PRESIDENT’S DESK
Friends for a Lifetime G
BY PATRICK N. QUINN
rowing up around golf my friends and I were fortunate to experience an atmosphere that promoted integrity, honesty and camaraderie
across a diverse group of people. Though I grew up playing at San Jose Country Club,
I spent much of my time at many of the great public courses in the San Jose area. Spring Valley, Oakridge, Santa Teresa and San Jose Muni were all places that provided great and safe atmospheres to continue to learn and play golf. Most of that time was spent practicing or playing high school golf matches. My first competitive lesson was administered by our coach, Fr. Cobb. ‘Take your time, but hustle down the fairways,” still resonates. Thanks, Padre!
One constant amongst all NCGA courses is the professional PGA staff that welcomes the players and provides the parameters that allow all golfers to enjoy their experience. We had an amazing head pro, Gary Plato, when I
was growing up at SJCC. Like all pros, he wore many hats including mentor, teacher, psychologist and friend. We learned the keys to respecting the game, each other and the course from him. To this day, my number one chore on a green is to not only replace my divot, but at least three others. “Always leave the course better than you found it” still resonates clearly. Thanks, Pro! The NCGA annually works with all the Northern
California PGA members to expand offerings that our NCGA members can enjoy, including discounts on golf, lessons, equipment and great experiences. The NCGA Foundation also works with over 185
golf course facilities in Northern California and their professional staffs to open doors to golf through its nationally heralded Youth On Course program. Approaching 500,000 rounds of golf for $5 or less, Youth On Course is making a difference in our society. This equates to over two million hours that kids are safely enjoying a sport (off the streets, out of trouble) while learning life skills that the game teaches us all. For those young players that want to take their game to the next level, the NCGA and NCPGA have also partnered to provide the Junior Tour of Northern Cal- ifornia (JTNC). These events cultivate sportsmanship, confidence and integrity through golf. They are also
10 WINTER 2017 |
WWW.NCGA.ORG
held at top flight courses and administered by NCGA staff in a professional manner that ensures each player has a safe, fun and challenging experience. The JTNC has grown from a few events to more than 25 for boys and girls competing with players at similar skill levels. These kids are focused and intent on improving their lives through golf and the JTNC is a great vehicle to accomplish that goal. I thank the Northern California PGA members for their continued partnerships in making the game of golf more accessible for all. Golf is for friends… Golf has afforded me many friendships over the
years starting with the SJCC gang I grew up with. The Boers, Blachs, Clarks, Cracolices, Hansens and Ribisis cobbled together more fun and cackles than anyone deserves. The memories that still resonate surround the endless putting contests, chipping to the tree stump on the range and playing cross country golf. Those shared experiences have made us friends for life. Since 1998, I have further shared golf experiences
with another gang –the Gang of Eight. Comprised of some of my father’s best friends from SJCC, the Gang of Eight was started by former NCGA President Gary Vandeweghe as a vehicle to visit golf’s origins at St. Andrews, but has turned into an intertwined group whose concerns and respect for each other, while rooted in golf, have gone far beyond the game. Aye! The NCGA is rolling out its own flagship of friend-
ship, NCGA Play! Beta tested last fall in the Sacramento area, NCGA Play! incorporates learning, golf and social in an efficient package that encourages people of all walks to come together. Starting this spring, NCGA Play! sites will provide a program of 20 minutes of lessons and five holes of fun and competitive golf. Look for more news on NCGA Play! and invite a friend. Golf for a lifetime… Golf creates benchmarks for every age and level of
play. It can be frustrating and satisfying in the same swing. That’s one of the many lessons golf teaches us, perseverance. Every hole is a challenge. Every swing our shot at redemption. Golf in Northern California provides some of the top courses in the world and some of the best fun for the youngster in all of us. So grab your clubs and get playing.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108
