrossi

Congratulations to all of our District Champions for 2019 and to all of our RDGA event winners for 2019! Thank you for supporting our RDGA tournament schedule and making it a success. Remember, most events on the RDGA schedule are open to golfers of all ages, gender and ability. The 2020 schedule will be open for registration on February 1, 2020 and we will be introducing some new events, while eliminating some others. As we continue our evolution and transition to a digital communication entity, please visit RDGA.org and stay connected for information about all things golf in Rochester happening now through 2020. We encourage you to like us on our Facebook page as well.

While most of you may think the RDGA is simply a tournament running organization, I can assure you it is not. While it’s true that the RDGA staff spent approximately 60 out of a possible 110 days procuring, organizing and running the 2019 RDGA tournament schedule, we actually do much more than that. Included in this newsletter, you will find the RDGA’s newly adopted Mission Statement which illustrates all that we do. It is far more encompassing than our previous Mission Statement and articulates with greater clarity, our vision for 2020 and beyond. From rules, to course rating, to administering the GHIN handicap system and now transitioning to the new World Handicap System, the RDGA is truly the beating heart of the golf ecosystem in Rochester.

I want to emphasize to all of our RDGA constituents - be they golfers, golf professionals, owners, league coordinators or entities that cater to a specialized category of golfers - the RDGA is here to help you any way we can in your efforts to satisfy all whom you serve. Please feel free to contact the RDGA office and speak with Tim Vangellow, our Executive Director, Jenny Ford our Assistant Executive Director and Junior Golf Coordinator or Dave Eaton our USGA Tournament Management, communications and marketing director. Each of them is here to help you in any way they can. Or, send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . I would love to hear from you.

As we enter into the twilight of yet another season of golf in Rochester, your RDGA team will begin to formulate its vision for 2020 and beyond. The new year promises to be a transitional year as we implement the various aspects of our Mission Statement into our vision for what we believe will be in the best interests of those who support our endeavors. This month, we will be voting on the next slate of RDGA Board members. Officers will be confirmed and a new cycle of exciting opportunities for all will begin to take shape.

In closing, I again want to say simply - yet most sincerely - thank you for supporting the Rochester District Golf Association. We have a wonderful golfing community here in Rochester and a spectacular group of people who volunteer their free time contributing to enhance your golfing experience here locally. I am grateful for the collective support each of you brings to the table.

Get out and visit one of our local golf facilities this Fall. Some of the finest golfing conditions of the year can be found right now and the scenery is simply breathtaking. We still have a month of golfing weather left in the 2019 season. As you head out to the course, please do so safely and may the sunshine and gentle breezes be there to greet you.

 

Wishing all of you the best - in golf and in life,

Mark L. Battle
RDGA President