The Board of Directors of the LPGA has unanimously elected Mollie Marcoux Samaan as its next Commissioner. Marcoux Samaan most recently served as Ford Family Director of Athletics at Princeton University, and she will become the ninth Commissioner of the LPGA since its formation in 1950.

She will succeed Commissioner Mike Whan who notified the LPGA Board late last year of his intent to step down in 2021. Whan was recently announced as the next Chief Executive Officer of the USGA. Marcoux Samaan will be working with the LPGA Board and the University to transition to her new role in the months ahead.

“Our selection of Mollie Marcoux Samaan as the LPGA’s next Commissioner is the outcome of an extensive and deliberate search process. The position attracted a diverse group of outstanding internal and external candidates, all passionate about the LPGA. We concluded that Mollie is the right leader to guide the LPGA’s next chapter of growth, impact and achievement,” said Diane Gulyas, Chair of the LPGA Board of Directors and the Search Committee. “Mollie understands the power of golf to change the lives of girls and women. As a values-centered leader, she’s known for her skills in collaboration, managing through complexity and building a winning team culture. In every role, she’s had an outstanding record of performance in navigating change, forging lasting partnerships, and seeing – and seizing – new opportunities,” Gulyas said.

“Our search process was disciplined and thorough. We were impressed and honored by the large number and quality of leaders interested in the LPGA. But in the end, Mollie stood above the rest. We were impressed by her track record working with athletes; with her ability to forge new and innovative partnerships; and with her personal passion, authenticity and proven persistence for excellence,” said Juli Inkster, World and LPGA Hall of Famer and a member of the Search Committee.

“I appreciate the LPGA’s history and the tenacity of its 13 Founders. I’m truly inspired by our Tour players and teaching professionals. I’m excited to dive into the LPGA initiatives to impact women and girls in the game at every age and ability. And, to learn about and contribute to all aspects of the LPGA’s business,” said Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “I believe passionately that sports have the power to change the world. And in this moment in time – with the positive energy around women’s sports, women’s leadership and society’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion – I believe the LPGA has an incredible opportunity to use our platform for positive change. I’ve devoted my career to developing character, confidence and opportunities through sports. My mission and the LPGA’s mission are fully aligned: providing women and girls the opportunity to achieve their dreams through golf.

“Under the leadership of Mike Whan and the executive team, the LPGA is strongly positioned for continued growth and impact. I’ll look forward to working with Mike and the leadership team to meet the many people and organizations that have been so integral to the LPGA’s success,” Marcoux Samaan continued. “With its committed sponsors and fans, talented players and members, and exceptional staff and Board, my role will be to continue the positive momentum and increase opportunities, awareness, impact and respect for the LPGA worldwide.”

Marcoux Samaan and her husband, Andrew Samaan, are the parents of three children: Maddie (17), Catie (15) and Drew (12).

Ed’s Outlook

The beautiful Old Westbury Golf & Country Club is hosting this year’s Metropolitan Golf Association Open Senior Championship August 30-31 at Old Westbury, NY.

The Men’s Senior 36 hole stroke play championship is open to professionals and amateurs who are members of an MGA club.

AmateurGolf.com members can see additional information, including current and past tournaments plus the AmateurGolf.comrankings and player of the year races for men, women and seniors.

Golf Tip

   By Robert Menges

Most golf courses have different tees to play from on each hole. They are called “Tee Markers” and are set up on the teeing area. In the past, most courses had red tees for women, white tees for amateurs and blue tees for advanced players. Most courses today refer to the tees as forward, middle and back tees, and some courses have as many as five different tee boxes to choose from. One problem I see with most golfers is trying to play a golf course that is too long for them. I believe a golfer should pick out a set of tees to play from that will allow them to enjoy the golf course and not get frustrated.

Some courses will recommend what tee you should play from based on your U.S.G.A. handicap, but not all golfers have a handicap, so they do not understand what that means.

On a typical scorecard you should be able to find out the total yardage of the course from each different set of tees.

The P.G.A. of America and the United States Golf Association started a program called “Tee It Forward.” Basically, this was designed to get golfers to move up to the tees that are best suited for his or her game. The program encourages golfers to play a course yardage based on how far they hit the ball off the tee. For example, if you drive the ball 250 yards off the tee you should play a course that is 6200 to 6400 yards in total distance for all 18 holes. As your driving distance goes down in length, you should play from the tees that make the course shorter in length. In doing this, it will allow the golfer to reach the green in less shots, thus making the round much more enjoyable.

You can look up the Tee It Forward Program to get a chart on the recommended yardages you should play based on your driving distance. If you play from the tees that are suited for your game you should see lower scores and enjoy yourself on the golf course.

Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. Call to see if he is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or 845-866-5567 or via email at bobmenges22@gmail.com

Golf calendar

Aug. 21: Carlson Outing, Tarry Brae, contact John Jaycox 845-866-6431.

Aug. 21: Drive to end Duchenne, Tennanah Lake, contact Justin Bowers, 607-348-7569.

Aug. 22: St. George’s Church, 1 p.m. Start, Swan Lake Golf Club, contact Bill Moloney or golf club at 845-292-0323.

Aug. 28: Liberty Elks Frank Finn Memorial 11 a.m. start, Swan Lake Golf Club, contact Bob Menges 845-292-0323.

Aug. 28: Napanoch Elks, Tarry Brae, contact Larry Navitsky, 845-706-0541.

Sept. 3: Inaugural Do Good Golf Outing, Tennanah Lake, Visit DoGoodSpirits.com.

Sept. 5: Sullivan West Football Tournament, Tennanah Lake, contact 607-498-5000.

Sept. 11: Monticello Rotary, contact Tarry Brae 845-434-2620.

Sept. 12: 1 p.m. Jeffersonville Lions Club, Swan Lake Golf Club, contact Doug Immoor 482-4061.

Sept. 18: A.O.H. Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day. 11 a.m start. contact Ed O’Malley, Swan Lake Golf Club 845-649-0911.

Sept. 19: Liberty Faculty Association 11 a.m. start, Swan Lake Golf Club, contact Liz Fuentes 631-560-6866.

Sept. 25: Monticello Basketball 11 a.m. start at Swan Lake Golf Club, contact Chris Russo 551-655-8281.

Oct. 2: Summitville FD, Tarry Brae, contact Tim Koestler 888-2007.

Oct. 9: County Cup, Tarry Brae, contact 845-434-2620.

Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the sport of golf and brings over 60-years of sports journalism experience in writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or score you age let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email to bght75@gmail.com or fax to 845-205-4474. View this column at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

Twin Village

Monday Mens

1. Husson & Husson 204.0
2. Thomas & Hendrickson 183.5
3. Reed & Odell 178.0
4. Brock & Brock 171.5
5. Tallman & Ackerly 169.0
6. Rampe & Clancy 168.0
7. Green & Glantzis 165.5
8. Bennett & Rowan 160.0
9. Templin & Lee 159.0
10. Murphy & Townsend 157.0
11. Clark & Mooney 157.0
12. Darbee & France 156.5
13. Madera & Diaz 154.0
14. Tucker & Smith 153.0
15. Haas & France 150.0
16. Ryder & Ryder 145.0
17. Harris & Spalding 143.0
18. Wood & Brosius 124.0

Tarry Brae

Tuesday Mens

1. Delacruz & Garcia
2. Diffenderfer & Fleischman
3. Johnson & Johnson
4. Pollock & Carey
5. Schneider & Garber
6. Sauchuk & Martin
7. Yaun & Gilmore
8. Kawauchi & Altbach
9. Rohrback & Jester
10. Simpson & Wolcott
11. Flores & Kukas
12. Bonsick & Cassaveh
13. Kurshetsky & Hinkley
14. Collette & Iqbal
15. Felter & Ward
16. Goldberg & Klugman

SWAN LAKE

Tuesday Night Birdie Division

1. D. Luczynski & M. Garigliano 137.0
2. Todd & Taylor VanKeuren 128.0
3. H. Keherley & J. Rhupert 127.0
4. M. Welsh & S. Duquette 123.0
5. P. Clifford & A. Hauser 122.5
6. T. Ditmar & N. Rusin 120.5
7. J. Merklin & Z. Cody 113.0
8. K. Torrens & M. Lagatutta 113.0
9. N. Bell & M. Freaney 109.5
10. C. Hicks & B. Garber 108.5
11. D. Byrne & T. Byrne 108.0
12. A. Atkins & R. Festa 102.0
13. N. Huggler & M. Murphy 102.0
14. T. Merklin & S. Austin 100.5
15. M. Williams & D. Divita 98.5
16. T. Osterhout & B. Meyer 71.0

Tuesday Night Par Division

1. K. Wheeler & S. Hamlin 127.5
2. T. Gallo & C. Roth 120.0
3. E. O’Malley & T. Ellison 119.5
4. Walter & Quitin Herzog 117.0
5. C. Roth & C. Roth 117.0
6. C. Schadt & W. Mall 116.5
7. J. Rusin & R. Ellison 115.0
8. J. Finn & J. Russell 113.5
9. J. Sazoff & S. Ottino 108.5
10. P. Fanning & A. Marciano 101.5
11. J. Frankie & R. Frankie 99.5
12. J. J. VanKeuren & T. Nieman 98.0
13. P. Donovan & K. Scheibe 96.0
14. K. Clifford & B. Menges 92.5
15. J. Tanous & J. Wilhelm 92.0
16. M. Diehl & A. Bradley 87.0

Wednesday Night

1. R. Schmidt & B. Russell 151.0
2. F. Barrett & D. Hendrickson 149.0
3. E. Stratton & M. Brand 146.0
4. W. Mall & F. Stabbert 137.0
5. D. Kuebler & R. O’Mara 134.0
6. P. Wegman & R. Lennon 130.0
7. J. Hinkley & P. Alden 124.0
8. T. Martin & T. Martin Jr. 123.0
9. R. Meihoffer & T. Doughty 120.0
10. D. Immoor & H. Tighe 109.0
11. G. Ziegler & J. Wunder 105.0
12. J. Fink & J. Graham 103.0
13. R. Heyman & J. Weinstein 97.5
14. R. Espsito & D. Hoskings 81.5

Tennanah Lake

Thursday Mens Palmer Div

1. Walsh & Simpson 165.5
2. Bowers & Edwards 163.5
3. Mershon & DeVantier 156.5
4. Stock & Wolcott 155.5
5. Bowers & Green 149.0
6. Parucki & Fedun 148.0
7. Haas & Tucker 147.5
8. Taggert & Taggert 146.5
9. McGreevy & Estabrook 146.0
10. Seibert & Bury 142.0
11. Reimer & Tesseyman 138.5
12. Calkin & Schumacker 137.5
13. Cassevah & Bridges 135.0
14. Roseo & Tallman 134.0
15. Leewe & Diehl 133.5
16. Strauss & Sager 127.5
17. Giordano & Nogin 118.0
18. Mershon & Panagakos 108.0