Golf In New York City Blog

I grew up and learned my golf at Dyker Beach Golf Course located in Brooklyn, New York.

Dyker Beach has a long history of being great for Junior Golf. Countless PGA Members have learned at Dyker Beach. Tiger Wood’s Dad, Earl Woods, started playing golf at Dyker Beach.

The City Parks Foundation is continuing in this great tradition. The Junior Golf Center built on the premises at Dyker Beach is scheduled to open in July. All programs are free and offered for children ages 6 -16. Schedules for classes and registration information will be posted in May at www.cityparksfoundation.org.

Adult volunteers will play a big role in the success of the Junior Golf Center. Interested adults are encouraged to apply. Email for more information: ggaulocher@cityparksfoundation.org. qualified instructors seeking teaching opportunities can request further information from the same email address.

Gregg Gaulocher, a PGA Golf Professional will be running the facility. Greg also has a long history of operating Junior Golf programs. He has worked with the Metropolitan PGA Golf in Schools program and the First Tee.

I know Greg will do a great job. Junior golf is still going strong in Brooklyn.

If you can help, please contact Greg Gaulocher!

The Sybase LPGA Event returns to Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey, Next Month. I am planning on being there on Saturday Afternoon May 17th. If you are going to be there, please let me know.
Tournament officials for the Sybase® Classic presented by ShopRite today announced the commitments of former champions Sherri Steinhauer (1999 and 2004), Hee-Won Han (2003), Gloria Park (2002) and Michele Redman (1997) to the 19th annual LPGA Tour event at historic Upper Montclair Country Club, May 15 – 18. They will compete with reigning two-time Rolex Player of the Year Lorena Ochoa, who will seek her third straight Sybase Classic title.

“As our 2008 event nears, we can’t help remembering our past champions and their superb play,” said Julie Howell, tournament manager. “It is very exciting to see some of these champions returning with hopes to recreate the magic of past years.”

Steinhauer is one of four two-time winners of the Sybase Classic, along with Betsy King, Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa. In 1999, she shot an 11-under-par 273 and had to defeat Lori Kane on the 5th hole of a sudden death playoff for the crown. Her second title in 2004 came a little easier, as she won by two strokes over Grace Park with a total of 12-under-par 272. In 2007, Steinhauer won her eighth LPGA title at the LPGA State Farm Classic and was a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team, where she posted a 1-0-2 record in her 4th U.S. Team appearance.

Han became a Rolex First-Time Winner when she won the 2003 title. She shot a 12-under-par 273 total and defeated veteran Meg Mallon by two strokes. Since then, Han has crossed the $4 million mark in career earnings and won six career victories on the LPGA Tour. She returns in 2008 after playing in just seven events in 2007 due to the birth of her son, Dale.

In 2002, Park defeated Han on the first hole of a sudden death playoff to win her second career LPGA Tour tournament. She had a four-day total of 12-under-par 270. Since her victory, Park has crossed the $3 million mark in career earnings and posted 28 top-10 finishes.

In 1997, Redman was crowned the champion after her 12-under-par 272 performance. Her first round 64 helped her outlast a late charge by Annika Sorenstam. Since her victory, Redman has crossed the $5 million plateau in career earnings, good for 26th in all-time earnings.

Ticket, sponsorship and volunteer information is available at www.sybaseclassic.com. Those 17 and under are admitted free all week with a ticketed adult.