How I got involved with The First Tee of WNY…
I have been involved with The First Tee of Western NY as a board member and then as Board President in 2017. I was introduced to the program at the Kids First Golf event 3 years ago as an invited guest. I recently retired from the information technology sector where I was the co-founder and CEO of Inergex (now Crossfuze). It was exciting, but after 32 years in the information technology business I was ready for a career change.
Golf Related
I am extremely passionate about the game. I am an avid reader/listener and certainly love all aspects of the game. If I only received the Golf Channel I am pretty sure that is all I would ever need as far as TV is concerned. I enjoy playing competitive events every year across NY State and I have been playing in the World Amateur in Myrtle Beach for over 10 years. My biggest claim to fame was when I was featured in Golf Magazine in several issues in 2014 as the face of the World Amateur Tournament 🙂 – without my knowing I was on billboards and posters.
I really enjoy analytics and statistics for managing risk and shot percentages, any sort of game improvement technology, bio-mechanics (as it relates to golf), swing analysis, the mental game/strategy and more. I coach High School Varsity golf in Alden in addition to coaching Varsity Tennis. I also volunteer as a rules official for the NYSGA for several state events each year. I believe that learning should be a lifelong venture.
Favorite current golfer: Rickie Fowler
Favorite golf legend: Bobby Jones
On the personal side…
I have been married almost 30 years and have an 19 year old son who is freshmen at the UB School of Architecture. My wife and I also took full custody of my 2 nephews when they were 11 and 12 (in 1999) and raised them through adulthood – both are in their early 30s today. Like most IT professionals I am a science/fantasy fiction nut and I play bass and guitar.
Fun Fact: I still roller disco from time to time…
Back to the First Tee of Western NY…
Having been intimate with The First Tee and the programming, I was excited to have the opportunity to get more engaged and have an impact on our growth and sustainability. I have aspirations to grow and expand The First Tee of Western NY into areas throughout the region so our programs can have a greater and lasting impact on the youth in our communities. I will be relying on our great coaches to do just that!! Our goal is not to produce the best golfers as part of a junior golf program, but to enhance the lives of our youth through the life lessons our programs teach.