Every day MGA members are out there enjoying the game they love. Even though it can frustrate us sometimes, there always seems to be something that keeps us coming back. And every now and then, the game really surprises us with an incredible shot. So, this new Member Moments report is for just those moments – a hole in one, an albatross, maybe multiple eagles in a round, or even a course record. Whatever it may be, we’d love to hear about it and see your photos that commemorate the moment – just email us with all the details at letters@mgagolf.org.
On May 31, Catropa registered what is believed to be the first-ever albatross on Brooklawn Country Club’s par-5 11th hole. With the hole measuring 511 yards, Catropa holed his second shot from 248 yards, using a 3-wood to accomplish the feat. Golf runs deep in the Catropa family, with Chris’ grandfather Ernie having served as a longtime professional at Birchwood and his dad Ferdie having also served as a professional in the area.
Bell registered his fourth career hole-in-one on the par-3 14th at Laurel Links, using a gap wedge from 115 yards.
Duda made an ace in tournament play, doing so during stroke play qualifying for the 106th Westchester Amateur Championship at Otterkill Country Club. The hole in one came on the par-3 13th hole.
McNulty leads an annual golf trip to Atlantic City that typically includes 12 players. After just two holes-in-one during the first 22 years of the trip, there were two aces made on this year’s trip that was made up of eight players. McNulty made one at Blue Heron Pines, holing out with 4-hybrid from 177 yards on the par-3 16th hole for his first-ever hole in one. McNulty, 62, is a 17.9 Handicap Index. Just over 24 hours later, McNulty’s friend Dave Loparco, who plays golf in Connecticut, aced the par-3 16th hole on Seaview Resort’s Pines Course. He used a 3-hybrid from more than 200 yards.
Bly scored a pair of holes-in-one in 2023 at Sterling Farms – using a 3 hybrid from 224 yards and 233 yards on the fifth and 17th holes, respectively – and this year tallied one on the West Coast, making an ace on the par-3 seventh at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort’s Sheep Ranch course. He used a gap wedge from 124 yards.
In the early 1980s, Stamberger purchased a new set of irons at his home club of Plainfield Country Club from then pro John Buczek. At the time he had no holes-in-one but proceeded to make six over the next couple of years. Before moving to Florida around five years ago, Stamberger had made a total of 13 holes-in-one at Plainfield.