Stop the Press! My golfing buddy and friend Jim D’Abramo and I won The Nibs tournament in October 2023.
I nearly did not play, due to a combination of covid and bad weather. So a very modified tournament eventually did take place and after winning our flight, we managed to come out ahead after two shoot out rounds playing 10 West. Prior to the event, I had been playing very poorly, and my Index had been capped out as it had risen so fast over the prior months. I thought we had no chance as I was playing off a handicap way below what it should have been based on actual results. However, something clicked on the day for me, and we “ham and egged” it all the way round to score 42 points. Jim had some amazing shots and we had a lot of luck. The playoff hole was fun - sunny but cold and very breezy. It’s hard enough to hit that green but was really challenging on the day.
Winged Foot is one of the great golf clubs in the world. The membership is amazing, the courses are spectacular, and the facilities in general are just superb. Also not to forget, the Club has terrific staff. The West course is rated number 10 in the US.
Here's a link to the Club's website: https://www.wfgc.org/member-home
The first picture below is of my daughter, Sarah. We played in a modified Pinehurst in 2016. Awesome fun! The next is of me besides a photo montage my other daughter Louise made for me as part of my 60th birthday party at The Club. We had a fun dinner party for around 50 people.
I have an amazing set of golfers to play with in such a short space of time since we joined. My "regular" weekend group is managed by Jim M, and comprises number of guys best known for their nicknames too numerous to mention.
I played in “the Nibs” tournament in 2018 with Derek K as my partner. A terrific guy, and one of the fun events of the WFGC calendar. The Nibs is named after one of the Clubs founders: Charles “Nibs” Nobles led a group of New York Athletic Club members who sought to find their own land for the purposes of building a golf course. After acquiring the land, Nobles selected A.W. Tillinghast to design the East and West courses. Clifford Wendehack, among the foremost residential architects of his era, conceived the now iconic Winged Foot clubhouse. On April 14, 1923, the cornerstone was laid by the membership, and two months thereafter the first golfers teed off on Tilly’s masterpiece.
I took these pictures on an awesome Sunday in November 2018:
Some more pics from 2019…
I played in The Anderson Senior Qualifier in June 2019. But for one bad hole - an 8 on a par 4 and a missed putt on the 36th hole, we could have been second; oh well. Stroke play is tough! But the experience was terrific. I think I shot 81-80 which for me in Tournament conditions is pretty good going:
Here’s a bit of the history of this event: http://www.andersonmemorial.org/pdf/AG_Sept1933-2.pdf.
Nice evening shot over 18 West green, June 2019
Anticipation of a great season featuring The US Open, plus our move to a house very close to The Club was turned upside down in February and March as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. See below:
March 20, 2020
Dear Members, Staff and Caddies,
Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a statewide order that non-essential businesses must reduce their workforce 100% to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Therefore, Winged Foot Golf Club will cease remaining operations as of 5:00 pm tonight. There will be a small staff remaining on the premises.
Members will not be allowed on the property. If you need to access clubs or any other personal items from the Club, please email frontdesk@wfgc.org and we will make arrangements.
Please continue to obey the precautions recommended by the Government to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Stay safe… this too shall pass.
Brendan D. Boyle
Truly, an amazing and worrying time.
Well, it’s now almost end July 2020 and things are easing up but no end in sight to the virus yet. The Club has re-opened somewhat, but it’s all a bit surreal. I had a neck issue which stopped me playing for several weeks. The US Open is due to begin in 8 weeks so The West is getting toughened up. Some of my guys played the tips and could barely break 90.
I like this photo from The Hurricane:
Pretty amazing picture by Ben. July 2020.
So for all sorts of weird reasons we did not move to the house next to the course; let’s just put it down to covid-19. And now The Open is to be played behind closed doors:
United States Golf Association
77 Liberty Corner Road, Liberty Corner, NJ 07938
T: 908.234.2300 | F: 908.234.9687
usga.org | usopen.com
Dear Winged Foot Golf Club Members and Friends:
Since making the decision in April to move the 2020 U.S. Open to September, the USGA and Winged Foot Golf Club leadership have been working closely with local and state health officials on planning a variety of scenarios to safely play the Championship. Today, I am pleased to share with you that the New York Department of Health and Governor Cuomo have granted formal approval to the USGA to play the U.S. Open September 14-20 at Winged Foot Golf Club. However, out of an abundance of caution for health and safety, they have also decided that only players and essential workers will be permitted on-site, which means we are unable to have fans.
Everyone at the USGA is disappointed that we will not be able to have fans on-site and we realize that all of you are equally, if not even more, disappointed. We recognize and appreciate the pride you take in your great club and not having the opportunity to share it with family and friends by welcoming them to experience the U.S. Open in person is understandably disappointing.
Please know that the USGA is tremendously grateful to Winged Foot Golf Club, its leadership, and every one of you for allowing us the high honor of hosting the Championship during this very unusual year. It is a responsibility that the USGA embraces and we will do everything we can to ensure that the club and your iconic West Course shine brightly for the world’s best players and a worldwide television and digital audience.
For those of you who have signed up to volunteer or who have purchased tickets for this year’s Championship, more information will be sent to you shortly.
As we look ahead to September, imagine what an achievement it will be to crown the 120th U.S. Open champion at Winged Foot Golf Club, near what was once the epicenter of COVID-19 in our country. Such an accomplishment will be inspiring for the local community, the state of New York, our country, and the game of golf. It will truly be a U.S. Open for the ages!
Thank you for your support and understanding.
Sincerely,
John M. Bodenhamer
Senior Managing Director
Championships
Hard to believe, but there it is: some States have opened up too soon, some professional sports re-started with poor outcomes, so I guess this make sense, even though a massive disappointment not to see the world’s best close up at your home course.
So The Open is close. Here’s a pic I took towards the end of August:
