A Fabulous Foursome

Profiles of four fearless local duffers.

Tee Party

 

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Four Westchester Golfers Celebrate their Game of Choice

 

Unlike most sports, golf is a social game. Between holes, deals are famously brokered and friendships are forged. The greens just seem to bring out the companionable aspect of even the fiercest competitor. Even if your game lets you down, it’s possible to have a great day on the course—especially if you’re lucky enough to share a tee time with one of these four interesting, inspiring, and delightful duffers.

 

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Jim McCaffrey

 

Occupation: Actor (currently working on Rescue Me)

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Home: Larchmont

Handicap: 14

 

 

In The Beginning

“In high school I was a pretty good athlete and my uncle worked at the Albany muni. So, golf was definitely a part of growing up for me.”

 

Favorite Golf Courses

“I love Winged Foot. It’s intimidating, especially when the rough is four-and-a-half  inches high. Those narrow fairways keep me pretty well acquainted with the tall grass.  I don’t do too bad, though. In fact, last year I got my first putting eagle there. You’re also likely to find me at Saxon Woods, Maple Moor, or Richter Park in Danbury.”

 

Biggest Challenge
to His Game

“I really don’t get to play as much as I’d like because of my work. My buddy, Kevin Dillon, and I will play at Winged Foot when he’s not shooting Entourage and we’re not shooting Rescue Me. This past year Rescue Me kept me busy from February to August, then it was off to Puerto Rico to work in a Jennifer Lopez project, and then back to New York for a roll in an indie film. Golf takes consistent practice to get really good and I can’t find the time to give it that.”

 

Where Golf Fits In

“Not being able to play as much as I’d like is actually a good thing. That means my phone is ringing and I’m staying busy.”

 

 

Robert Westenberg, Sr.

 

Occupation: Owner and
CEO of several New York California Closets stores

Handicap: Between 4 and 7

 

 

 

Then and Now

“I’m actually getting better as I get older. That’s probably because I play more, but also because as I’ve gotten older I’ve slowed down. I’m a real Type A personality and now I take my time over the ball. I’m more relaxed.”

 

Favorite Course

“I’ve been a member of GlenArbor for a few years and I really like it. One of the things I love about GlenArbor is its short game facility and, on days when I can’t get a full round, I’ll go out and hit some balls there.”

 

Where Golf Fits In

“Running your own business means working all the time. After a lot of twelve-hour days, golf is important.
I need the downtime and a little R and R.”

 

Strength

“Consistency. Most of the time, I hit the ball on the fairway and two-putt.

 

Weakness

“Even though I’ve slowed down, I still tend to hit the ball too fast and before I’m really ready.

 

Golf, Business, and the Corporate World

“As a business owner, I spend a lot of time by myself so, when I play golf, I try to play with as many different people as possible. Golf is a social part of my life. It’s also my competitive outlet. I don’t compete in aggressive sports anymore, but I am fiercely competitive by nature, and golf gives me a place to channel it.

 

 

Preston Turco

 

Home: Bedford Hills

Occupation: Gourmet Grocer

Handicap: Between 13 and 15

 

 

In the Beginning

“I took up the game in 1983 when I noticed that all my friends were playing and I quickly got hooked. I only play with nice people who don’t get overly competitive.”

 

Favorite Golf Courses

“I joined Trump National and I absolutely love it. It’s the finest club there is.

 

Biggest Challenge to His Game

“My weakness is my brain. This is a mental game and everyone tells me I hit the ball better than I score. I have to cut down on my mental errors. I’ll hit nine marks in a round but then I’ll bogey and double bogey the rest. I’ve hit a thirty-seven on the front and gone back out and hit a fifty.”

 

Strength

“I can chip, putt, drive…but those mental errors. ”

 

Weakness

“If I can just eliminate the double bogeys, I’d be a single-digit handicap.”

 

Where Golf Fits In

“Golf is a beautiful thing. You get out in the sun, you have a few laughs, you have a little lunch. This game should be fun. It shouldn’t be about pressure. A bad day of golf is still better than a good day at work.”

           

 

Rosemary Mankiewicz

 

Occupation: Retired as film production and dialogue coach
in U.S. and Europe

Handicap: At her best, 13

 

 

In the Beginning

“I was considered too young to play tennis when I was seven years old, so I played golf at the Littlestone course in England.  I played on the ladies’ course all day. Then came the battle of Great Britain. During the war, no one was playing golf.”

 

Favorite Courses      

“I’ve remained a member of the Bedford Golf and Tennis Club for more than thirty years. Of course, with my husband in the film business, we traveled quite a bit. When Joe was shooting Cleopatra, we would play during the day at the Rome Golf Club, sometimes managing to be on the course by six am.”

 

Golf and Life

I was the president of the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association, and later president of the Women’s Westchester and Fairfield Golf Association, I was appointed to the Regional Affairs committee for the United States Gold Association for Southern New York. I truly love the game. In 2003, I was honored with the Judy Bell Award for my contribution to the game for women and juniors. I’m very proud of that.”

 

Today

One of the things that is wonderful about Bedford is that you can still walk the course. Golf is a game meant to be walked. I’m not for all these new technologically advanced clubs. What good is an extra twenty yards with a drive? The real game is the strategy of the short game—dealing with approach shots, bunkers, and your putting.”

 

Looking Back

“Thirteen was the best I ever got my handicap. I never had the time to get it any better. I had other things to do.”

 

 

           

 

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