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Inductee

Thomas J. Leonard, Jr.

Thomas J. Leonard, Jr.

Thomas J. Leonard Jr. was born in Nashua, New Hampshire in 1918. The son of 1922 New Hampshire State Amateur Champion Thomas J. Leonard Sr, “Tommy” won his first state title in 1937, with the New Hampshire Junior Championship. In 1939, he embarked on what would be a record-breaking streak of State Amateur titles. When World War II broke out, Tommy served as a pilot in the European Theater for two and a half years. After the war, he returned to golf, winning six consecutive titles from 1947-1952, for a total of eight State Amateur titles. In 1947, Tommy became the first amateur to win the New Hampshire Open Championship.

He played in six US Amateur Championships, including the 1948 Amateur in Memphis, where he lost in the second round, in 21 holes, to Julios Boros.  Boros went on to become a PGA tour standout.

One of Tommy’s ambitions was to win a New England Amateur Championship. Although that crown eluded him, he reached the finals twice, the semi-finals twice and the quarterfinals three times.

Tommy Leonard’s record of eight State Amateur titles held for 48 years, until it was beaten by fellow New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame inductee, Bob Meilcarz, at Bretwood Golf Club in 2000. His record of six consecutive wins still stands today.  

Thomas J. Leonard Jr. set the bar for amateur golfers in the Granite State.  Based on his accomplishments, the New Hampshire Golf Association Player of the Year Award is in his name.

 

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Inductee

Philip Pleat

2019 New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Phil Pleat

Phil Pleat

Phil is the most decorated male golfer in New Hampshire having won a total of twenty New Hampshire Golf Association titles in years ranging from 1981 to 2017.  In those 37 years, he collected three New Hampshire Amateur titles (1981, 1985, 1997), eight New Hampshire Mid-Amateur titles (1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2012), three New Hampshire Stroke Play titles (2002, 2003, 2005), and six New Hampshire Senior titles (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).  Accompanying those accomplishment, he has been named the New Hampshire Thomas J. Leonard Jr. Player of the Year three times and the New Hampshire Senior Player of the Year six times.

On a regional basis, Phil won back-to-back New England Senior Amateur Championships in 2016 and 2017.

Twenty is a common number in Phil’s accomplishment as he has competed in twenty USGA championships over the years.  Notably, he finished runner-up in the 2011 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship held at Kinloch Golf Club in Virginia.  Some of his more memorable experiences have come from competing alongside his son, James, in the 2012 U.S. Amateur Championship and as Four Ball partners in the 2017 U.S. Amateur Four Ball Championship.

Phil joins his father-in-law, Thomas J. Leonard, Jr. as an inductee into the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame.

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Inductee

Laura Shanahan-Rowe, LPGA

Laura Shanahan-Rowe, LPGAWith accomplishments spanning both the amateur and professional side of golf, Laura Shanahan-Rowe is well-deserving of this honor.  On the amateur side, one of her greatest accomplishments is winning the 2001 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, becoming the first female in New Hampshire to win a USGA event.  She also took home titles at the New Hampshire Women’s Golf Association Championship in 1999 and 2002 and the New England Women’s Golf Association Championship in 2002. 

Professionally, she has competed in numerous LPGA events and The Legends Tour events, gathering Top-3 finishing spots along the way.  In 2008, she won the LPGA T&CP (Teachers and Club Pros) Championship held at Pinehurst.  Regionally, she won the 2014 and 2016 New England Women’s Open and finished second in the 2004 Massachusetts Women’s Open.  She competed in the inaugural USGA Senior Women’s Open in 2018 and again in 2019, with a top 20 finish, which earns her an exemption into the 2020 U.S. Senior Women’s Open. 

Still competing around the country, Laura finished second in the Senior Division of the LPGA T&CP Championship this year and headed to French Lick, IN to compete in the LPGA Senior Championship just before the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. 

Currently, she is a sought-after Teaching Professional at Sagamore Golf Center in North Hampton, NH, a role which she has been in since 2009.

 

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Inductee

Stan Lencki, Sr., PGA

Stan Lencki, Sr., PGA

Stan Lencki, Sr., PGAStan Lencki’s service to the game of golf as a PGA Professional for over 50 years has earned him his place in the NH Golf Hall of Fame. 

Stan served as an Assistant Golf Professional under Joe Makara at Manchester Country Club from 1956-1979.  From there, he took over the position of Head Golf Professional at MCC from 1979-2000.  In May of 2000 he was honored with a “Lifetime Achievement” award from the New England PGA and presented a lifetime membership to MCC for his 50 years of service. 

Additionally, a permanently endowed McDonough Scholarship was named in his honor and in 2001, the McDonough Foundation created the Stan Lencki Distinguished Service Award.  He was well-known for frequently declining to be honored by the New Hampshire Chapter of the NEPGA for its “Teacher of the Year” and “Professional of the Year” awards, but finally accepted the “Professional of the Year” honor in October of 2000 upon the announcement of his retirement.

 

 

 

 

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Press Release

Jane Blalock Set to be Inducted into Inaugural Class of New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame

The New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Committee is happy to announce the latest addition to the inaugural class of the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame, Jane Blalock. Along with the nine other individuals being inducted, Blalock will be recognized for her numerous accomplishments in both her amateur and professional playing career.
A native of Portsmouth, Blalock’s success as an amateur began is 1965 when she won the New Hampshire Women’s Golf Association Amateur Championship. She won that championship again in 1966 and 1968, with fellow inductee Pat Bradley winning in 1967. Blalock also earned success regionally as she claimed the New England Women’s Amateur Championship title in 1968 and was a vital member of the Rollins College golf team, winning the Florida Intercollegiate Championship in that same year. With a successful amateur career behind her, she turned professional and went on to win 27 LPGA Tour titles and played in 299 consecutive tournaments without missing a cut, a record unmatched on either the LPGA or PGA TOUR.
Her accomplishments extend outside of the playing arena. She was instrumental in the creation of the Legends Tour, the official senior tour of the LPGA and helped create the LPGA Golf Clinics for Women. A member of the Legends Golf Hall of Fame, she was also inducted into the New England Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and named the New Hampshire Athlete of the Century in 2000. Her close ties to New Hampshire and her outstanding achievements make her name synonymous with the game of golf in the Granite State.
The New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame was established in 2018 to recognize individuals for their contributions to the game of golf in the Granite State. The Hall of Fame seeks to identify those who have had a profound effect on the game through accomplishments in playing, volunteerism, teaching, or any activity that has made a positive impact on the game within New Hampshire.
The complete 2018 class includes Bob Mielcarz, Jesse Guilford, Dana Harrity, Robert ‘Doc’ Elliott, Bill Barrett, Kirk Hanefeld, PGA, Tony Loch, PGA, Phil Friel, PGA, Pat Bradley and Jane Blalock.
The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 18th at Manchester Country Club. The event will be open to the public with tickets available for purchase soon.

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Press Release

New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Committee Announces Professional Golfers to be Inducted into Inaugural Class

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Committee is excited to announce the remaining individuals that are to be inducted into the inaugural class.  As the selection process is complete the committee is announcing the professional golfers that have been selected based on their professional accomplishments. Those golfers are: Kirk Hanefeld, PGA, Tony Loch, PGA, Phil Friel, PGA, and Pat Bradley.
The New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame was established in 2018 to recognize individuals for their contributions to the game of golf in the Granite State. The Hall of Fame seeks to identify those who have had a profound effect on the game through accomplishments in playing, volunteerism, teaching, or any activity that has made a positive impact on the game within New Hampshire.
“New Hampshire is a state rich in golf history and tradition. It only seemed fitting that those individuals that have made such a profound impact on the game should be honored through the creation of the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame. The establishment of the HOF has been a process that has taken more than a year and we’re thrilled with the individuals that will be formally inducted this fall. I want to thank the Hall of Fame Committee, and in particular Chair Dave Larrivee, for all of the hard work that has gone in to the selection of the first class”, says NHGA Executive Director, Matt Schmidt.
On July 8th, the amateur golfers and contributors to the game that will be inducted in October were announced. The complete 2018 class includes Bob Mielcarz, Jesse Guilford, Dana Harrity, Robert ‘Doc’ Elliott, Bill Barrett, Kirk Hanefeld, PGA, Tony Loch, PGA, Phil Friel, PGA, and Pat Bradley.
The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 18th at Manchester Country Club. The event will be open to the public with tickets available for purchase later this summer.
Kirk Hanefeld, PGA
Kirk Hanefeld was a stand-out junior golfer in New Hampshire.  He won both the New Hampshire Junior Championship and the Red Ryan CYO tournament three times.  He then went on to win the New Hampshire Amateur Championship two times and won the New England Amateur Championship following that.  Since turning professional, he has won five State Opens, including the New Hampshire Open, and has participated in 3 PGA TOUR majors and 26 PGA TOUR Champions majors.  Hanefeld has made 71 starts on the PGA TOUR Champions since joining in 2006.  He currently holds the position of Director of Instruction at Salem Country Club in Massachusetts.
Tony Loch, PGA
Tony Loch has been a PGA Professional for over 50 years, serving the majority of that time as Head Golf Professional at Portsmouth Country Club.  During this time, he helped start the New Hampshire Chapter of the New England PGA and was part of a group of five individuals who started the Seacoast Amateur Golf Championship.  Over the years he has won over 100 Pro-Am tournaments throughout New England and was named the New Hampshire Chapter Professional of the Year in 1978.  Loch has enjoyed a long and distinguished golf career in New Hampshire.
Phil Friel, PGA
Phil Friel contributed to New Hampshire golf from the professional playing side along with building golf courses around New England.  On the playing side, Friel has won the New Hampshire Open, Maine Open, and New England PGA Championship.  He has competed in seven PGA Championships and was inducted into the New England Professional Golfers’ Association Hall of Fame in 1996.  He was the former Head Golf Professional at three different golf courses before building his first course, Green Meadow Golf Club.  He ended up owning 10 golf courses throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine.
Pat Bradley
Pat Bradley is a well-known name around the golf industry.  She began her playing days as an amateur, winning both the New Hampshire Women’s Golf Association Championship and the New England Women’s Golf Association Championship twice.  After joining the LPGA in 1974, she went on to win 31 titles.  She made four Solheim Cup appearances and has been named the LPGA Player of the Year two times.  Bradley was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1991 for her numerous accomplishments.
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Press Release

New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Set to Induct Inaugural Class in October

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Golf Association (NHGA), New Hampshire Women’s Golf Association (NHWGA), New Hampshire Chapter of the New England PGA (NHPGA), and the New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendent’s Association (NHGCSA) are excited to announce the creation of the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame.  In conjunction with the 115th playing of the New Hampshire Amateur Championship, the committee is announcing the amateur golfers and contributors that will be inducted into the inaugural class of the Hall of Fame.  Those inductees include:  Bob Mielcarz, Jesse Guilford, Dana Harrity, Robert ‘Doc’ Elliot, and Bill Barrett.
In addition to the five amateurs and contributors, the professional golfers being inducted will be announced in conjunction with the New Hampshire Open Championship taking place July 23-25.
The New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame was established in 2018 to recognize individuals for their contributions to the game of golf in the Granite State. The Hall of Fame seeks to identify those who have had a profound effect on the game through accomplishments in playing, volunteerism, teaching, or any activity that has made a positive impact on the game within New Hampshire.
“New Hampshire is a state rich in golf history and tradition. It only seemed fitting that those individuals that have made such a profound impact on the game should be honored through the creation of the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame. The establishment of the HOF has been a process that has taken more than a year and we’re thrilled with the individuals that will be formally inducted this fall. I want to thank the Hall of Fame Committee, and in particular Chair Dave Larrivee, for all of the hard work that has gone in to the selection of the first class”, says NHGA ExecutivE Director, Matt Schmidt.
The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 18th at Manchester Country Club. The event will be open to the public with tickets available for purchase at a later date.
Bob Mielcarz
Bob Mielcarz is the winningest player in the history of the New Hampshire Amateur Championship.  He racked up nine State Amateur titles with his first coming in 1977 and the most recent in 2000.  He is the only player to have won the Amateur in four different decades.  Making his mark on New Hampshire golf, he also won the NH Senior Championship three times, has been named the NH Player of the Year three times, and the NH Senior Player of the Year two times.  He has competed in three U.S. Senior Amateur Championships, advancing to the quarterfinals in 2005.
Jesse Guilford
Three-time New Hampshire Amateur Champion, three-time Massachusetts Amateur Champion, and 1921 U.S. Amateur Champion, Jesse Guilford is to be inducted for his many amateur golf accomplishments.  Guilford was a member of three of the first four Walker Cup teams where the U.S. won all three times he was a part of the team.  As a founding member of Intervale Country Club, Guilford set the bar for New Hampshire amateur golfers in the early years of competitive golf in the Granite State.
Dana Harrity
As a 16-time New Hampshire Women’s Golf Association Championship winner, Dana Harrity is the most decorated female amateur golfer in the Granite State.  Adding to those accomplishments, she has also won the NHWGA Senior Championship two times, bringing her NHWGA victory total to 18.  On a larger scale, she won the New England Women’s Golf Association Championship in 2014 and has competed in seven U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championships.  From 2015 to 2017 she led the NHWGA has President.
Robert ‘Doc’ Elliott
Doc Elliott served as Secretary and Treasurer of the New Hampshire Golf Association for 35 years beginning in 1963.  During that time, the NHGA’s activities expanded to include the 36-hole stroke play qualifying to determine the 64-player match play field for the New Hampshire Amateur Championship, the creation of the New Hampshire Senior Championship in 1972, the creation of the New Hampshire Mid-Amateur Championship in 1984, and creation of the Father/Son (now known as the Parent-Child) Championship in 1990.
Bill Barrett
Bill Barrett is highly recognized for his work at a golf course superintendent.  He served eight years at superintendent at Portsmouth Country Club and was involved in the building of the 12th hole there.  Barrett was a co-founder of the New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendent’s Association (NHGCSA) and was instrumental in the establishment of the by-laws that are still in use today.
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Inductee

Bob Mielcarz

Bob Mielcarz

Bob MielcarzBob Mielcarz is regarded as the most winning State Amateur golfer in New Hampshire. He has racked up nine New Hampshire Amateur titles over the years (1977-1979, 1982, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2000). He is the only player to have won the State Amateur in four different decades. Out of the ten times he has reached the 36-hole final match, he has only lost one time.
Adding to his accomplishments, Mielcarz has won the New Hampshire Senior Amateur Championship three times (2005, 2010, 2015). He has been named the Thomas J. Leonard Jr. Player of the Year three times (1993, 1995, 2006) and has been named the New Hampshire Senior Player of the Year two times (2007 and 2009).
Mielcarz has competed for New Hampshire in the USGA State Team Championship in 1995 and 1997. He competed in the 2004, 2005, and 2007 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship; in 2005 he advanced to the quarterfinals and made match play in 2007.
A member a Concord Country Club, Mielcarz is still playing competitively within New Hampshire.
 

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Inductee

Tony Loch

Tony Loch

Tony Loch has been a PGA Professional for over Tony Loch50 years in the Granite State, serving the majority of that time as Head Golf Professional at Portsmouth Country Club.
During this time, he helped start the New Hampshire Chapter of the New England PGA and was part of a group of five individuals who started the Seacoast Amateur Golf Championship. He has served as the New Hampshire Chapter Tournament Chairman, on the New Hampshire Chapter Board of Directors, and on the New England PGA Board of Directors.
Over the years he has won over 100 Pro-Am tournaments throughout New England and was named the New Hampshire Chapter Professional of the Year in 1978. He won the New Hampshire Chapter Championship in 1977 and 1984.
Loch has had a great career in the golf industry in New Hampshire.

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Inductee

Dana Harrity

Dana Harrity is a the most decorated female amateur golfer in the Granite State. She has won the New Hampshire Women’s Golf Association Championship a total of 16 times (1982, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992-1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2014). She has also won the NHWGA Senior Championship twice, 2015 and 2017. In 2016, she was named the NHWGA Player of the Year.
On a larger scale, Harrity won the New England Women’s Golf Association Championship in 2014 and has competed in seven U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championships (2010, 2012-2017). She also competed in the 1996 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
Harrity currently resides in North Hampton, NH. From 2015-2017 she led the NHWGA is their President. She and her husband currently own Candia Woods Golf Links and The Oaks Golf Links, both well-established golf courses in New Hampshire.