Historically, the MSGA has held an in-person Annual Meeting at the incoming President’s home club. Due to COVID-19 that will not be possible, so we are celebrating our champions, players of the year, award recipients, and newly elected officers online this year. The MSGA hosted a brief Annual Meeting at 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 11th primarily to nominate and elect two new officers to the Board of Directors. All MSGA member clubs were invited to participate in the virtual meeting in addition to MSGA Board members and staff.
Player of the Year
Timothy Kane, from Kensington, Maryland and a member of Columbia Country Club earned the Player of the Year title for 2020. Kane won the Player of the Year with 655 points, a mere 45 points ahead of runner-up Charlie Winegardner from The Cannon Club. He earned points in the following events: Maryland Amateur, Maryland Open, Maryland Mid-Amateur, Maryland Four-Ball Championship, Washington Metropolitan Amateur, and the Washington Metropolitan Mid-Amateur. Most notably in 2020, he finished tied for second in the Washington Metropolitan Mid-Amateur at Montgomery Country Club with a 71.
Senior Player of the Year
Vance Welch, from Fulton, Maryland and a member of Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club earned the Senior Player of the Year title for 2020. Welch won the Senior Player of the Year with 530 points, which was 220 more points than the runner-up, Tom Winegardner from The Cannon Club. This marked Welch’s second title, since twelve years ago he was awarded the MSGA Player of the Year. He earned points in the following events: Maryland Amateur, Maryland Open, Maryland Senior Amateur, Washington Metropolitan Mid-Amateur, Washington Metropolitan Senior Amateur, and the Middle Atlantic Senior Amateur. Most notably in 2020, Welch won the 92nd Maryland Senior Amateur Championship at Rolling Rolling with rounds of 70 and 74.
2020 Champions:
- Men’s Amateur – William Peel, IV
- Women’s Amateur – Jordan Cornelius
- Men’s Open – Josh Speight (pro)
- Women’s Open – Xiaolin Tian (amateur)
- Men’s Senior Open – Rick Shuller
- Men’s Mid-Am – Billy Wingerd
- Women’s Mid-Am – Donna Woodruff
- Men’s Senior – Vance Welch
- Women’s Senior – Kimbra Benson
- Junior Boys – Michael Crowley, Jr.
- Junior Girls – Bailey Davis
- Men’s Four-Ball – Keegan Boone & Michael Mulieri
- Men’s Senior Four-Ball – Steve Block & Richard Holland
- Mixed Two-Ball: Elisabeth Herzfeld-Rice & Matt Rice
- Two-Woman Team: Caroline Barbeau & Christina Hui
- Two-Woman Mid-Handicap: Geri Smyth & Pat Erdly
- Men’s Team Championship – Manor Country Club
- Women’s Team Championship – Norbeck Country Club
- Men’s Senior Team Championship – Manor Country Club
Scholarship Recipients:
The Maryland State Golf Association Scholarship was organized in 2006 for exclusively charitable and educational purposes, including to award educational scholarships to individuals employed by MSGA member clubs/courses and/or their children, and to students having completed their junior year of high school with a bona fide connection to the game of golf. There have been 46 scholarship recipients totaling $176,750.
The David King Scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving student in the amount of $2,500. The scholarship is funded by Dave King’s financial gift to the MSGA. Mr. King won the following MSGA Championships: Amateur (1969&1971), Mid-Amateur (1987), Senior Amateur (1999), three Mixed Two-Balls, and was a member of three Bethesda CC State Championship Teams. He is the only person to have won the MSGA Amateur, Mid-Amateur and Senior Amateur.
In addition to the MSGA Scholarships, the MSGA sponsors the Emmet Gary Scholarship which is presented annually to agronomy students at the University of Maryland. A total of $12,00 in scholarships are awarded annually. Since 1969, there have been 162 recipients who have received scholarships totaling $373,476. Many of the students have gone on to become golf course superintendents in Maryland and across the country.
In 2017, the MSGA-Women’s Division established the Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation Scholarship, in the amount of $2,000, to be awarded annually to a female student who has completed her junior year of high school and has a bona fide connection to golf. Additionally, the Country Club of Maryland generously granted a $2,500 scholarship through the MSGA for the first time in 2020.
- MSGA Scholarships:
- William Andrews – William & Mary
- Sarah Rose Craft – University of Georgia
- Tyler Ebersole – University of Alabama
- Michael Weller – University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
- Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation Scholarship:
Payton Ainsley Smith – University of Lynchburg - Country Club of Maryland Scholarship Recipient:
Raja Shahzaib Hussain – University of Maryland - David King Scholarship Recipient:
Jordan Steinbach – Virginia Tech - Emmet Gary Scholarship Recipients:
- Jacob Hess
- Daniel McGee
- Benjamin Word
Board of Director Elections:
The previously elected directors will continue to serve on the Board of Directors: Moose Brown, John Pauliny, Diane Herndon, Ted Florenz, Cliff Patterson, Robert Stewart, Sinclair Eaddy, Jan Miller, Rebecca Krimski, Jack Barse, Michael Hinkey, Bob Van Namen. Newly elected officers for three-year terms are Armando DelToro and Susan Daley.
Message from the Outgoing President, Alexander (Sandy) B. Martin:
First, thank you to all. It has been the best ten years of my golf life. I see the ten years in three parts:
Past –
I was honored to be asked to join the board in 2010.
I have been so lucky to see so many players develop.
I have seen the game change and rules change.
I have played courses that are hidden jewels.
Personally, I have developed a huge respect for the time dedicated by all members of Maryland state golf and I have loved every minute.
Present –
Oh my, what a year 2020 was. As our season kicked off, all events were cancelled due to an unprecedented pandemic, COVID-19. We kept all communications open and finally we were allowed to play safely and hold the Maryland State Amateur at Green Spring Valley Hunt Club. A few more tournaments followed with covid protocol. Masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing being the protocol. This year was challenging in so many ways. Sports is the one constant and golf remained strong.
Future –
Golf’s future is bright. The game’s history with the ever evolving rule changes, the current talented youth and youth programs, and of course the seniors are components of strength as we move into the future. Also, the commitment volunteers make contributing to making it the greatest game.
When I was a young golfer carrying my bag, I was told this is an even playing field and you have to be a strong player and devote time to grow into the golfer you want to be. A tall order!
Also, I was told this is the venue you will grow the most in so many areas. One, athletically and two, you will meet people from all over the world who you will cross paths with in the future. Lastly, what impressed me at a young age, golf taught me honesty and character and that I could play this game anywhere in the world. All of the above came true and has been invaluable!
In summary, many thanks go out to the board for allowing me to serve as your President. We are extremely lucky to have a wonderful staff to make our job seamless. A special thank you goes to our retiring executive chairman Bill Smith who we will all miss. We do have in place his successor Kelly Newland to take the reigns and lead us on.
Also, good luck to Moose Brown who is our new President. Please know Moose, I will always be available to help in any way and if you need any older guidance.
Thank you for an amazing 10 years,
Alexander (Sandy) B. Martin
Message from the Incoming President, Moose Brown:
First, Let me thank Mr. A. B. (Sandy) Martin, our Immediate Past President for his tenure on this board and his leadership during this most difficult year in 2020.
I would also like to congratulate our MSGA Player of the Year, Mr. Tim Kane of Columbia Country Club, and Senior Player of the Year Mr. Vance Welch of Hobbits Glen Golf Club, our Men’s Amateur Champion for the second year in a row Mr. Billy Peel of Columbia Country Club, and our Women’ Amateur Champion Ms. Jordan Cornelius of Bethesda Country Club. A list of all the 2020 champions are available on our website (www.msga.org), and each of the champions are to be congratulated.
As we look forward to 2021, the Maryland State Golf Association has a special year planned for the Centennial Year of the organization. First is the inaugural class of the Maryland Golf Hall of Fame in conjunction with a Centennial celebration and our ability to host our signature events at the original clubs 100 years later, Men’s Amateur (Rolling Road Golf Club), Men’s Open (Baltimore Country Club), and Women’s Amateur (Elkridge Club)
I look forward to working with the MSGA Board and Staff as the President (5th from Rolling Road). I would also like to acknowledge and welcome our newest board members Mr. Armando DelToro and Mrs. Susan Daley.
Finally, I would like to thank Mr. William K. Smith for his endless contributions to the Maryland State Golf Association over the past 40 years. Bill is leaving the MSGA in the good hands of our new Executive Director, Kelly Newland who I look forward to working with in 2021. We all wish Bill and Sharon the best in retirement.
