Golf NL Hosts 2022 Annual Awards Program
May 30, 2023St. John’s, NL… This past weekend Golf Newfoundland Labrador (Golf NL), held its, Annual Awards Program at Glendenning Golf in St. John’s.
Annual Awards were presented to Michael Furlong of Bally Haly Country Club for Male Golfer of the Year. During the season, Michael captured the Provincial Men’s Amateur Championship, Provincial Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, placed 4th at the Annual Bally Haly Men’s’ Invitational, and was a member of Team NL at the Maritime Cup Competition.
Janet Mills received the Female Golfer of the Year award. At the 2022 Royal LePage Provincial Amateur Championships Ms. Mills captured the Provincial Ladies, Amateur, Mid – Amateur, Senior and Super Senior Championships. At the club level, Janet placed 3rd at the 2022 Bally Haly Invitational and rounded out the season with a 2nd place finish at the Bally Haly Ladies Club Championship.
Mila Snook of Bally Haly Country Club was awarded the Junior Female Golfer of the Year award for the second consecutive year. This past year Ms. Snook captured the Girls Junior Championship at the 2022 Royal LePage Provincial Junior Girls Championship, competed at the Next Gen Atlantic Championships and the National Junior Girls Competition. The highlight of the year came when Mila competed and won the Ladies Club Championship at Bally Haly Country Club in September.
Ethan Efford, also from Bally Haly, was presented with the Junior Male Golfer of the Year awaed. In 2022, Mr. Efford won the Royal LePage Provincial Boys Junior Championships. to represented Golf NL at the Next Gen Atlantics and National Junior Boys Championships. At the Next Gen Atlantics, Ethan captured the boys’ division which is the first time a player from NL captured the crown. At the National Junior Boys competition, Ethan made the cut all placed 47th in the field.
Ric Mercer, Executive Director of the Pippy Park Commission accepted the Golf Course of the Year award on behalf of Pippy Park Golf Course. During the year Pippy Park Golf Course’s Golf Committee reviewed a host of the programs and services that lead to the development, creation, and implementation of a Junior Golf League. It was not just a regular junior golf program but one that would cater to all ages and abilities in hopes of attracting and retaining juniors.
The junior program offered an Under 19 Junior League, several developmental camps for youth under 9 and under 6 and a number of tournaments. The course created a set of forward tee boxes to accommodate the younger age groups and ensure they had the opportunity to play the course. The course also promoted a junior membership program as well as an initial free round of golf. One should not forget that the course continues to participate in the “Take A Kid to The Course Program”
Aside from all the junior golf development, Pippy Park has created a very robust Ladies and Men’s Leagues with the Ladies League consisting of approximately 200 members and considered one of the most attractive, entertaining and engaging leagues of any across Atlantic Canada.
Level III Referee Paul Comeau was the recipient of the Referee of the Year award. During the past year, Paul officiated at the Royal LePage Provincial Junior & Amateur Championships as well as provided refereeing at several Tely Junior Golf Tour events including Harmon, Blomidon, Humber River, Pitcher’s Pond, The Wilds, Clovelly, Baly Haly, and Glendenning.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year award to Sue Hickey of Bally Haly Country Club. With a background in teaching and Human Resources, her creativity and attention to detail has resulted in the successful revival of the Women’s League on Tuesdays, bringing it from nine (9) members a few years ago to its current compliment of close to fifty (50) active participants.
She works tirelessly to ensure all members are involved. – early morning golfers, regular Ladies Day golfers and the late afternoon/evening group, ensuring that all are included in the social activities of the Ladies League.
She has been involved in other activities at Bally Haly in a volunteer capacity, such as Men’s Invitational, Gzowsky Tournament, etc. She has served on the Women’s Invitational Committee, acquiring sponsorships and prizes.
Vice President and chair of the Hall of Fame & Awards Committee Shanne Nathu stated” that these individuals are an example of the commitment, dedication and passion that has served the golfing community well in this province and are very deserving individuals”.
Golf NL announced that the 2023 Hall of Fame & Annual Awards Dinner will be held at Bally Haly Country Club on Saturday November 25th as the closing event of the 61st Annual General Meeting of the organization.
For more information contact Golf Newfoundland Labrador (Golf NL) at 709-631-3102 or e-mail golf@sportnl.ca
Photos
Right to Left: Shanne Nathu, Paul Comeau, Sharon Ryan Pippy Park Golf Committee, Ric Mercer, Sue Hickey, Mila Snook, Greg Hillier Executive Director Golf NL