B.A.G.S. - Rhode Island Division
2009 Year End Newsletter
Our 18th season has come to an end. 2009 was another good season for B.A.G.S. Participation was steady throughout the season. B.A.G.S. mission is to provide its members with the opportunity to participate in competitive golf tournaments, meet other like minded golfers, and to improve their game by playing different courses under tournament conditions. Judging from the response and the improvement in many members’ handicaps over the course of the season, I am confident that we successfully achieved our objective for a large majority of our members.
Thanks to our 2009 tournament sponsors– Attorney Anthony Leone, Ameriprise Financial – Carl Ehmann, Golfer’s Warehouse, and Golf Nut Heaven. Our Sponsor’s generous contributions of gift certificates and merchandise were given out as additional tournament prizes. Our sponsor’s contact information is listed on our BAGS – RI Division website. If you know of other businesses that would benefit from exposure as a B.A.G.S. sponsor for 2010, please contact me.
2009 Order of Merit:
Congratulations to Don Denuccio, who won 4 events through the season, including our mid-October event at Shennecossett, which clinched the title. Second-year member Jim Foehr, was unable to participate the last couple of weeks of the season, but held on for a strong second place finish. Al Ferretti increased his participation tremendously throughout the season in a strong attempt to win the title. Al’s play in the latter events tailed off a bit, resulting in a third place finish. The same may be said of Dick Burt, who finished fourth. The top ten was rounded out by Pat Hogan, Brian Blade, Bob Degnan, Rusty Budlong, Rich Berlant, and Al Latour.
Complete OOM standings are available on our website.
Hole-in-One / Closest-to-Pin Pool:
Over the course of the season, $1,944 went into the pool. There were two hole-in-ones during the season. Rich Berlant had the first – at Exeter CC (#11) on June 4th – Fortunately for Rich; the 11th was our designated closest to the pin hole that day, which also guaranteed Rich a share of the year end pot. The second ace was shot by Steve Medeiros at CC of Halifax (#8) on August 24th. Rich won $472 from the pool, and Steve won $772. $700 was left at season’s end. Rich Berlant won 40% of the pot (his hole in one and a shot within 3’ at Triggs #14). The remaining closest to the pin winners were Tim May (3’3”” at Laurel Lane #15), Bob Gillis (also 3’ 3” at North Kingstown #18), and Joe Leonardo (3’ 6” at River Bend #4). Each of the Closest to pin shots are worth $140 in B.A.G.S. credits.
NOTABLES:
The best Low Gross round for the year was a one under par effort by co- MA and RI member Jeff Mucciarone. Jeff’s under-par effort was shot at Cranston CC on September 5. Jeff also shot even par on three other occasions. Marais Lombard, Bob Degnan and Tim Stravato had gross scores of one over par during the season. Best stableford points for the season was 46 points – the feat was accomplished by Rusty Budlong at Exeter, Dick Rotelli at Beaver River, and Carlton Smith at Wentworth Hills. Well Done!!
The Rhode Island Division championship tourney was contested at Triggs Memorial. On Saturday, the course scheduling error resulted in a slow round, but Sunday went smoothly, with fine weather for both days. Tim Stravato won both low gross honors (8 over par 152), and Net “A” (74 stableford points – 2 under par net). The net division “B” winner was won going away by Ed Sullivan (80 stableford points, 8 under par net).
A complete list of winners for each event is listed on the tournament results page on our website. Congratulations to all tournament winners throughout the season.
MOST IMPROVED GOLFERS:
Membership in B.A.G.S. generally leads to improvement in most of our member’s golf games. Each season, as part of the USGA handicap program, each club receives a listing of its most improved golfers, as measured by the difference between early season and end of season handicaps.
The top 5 most improved golfers were John Kneeland, Rich Berlant, Bob Dunning, Pat Hogan, and Julius Durant. The top 25 most improved appear on our website.
HANDICAPS:
Your year end USGA handicap cards are available on-line at GHIN.com. If you registered your email address, you should be receiving a notification at each revision. If you would like me to print out a label, please contact me.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT SEASON:
2010 will be our 19th year. I would be grateful if you would take the time to comment on what you liked or did not like about B.A.G.S. and things you feel I could be doing different or better.
Please provide your comments on the following topics:
1. Courses you would like to see added or deleted from our schedule.
2. Tournament formats and betting pools .
3. Scheduling, including the inclusion of more or fewer upscale courses.
I do make a sincere effort to incorporate your suggestions and ideas to improve B.A.G.S. You can send me a written note (write or E-mail to jrooks@bagsri.com). I would like to hear from as many members as possible. If you enjoyed B.A.G.S., please tell others, if you did not, please tell me !!
NEW MEMBER REFERRAL PROGRAM:
Please send me names and addresses of your friends and associates who might be interested in joining B.A.G.S.. I will send them a brochure (beginning in late January, 2010). You will earn a $ 25 B.A.G.S. credit for each of your referrals who join at the normal full price membership rate (this offer is not valid for existing or former members).
Connecticut Division:
Brian Blade will be starting a new B.A.G.S. division in Connecticut in 2010. His website address is www.bagsct.com. The CT. Division events will be primarily in Eastern CT. – from the Rhode Island border to the Hartford and New Haven areas. Existing members may choose to stay in the Rhode Island division or switch to CT. As always, one membership fee will allow participation in all our events (RI, MA or CT.)
Thanks again for a terrific season - without your participation and support, B.A.G.S. would not be possible. You may email or contact me at any time on my cell phone (617) 697-1784.My Rhode Island voice mail will likely be discontinued soon – I’ll just be using my cell phone. Membership renewal letters and 2010 season schedules will be mailed prior to the start of the season. Most of our events for next season have already been booked - please check our website for a preliminary schedule of 2010 tournaments.
I wish you and your family a healthy and happy holiday season, and a good winter. See you in the spring !!
Sincerely,
James Rooks
Director - Rhode Island Division
