ASSOCIATIONS

PGA METROPOLITAN SECTION
When the PGA was born here in New York in 1916, the founders certainly never dreamed that one day the Association they were forming would grow to include over 28,000 professionals. At the very forefront of the National PGA then and today, is the Metropolitan Section. Though it ranks only 16th out of 41 sections in total number of members, the leadership, innovativeness and quality that has become synonymous with the Metropolitan PGA programs elevate this association to a position of prominence both in the local golf community and among its national counterparts.

Much of the success of the Met PGA is attributed to its location. Not only is New York the corporate and financial capital of the world, but to a great extent it is also the centerpiece of the golf world. St. Andrews, Shinnecock, Tuxedo, and Van Cortlandt Park have all played significant roles in the history of the game. Siwanoy, Engineers, Pelham, Garden City GC, Inwood, Fresh Meadow, Salisbury, National, Winged Foot, Ardsley, Westchester, Nassau, Apawamis, Brooklawn, St. Andrews, Bethpage, and Shinnecock have all hosted major championships of the PGA and USGA. Golf has flourished here in the Metropolitan area, largely because of the willingness and desire of our area clubs and courses to support and maintain the traditions and heritage of the game.

That same concern for the game has manifested in the selection of quality golf professionals from around the country for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is the quality of the working environment at our area clubs and courses. Teaching and promoting golf at one’s course level or our First Tee facilities is paramount and that creates the atmosphere most enjoyed by men and women who have dedicated their lives to the game. For the Met PGA Professional, “Growing the Game” is not just a theme, but a professional commitment and challenge.
The 41 geographic regions throughout the United States, called PGA Sections, provide the grass-roots network necessary to accomplish direct communications with the nation’s 25 million amateur golfers and with the PGA’s 27,000 members. Each Section conducts, for example, regional qualifying tournaments for amateur events such as the Buick Scramble and the Westfield Junior PGA Championship, as well as sponsor junior clinics.

For more information about the PGA Metropolitan Section go to www.met.pga.com

LIGA – LONG ISLAND GOLF ASSOCIATION
Dates back to 1922 and was formed for the purpose of promoting friendly rivalry among golf clubs on Long Island, determining the various golf champions, promoting the game of golf on Long Island, and supporting the Long Island Caddie Scholarship Fund. Today the LIGA conducts 14 championships each year.

The Long Island Golf Association is a non-profit organization of 74 private and public clubs, which conducts fifteen championships for its members and fields a team of the Island™s best amateurs to compete annually in the Stoddard Trophy against teams from New Jersey, Westchester and Connecticut.

In addition, the association is a major contributor to the Long Island Caddie Scholarship Fund, a tax-exempt entity established in 1962. The Fund, as the name implies, makes scholarship grants to caddies employed at member clubs.

Beyond the tournament and charitable work, the Association also serves as an information resource for its member clubs. Via a series of newsletters and a once-a-year educational forum for club presidents, it endeavors to provide its constituents with a wide range of pertinent information affecting golf, golfers and golf clubs. In cooperation with the United States Golf Association and the Audubon Society of New York, the LIGA works with its members on a variety of projects related to environmental issues.

OFFICERS
President – Alan Finkelstein – Fresh Meadow Country Club
Vice President – Martin Winkelman – Glen Head Country Club
Secretary – Michael J. Sullivan – Garden City Country Club
Treasurer – James L. Dunne – Garden City Golf Club

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE


John Busch – Hempstead Golf & Country Club
George Delianides – Hempstead Golf & Country Club
George Gatta – Southward Ho Country Club
Edward T. Gibstein – Engineers Country Club
Arnold Glaubman – Seawane Club
Daniel M. Goldstein – Wheatley Hills Golf Club
Oliver Hudesman – The Muttontown Club
Thomas F. Lorito – Montauk Downs State Park
David Mattana – Fresh Meadow Country Club
John A. McGrath – Nassau Players Club
Henry Roed, Jr. – Nassau Players Club
Jerome M. Scheckman – Glen Oaks Club
Jay V. Sessa II¨ – Cherry Valley Club
Stephen A. Smith – Rockaway Hunting Club
Ira C. Smithheimer – Port Jefferson Country Club
Douglas W. Vergith – Executive Director – St. George™s Golf & Country Club
Jon Silverberg – Asst. Executive Director – Nassau Players Club
Chris Gaffney – P.J. Boatwright Jr. Intern
Patrick L. Donnelly – Legal Counsel

ACTIVE PAST PRESIDENTS


Peter F. Barry – Huntington Crescent Club
Joseph C. Cantwell – Hempstead Golf & Country Club
Robert J. Capazzi – Muttontown Club
William J. Cariello – Hempstead Golf & Country Club
Joseph A. Donahue – Garden City Golf Club
John H. Lynch – St. George’s Golf & Country Club
John Partilla – Huntington Country Club
For more information about the Long Island Golf Association go to www.longislandgolf.org/

MGA – METROPOLITAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
Was officially chartered on April 14, 1897; at Delmonico™s restaurant in NYC. There, representatives from 26 Founding Clubs got together and drafted a charter. Its purpose, was to foster sportsmanship, run tournaments, provide handicaps and promote the best interests of the game.

https://www.mgagolf.org/

WOMEN IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY (WIGI) was formed in 2001 as a networking group for women in the business of golf. At the time, more women were rapidly advancing in their careers and others were starting up their own businesses within the golf industry. This was the optimum time for this group of forward thinking women to establish an organization where they could share successes and help resolve industry challenges prevalent at the time.

For more information go to https://www.womeninthegolfindustry.com/

ING – INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF GOLF
The International Network of Golf: Where Media and the Golf Industry Connect. ING is a non-profit organization that has been networking the golf industry since 1990. Membership is open to anyone from any segment of the golf industry, and to all media who cover the business of golf.
The object is to bring golf industry executives together with members of the golf media to improve communication, introduce new products, services and destinations, and to develop and nurture relationships.

For more information about the International Network of Golf go to www.INGgolf.com

LPGA AMATEUR GOLF ASSOCIATION
Whether you’re a new golfer looking for a welcoming environment to properly learn the game, or an experienced golfer seeking the challenge of our championship golf series, LPGA Amateur Golf Association offers events and activities to meet your needs.

The Long Island Chapter organizes a variety of clinics and events each year, where the focus is usually on fun. Activities include new golfer clinics, etiquette seminars, league play, monthly outings, chapter championship, networking functions, member-guest events, charity tournaments, holiday dinners and other creative events.
With almost half of our members in key management positions, you’ll also find an ideal environment for networking with other businesswomen in a friendly atmosphere.

Whether you’re looking for an occasional round of informal golf, or a chance to play regularly with other avid golfers, the Executive Women’s Golf Association provides those opportunities. Over the past year, the Long Island Chapter of EWGA has grown to more than 800 members, and is significantly impacting the world of women’s golf on Long Island.

We invite you to join us to have fun, network and help support our mission to bring a new level of dignity and respect to women’s golf.

https://chapters.lpgaamateurs.com/home/chapter/NYLI