New MGA President
Ned Zachar has been named President of the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA). The longtime member of GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills served for many years on the group’s board as well as its secretary, treasurer, and vice president. “I’m super passionate about golf and super passionate about the organization,” Zachar says. “Helping to guide an organization like this has been a dream of mine for a long, long time.”
Most local golfers know the MGA as the body that maintains the handicap system and runs numerous tournaments including the prestigious Met Open as well as those of affiliated groups, including the Westchester and Long Island Golf Associations, not to mention the qualifying tournaments for USGA events, like the US Open. It’s portfolio of services extends to all aspects of the game from its headquarters in Elmsford. Last year, the MGA introduced its Adaptive Golf Initiative, which added golf programs for individuals with physical, intellectual, and neurological impairments to its service offerings through the MGA Foundation.
The MGA also rates courses, an integral but seldom-understood part of the handicap system, runs programs like Youth on Course, MGA Play Days, and numerous educational events. Membership has grown from the original 26 clubs to 520 private and public golf clubs and courses with more than 140,000 golfers throughout the metro area. Zachar has a particular interest in Golfworks, a program that provides paid internships at MGA-member clubs for hundreds of young people through the metro area.
Zachar’s prowess on the golf course had no bearing on his position with the MGA, but he has taken home more than a few golf trophies since he first picked up the game as a seven-year-old in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He’s not only won the GlenArbor club championship sixteen times but has played in seven USGA championships including two US Senior Opens and won the 2020 MGA Senior Amateur Championship.
New in the Pro Shop
Chris Marinaro joined Brae Burn Country Club as the head pro, moving from Westchester Hills. Marinaro had previously served as head pro at Trump National Golf Club Westchester and at The Muttontown Club.
Stepping into the head pro position at Westchester Hills is Heath Wassem, whose 20-plus-year stint at Fenway Golf Club and service as president of the Metropolitan PGA makes him well-known in the local golf community. Wassem’s resume includes positions at Atlantic Golf Club as well as sales positions with Toptracer and Golf Genius Software.
Jack Ramsett was named head pro at The Whippoorwill Club to replace Jim Wahl, who retired. Ramsett, a graduate of Methodist University’s Professional Golf Management Program, has been working as an Assistant Professional at Oakmont and Seminole where he started eight years ago on the range and in the bag room at both clubs.
Related: The Latest News on Westchester Golf Course Renovations
