I wanted to remind everyone of two events coming up in the near future; the Master’s Party and the Opening Event!

The Master’s Party is this Saturday (4/10) from 3 to 6 at the Player’s Club. It’s our only social event of the year and a great way to re-connect with your old friends as well as meet some new ones. We will be watching the Master’s on the television, drinking libations as well as hearing stories of hole in ones, eagles and holed pitch shots. I hope to see you there!!!
http://www.sfmensclub.com/Masters%20Party%202010.PDF

Sign ups for the Opening Event have already begun both in the pro shop and on our website. The cost is $65 per member. It is a 2 man scramble on the morning of Saturday April 24^th. Prizes will be for both gross and net as well as some skills contests. Your round of golf, cart, continental breakfast and a lunch are also included in the $65 cost. If you don’t have a partner and would like to play, please give your name to the pro shop. They will be matching up singles as they sign up.
http://www.sfmensclub.com/opening_event_signup_2010.html

The last reminder is to let everyone know that our regular weekend events (and week-long white tee events) start next week! So make sure you have signed up for membership. Please give us up to 10 days to activate you in the GHIN system after signing up.
http://www.sfmensclub.com/2010_schedule.html

Best Regards,

Carl Gregorio
President
203-253-1476

http://www.sfmensclub.com/

Today is the first official day of the handicap season in Connecticut. Any round played in CT, the tri-state area , MA, NH or any state south should be posted in the GHIN system either on the pro shop computer or through the GHIN website (http://www.ghin.com/posting.shtml). Maine (4/14) and Vermont (4/15) start in 2 weeks.

Due to the course conditions at Sterling Farms, the board has enacted Winter Rules. When we finally move to Summer Rules again, we will send out an email and post it on the bulletin board at the course. Here is a reminder on what Winter Rules means to us…

• Through the green only (in the fairway or the fringe of the hole being played), after marking your ball, you are permitted to lift, clean, and place the ball within 1-club length of it’s original position, no nearer the hole

• • This is allowed once per stroke. Once the ball is placed it may not be re-lifted and re-placed.
  • Failure to mark the original position before lifting it, such as rolling it with a club, is a 2-stroke penalty or loss of hole in match play.

Currently Sterling Farms Golf Course has some temporary holes. The following is how to properly score the temporary holes for both posting in the GHIN system as well as posting on the board for weekly competitions.

Hole #3 (temporary green) [15^th handicap hole]: Must take par plus handicap allowance for both posting on the computer and on the weekend sign up sheet.

• + to 14 Course Handicap = 4
• 15 to 32 Course Handicap = 5
• 33+ Course Handicap = 6

Hole #10 (temporary tee) [6^th handicap hole]: Must take par plus handicap allowance for posting on the computer.  Must use actual score made on the weekend sign up sheet.

• + to 5 Course Handicap = 4
• 6 to 23 Course Handicap = 5
• 24+ Course Handicap = 6

Hole #15 (temporary tee) [18^th handicap hole]: Must take par plus handicap allowance for posting on the computer.  Must use actual score made on the weekend sign up sheet.

• + to 18 Course Handicap = 3
• 19 to 36 Course Handicap = 4
• 36+ Course Handicap = 5

Hole #16 (temporary tee) [14^th handicap hole: Must take par plus handicap allowance for posting on the computer.  Must use actual score made on the weekend sign up sheet.

• + to 13 Course Handicap = 4
• 14 to 31 Course Handicap = 5
• 32+ Course Handicap = 6

Coming Soon: Masters Party April 10^th 3-6 at the Player’s Club

Carl Gregorio

President

http://www.sfmensclub.com/

Other Link:

Handicap Lookup: http://www.ghin.com/lookup_t.shtml

All members who signed up by March 31^st before 1:00 PM were activated for today’s revision!!! If you are not in the system yet and feel you should be, please contact handicap@sfmensclub.com

After some crazy weather, the golf season has sprinted to a start. Sterling Farms may have lost over 100 trees, but the #1 public golf course in Fairfield County is already in beautiful playing condition.

Last year I stated my two goals as President were to increase communication and participation. There were some successes and lessons learned. The board and I have taken these into consideration and are making adjustments for 2010. I will be sending less lengthy emails throughout the season but more short email reminders. The intent is to make sure our members are aware of sign-up start and end dates.

One major addition to what we do as a club is our new Player of the Year cumulative point system. Members will get points for participating as well as for placing in all of our events. At the end of the season we will have additional payouts. We are currently working with some local companies in an attempt to get a financial sponsor. Any monies received will be used to pay out the winners of the Player of the Year as well as put money in the bank for when we host the Shoreline tournament in 2012.

Membership rates for regular and senior members have increased in 2010. We had kept the rates the same for the past few years while most of our hard costs kept increasing.

• $70 Standard Membership
• $60 Senior Membership (62 and older)
• $30 Junior Membership (12 to 17)
  ***We collect an additional $10 from members participating in CSGA events.

The website and bulletin board have been updated with our calendar of events for the year. But please mark your calendars with the following dates:

• Opening Event Saturday April 24
• Member / Member Sunday June 27
• Member / Guest Sunday August 8
• Closing Event Saturday October 2

I would like to take a moment to thank our supporters. Please think of them when looking to do business. This includes the pro-shop with Angela and her staff; The Stamford Golf Authority, Paul, Tracey and their staffs; The Royal Green and everyone who provides us with food and drink!

We hope to see you on the links!

Carl Gregorio

President
Sterling Farms Men’s Club
http://www.sfmensclub.com/

The Member / Member Tournament is this Saturday. Go to the pro shop and sign up immediately (if you have not already done so)! We still have many spots available for twosomes and singles. The weather forecast is beautiful for Saturday.

In this letter I will be discussing the following:

• Member / Member Tournament This Saturday
• Interclub Sign Up
• Hole #11 New Local Rule
• Stamford Amateur Golf Tournament Sign Up
• Met / Net Team Success
• Club Championship Updates
• Open Board of Governors Positions Available

Are you not planning on participating in our Member / Member Tournament? Besides not being in town or the bad economy, we would love to hear some feedback on what would entice you to sign up in the future. Please click on the link below and provide us with your feedback and suggestions (either anonymously or not):
Feedback Form: http://www.sfmensclub.com/feedback.html

The Interclub sign ups have begun! This is an exciting event where a Sterling Farms team competes against a Hubbard Heights team to crown a champion of Stamford for the year. You have two weekends to choose from for your qualifier. The cost is $20 to sign up and, if you make the team, an additional $20 that covers 36 holes, cart and a team golf shirt. There is more information available on our website.
Interclub: http://www.sfmensclub.com/interclub.html
Interclub Flyer: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Interclub%202009.PDF

The Board of Governors has approved a new local rule for Hole #11 in order to speed up the pace of play and eliminate confusion. The rule is as follows:
“Left side is a LATERAL HAZARD as defined by red stakes and lines. Drop is permitted two club-lengths to the right side of the cart path. Ditch in front of green is a WATER HAZARD as defined by yellow stakes and lines”.
See all of our local rules: http://www.sfmensclub.com/local_rules.html

The Stamford Amateur Golf Tournament sign ups have begun. Please visit the Sterling Farms Pro Shop for the application and to pay the $85 (cash or check) entrance fee. This is not a Sterling Farms Men’s Club event but we fully support our members competing in this tournament.

Last month John McGroarty and Brian Farrell won our local qualifier to compete in the Sectional Met / Net Tournament. The tournament date was rescheduled due to rain. Brian Farrell had to pull out due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by Kevin Behan. The dynamic duo of McGroarty and Behan placed 5^th in the Sectional at the Country Club of Connecticut with a team net score of 67! They now move on to the final round at Hempstead Golf & Country Club on July 8^th. Please congratulate John and Kevin (and Brian) the next time you see them and don’t forget to wish them luck in the finals.
Met / Net information: http://www.mgagolf.org/intraclub/query/catquery.html?doc_number=1677

The Club Championship is still underway! The final round is not until July 19^th. In the meantime stay up to date with the progress both on our bulletin board and on our website.
Championship ‘A’ Flight: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Club%20Champ%20A%20bracket%202009.PDF
B Flight: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Club%20Champ%20B%20bracket%202009.PDF
C Flight: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Club%20Champ%20C%20bracket%202009.PDF
D Flight: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Club%20Champ%20D%20bracket%202009.PDF
Senior Flight: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Club%20Champ%20SR%20bracket%202009.PDF

We have at least one open Board of Governor position available. Please let me know if you are interested or have any questions. Our next monthly meeting is Tuesday, July 14^th at 7:30 PM above the Royal Green Restaurant in the Stamford Golf Authority’s office.

All the Best,

Carl Gregorio
President
Sterling Farms Men’s Club

*Don’t have a tee time but are looking to play? Check out our “Find a Partner” forum for recent tee time listings: http://www.sfmensclub.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=5

**Have a friend who still hasn’t joined our club? Please forward them this email. They can sign up to receive our emails at: http://sfmensclub.com/maillist/?p=subscribe

• Member / Member Tournament Sign Up
• Club Championship Brackets
• President’s / VP’s Cup Finals
• Vincent J. Sheridan Memorial Tournament

Our Member / Member Tournament sign ups began this past Friday. You can sign up in the pro shop or on our website. This is one of our most popular events! Members are allowed to choose their partner as well as their foursome. Singles are also welcome. The format is best ball of 2. Please sign up early!!!
Saturday June 27th
Member / Member Information: http://www.sfmensclub.com/member_member.html
Event Flyer: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Member_Member%20Flyer%202009.PDF
Event Sign Up: http://www.sfmensclub.com/member_member_signup_2009.html

The Club Championship brackets were seeded in mid-May. The first round needs to be completed by this coming Sunday (if you don’t have a first round bye). Don’t forget we are playing to 80% handicap in the B, C and D Flights (see immediately below).
Make sure to:

• keep watch on the brackets over the next few weeks
• Contact your opponent to schedule a tee time
• Update the brackets on the bulletin board with your results.

A “Championship” Flight:
http://www.sfmensclub.com/Club%20Champ%20A%20bracket%202009.PDF
B Flight:
http://www.sfmensclub.com/Club%20Champ%20B%20bracket%202009.PDF
C Flight:
http://www.sfmensclub.com/Club%20Champ%20C%20bracket%202009.PDF
D Flight:
http://www.sfmensclub.com/Club%20Champ%20D%20bracket%202009.PDF
Senior Flight:
http://www.sfmensclub.com/Club%20Champ%20SR%20bracket%202009.PDF
80% Handicap Table:
http://www.sfmensclub.com/80_percent_table.html

Congratulations to our members who qualified for the President’s / Vice President’s Cup finals! Hopefully we will have a group of members gathered around the 18^th hole for their big finish this Sunday around 11:15 (President’s) and 2:45 (VP’s). Come out and support your fellow members!
Final Pairings:
http://www.sfmensclub.com/President%20VP%20Cup%20Finals%202009.PDF

The first Vincent J. Sheridan Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on August 20^th (Thursday) at the Sterling Farms Golf Course. Vinny was a big part of the Men’s Club, Sterling Farms and the city of Stamford. The Men’s Club in conjunction with the Stamford Golf Authority will be donating a bench later this year in his honor. Please show your support and sign up early for this tournament!
Tournament Form:
http://www.sfmensclub.com/Vinny%20Sheridan%20Tournament.pdf

All the Best,

Carl Gregorio
President

Coming Soon…
- Interclub Qualifier Sign Ups
- Stamford Amateur Tournament Sign Ups

In this letter I will be discussing the following:

• Club Championship Sign Ups End Wednesday Night at 8:00 PM
• President / VP Cup Weekend B this weekend
• Member / Member Sign Up later this month
• MGA Metlife Net Team Club Champions

We are hoping to get a final wave of sign ups for the Club Championship, especially in the D Flight (20 and over course handicap)! This is our only match play tournament. The tournament committee will be meeting later this week to seed the brackets (by handicap index).
For more information: http://www.sfmensclub.com/club_championship.html

The President / Vice President’s Cup is well under way. Last weekend we had a good number of qualifiers out on the course. This coming weekend we have 40 members qualifying. Good luck and don’t forget to keep the proper pace of play.

We had a number of issues this year with members trying to move qualifying groups. The following information is listed on our website, but I wanted to highlight it here as well. We make pairings for tournament qualifiers by:

• Requested dates of play
• Handicap
• Perceived familiarity with playing partners. The Men’s Club Board discourages regular playing partners qualifying together even though it may be necessitated if the number of people trying to qualify is limited.

What the above means is that we purposely put you with members you may have never played with before, or at least not your regular foursome. The intent is to make an atmosphere of tournament play (and possibly increase the stress level). So once you are paired in a group, any changes must be approved by the tournament committee.

Save the date: The Member / Member Tournament is on Saturday, June 27^th.
The cost is $75 per member. Sign ups will begin next week and will be available both on the website and in the pro shop.

Congratulations to Brian Farrell and John McGroarty who won the qualifier at Sterling Farms for the MGA Metlife Net Team Championship. Next up for this dynamic duo is the sectional qualifier in June. So wish them luck the next time you see them.
http://www.mgagolf.org/intraclub/query/catquery.html?doc_number=1677

All The Best,

Carl Gregorio
President

The Ike is next week:
http://www.mgagolf.org/intraclub/query/catquery.html?doc_number=1674

Save the Date: Thursday August 20^th
Vincent J. Sheridan Memorial Golf Tournament
More information to follow…

A few of our members recently asked us to put together a club qualifier for the MGA / MetLife Net Team Championship. Due to our member’s demand, we will be having the club qualifier over the next two weekends.  I will talk about this further at the bottom of this email.  I will also be covering the following:

• Summer Rules
• Club Championship Sign Ups
• President’s / Vice President’s Cup Update
• Latest Results
• Outstanding Members

The Rules and Tournament Committees have agreed to move to Summer Rules (from Winter Rules) effective immediately.  Summer Rules will govern all play until further notice (i.e. probably through the rest of 2009).  There is no more improving your lies without taking an unplayable penalty.  The USGA Rules of Golf still govern play as well as our local rules for Sterling Farms Golf Course.
USGA Rules of Golf: http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules.html
Local Rules: http://www.sfmensclub.com/local_rules.html 

The Club Championship sign ups begin this Friday (May 8^th).  The sign ups will be available both on the homepage of our website as well as on the bulletin board outside the pro shop.  This is our only match play tournament event.  So make sure you don’t miss it!
Club Championship Information: http://www.sfmensclub.com/club_championship.html 

Sign ups for the President’s / Vice President’s Cup Weekend B qualifier are still open through this Sunday!  Weekend A qualifier parings are currently posted on our website and on the bulletin board.
Weekend B Sign Up: http://www.sfmensclub.com/president_vp_cup_signup_b.html
Weekend A pairings: http://www.sfmensclub.com/President%20VP%20Cup%20Qualifier%20A.PDF
Tournament Flyer: http://www.sfmensclub.com/President%20VP%20Cup%20Flyer%202009.PDF 

The latest Weekend / White Tee results have been posted on the website and on the bulletin board.
Latest Results: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Results_2009_05_03.html 

A couple of our members deserve to be highlighted for their recent outstanding play.  The first is Rob Colucci who got a ‘hole in one’ during our Opening Event on hole number 15! 
The second member is Jim Romaniello.  Jim and his partner Pete Perimenis won our Opening Event (gross).  Yesterday Jim qualified in the Westchester Golf Association’s 90^th Amateur Tournament at Ardsley Country Club.  By qualifying Jim will now participate in match play June 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th at Fairview Country Club. Good luck Jim!
Congratulations to Jim and Rob!
90^th Amateur Tournament: http://wcga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/wcga9/event/wcga93/index.htm

Sign ups for the MGA / MetLife Net Team Championship is at the pro shop only.  This is a two man (net) team event.  The cost to sign up is $20 per team.  Members are allowed to qualify either this weekend (May 8 - 10) or next weekend (May 15 - 17).  Please specify your preferred day to qualify.  We will contact each of the teams to discuss tee times and foursomes.  As with all qualifiers we try NOT to pair regular foursomes together.  Our club is allowed to send one team to the Sectional Qualifier.
MGA / MetLife Net Team Championship:  http://www.mgagolf.org/intraclub/query/catquery.html?doc_number=1677

All The Best,

Carl Gregorio

President
Sterling Farms Men’s Club
http://www.sfmensclub.com/

Last weekend we had a fantastic Opening Event.  There were 110 members playing in high 70 degree weather and we were the first to play hole #11 from the new blue tees (awesome)! We also played in just over 4.5 hours. The day was a complete success and the Board of Governors thanks everyone who participated or supported us.

Congratulations to our winners:
Jim Romaniello and Pete Perimenis (gross)
Mark Burns and Larry Holzman (net)

In this email I am going to cover:

• Tomorrow’s Demo Day
• President’s / Vice President’s Cup Sign Up
• Membership Fee Increase
• Results

Demo Day: Saturday May 2nd

Tomorrow is the Pro Shop’s Annual Demo Day. This event is a no holds barred way of swinging all the latest and greatest equipment out there.  Each manufacturer has knowledgeable representatives to answer all of your equipment questions.  This event always has a fantastic turnout. So come and check out what a square 3 wood or driver might do for your game, or maybe it’s checking out a new set of irons, or maybe just shredding some range balls with the aggressive grooves on the new wedges.

• Demo Day
• Saturday, May 2^nd
• 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  * Callaway, Taylormade, Ping, Cobra, Titleist, Mizuno & more

President’s / Vice President’s Cup: Sign Up

Sign up for the President’s / Vice President’s Cup is currently under way!  You can sign up on the bulletin board outside the pro shop or on our website.  If you want to play on Weekend A, you must sign up by Sunday night.  You have an additional week to sign up if you are playing on Weekend B.  The qualifier is a great way to see what state your golf game is in this year.  It is the first time the pressure is on and scores are posted with the “T” (Tournament) designation.  So go sign up now!

President/VP Cup Flyer: http://www.sfmensclub.com/President%20VP%20Cup%20Flyer%202009.PDF
Sign Up Weekend A: http://www.sfmensclub.com/president_vp_cup_signup_a.html
Sign Up Weekend B: http://www.sfmensclub.com/president_vp_cup_signup_b.html
Tournament Description: http://www.sfmensclub.com/president_vp_cup.html

Membership Fee Increase

Our membership fees for Standard membership are going up $5 as of today.  This increase does not affect our Senior or Junior membership fees.  This means the standard fee goes from $60 to $65.
* I will not be changing the web sign up rate until sometime over the weekend (i.e. when I am done with the honey-do list).  So save yourself some money and go sign up online right now: http://www.sfmensclub.com/membership_signup_2009.html

Results

We are working out the kinks in getting results posted in a timely fashion.  The first week’s winners are now posted: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Results_2009_04_19.html
Feel free to let us know how you like the new results format: http://www.sfmensclub.com/feedback.html

Best Regards,

Carl Gregorio
President

Next Email Topic: Club Championship Sign Up

Tip of the Day:
Did you know that you can subscribe to the “Find a Partner” forum.  Once you register and then subscribe to this forum you will be notified by email when a new post is made.  This is a great way to find out if someone has an open spot for the coming weekend!

The season is truly beginning. As of Wednesday, April 1^st, you now must post all of your scores played in the local area.  Our first white tee event starts on Monday April 13^th and our first weekend event starts in two weeks on Friday April 17^th. In this letter I will be discussing the following:

-         Masters Party

-         Opening Event

-         Membership Sign Up 

The Masters Party is on Saturday, April 11^th from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the Royal Green. This social event is a great opportunity to catch up with members you have not seen in many cold months as well as to meet some of our new members.  And you can’t beat the free food.  Do you have a friend who might be interested in joining our club?  Bring them along as well.  So please RSVP by email so we can provide the Player’s Club with a headcount.
- Email: sfmc@sfmensclub.com
- Event Flyer: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Masters%20Party%202009.PDF

The Opening Event is on Saturday April 25^th with a shotgun start at 7:45 AM.  This two man scramble is a great way to start focusing on your game as well as a grand opportunity to enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, beer, soda and more! Hopefully we will fill this event up quickly. So make sure to sign up the next time you go to the pro shop or you can do it on our website.  The cost is $65 per person.
- Online Event Sign Up: http://www.sfmensclub.com/opening_event_signup_2009.html
- Event Flyer: http://www.sfmensclub.com/Opening%20Event%202009.PDF
- More Information: http://www.sfmensclub.com/opening_event.html

Hopefully you have already signed up for the Men’s Club or are planning to do so soon. On May 1^st our standard membership fees go up $5 from $60 to $65.  The Senior and Junior rates will remain the same at $55.
- Online Membership Sign Up: http://www.sfmensclub.com/membership_signup_2009.html 
- Membership Benefits: http://www.sfmensclub.com/membership_2009.html

I hope to see you out on the course very soon!

Best Regards,

Carl Gregorio
President
203-253-1476

Additional Links:
Scoring on temporary holes: http://sfmensclub.com/blog/?p=59
New slope and course rating: http://sfmensclub.com/blog/?p=51
Pro shop discounts: http://sfmensclub.com/blog/?p=48

Next Newsletter Topic:
President / Vice President Cup Sign Ups

Hole #3 (temporary green): Must take par plus handicap allowance for both posting on the computer and on the weekend sign up sheet.

• + to 14 Course Handicap = 4
• 15 to 32 Course Handicap = 5
• 33+ Course Handicap = 6

Hole #11 (temporary tee): Must take par plus handicap allowance for posting on the computer.  Must use actual score made on the weekend sign up sheet.

• + to 11 Course Handicap = 4
• 12 to 29 Course Handicap = 5
• 30+ Course Handicap = 6

Hole #12 (temporary tee): Must take par plus handicap allowance for posting on the computer.  Must use actual score made on the weekend sign up sheet.

• + to 3 Course Handicap = 4
• 4 to 21 Course Handicap = 5
• 22+ Course Handicap = 6

Also if you hit into a construction area, this is considered abnormal ground condition / ground under repair.  In this case you should follow the USGA rules:

“Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the ball and drop it, without penalty, within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in ahazard or on a putting green. When the ball is dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, the ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the condition and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.”