(L to R) Player of the Year, Charlie Winegardner, of Old South CC, and Senior Player of the Year, Kevin Allis, Hobbit's Glen GC, were recognized and congratulated for their achievements at the 98th MSGA annual meeting.
The 98th annual meeting of the Maryland State Golf Association was held November 16, 2018 at the Chevy Chase Club. Among the features was the election of officers, headed by Brian Fitzgerald, president, from the host club, and including the first African-American board member, and Dawson Stump Award recipients.
With the slate of officers each moving up a notch, including re-elected secretary Dr. Robert Sherwood, Columbia CC, and re-elected treasurer John Pauliny, Hillendale CC, the newest vice president was introduced. He is Sinclair Eaddy, from Baltimore, a member of the CC of Maryland. “I’m honored to be the [MSGA’s] first African-American board member,” he said, an example of the organization’s expanding diversity. It had previously elected its first woman vice-president, Diane Herndon, of Argyle CC.
Following a banking career, Eaddy, a graduate of St. Paul’s School and Franklin & Marshall College, was executive director of The First Tee of Baltimore, and currently serves as director of Up2Us Sports, a non-profit sponsor of youth sports programs around the country.
A graduate of Loyola University Baltimore, where he was captain of the golf team his senior year, Fitzgerald brings a wealth of business background to the presidency. He has been in the commercial real estate industry for 34 years, and is president and CEO of Royco Industries, a real estate investment company.
Out-going president Jan Miller, of Baltimore CC, was recognized for his years of service by Fitzgerald. “He undertook the task of modernizing our by-laws to better define members, whether they be clubs, courses, or individuals. Additionally, he led us to redefine the organizational structure of our board. We were so impressed with this that we have asked him to serve another year as an at-large member of our board so he could see this project through to the finish.”
The MSGA surprised its executive director, William K. Smith, with its Dawson Stump Award, the first of two to be presented during the evening. Named for a former MSGA president and treasurer who devoted more than 40 years of service to the association, it recognizes exemplary service in administration or a player who has performed at an exemplary level in national and international competition.
Smith has been associated with the MSGA for 34 years, starting as board member, serving as president and later secretary and treasurer, and since 2000 as executive director. In his latest position, he has implemented a long list of improvements to the MSGA, most recently bringing a permanent headquarters to fruition. Additionally, he has served on the USGA’s Regional Affairs committee and as a rules official.
The other Stump Award was presented to Marty West, III, from Rockville and Columbia CC. For the last 50 years, he has competed successfully at the highest levels of the game, including qualifying for 18 U.S. Amateurs, playing on two Walker Cup teams and one World Amateur team on his way to some 40 appearances in USGA events. Area accomplishments are too numerous to mention all, but they include 45 MSGA titles, including nine Amateurs and three Opens; 12 Washington Metropolitan titles, including two Amateurs, and nine Middle Atlantic titles, including five Amateurs.
Despite all these accolades, golf ranks only third in importance in his life behind his church and his family. Mention his name and it isn’t the golf that’s important — it’s his humble character and his sportsmanship. Bobby Morris, a friend, fellow competitor, and teammate for most of the last 50 years, saluted West with recollections of their past, a most impressive and heartfelt presentation.
Each year, the meeting recognizes various scholarship winners:
MSGA — For individuals and/or their children employed at member clubs and courses and students at least a high school junior with a connection to the game of golf. Awarded to Adam Haviland, a two-time State High School championship qualifier, and an All-County selection, he is a senior planning to pursue a course in golf course management and exercise science.
David King — Funded by the only player to win the MSGA’s Amateur, Mid-Amateur, and Senior Amateur. Awarded to Ski Squires, a Towson University junior, who is pursuing a degree in business administration. He has worked at Caves Valley GC since 2013.
Caves Valley GC — Founded by the MSGA-Women’s Division, given annually to a female high school student who has completed her junior year and has a bona fide connection to golf. Awarded to Emily Malinowski, a Stephen Decatur High School senior, planning to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering. She is captain of the varsity golf team, a member of the National Honor Society, and has coordinated a Junior golf camp at Ocean Pines GC.
Emmet Gary — Sponsored by the MSGA, presented annually to agronomy students at the University of Maryland. Awarded to Brendan Keane, Kurtis Sommer, and Nobil Ibrahim.
Scholarship Renewals — Raja Hussain, University of Maryland; William Kreps, University of Dayton; Anthony Broc Petersen, George Mason University; Jordan Steinbach, Virginia Tech University; Grant Zangwill, Georgetown University.
Reported by John Stewart
