Category — Message From The Pro

Mark McKee, PGA Professional

The Waterfront is in full swing now. I hope everyone is ready for another fun filled and exiting month. If you missed any of the events in April, have no fear because May is full of tournaments for everyone. Be sure to check out the Upcoming Events section to plan your next outing.

WMGA MEMBER – GUEST
Attention all members. Please check your mail everyday because the invitations are on their way!

SPRING FLING
We had 30 players celebrating, what seemed took forever, a spring golf tournament. We played a quirky format called Replay where instead of subtracting handicap strokes each player had the opportunity to replay a shot, if they received a stroke on that hole.  Instead of subtracting handicap strokes each player had the opportunity to replay a shot, if they received a stroke on that hole. A great time was held by all and by the results the competition was fierce. Congratulations to all the winners!

1st Barrett Cawood

Perry Adcock 146

Garnett Smith

PT Smith

2nd Ron Jamison

Dennis Cole 147

Moyra Cawood (Blind Draw)

Daphne Jamison

3rd Jerry Adcock

Steve Stachelski 148

Jan Donahue

Keith Shelton

CLOSEST TO PIN

#4 Bobby Russell

#8 Martha Clark

#13 Jim Forkovitch

#17 Nancy Shuck

WMGA OPENING DAY TOURNAMENT
We had 39 WMGA members kicking off the official golf season. The day started a little chilly, but as the shotgun went off, it didn’t take long before the competition heated up. The computer picked four man teams were so evenly matched only 2 strokes separated 1st from 3rd. The teams played a modified scramble 3 – 2 – 1 format. Here are all the results and congratulations to all the winners!

1st Pat Parcells

Butch Isley 117

David Huffman

Tom Fansler

2nd Mike Monroe

Randy Scott 118

Patrick Meckley

Cole Reap

3rd Tom Thorne

Mike McMahon 119

Bill Smith

Jim Leslie

CLOSEST TO PIN

#4 Mike Nee
# 8 Jim Leslie
# 13 Dan Shervey
# 17 Patrick Meckley

MASTERS TOURNAMENT
This tournament seems to get better and better. While tears were falling in Augusta, Roger Atkins and Mike McMahon were all smiles. They had Phil as their pro and it came down to his last putt to determine our winner. If Phil had two putted on 18, we would have had a tie for first gross.  In the ladies division, Nancy Shuck and Sherry Thorne picked the low pro on Sunday, as Anthony Kim helped them win the net title. Congratulations to all the winners!

UPCOMING EVENTS

MAY

15                       WMGA Tri – Member

16                       Callaway Demo Day

20                       WLGA 9 Hole Invitational

21–22                 WLGA Member – Guest

24                       Corporate Cup

26                     Senior Match at The Waterfront

31                       Memorial Day Flag Tournament
                          (Regular Tee Times)

JUNE

10                      Senior Match at Hunting Hills

11–13                RVHOF 
                           (Mariner’s Landing, Hanging Rock, Roanoke CC)

12                      Superball

24 – 26            WMGA Member – Guest

MENS DIVISION

MENS DIVISION

Gross                                                                                                     

1^st
Roger Atkins
Mike McMahon                   149
Phil Mickelson                                                                                     

Net

1^st
Bruce Garner
Dave Schoonover                                126
Anthony Kim

Gross

2^nd
Dave Reynolds
Steve Stachelski                   150
 Tiger Woods                                                                       

Net

2^nd
Tom Harkema
Josh Harkema                       133
Fred Couples

Gross

3^rd
Ron Jamison                                                                        
Bobby Russell                      153
K.J. Choi                                                                               

Net

3^rd
Bill Smith
Butch Isley                            135
Lee Westwood

LADIES DIVISION

Gross                                                                                                     

1^st
Teresa Shull
Lori Redding                         144
Phil Mickelson                                                                     

Net

1^st           
Nancy Shuck
Sherry Thorne                      132
Anthony Kim                       

2^nd
Katie Garner
Breda McAuliffe                  134
Ian Poulter

By: Mark McKee, PGA Professional

Finally, old man Winter is gone! I hope everyone is ready to play some golf. The month of April is full of exciting events for everyone. Please check out the Upcoming Events to plan your next tournament.

MASTERS TOURNAMET

The Masters Tournament will kick off on Saturday, April 10th with the Pros Drawing Party at 6:00 p.m. The two – man or two – lady tournament will begin Sunday, April 11th with a 12:30 shotgun. If you missed this event last year or forgot the format, here you go. Players will form their own two – man or two – lady teams (different divisions) and play best ball + their PGA Pro’s Sunday score to create a team score. There will be gross and net divisions. After you play your round, we will all be glued to the bar’s TV to see how your pro is doing. The entry fee is $50 + cart fees per player. This will include all food and prizes.

WMGA SINGLE MATCH PLAY

The singles match play will begin on April 21st. Format will be match play stroking off the low ball. The entry fee is $10.00 + cart fees per player. Each match will have a deadline for completing each match. Signup sheets will be on the Men’s Board. Our 2009 champion, Fred Crofts is ready for the challenge.

SUNDAY SUPERBALL

On April 25th, we will be having the first superball of the year. This event is just like the Friday Mixers, but 18 holes. If you are looking for a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, then this is it. In addition, we will be dedicating a tree in remembrance of HT Page’s mother. If you cannot play in the tournament, please try to make the dedication. The dedication will start around 12:45. The entry fee is $20 + cart fees per player. If you have a guest, the green fee will be half the regular rate. This will include food and prizes.

THE WATER’S EDGE AND THE WATERFRONT MEN’S CHALLENGE CUP

The Water’s Edge men have challenged our men to a Ryder Cup style match. The match will take place on Saturday, May 1st at The Water’s Edge and Sunday, May 2nd at The Waterfront. Both matches will begin at 1:00. The teams will consist of 24 men from each club. Players will be paired by HCP Index. The entry fee will be $25 + cart fees.

PRO SHOP APPEARL AND CLUBS

The Pro Shop is booming with the latest fashions from Polo, Cutter & Buck, and Nike. We also have the latest technology in clubs and balls from Titleist, Cobra, Callaway, and Ping. Come by the shop and see what the buzz is all about.

GOLF SCHOOLS

If you are a beginner or just need some fine tuning, I will be holding two different schools. One will be for beginners and one for intermediate players. The schools will be for 4 days starting April 20th – 23rd.  Each school will be limited to 10 students. The intermediate class will begin at 4:00 and the beginner’s class will start at 5:00. The cost of the school is $100 per person. Please call the pro shop to sign up.

UPCOMING EVENTS

APRIL

6 Men’s Stableford Challenge

10 Masters Drawing Party

11 Masters Tournament

20 Senior Match @ Water’s Edge

21 WMGA Singles Match Play Begins

25 Superball

MAY

1-2 Challenge Cup

15 WMGA Tri – Member

16 Callaway Demo Day

20 WLGA 9 Hole Invitational

21–22  WLGA Member – Guest

By: Mark McKee, PGA Professional

What a long, long, long winter. I cannot remember when snow stayed on the ground any longer than it has this year. I don’t know about you, but I am ready to play some golf. The 2010 Golf Calendar is ready. Please save this calendar, so you do not miss any of the events.

NEW ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL

I would like to introduce Owen Alford as my new Assistant Professional. Owen’s first day was February 9th. He comes to us from St. Simons Island, GA. He recently graduated from the Professional Golfer’s Career College in Winter Garden, FL. He will be entering the PGA PGM program to start his journey to become a PGA Professional. I feel Owen will be a great asset to The Waterfront. Please stop by and welcome Owen to the club. As for Josh, he decided to make a career move into the medical field. I am sure this was a difficult decision for him, but he will still be here as the pro shop assistant.

SPRING FLING

What a great way to break the ice. The Spring Fling will be played on Sunday, March 21st with a 12:30 shotgun. The format will be computer picked ABCD teams playing a new and fun format called Replay. Instead of using handicap strokes, you get to replay shots. If you have a handicap of 10, you get to replay 10 shots anywhere on the course. Now, you must play the replayed shot, but everyone knows “Joe Mulligan” is always the better player. The entry fee will be $20 + cart fees per player. That will include food and prizes. Don’t miss this fun event.

WMGA OPENING DAY MEETING
AND TOURNAMENT

The WMGA will be holding the annual meeting on Friday, March 26th @ 6:00. Your golf committee will also be hosting a dinner for all WMGA members. Also at the meeting, you will be informed of tournament dates, new rules, course improvements, and anything else you need to know about the upcoming season.

The WMGA Opening Day Tournament will be held Saturday, March 27th with a 10:00 shotgun. The teams will be drawn at the Opening Meeting playing a 3-2-1 format. The entry fee for the tournament will be $25 + cart fees per person. This will include food and prizes at the conclusion of the tournament. I encourage everyone to play and get reacquainted with your old pals.

MASTERS TOURNAMET

The Masters Tournament will kick off on Saturday, April 10th with the Pros Drawing Party @ 6:00 pm. The two – man or two – lady tournament will begin Sunday, April 11th with a 12:30 shotgun. if you missed this event last year or forgot the format, here you go. Players will form their own two – man or two – lady teams (different divisions) and play best ball + their PGA Pro’s Sunday score to create a team score. There will be gross and net divisions. After you play your round, we will all be glued to the bar’s TV to see how your pro is doing. The entry fee is $50 + cart fees per player. This will include all food and prizes.

FRIDAY MIXERS

We will again hold this fun filled, for everyone, social, and a little golf event every Friday evening starting @ 5:30. The entry fee is only $5 + cart fees per person.  If you have a guest, the green fee will be half the regular rate. This will include food and prizes.

SUNDAY SUPERBALL

On April 25th, we will be having the first superball of the year. This event is just like the Friday Mixers, but 18 holes. If you are looking for a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, then this is it. The entry fee is $20 + cart fees per player. If you have a guest, the green fee will be half the regular rate. This will include food and prizes.

SENIOR INTERCLUB MATCHES

The Senior interclub matches are back. I have organized, with the other PGA Professionals, the dates, time, food, and prizes for these events. The signup sheets for each event will be on the Men’s board. We will be only taking 12 men from each club, so to be fair to everyone, the 1st match (Water’s Edge) will be on a first come first serve basis. The remaining matches, I will take the ones who have signed up and haven’t played first, then use a standby list (men who have already played in a match) to fill out the team. The entry for my members, playing at The Waterfront only, will only be $30. I hope everyone will enjoy the competition and the fellowship.

Here are the dates and the tournament information.

Date         Club                                          Day                           Shotgun

4/20         The Water’s Edge                 Tuesday                   12:30

 5/26         The Waterfront                     Wednesday            9:30

 6/10         Hunting Hills CC                 Thursday                9:30

 7/22         Roanoke CC                          Thursday                9:30

 8/26 Hidden Valley CC Thursday 9:30

 Format: 12 players from each club. Players will be seeded 1 – 12 by HCP. Index. Points will be awarded to the low net score in each seed. 1st – 5pts., 2nd -4pts., and so on. Ties will split points. The club that accumulates the most points at the end of the year, will get to keep the Senior Interclub Trophy. Name of the trophy has yet to be named.

 Tees: All players play from the club’s designated Senior Tee.

 Cost: $40 per player. Includes continental breakfast, all golf fees, and lunch.

 Age: 55 years and older.

———————————

2010 Golf Schedule

March

21                     Spring Fling Mixer

25                     WLGA Opening Day, Dinner,
                        & Meeting

26                     WMGA Opening Day Meeting

27                     WMGA Opening Day

29                     Green Aerification

April               

2                      Friday Mixer Opener

6                      Stableford Challenge Begins

10                     The Masters Drawing Party

11                     The Masters Tournament
                        (Men & Ladies)

20                     WMGA Single’s Match Play Begins

25                     Sunday Superball           

May

15                     WMGA Tri – Member

16                     Callaway Demo Day

20                     WLGA 9 Hole Invitational

21 – 22             WLGA Member – Guest

31                     Memorial Day Flag Tournament (Regular Tee Times)

June

11 – 13             Men’s Hall of Fame (ML, HR, RCC)

12 – 13             Ladies Hall of Fame (HR, RCC)

13                     Sunday Superball

24                     WMGA Member – Guest Practice Round & Stag Night

25 – 26             WMGA Member – Guest Tournament

July

4                      4^th of July Flag Tournament
                        (Regular Tee Times)

6                      WMGA Two – Man Match Play Begins

11                     Guys vs Dolls

12 – 13             SML Lions / Haley Junior Tournament (ML, WF)

16                     WMGA Member – Member Stag Night

17 – 18             WMGA Member – Member

25                     Sunday Superball

27 – 30             Junior Golf Camp                                              

August

2 – 3                 Senior Hall Of Fame (HV, WF)   

7 – 8                 Club Championships

15                     Couples Club Championship

20                     WMGA One Day Member – Guest

21                     Couples One Day Member – Guest

September

6                      Labor Day Gross & Net Tournament (Regular Tee Times)

7                      Green Aerification

19                     Sunday Superball

October

5                      Rally For a Cure

14                     WLGA Guest Day

21                     WLGA Closing Tournament & Meeting

November

5 – 6                 WMGA Closing Dinner & Tournament

Special Note

Sunday Superball will start at 1:00. All sign up sheets will be on the Men’s and Ladies boards.

By: Mark McKee, PGA Professional

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I want to thank everyone for a successful and fun filled 2009 season. I know it is still cold, but it is not too early to start thinking about the warm days of 2010. Your pro and committees have worked hard on the upcoming season. Be sure to check out the March Navigator for the 2010 Golf Calendar.

2010 GOALS

Every golfer should have a goal each and every time he or she tees it up. I would like each member to think about what you would like to accomplish in the 2010 season. Whether it is breaking 80 or 100, or playing in a group, or just playing more golf. The Professional Staff will be here at all times to help you succeed in whatever goal you set.

WMGA MEN’S MEMBER – GUEST

The WMGA Member–Guest is set for the 2010 season. The dates are as follows:

JUNE 24 Practice Round & Stag Night

JUNE 25 – 26 Member – Guest Tournament

Mark these dates on your calendar. You do not want to miss this great event.

WATERFRONT MEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION

The WMGA dues of $40.00 will be billed on January 31st. This will allow enough time for the association to plan for the 2009 events. If you are already a member, you will be automatically billed. If you wish to become a member, please call the pro shop. You must be a member of the WMGA to participate in WMGA events.

PRO SHOP AMENITIES

The Pro Shop amenities will include the following:

Bag Storage (Cleaned and Stored): $60.00/year

Handicap Fee (Required in tournaments): $30.00/year

Lockers: ½ Lockers $20.00/year

Full Lockers $40.00/year

If you are currently taking advantage of the great services, you will be billed automatically. If you would like to start receiving any of these listed, please contact the Pro Shop. All of the above will be billed in February.

EXCEPTION HANDICAP FEES – WILL BE BILLED ON JANUARY 31.

EMAIL

The pro shop will be using email more this year than ever before. The emails will include upcoming events and general pro shop information. If you are not receiving emails from me now, please email me with your email address. My email is mmckee@thewillardcompanies.com.

SPRING MERCHANDISE

This year I am mixing the shop up a little bit. I will be stocking Polo, Nike, and Cutter & Buck. With some help of some lady members, I feel this may be the best line up we have had in a long time. As far as the hard goods are concerned, the same big 3 will be in stock; Callaway, Titleist/Cobra, and Ping. Please come by and see what the buzz is all about.

HANDICAP POSTING

This is a reminder that the VSGA and USGA have now declared Virginia a year round posting state. What does this mean? All members will now be required to post scores through the winter months. In the past, the handicap computer has been turned off during the months of December, January, and February, but now it will stay on. Also as a reminder, members who hibernate in Florida or wherever are required to post those scores as well.

GREAT SHOTS

Finally, after who knows how many years of playing, Barrett Cawood made his 1st Hole – N –One. He was playing on Thanksgiving Day at Placenia Golf Club in Florida with his son Andrew and Andrews’s brother-in-law, PJ. Barrett hit the perfect 6 hybrid on the 3rd hole that measured 158 yards. What he might not  tell you is that the very next hole, he hit the same ball way into the bush down the right side of the fairway, both Andrew and P.J. scrambled to find it for him, as they could not believe he was about to lose the ball he had just holed out with! Thankfully, they found it and it is now safely mounted on the plaque!” GREAT SHOT BARRETT!

By: Mark McKee, PGA Pro

HO! HO! HO! Yes it is that time again. It is time to check your bags and see what new toys Santa can bring you. The Pro Shop is stocked with new golf bags, balls, and warm clothing to get you through the winter golf months. Don’t forget that all the credit books will expire on December 31st.

WMGA CLOSING TOURNAMENT

After having to reschedule this tournament to a bright and sunny day, we had eight 4 man teams competing in the season finale. The format was a modified scramble (played own ball on par 3’s), counting 3 balls on par 3’s, 2 on the par 4’s and 1 ball on the par 5’s. Just to add another twist, each team had to use each team member’s drive at least twice. When the dust settled, the team of Eric Fansler, Mike Nee, Jim Harris, and Tom Fansler won the tournament. Big thanks to all the players and to all who supported the WMGA Tournaments through out the year. Here are all the results of the tournament:

1st 103
Eric Fansler
Mike Nee
Jim Harris
Tom Fansler

2nd 108
Paul Burke
Butch Isley
Larry Stevens
Bill Shires

3rd 115
Barrett Cawood
John Sienkowski
Ray Traen
Rod Sayles

CLOSEST TO PIN

# 4 Tom Thorne 10’2”

# 8 Bruce Clapper 2’1”

# 13 Mike Nee 17’1”

# 17 Pete Verhoven 2’6”

HANDICAP POSTING

This is a reminder that the VSGA and USGA have now declared Virginia a year round posting state. What does this mean? All members will now be required to post scores through the winter months. In the past, the handicap computer has been turned off during the months of December, January, and February, but now it will stay on. Also as a reminder, members who hibernate in Florida or wherever are required to post those scores as well. In short, please post every round.

GREAT SHOTS

During the WLGA Closing Tournament, Muriel Smith hit the perfect shot, I mean THE PERFECT SHOT, as she slam dunked her ball on # 17. The story I got was it slammed the flagstick at the bottom of the cup. Her surprised playing partners were Sherry Thorne, Susie Parrish, and Jerry Clapper. GREAT SHOT MURIEL!

Just when you thought he could only take a reservation, Fred Deichmann showed Dave Wilmesher, Bobby Russell, and John Reburn he could play a little golf. On hole # 17, with the pin back left, Fred hit the pitching wedge of his life and the ball trickled in the hole for a hole – n – one. GREAT SHOT FRED!

Sean Shull, playing a casual Friday round, hit an impeccable 6 iron right in the hole on # 8. Now, who said that there was only one Shull that could play? His amazed playing partners were Teresa Shull, Dick Gamertsfelder, & Lori Redding. GREAT SHOT SEAN!

I’m not through yet…

Paul Burke must have been on a press with his wife when he grinded on his 7 iron approach that found the bottom of the cup. His flabbergasted witnesses were Lori O’Connell, Teresa Shull, and Mary Beth McGirr. What a way to impress the ladies, Paul!