Golf column: Cart provision wasn't right for Staten Island Amateur

Before it gets too far behind us, a few final words on the Staten Island Amateur beyond congratulations to champion Rodney Stilwell and a salute to runnerup Lou Buttermark Jr. for his excellent play and the style in which he performed.

In our opinion, if not in the official record, the 2013 version of the Staten Island Amateur will always carry an asterisk next to it.

There was a change in the format for no good reason when all players were permitted to ride in motorized carts for the first time in the 63-year history of the tournament. The weather was ideal for the duration of the tournament and the danger of heat exhaustion was never a threat.

Since 1950 when the founders Buddy Barnett, Harold Brown, Stanley Roggenburgh and Frank Markey re-launched the Amateur, players were required to walk the course. In recent years, with the arrival of motorized carts, caddies were permitted to drive carts with the player?s golf clubs in tow.

However, golfers at no time were permitted to ride or even sit in the vehicle during a round. That changed this year when players were permitted to ride in the cart with the excuse given that the field included many senior players who could find the going a bit tough.

All amateur tournaments (except senior events) sanctioned by the USGA, MGA and any reputable golf organization require players to walk, and that requirement is clearly stated on the entry form.

The Staten Island Amateur has always been considered to be a test of golf as well as endurance. This change was unfair to the younger players when the endurance part of the test was adjusted for older players.

Isn?t this why we have a Staten Island Senior Amateur for the over-50 players?

Hats off to Buttermark, the 58-year-old finalist, who stayed with tradition and ?hoofed it? all the way through the tournament. His dad, 86-year-old Lou Sr., said he would have entered had he known he could ride. ?

CATCHING UP? ?

Frank Esposito won the NJSGA Open Championship for the second time back in July by defeating a strong field including former PGA tour pros Jim McGovern and Bill Britton.

Esposito is a former Staten Island resident and part of the golfing Esposito family that frequented Island courses back in the 1960s, ?70s and 80s. The same Frank Esposito defeated Vic Avis to win the 1985 Staten Island Amateur before turning professional. Now at 50 years of age, Esposito is head pro at Brooklake CC in Florham Park, N.J. and this victory is a repeat of his win in 1999. Esposito pocketed $15,000 for his recent win and we wonder if he is thinking Champions Tour.

Speaking of local pros, both Pete Meurer and Anthony Aruta will be teeing it up in the Met Open at Old Westbury Tuesday morning. ?

ACES? ?

Lou Clemente of the LaTourette staff won?t ever forget the date of the ace he scored on the 3rd hole at LaTourette. It was on Jan. 9 ? within hours of the birth of his grandson Brandon Michael Daniel Clemente.

Tony Hooks traveled to Sunningdale CC in Scarsdale, N.Y. only to find he?d forgotten his clubs. He borrowed clubs from the home pro and scored his very first hole-in-one. ?

OUTINGS? ?

-- The 12th annual Drive for Autism outing is on for Monday, Sept. 16 at Royce Brook GC in Hillsborough, N.J. The Trezza family, Thomas, Tara and Tony have been extremely successful in getting their many friends out each year to support this worthwhile cause either playing golf in the outing or making a donation to Drive for Autism Foundation, a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. The Drive for Autism XII has thus far distributed $450,000 in grants to schools.

?Raising money is what we do, however we are also raising awareness in communities and schools,? said Tom Trezza.

We can tell you that this is one of the most popular and complete golf outings you will find and we strongly suggest contacting Tom Trezza at 908-665-8068 or Tony Trezza at 718-494-0141 and get your entry in. The complete golf package is $200 per person.

-- The first Strokes for Life Golf Tournament will take place at LaTourette on Sept. 10. The event highlights include continental breakfast by The Beer Garden and J&J Breads. Dine Around the Greens featuring Rudy and Deans, Afternoones, Jimmy Max, Moe?s Southwestern Grill, The Manor House and the Beer Garden.

There will be putting, long drive, closest to the pin and most accurate drive contests.

The golf will be followed by a cocktail reception and dinner at the PepperJack Grill with music by Tom Cintula and art by Scott LoBaido. Golf begins at 8 a.m. followed by a cocktail reception at 2 p.m. and the dinner party at 3 p.m. The ticket price for all is $150 and dinner only is $50. Call 718-816-6366 for reservations and additional information. This event is a mission to support suicide prevention. ?

Source: http://www.silive.com/golf/index.ssf/2013/08/golf_column_cart_provision_was.html

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