SDGA 2007 CLOSING DINNER HONORS 4 LOCAL GOLFERS FOR 2007 ACHIEVEMENTS

The Syracuse District Golf Association (SDGA) held the Associations's annual 2007 closing awards dinner, in conjunction with the SDGA INTERCLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS, at Skaneateles Country Club, on Friday Evening, September 28, 2007. Three local golfers were honored for their 2007 season long golf achievements, and, a fourth was honored for his service to the game. SDGA 2007 Junior Chairpersons', Gene and Ginny Meyle, presented both the 2007 JUNIOR PLAYER and the 2007 BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR awards, which awards were based on season long competitions, in those two divisions. Mr. Meyle presented JEFF BALDETTI, 14, from Skaneateles, NY ( Skaneateles CC) with the trophy recognizing Jeff as the 2007 SDGA BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR. Mrs. Meyle presented to MRS CHERYL ROY the trophy earned by her son, KEVIN ROY, 16, from Syracuse NY, (Bellevue CC) that trophy recognizing Kevin as the 2007 SDGA JUNIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR. Longtime SDGA , NYSGA and USGA official MR. JOHN SHERLOCK presented the 2007 SDGA GOLFER OF THE YEAR award, awarded for exceptional meritorious service, given, by an individual, for the good of the game of golf, to Mr. JOHN BARTHOLOMEW, of Hamilton, New York (Seven Oaks CC). Mr. BARTHOLOMEW also devotes his time to serving as both an NYSGA and USGA official, as well as serving as a long time director for the SDGA, while also spending time with his wife, Judy, who attended the ceremony and serves , as well, on the NYSGA, and various other golf organizations, in a voluntreer capacity. SDGA 2007 President MR. Neal Greenfield will present the SDGA 2007 MENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD, to MR. ZACH VINAL, from Syracuse, NY (Bellevue CC), in culmination of a season long annual men's competition series. VINAL topped fellow Bellevue CC members MR DAN MCCARTHY, MR JIM ROY, and MR BILL MOORE, JR for the SDGA 2007 MEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR title. VINAL's 2007 winning year was highlighted by both his victory in the 72 hole POST STANDARD AMATEUR, as well as his victory (partnering with his brother, Eric) in the SDGA 54 HOLE BETTER BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS. VINAL's golf year was also highlighted by his Top 5 finish (4th) in the SDGA's GERRY ASHE CHAMPIONSHIPS, and his fine performance in the NYS MEN'S STATE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS, where he had previously earned "exempt" status from local qualifying, and finished 3rd out of 144 local qualifiers, in the event's stroke play qualifying rounds. That 3rd place finish earned him a spot in the "Elite 32" Match Play finals. VINAL eventually reaching the round of 16, where he lost a close decision to former NYS Amateur Champion Andrew Di Bitetto (Rochester, NY) and finished T-9. SDGA wishes to congratulate MR. ZACH VINAL for his fine play in 2007!! VINAL (as well as his brother Eric) is well known in local golf circles, for both his excellent golf game and, as well, being a fine gentleman both on and off the golf course! SDGA is proud to have such a fine gentleman as MR. ZACH VINAL, as the SDGA's 2007 MENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR!! SYRACUSE DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION: also wishes to remember MR DICK DOWNING, longtime SDGA, NYSGA and USGA official, whom , as all local golfers know, gave tirelessly of his time, on behalf of the game of golf. Mr. Downing passed away earlier in 2007. The SDGA also wishes to remember many year competitor and all around nice guy, MR. CHRIS THOMAS, who also passed away, earlier in 2007.