B.A.G.S. - Rhode Island Division
2010 Year End Newsletter
Our 19th season has come to an end. 2010 was another good season for B.A.G.S. Despite tough economic times in the state and a general drop off in the sport, we still were able to generate sufficient interest and participation to provide our members with a good field size (and resulting prize fund) and a good level of competition. 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 continue to successfully achieve our objective for a large majority of our members.
This year, we were able to increase the number of Private club events, and will continue to do so. The Private clubs are mostly hurting financially, and B.A.G.S. is able to take advantage by offering our members the opportunity to play a varied selection of Private Club events at a reasonable cost.
The Connecticut Division of B.A.G.S. completed its first season successfully, and should grow substantially as the word get out. Brian Blade put in a tremendous effort to get the division going. Many RI members participated in CT. division events, and enjoyed the chance to play some new courses. We plan to put on several combined (RI and CT) events in 2011. Our CT. division greatly expands the value of your B.A.G.S. membership.
Thanks to our 2010 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 2011, please contact me.
2010 Order of Merit:
Congratulations to John Phillips, who took over first place with a tournament win in late April, and never looked back. John made a major commitment to his golf game, and the results showed - he played most events, won 5, and reduced his handicap index from 11.9 to 8.4.
The "Al's" - Al Latour and Al Ferretti also played in almost all events, and tried their best to catch John, they ended up in a tight race with Al Latour prevailing on the last event of the season to take second place, leaving Al Ferretti in third. Last year's OOM champion, Don Denuccio, got off to a slow start, but improved in the latter part of the season to take 4th spot. Scott Perry, Ed Guertin, Ed Sullivan, Joanne Latour, Dick Burt and Bob Gillis rounded out the top ten.
Complete OOM standings are available on our website.
Hole-in-One / Closest-to-Pin Pool:
Over the course of the season, $1,765 went into the pool. Peter Durfee had the only ace of the season - at Pawtucket CC (# 13) on September 27. Peter won the maximum payout of $1,000 from the pool. $765 was left at season’s end. Al Ferretti won 40% of the pot (with two shots within 1' - at Meadow Brook #17 and Green Valley #12 ). Bill Cocroft had the closest measured shot of the year (0' 5" at Rehoboth #3) The remaining closest to the pin winners were Paul Agren (1’6”” at Rehoboth #3), and Peter Rios (2’ 0” at Triggs #14). Each shot was worth $153 in B.A.G.S. credits for next season's events.
Of Note were two other aces by RI members - Steve Tella aced #7 at CT. National in a CT. Division event, and Ed Sullivan holed out on #12 at Ferncroft CC in a MA. Division event. Great shots, no doubt, but only RI members playing in RI division events are eligible to win a portion of the pool - unfortunately we don't get to choose when a great shot happens, it just does !!
NOTABLES:
The best Low Gross round for the year was an even par effort by Dave Gamache - shot at CT. National on May 23. Hermen Dacones at Cranston and Tim Stravato at Acushnet River Valley had gross scores of one over par during the season. Best stableford points for the season was 46 points – the feat was accomplished by Ernie Flagg at Exeter, Dave Gamache at CT. National, and Brian Boyer at Winnapuag. Don Denuccio shot 45 points at Green Valley. Well Done!!
The Rhode Island Division championship tourney was contested at Triggs Memorial - unfortunately Sunday's second round was rained out.
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 Phillips, Mike Busam, Ed Neff, Bryan Evans, and Paul Evans. 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:
2011 will be our 20th 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, 2011). 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).
Thanks again for making our 19th season another good year - 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 2011 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 2011 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
