Greetings from Waubeeka
OUR THURSDAY NEWSLETTER

FROM THE GM - Vicki Richardello

In all fairness, Dick Syriac, aka laryoflenox, states in today’s newsletter that he is guilty of not getting his weekly addition to us. But in reality, he did…. It’s been a challenging start to the season, and the editor, aka me, chose the wrong entry. With age comes forgetfulness…and I thought I had read the Jason Dufner story before; I just wasn’t sure if it was actually in a newsletter.  I guess it’s time to do my homework. As a former teacher, I should know better.

It’s been great seeing our former members return, and many new members have decided to join the ranks.  Waubeeka is an inexpensive gem and friendly to all!  Check out our membership fees and compare with others….Waubeeka offers a quality, championship 18-hole course with the greatest views in Berkshire County at a reasonable price.  We will work with you on the initiation fee so that it can be paid over numerous years.  Golf is a sport that can be played with many; it can be played alone.  And, on a warm, summer night, it is the most relaxing entertainment I know.

The annual Drive, Chip and Putt show is always fun to watch and this year was no exception.  The story of 9-year-old Autumn Solesbee, a former foster child now adopted into a loving golf family was simply wonderful.  Autumn won her division and I’m sure she has inspired others to never give up.  We hope all foster children are living with loving parents who nurture them in all their dreams. 




On a recent trip to Arizona with temps in the 90’s,  I was able to play golf everyday until the last when we were all too tired to do anything.. except shop.  Can you imagine that? Anyway, on one of those golf days, I heard a loud explosion only to find the front tire of my cart had disintegrated!  Not wanting to hold up the guys behind me, I signaled them on…Found out later it was Marcus Allen and another Arizona Cardinal player who were out for a little afternoon golf.  To be honest, I think their football skills may be just a little better than their golf prowess. Following them  for the remainder of the round, I didn’t see many terrific shots.  But, they certainly were great guys.

Condolences to the Fred Goerlach family.  I played in quite a few scotch tournaments where my partner and I were paired with Fred.  What a wonderful, fun-loving guy!  He will be missed by many.

The women’s Spring Cup matches will begin play on Thursday, April 28th and continue for five weeks.  Representing Waubeeka next week in Greenfield will be Nancy Barry, Sandy Bourdon, Stacy Govi, Deb Degray and Vicki Richardello.  Spring Cup matches are a fun way to meet players from other courses and a very affordable way to play some of the nicest courses in the state.

As you all know, Waubeeka owner,  Mike Deep is still at Mass General Hospital. So many people have expressed concern and want to know how he is doing, especially after last week’s Deep Thoughts.  It’s been over two months since Mike was admitted to MGH with three major problems.  His heart procedure went well…check! He is now going through radiation for a benign pituitary tumor and his team of doctors will then be able to address his blood issues which seem to be a more difficult problem.  Needless to say, he is chomping at the bit to come home and return to Waubeeka. He is starting to walk his floor at the hospital and of course, is giving us all orders from his bedside.  Mike will never change, but I, for one, hope that when he returns, he is able to enjoy himself, work less and play more golf. We pray that will happen.

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT - Brian Bartlett

Mother Nature is playing funny tricks on us.  Two weeks ago with the temps in the 70’s, we were scrambling to open the course. And now, with snow flurries the past couple of days, we can only hope spring returns!  

The crew and I are lovin our new mower!  Our greens should be especially great this year.
 

FROM THE KITCHEN -

We’ve added a few new items to last year’s menu and hope you will stop in to try them out. Two new appetizers are Seared Ahi Tuna and Spinach Artichoke Bubbling Crock. Of course, chicken tenders and pork potstickers have always been a favorite.  Tavern on 7 is open every day starting at 11 AM.  Driving by?  Stop in for a great lunch!

FROM THE PRO - Erik Tiele

Well, the season is off and running! We were greeted by a nice warm day and it was great to see a lot of familiar faces on opening day. Three days later we were greeted by 2 inches of snow! Mother nature needs to make up her mind!

We still have a few openings for the annual “Wowbeeka” two ball tourney being held on June 11 and 12.  Call me at 413-458-8355.

I would personally like to thank Matt Todd for the generous donation for my Sunday Junior clinics. The donation was made in the memory of his father Mark Todd. We will be using this donation to purchase new junior sets for use during our sessions and then at the end of the season we will give away a couple of these sets to kids that show an above average interest in the game and are looking towards improvement. 

Merchandise is still arriving on a daily basis so come check it out! The majority of the new Taylormade Stealth technology has arrived and the Callaway Rogues are appearing also. The FootJoy and Puma shoe lines are also here!








The First Adult Golf School slated for June 14,15 &16 is full!  Applications for the second school in August are available online here.

All three of the Junior Clinics have limited openings remaining. 

The deadline for the Allied Fourball at Taconic was yesterday April 20th. 
Here is the full Allied Schedule Link.

Hopefully, we will be able to get our Sunday Sweeps started this Sunday.

Good Luck to The Waubeeka Ladies Spring Cup team which will be playing their first match next Thursday at the CC of Greenfield.

Thank you for pardoning me when you entered the shop this opening week. I began a couple of last minute projects in the shop and between that and merchandise arriving daily it was a little messy!









 

Dick Syriac (laryoflenox) writes:

I'm guilty. There I said it. 

Yes, my column was missing from edition #1 of the 2022 Waubeeka Newsletter. I was hoping that no one would notice that the tale of Jason Dufner was from my archives and would be viewed as current news.
I was wrong.
Maybe the fact that I referred to the former Mrs Dufner as his loving bride gave it away. Busted!
At my four other "Newspaper" gigs I never missed a deadline, maybe that is why they are no longer being published. I don't think my association with the Beek News outlet will garner me rooftop press credentials at Saratoga this summer. 

May I take a few minutes to reflect on my association with Mike Deep, the owner of the great Waubeeka Golf Links. I've known Mike since he graduated from St. Joseph High School in North Adams. (I've never seen his diploma however.) He was the first person I knew who had a car phone. He was always a very positive and generous man and remains an optimistic person even during his present hospital confinement.








Back in the 70s, when Dick DeGray and I were running the North Adams Summer Basketball League we were in desperate need of sponsors. We also established a league for the girls which meant twice as many sponsors were needed. Mike called us up and said, “I want to sponsor a team in both leagues, how much do you need?"

So, we were off to the Williams Co-op to order two sets of "Deep Insurance” jerseys. (When Nick Altiere heard of Mike's generosity, he said, “I'll take two also.")

I want Mike and his fine family to know that he has many friends throughout Berkshire County and beyond who hope to see him patrolling his Williamstown gem, as it is where he belongs.

Be strong and get well soon my friend.

One of my correspondents from South Florida reports that Paul Mahoney won the Club Championship at The Glades in Naples. Paul shot three rounds in the 70s to grab the hardware. Paul was a constant guest of his good friend Nick Petropulos at the "Beek" and played in many of the Frank Zoltek Gala events. Paul was a member at Cranwell for years and before he relocated to the Sunshine State he had a locker at Greenock CC in Lee..

Linda and I enjoyed our extended vacation in Florida during the winter along with our German shepard, Jonah.We ran into many familiar faces with Northern Berkshire ties. It was great to get caught up with Paul and Jan DuBois, Bill and Sandy Sarmuk and Peter and Susan Unis.

Dick and Missy DeGray were also in town while Chris Casey, Gary Ghidotti and David Berasi were seen kicking it back in the sun. Do not, I repeat, do not challenge Gary to a shuffleboard match.

Before we left for home I had to cash in my $120.00 pro shop credit voucher at Crane Lakes CC in Port Orange. Settle down there, Sparkey; I was fortunate to pick a live square in the Super Bowl pool.

A word of advice to readers who travel with a pet. Many hotels will tack on a $15.00 fee per night per hound while the Hyatt "pet friendly" rate is $75.00. Jonah would not even think of stealing any towels or taking extra long showers. Where is the justice?

Linda and I extend our sincere condolences to Ron "Barney” Bernardi's family for the tragic passing of his brother Dennis. 

Fritz Spooner was a great guy and a great friend for many years, we will miss him.

Upon arriving home we learned of the sad but expected passing of our close buddy, Fred Goerlach of Dalton. Fred and I patrolled the first tee at Cranwell for a few years and he was quite an accomplished golfer. He leaves wife Deb and a couple of daughters. He is now teeing it up with his close pals Tom Sullivan PGA and Jeff Polucci Esq..

All good people, gone too soon.

If the golf balls we are now playing don't seem to go as far as they used to, why do they charge so much for them?

Let’s play a lot of golf this summer and have some fun, regardless of what the score card reads. Don't forget to tip your waitstaff and bartenders and don't forget the cart crew boys and girls.

How about we all send a note to Mr. Deep and wish him a speedy recovery.

PGA Tour

Jordan Spieth knows how to celebrate Easter, especially at Harbour Town in Hilton Head.  Poor putting is not an excuse, so on Sunday, when Jordan found Scotty Cameron, he also found his 13th career win - first as a dad- and career earnings totaling $50,000,000!  No one could have been happier with Spieth’s playoff win over Patrick Cantlay, than Waubeeka member and fellow Texan, Elliot Catarulla.  WITB -Spieth is sponsored by Titleist, so all 14 clubs bore that famous logo.  The Driver was the TSi3 10 degree, while he maneuvered with the 15-degree wood and the 21-degree Hybrid for those longer shots.  He plays the 4 - 9 T100, s and finishes with the Vokey 46, 52, 56 and 60 degrees lofts. While putting his Pro V1x, the Scotty Cameron 009 was always present!

This week the Tour shifts south to the Zurich Classic.

Seems like football players want to hone their golf skill while at the same time raise money for their favorite charity.  Rumor is Tom Brady & Aaron Rodgers want to tee it up against Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen!

LPGA Tour

Last week Hyo Joo Kim shot 11 under to win the Lotte Championship held in Hawaii.  Kim was “Rookie of the Year” in 2015. The now 26-year-old beat Hinaka Shibuno by two shots.  Am I imagining this or do the winners seem to be getting younger and younger?  

The LPGA will venture to LA this week to play in the DIO Implant LA Open being held at Wilshire Country Club. Speaking of young, sixteen-year-old Amanda Davis whose signature bucket hat makes us smile, will try to qualify on Monday for a chance to play in the event. 



Davis, who shot a 3 under par 69, the only person to finish under par, won the Amateur Championship recently held at Augusta.

We wish Amanda luck in her first LPGA tournament. Can you imagine~she is a sophomore in high school! Wow!!
 

DEEP Thoughts 

Everyone says it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose; it’s how you play the game.  In my case, however, I intend to win this one.  Thank you to all who have reached out to me…your friendship and kind words are appreciated more than you could ever imagine. Someday, I hope to respond to all of you personally.  It may take a while, but it will happen!