Author: Kate

Categories
Press Release

Upcoming New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Class Set to Include Danny Arvanitis, Larry Gallagher, PGA and Tom DiFonzo

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Nominating Committee is excited to announce three individuals set to be included into the Class of 2024.  Danny Arvanitis, Larry Gallagher, PGA, and Tom DiFonzo will be inducted for their accomplishments and contributions to the game of golf here in New Hampshire.  All worthy inductees, each has made their own mark on the game through amateur golf accolades, professional and teaching contributions and through their leadership in advocating for the sustainability of the game and the promotion of responsible golf course maintenance practices.  The New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Committee is proud to be honoring each of these individuals at the upcoming ceremony being held at Manchester Country Club on November 7th.
 
Danny Arvanitis, a golfer who has made a name for himself around the state through his amateur playing accomplishments, feels honored to be chosen and to be joining an elite group of golfers who have been inducted in previous years.  He stated, “To be included with those inductees already in is special.  Phil Pleat, Bob Mielcarz, Kirk Hanefeld and Rich Parker are players in my era that I have played with and against.  They are a special talent.  I have tremendous respect for them as players and people.”
 
“What an honor to be chosen and it is something I will cherish the rest of my life”, continued Arvanitis.
 
Arvanitis’ accomplishments include winning the 2001 New Hampshire Amateur Championship, winning four New Hampshire Mid-Amateur Championships, and most recently, winning the 2022 New Hampshire Senior Championship.  As a lifelong member of Derryfield Country Club in Manchester, Arvanitis has claimed 12 Manchester City Championship titles, the most any golfer has won.  He has also competed in 13 USGA championship events over the years.  As he continues to compete against the top in the state, Arvanitis finds the time to give back to the game as he has been the head coach of The Derryfield School golf team since 2011.
 
Dedication and love for the game have been at the heart and soul of Larry Gallagher’s career.  Gallagher started playing golf in high school and acquired his first job at North Conway Country Club in 1970.  From there, he turned Professional and worked his way up through the PGA program.  He landed back at North Conway in 1991 where he served as Head Golf Professional for 25 years.  During his tenure at North Conway, Gallagher had a successful playing career and found even more success with the teaching and mentorship part of the job.
 
In 2001, Gallagher and his wife Kathy designed and trademarked The Liberty Ball which raised over $30,000 for The Red Cross as well as The Police and Firefighters Women’s and Children’s Fund of NYC.  Their efforts in raising funds through The Liberty Ball were recognized by President George H. W. Bush and President George W. Bush.
 
Gallagher commented on his induction by saying, “I’m happy, surprised, grateful, and honored to be associated with this Class of Inductees.  These are people I respect for their hard work, dedication to and love for the game of golf.  To be mentioned along with this group of candidates is truly an honor.”
 
He continued, “After all the years of Pro Shop time, time on the lesson tee, junior programs, member tournaments as well as my tournament play, it is what I signed up for and I have loved it all!”
 
Joining Arvanitis and Gallagher in the Class of 2024 is Tom DiFonzo, a longtime New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendent who made an immense impact on agronomy and turfgrass in the state through his work on the Board of Directors of the New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendents Association (NHGCSA).  DiFonzo was the superintendent at Laconia Country Club for 18 years, a timeframe which included the 113th New Hampshire Amateur Championship.  During that time, he held every office on the Board of Directors for the NHGCSA, including serving two terms as their President.
 
DiFonzo was active in encouraging industry leaders to monitor and impact important legislation that could affect golf courses and the turfgrass industry. He was at the forefront of protecting New Hampshire courses by being present at the State House when needed and signing necessary petitions.  He served as the NHGCSA delegate for the national association for over 10 years and helped to grow the New Hampshire Chapter into a leader across the industry.  DiFonzo’s efforts with the NHGCSA has earned him an induction into the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame for his contributions to bettering the game of golf here in the Granite State. DiFonzo’s induction will be posthumous as he lost a brave battle with cancer in 2018.
 
Along with the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the New Hampshire Golf Association (NHGA) awards the Joe Kane Distinguished Service Award to an individual who has dedicated much of their time and effort to the game of golf in New Hampshire.  This year’s recipient is John Bottomley, an individual who embodies all the qualities of Joe Kane and has given much of his time bettering golf in the Granite State.
 
NHGA Executive Director, Matt Schmidt, commented, “John’s contributions to the game in New Hampshire have been immeasurable and he’s a worthy recipient of the Kane Distinguished Service Award. He truly embodies the ideals of Joe Kane, and this is recognition of John’s work as an ambassador of the game for many, many decades.”
 
Bottomley has served on the Board of Directors of the New Hampshire Golf Association and was President of the organization in 1991 and 1992.  Over the years he has continued to volunteer with the NHGA and continues to give back to the game as he serves on the Advisory Council of the First Tee – New Hampshire.  John Bottomly is a worthy recipient of this award for his contributions, efforts and support of golf here in New Hampshire.
 
The Class of 2024 is set to be inducted on November 7th during the NHGA Annual Meeting which will be held at Manchester Country Club.  More information on tickets will be available later.

Categories
Inductee

Tom DiFonzo

Tom DiFonzo was a longtime New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendent who made an immense impact on agronomy and turfgrass in the state through his work on the Board of Directors of the New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendents Association (NHGCSA). 

DiFonzo was the superintendent at Laconia Country Club for 18 years, a timeframe which included the 113th New Hampshire Amateur Championship.  During that time, he held every office on the Board of Directors for the NHGCSA, including serving two terms as their President.
 
DiFonzo was active in encouraging industry leaders to monitor and impact important legislation that could affect golf courses and the turfgrass industry. He was at the forefront of protecting New Hampshire courses by being present at the State House when needed and signing necessary petitions.  He served as the NHGCSA delegate for the national association for over 10 years and helped to grow the New Hampshire Chapter into a leader across the industry.  DiFonzo’s efforts with the NHGCSA has earned him an induction into the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame for his contributions to bettering the game of golf here in the Granite State. DiFonzo’s induction will be posthumous as he lost a brave battle with cancer in 2018.

Categories
Inductee

Larry Gallagher, PGA

Dedication and love for the game have been at the heart and soul of Larry Gallagher’s career.  Gallagher started playing golf in high school and acquired his first job at North Conway Country Club in 1970.  From there, he turned Professional and worked his way up through the PGA program.  He landed back at North Conway in 1991 where he served as Head Golf Professional for 25 years.  During his tenure at North Conway, Gallagher had a successful playing career and found even more success with the teaching and mentorship part of the job.

Some of Gallagher’s playing accomplishments include being the New Hampshire PGA’s Player of the Year in 1991 and 1995.  Over the years he won the New Hampshire PGA Stroke Play Championship, Match Play Championship, Senior Stroke Play Championship and various other Pro/Amateur events.

In 2001, Gallagher and his wife Kathy designed and trademarked The Liberty Ball which raised over $30,000 for The Red Cross as well as The Police and Firefighters Women’s and Children’s Fund of NYC.  Their efforts in raising funds through The Liberty Ball were recognized by President George H. W. Bush and President George W. Bush.  That same year he was honored as the New Hampshire PGA Professional of the Year.

Gallagher was also a well-recognized teacher of the game.  In 2007 and 2009, he was recognized by US Kids Golf for his work with junior golf at North Conway Country Club.  For all his years of service to the game of golf, he is now a Lifetime Member of the PGA of America.

Categories
Inductee

Danny Arvanitis

Danny Arvanitis has made a name for himself around the state through his amateur playing accomplishments. His accomplishments include winning the 2001 New Hampshire Amateur Championship, winning four New Hampshire Mid-Amateur Championships, and most recently, winning the 2022 New Hampshire Senior Championship.  He has also competed in 13 USGA championship events over the years, which is an accomplishment on its own.

As a lifelong member of Derryfield Country Club in Manchester, Arvanitis has claimed 12 Manchester City Championship titles, the most any golfer has won.  He has been inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame and was the 2015 NHGA Champions Dinner Honoree.

As he continues to compete against the top in the state, Arvanitis finds the time to give back to the game as he has been the Head Coach of The Derryfield School Golf Team since 2011.  Prior to 2011, he was the Assistant Golf Coach for Southern New Hampshire University from 2008 to 2010.

Categories
Inductee

Mike Ryan, PGA

Remembered by all for his dedication to the game, Mike Ryan, PGA will be inducted into the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game as a PGA Professional.  Right out of high school, Ryan joined the PGA Apprentice Program and was elected to the PGA of America in 1981.  Starting out, he was the Assistant Golf Professional at Plausawa Valley CC, now Pembroke Pines CC.  From there, he went on to take other Assistant Golf Professional positions until being named the Head Golf Professional at Derryfield CC in 1996 where he stayed the remainder of his career. 

While at Derryfield, he created the Mike Ryan Learning Center with golf simulators for golfers to enjoy year-round.  Over the course of his career, he garnered many honors, including NH PGA Junior Golf Leader, NH PGA Teacher of the Year and in 2017 was named NH PGA Professional of the Year. 

Now in his memory, the New Hampshire Golf Association holds the Mike Ryan Memorial Tournament, formerly the Red Ryan, at Derryfield CC, bringing together junior golfers from the around the state to compete in a match play format championship.

Categories
Inductee

Warren Tibbetts, Sr.

With an impressive amateur golf record, Warren Tibbetts is set to be inducted into the 2023 class of the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame.  Tibbetts claimed his first New Hampshire Amateur title in 1955 and won again 15 years later in 1970.  Between those two years, he picked up two New England Amateur titles (1960 and 1963) and won the Massachusetts Amateur Championship in 1966.  Tibbetts was a part of the inaugural New Hampshire Tri-State team in 1935 and was a part of the team for two wins over Vermont and Maine. 

Over the years, Tibbets was a member at multiple courses in New Hampshire, including Derryfield CC, Manchester CC, Green Meadow GC and The Maplewood GC.  He claimed the club championship title at Manchester CC seven times as well as the Derryfield CC club championship title. 

After turning professional, Tibbetts served as the Interim professional at Manchester CC while Joe Makara served in the military.  He also served as the Head Golf Professional at Lake Sunapee CC.

Categories
Inductee

Rich Parker

With accomplishments spanning both his amateur and professional years, Rich Parker has rightfully earned his spot in the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame.  He is a two-time New Hampshire Junior Champion, winning in 1977 and 1978.  As a three-sport athlete at Plymouth State University, Parker found most of his success in golf, winning the ECAC individual title in 1982.  For all his accomplishments there, he was inducted into the Plymouth State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. 

Professionally, he won three New Hampshire Open titles, one Massachusetts Open, Maine Open and Vermont Open titles.  In 1990, he qualified and competed in the US Open at Medinah and competed in the 2010 US Senior Open.  He was named Vermont PGA Player of the Year in 1997 and New Hampshire PGA Player of the Year in 1999. 

Returning to his roots on the amateur side of competition, Parker won the 2018 New Hampshire Senior title and was named New Hampshire Senior Player of the Year that same year.  Currently, Parker is the Head Coach of the Dartmouth College Men’s Golf Team, a position he has held since 2005.

Categories
Press Release

New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Announced: Rich Parker, Warren Tibbetts & Mike Ryan to be Inducted

Concord, NH – With the next New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Induction ceremony approaching this fall, the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Committee is thrilled to announce the class of 2023.  Rich Parker, Warren Tibbetts, Sr. and Mike Ryan, PGA are set to be inducted in November for their accomplishments and contributions to the game here 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.  Since then, 16 individuals have been inducted across three classes.  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.

“Rich, Mike, and Warren embody all of the qualities that the Hall of Fame Committee is looking for when inducting a new class,” commented Matt Schmidt, New Hampshire Golf Association Executive Director.  “All three men have accomplished and given back so much to the game of golf here in New Hampshire.”

Along with the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the New Hampshire Golf Association will honor all 2023 Players of the Year and will also hand out the Joseph Kane Distinguished Service Award to an individual who has dedicated countless hours to the game of golf here in New Hampshire and beyond.  This year’s award is being given to Joe Sprague, current United States Golf Association (USGA) Director of Strategic Initiatives.

Schmidt stated, “We’re thrilled to be recognizing Joe Sprague with the Joseph Kane Distinguished Service Award as well. Sprague’s career in golf administration speaks for itself and few individuals had the respect and admiration of Mr. Kane more so than Joe did.”

The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 2nd at Manchester Country Club. The event will be open to the public with tickets available for purchase at a later date.

Rich Parker

With accomplishments spanning both his amateur and professional years, Rich Parker has rightfully earned his spot in the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame.  He is a two-time New Hampshire Junior Champion, winning in 1977 and 1978.  As a three-sport athlete at Plymouth State University, Parker found most of his success in golf, winning the ECAC individual title in 1982.  For all his accomplishments there, he was inducted into the Plymouth State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.  Professionally, he won three New Hampshire Open titles, one Massachusetts Open, Maine Open and Vermont Open titles.  In 1990, he qualified and competed in the US Open at Medinah and competed in the 2010 US Senior Open.  He was named Vermont PGA Player of the Year in 1997 and New Hampshire PGA Player of the Year in 1999.  Returning to his roots on the amateur side of competition, Parker won the 2018 New Hampshire Senior title and was named New Hampshire Senior Player of the Year that same year.  Currently, Parker is the Head Coach of the Dartmouth College Men’s Golf Team, a position he has held since 2005.

Warren Tibbetts, Sr.

With an impressive amateur golf record, Warren Tibbetts is set to be inducted into the 2023 class of the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame.  Tibbetts claimed his first New Hampshire Amateur title in 1955 and won again 15 years later in 1970.  Between those two years, he picked up two New England Amateur titles (1960 and 1963) and won the Massachusetts Amateur Championship in 1966.  Tibbetts was a part of the inaugural New Hampshire Tri-State team in 1935 and was a part of the team for two wins over Vermont and Maine.  Over the years, Tibbets was a member at multiple courses in New Hampshire, including Derryfield CC, Manchester CC, Green Meadow GC and The Maplewood GC.  He claimed the club championship title at Manchester CC seven times as well as the Derryfield CC club championship title.  After turning professional, Tibbetts served as the Interim professional at Manchester CC while Joe Makara served in the military.  He also served as the Head Golf Professional at Lake Sunapee CC.

Mike Ryan, PGA

Remembered by all for his dedication to the game, Mike Ryan, PGA will be inducted into the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game as a PGA Professional.  Right out of high school, Ryan joined the PGA Apprentice Program and was elected to the PGA of America in 1981.  Starting out, he was the Assistant Golf Professional at Plausawa Valley CC, now Pembroke Pines CC.  From there, he went on to take other Assistant Golf Professional positions until being named the Head Golf Professional at Derryfield CC in 1996 where he stayed the remainder of his career.  While at Derryfield, he created the Mike Ryan Learning Center with golf simulators for golfers to enjoy year-round.  Over the course of his career, he garnered many honors, including NH PGA Junior Golf Leader, NH PGA Teacher of the Year and in 2017 was named NH PGA Professional of the Year.  Now in his memory, the New Hampshire Golf Association holds the Mike Ryan Memorial Tournament, formerly the Red Ryan, at Derryfield CC, bringing together junior golfers from the around the state to compete in a match play format championship.

Categories
Press Release

Third Class of New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Announced: Tina Tombs & Jim Sheerin Set to be Inducted in October

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Committee is excited to announce the Class of 2021 set to be inducted into the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame in October.  After a hiatus in 2020 to the COVID-19 pandemic, the two individuals being inducted into the third class are Tina Tombs, LPGA and Jim Sheerin, PGA.  Both honorees have contributed extensively to the game through playing, teaching, and in other roles to grow the game of golf.

 

Tombs’ roots in golf stem from the Granite State where she garnered many accomplishments as an amateur before turning professional and making a name for herself as a player.  She realized her passion for golf at a young age and now shares that passion with others through her business, Tina Tombs Golf, where she teaches players of all ability levels, drawing from her own experiences learning and growing as a player.

 

“I am honored to be inducted into the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2021,” stated Tombs.  “I started golfing in 1976, at Manchester Country Club at the age of 14.  When I made the decision to play golf, I had a broken collarbone and was caddying for my mom in the New England Amateur.  At that time, I fell in love with the game, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in golf.”

 

“I was very fortunate to have a loving, supporting Mom and Dad, sister and brother, a great teacher Phil Friel, and the state of New Hampshire to offer great golf experiences, competitions, and golf courses for me to learn and improve my game,” continued Tombs.  “It means so much to me to be recognized by the state where my career originated, and I am so proud to say that I am a member of the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame.”

 

Similar to Tombs, Jim Sheerin has a long list of accomplishments from a playing perspective, but also as a PGA golf professional where he dedicated much of his time in efforts to grow the game.  Known by many as the consummate professional, he spent 40 years at Abenaqui Country Club, where he began the caddie program that still exists today and contributed in countless other ways to the club which is located in Rye Beach. Jim’s work is a testament to the kind of person Sheerin is on and off the course.

 

Sheerin commented, “Being inducted into the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame is a distinct honor. I would not be in this position without the unconditional support of my family and the Abenaqui Country Club membership.”

 

“While serving on committees in New Hampshire over the years I have met dynamic and dedicated golfers,” continued Sheerin.  “This has inspired me to always give one hundred percent of my knowledge and love of golf to the New Hampshire community.”

 

New Hampshire Golf Association Executive Director, Matt Schmidt commented, “We are thrilled that the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame ceremony will again be held in 2021. I want to credit the Hall of Fame committee who identified two worthy inductees. Both Tina and Jim represent the best that golf can bring out in all of us and we’re thrilled to honor both of them and celebrate the game of golf this October.”

 

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 Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 21st at Manchester Country Club. The event will be open to the public with tickets available for purchase at a later date.

 

Tina Tombs, LPGA

Tina Tombs has earned many accomplishments over the years from the amateur, professional, and teaching side of the game.  As an amateur, she captured wins in the New Hampshire Girls Junior Championship, NHWGA Championship, and the New England Women’s Golf Association Championship.  She attended school at Arizona State University and became a two-time All American for her success in college.  Following her college career, she began her professional career where she picked up a win in the 1990 LPGA Jamie Farr Toledo Classic and remains one of few LPGA Instructors in the world to have won on the LPGA Tour.  Today, she owns and operates Tina Tombs Golf in Arizona where she teaches players of all abilities, drawing on her own experiences learning and playing.  As an instructor she has garnered numerous awards, including being named the LPGA National Teach of the Year in 2014 and 2018.  Most recently, she was inducted into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame in 2020.

 

Jim Sheerin, PGA

Jim Sheerin began his golf career at Andover Country Club as a caddie and worked his way to becoming a PGA professional in 1972.  He began his 40-year career at Abenaqui Country Club as the Head Golf Professional in 1975.  While at Abenaqui, he established the caddie program which still exists today and earned the status of PGA Master Professional in 1995.  His playing accomplishments in New Hampshire and New England are unmatched, winning eight New Hampshire PGA Stroke Play Championships, 15 New Hampshire PGA Senior Stroke Play Championships and three New England PGA Senior Championships.  He has qualified and competed in three U.S. Senior Open Championship, three Champions Tour events and one Senior PGA Championship.  Sheerin has won numerous awards with the New Hampshire PGA and the New England PGA over the years.  He was named the New England PGA Professional of the Year in 1998 and in 2015 was inducted into the New England PGA Hall of Fame.

Categories
Inductee

Tina Tombs, LPGA

Tina Tombs has earned her place in the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame as an accomplished player and well-known and decorated golf instructor who continues to give back to the game. 

Raised in New Hampshire, Tombs grew up playing the game at Manchester Country Club and was taught by fellow New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Inductee, Phil Friel, at Green Meadow Golf Club.  She played on the boy’s golf team at West High School in Manchester and went on to earn a full scholarship to play golf at Arizona State University (ASU) where she became a two-time All-American.  While in college, he racked up four wins, including a win in the PAC 10 Championship and was selected as one of Golf Digest’s Top 10 Amateur Players.

Her amateur golfing accomplishments include winning the New Hampshire Girls Junior Championship, New Hampshire Women’s Golf Association (NHWGA) Championship, the New England Women’s Golf Association (NEWGA) Championship, and the Women’s Eastern Amateur Championship.

Following her successful college golf career, she began her professional career by qualifying for the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour in 1987.  She went on to win and the LPGA Jamie Farr Toledo Classic in 1990 and finished second in the Sara Lee Classic in 1993, losing in a three-hole playoff.  She remains one of few LPGA Instructors in the world to have won on the LPGA Tour.

After 14 successful years competing professionally, Tombs moved on to become an instructor, sharing her knowledge and passion for the game to players of all ages and ability levels.  In 2002, she founded and is now President of Tina Tombs Golf at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona, where she also holds the title of Director of Instruction.

As an instructor, she has garnered numerous awards as she worked her way into being one of the best teachers in the world, including being named the LPGA National Teacher of the Year in 2014 and 2018.  She is one of four other teachers to have been honored with the award twice.  Her other awards, to name a few, include being awarded the Arizona Golf Association’s Ed Updegraff Spirit of Golf Award in 2017, Arizona Golf Association’s highest award; 2014 and 2018 LPGA Central Section Teacher of the Year; 2015 Marilynn Smith LPGA Central Section Service Award; LPGA TOP 50 Best Teachers from 2017 to 2018; GRAA Top 50 Teaching Professionals in 2018; and GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher since 2019.

She was inducted into New Hampshire’s Queen City Hall of Fame in 1993, the ASU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame in 2020.

Outside of playing and teaching, she continues to give back to the game and donate her time.  She recently served at President of the Central Section of the LPGA T&CP and has been on the Executive and Leadership Committees for the T&CP.  She has been a guest instructor and presenter at numerous clinics and expos around the country and continues her dedication to the game as one of the busiest golf instructors in the world.

The New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame Committee is thrilled be inducting Tina Tombs into the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame in October.